Opt in USA vs. Carrib. Med

[gqindian]

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I know these two professions are totally different, but I wanted to know which (between the two) you would pick if you got into?

Opt. in USA or Carib. Medical school ie) Ross, SABA, etc...

Also, although money isnt everything, which one of these professions has the ability to make more money in?

Thanks
GQ.I

 

[r_salis]

I would go to business school and get an MBA if I wanted to make a whole lot of money.

 

[vtrain]

Since you are posting in the optometry forum, it is a safe bet to guess that most here would pick optometry. Post this in the Allo forum and you'd probably get the opposite answer. When you break the professions down, it's almost as if you are comparing apples to oranges.

As to which profession is more lucrative - it depends on so many factors. A salaried GP will probably not make half a much as an opto running her own private practice with a dispensary. However, if you are in this for the money, I would suggest you get out as fast as you can; because by the time you are where I am right now, you will realize that to do this for the money REALLY isn't worth it no matter what profession you chose

 

[gqindian]

Since you are posting in the optometry forum, it is a safe bet to guess that most here would pick optometry. Post this in the Allo forum and you'd probably get the opposite answer. When you break the professions down, it's almost as if you are comparing apples to oranges.

As to which profession is more lucrative - it depends on so many factors. A salaried GP will probably not make half a much as an opto running her own private practice with a dispensary. However, if you are in this for the money, I would suggest you get out as fast as you can; because by the time you are where I am right now, you will realize that to do this for the money REALLY isn't worth it no matter what profession you chose

I know that these 2 are really different paths, as I did mention this in my original post. What I was more interested in hearing, in which I might have not clear enough is that, which would you chose and why? Some of us cannot get into an american medical school, but they can into an Optometry school and even a Carib. Medical school. So basically, I was looking for people who are in such a position to answer. And if anyone does have figures on the annual income comparison between Optometrists and Family doctors, that would be great.

 

[Leroy]

I know that these 2 are really different paths, as I did mention this in my original post. What I was more interested in hearing, in which I might have not clear enough is that, which would you chose and why? Some of us cannot get into an american medical school, but they can into an Optometry school and even a Carib. Medical school. So basically, I was looking for people who are in such a position to answer. And if anyone does have figures on the annual income comparison between Optometrists and Family doctors, that would be great.

Your fault is in assuming that people on this forum would want to go to an American medical school, if only they were accepted. This is not true. For the majority of optometry applicants, optometry is what we want to do. Med school is not a consideration, regardless of where it is. Please do not take the spot of a serious optometry applicant, if this is career is just "settling" for the best you can do. I will repeat what was said above: you are asking in the wrong place. I'm sure that not every optometry applicant has this as their first choice, but I would hope that the majority of those accepted do.

 

[vtrain]

Exactly what I was trying to say. Well said, Leroy.

 

[gqindian]

Exactly what I was trying to say. Well said, Leroy.

Obviously both of you can't answer my question, so stay out of this thread! If you don't fall under this category, maybe someone else does, as I have got a few private messages from people who do, and I appreciate their responses. Both of you have not answered my question (vtrain and Leroy), and I would appreciate it if you refrain from replying to my initial question in this thread since your answers are of no help to me or others!

 

[LowlyPremed]

I know these two professions are totally different, but I wanted to know which (between the two) you would pick if you got into?

Opt. in USA or Carib. Medical school ie) Ross, SABA, etc...

Also, although money isnt everything, which one of these professions has the ability to make more money in?

Thanks
GQ.I

I'm pre-med but I like to cruise the other forums as well. If you are really committed to being a physician, then the choice should be obvious - Carib. Med school. I would not go into opt., its not what I want to do. Like other posters have said, opt., like dentistry, pharm etc. is not a career for people that did not get into American med schools. I have friends that
could probably get into almost any med school but chose to go to opt., or dentistry, for lifestyle reasons. If you go into it for the wrong reasons you might end up hating it.
Good luck. 😎

 

[vtrain]

Ummm....if you look up my history, you can see that I sort of do fall under this category.

Does anyone else feel like banging their head against the wall repeatedly after reading this thread?

To ggindian....no need to get defensive. I can see that youre also contemplating Dental school in Australia. I sincerely hope that you find your true path.

 

[brendang]

why don't you go to a caribbean school, get into an ophtho residency and become a real eye doctor?

 

[gqindian]

Ummm....if you look up my history, you can see that I sort of do fall under this category.

Does anyone else feel like banging their head against the wall repeatedly after reading this thread?

To ggindian....no need to get defensive. I can see that youre also contemplating Dental school in Australia. I sincerely hope that you find your true path.

I am not getting defensive. All I was asking for is people who might be in the position that they got into both (Opt in USA and Carib. Med). Why would they chose one over the other. Thats all I was asking.

And yes, I am looking at differernt things.

Good luck to You vtrain in NECO.

 

[Tasteestuff]

Simple answer..

If you think you are going to work your ass off and study hard.

Go to Car. Med. school. Unless you have the grades for amer. med. school.

Make sure to do extremely well in Boards since your future will depend on it. You are going to have to do somewhat better than american med. counterparts.

Money? M.D. will almost ALWAYS make more money than O.D. unless you become a FP or Peds..

Go to Carr. Med school, ace the boards, go to a competitive residency... Then, you will achieve what you are looking for.

 

[LowlyPremed]

I am not getting defensive. All I was asking for is people who might be in the position that they got into both (Opt in USA and Carib. Med). Why would they chose one over the other. Thats all I was asking.

And yes, I am looking at differernt things.

Good luck to You vtrain in NECO.

I would choose Carib. Med because : 1) I want to be a physican more than anything else. 2) You get to choose from many different fields of med (not limited to eye). 3) There are lots of specialties that does not require being on call and are 9-5. 4) Earning potential is grater. 5) Besides, I'm sure that living in the Carib. would be an excellent experience.

I would choose Opt. (assuming that you are interested in the field) because: 1) You don't have to leave the U.S (this is a really big factor). 2) you don't have to worry about malpractice 3) You don't want to do a long residency 4) You don't want to deal with the hypercompetitive people (I'm sure you'll find them in Opt but probably not as much). Hope this helps.
Which do you think will make you happy?

 

[jmonte]

If you love science (specifically the science behind the eye), optometry's place in the healthcare system and have a sincere interest in helping people go with optometry. If you want to extend your expertise to the whole body go with medicine. MD's in general make more than OD's. How are you gonna spend 150K and the next 4 years of your life? oh and to brendang, I assure you Optometrists are very real , I saw mine yesterday.

 

[gqindian]

I wonder what your personal statement to optometry or medical school would be like? Your posts seem to echo a tone much like the countless undergraduate pre-meds out there that painfully continue along that path for reasons such as; laziness, greed and parental fear/influence. Unfortunately, your playing with something very important. Your life! We all want to make lots of $$, well, some of us would just want to live comfortably, but I hope that you snap out of this need to attain the label "doctor" with the assumption that guaranteed riches follow. In college I saw too many students blinded by the idea of doctor instead taking a sincere interest in a field. Medical school/opometry school is no joke. If you love science (specifically the science behind the eye), optometry's place in the healthcare system and have a sincere interest in helping people go with optometry. If you want to extend your expertise to the whole body go with medicine. MD's in general make more than OD's. How are you gonna spend 150K and the next 4 years of your life? oh and to brendang, I assure you Optometrists are very real , I saw mine yesterday.

I like how you somewhat gave an answer to my question later on in your speech...which I do appreciate. However, don't go making generlizations about people you know nothing about as per your comment

"I wonder what your personal statement to optometry or medical school would be like? Your posts seem to echo a tone much like the countless undergraduate pre-meds out there that painfully continue along that path for reasons such as; laziness, greed and parental fear/influence. Unfortunately, your playing with something very important. Your life! We all want to make lots of $$, well, some of us would just want to live comfortably, but I hope that you snap out of this need to attain the label "doctor" with the assumption that guaranteed riches follow"...

Crap like that is not appreciated by anyone..especially me! You do not know what position I am in, anything about me or anything like that, so I would like for you to keep unconstructive criticisims to yourself!

 

[jmonte]

I do apologize. When I read your posts it reminded me of a friend of mine and I was writing more to that person. I dont know your situation and this forum does not need that. Good luck though with the decision process!

I like how you somewhat gave an answer to my question later on in your speech...which I do appreciate. However, don't go making generlizations about people you know nothing about as per your comment

"I wonder what your personal statement to optometry or medical school would be like? Your posts seem to echo a tone much like the countless undergraduate pre-meds out there that painfully continue along that path for reasons such as; laziness, greed and parental fear/influence. Unfortunately, your playing with something very important. Your life! We all want to make lots of $$, well, some of us would just want to live comfortably, but I hope that you snap out of this need to attain the label "doctor" with the assumption that guaranteed riches follow"...

Crap like that is not appreciated by anyone..especially me! You do not know what position I am in, anything about me or anything like that, so I would like for you to keep unconstructive criticisims to yourself!

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

I know these two professions are totally different, but I wanted to know which (between the two) you would pick if you got into?

Opt. in USA or Carib. Medical school ie) Ross, SABA, etc...

Also, although money isnt everything, which one of these professions has the ability to make more money in?

Thanks
GQ.I

If I had to do it again I would go to carib. med school, in the end most people wont know you went down south for med school.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

why don't you go to a caribbean school, get into an ophtho residency and become a real eye doctor?

Why don't you go back to your country and practice ophthalmology there !!!

 

[brendang]

Why don't you go back to your country and practice ophthalmology there !!!

Thought it would be nice leaving the sleet and snow for a couple of years... Plus, it makes me feel all nice and tingly knowing that I possibly took YOUR spot in an ophtho residency... Peace.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

why don't you go to a caribbean school, get into an ophtho residency and become a real eye doctor?

Would it have been so hard just to answer the OP's question in a non-jerk way. Something along the lines of "I really wanted to do medical school, so I chose a carib. school rather than try for a non-MD health profession like optometry."?

And as a serious question, do you have any idea how carib. med students fair in the ophtho match compared to US grads? Just out of curiousity

 

[brendang]

Would it have been so hard just to answer the OP's question in a non-jerk way. Something along the lines of "I really wanted to do medical school, so I chose a carib. school rather than try for a non-MD health profession like optometry."?

And as a serious question, do you have any idea how carib. med students fair in the ophtho match compared to US grads? Just out of curiousity

I'm the only one who matched from Saba, Ross, St. George's, AUC, MUA...

 

[SuperSara]

Thought it would be nice leaving the sleet and snow for a couple of years... Plus, it makes me feel all nice and tingly knowing that I possibly took YOUR spot in an ophtho residency... Peace.

I really wish you would quit representing Canadians in the way you do.....
👎

 

[tupac_don]

I know these two professions are totally different, but I wanted to know which (between the two) you would pick if you got into?

Opt. in USA or Carib. Medical school ie) Ross, SABA, etc...

Also, although money isnt everything, which one of these professions has the ability to make more money in?

Thanks
GQ.I

You are comparing apples and oranges. In terms of difficulty, in terms of amt of schooling, it's completely different. Doctors can make more money, really depends on the specialty some will make significanly more money then optometrists. But your life will probably be less stressful as an optometrist. If you are only b/w the two for the money, as a grad from carib school you will probably be relegated to only select few specialties and at certain hospitals. But as a Carib grad you can get ER or GAS, which are both lifestyle oriented. In ER you can make anywhere from $75/hr to $300/hr, depending what group you are in. You can have a 40hr week and 3-4mos vacation to boot. The drawback is that its a chaotic enviroment, you never know what is comin through the door. You are constantly on the move for majority of your shift. When you are there you are basically busting your ass. You see the poor and indigent, since no ER can turn down a person in need, particularly in large innercity/urban centers. And you are constantly looked down upon by colleagues, who look at you as jack of all trades type doctor, who knows many things but not an expert in any one of em. Those are benefits and drawbacks. There is also a high rate of burnout if you really don't enjoy that type of work. As well as an ER physician you are a fat target for lawsuit.

With anesthesia, you can make good money, you tend to work nights and days. Vacation is extensive 1-2mos per year. Pay is good. The drawbacks are boring work, you sit and take vitals for most of the time. Now you do get paid your money's worth when pt is crashing, but generally it's boring. With GAS you are also a target for lawsuit, as well CRNA's are moving in agressively onto your turf and they are a cheaper work force. A hospital can basically hire 1 anesthesiologist to supervise 10 CRNA's, and it's cheaper for em.

But in both of those specialites you can make 200+ per year, more if you want to work harder. All in all it's good cash. But mind you gettin there is 7 years for ER, 8 for GAS. If cash is your biggest motivation ER medicine is fastest and quickest way to get to substantial amt of cash.

 

[gqindian]

You are comparing apples and oranges. In terms of difficulty, in terms of amt of schooling, it's completely different. Doctors can make more money, really depends on the specialty some will make significanly more money then optometrists. But your life will probably be less stressful as an optometrist. If you are only b/w the two for the money, as a grad from carib school you will probably be relegated to only select few specialties and at certain hospitals. But as a Carib grad you can get ER or GAS, which are both lifestyle oriented. In ER you can make anywhere from $75/hr to $300/hr, depending what group you are in. You can have a 40hr week and 3-4mos vacation to boot. The drawback is that its a chaotic enviroment, you never know what is comin through the door. You are constantly on the move for majority of your shift. When you are there you are basically busting your ass. You see the poor and indigent, since no ER can turn down a person in need, particularly in large innercity/urban centers. And you are constantly looked down upon by colleagues, who look at you as jack of all trades type doctor, who knows many things but not an expert in any one of em. Those are benefits and drawbacks. There is also a high rate of burnout if you really don't enjoy that type of work. As well as an ER physician you are a fat target for lawsuit.

With anesthesia, you can make good money, you tend to work nights and days. Vacation is extensive 1-2mos per year. Pay is good. The drawbacks are boring work, you sit and take vitals for most of the time. Now you do get paid your money's worth when pt is crashing, but generally it's boring. With GAS you are also a target for lawsuit, as well CRNA's are moving in agressively onto your turf and they are a cheaper work force. A hospital can basically hire 1 anesthesiologist to supervise 10 CRNA's, and it's cheaper for em.

But in both of those specialites you can make 200+ per year, more if you want to work harder. All in all it's good cash. But mind you gettin there is 7 years for ER, 8 for GAS. If cash is your biggest motivation ER medicine is fastest and quickest way to get to substantial amt of cash.

Would you happen to know how hard is it for a student from Carrib. to get a residency spot in ENT/ER/Family/IM in the USA or does it really all depend upon how well you do on the USMLE?

 

[vtrain]

ENT - is extrememly tough to get a residency spot coming from a carib school. It has been done but these matches are few and far between. Highly recommended that you do not go the carib route if you really want this specialty
Emerg - Tough but fefinitely attainable with above average board scores, clinical grades, etc.
Just look at SGU's match list - every year a good number match into emerg
http://sgu.edu/website/sguwebsite.nsf/home/2005ResidencyAppointmentListBySpecialty.htm

Family and IM - Definitely attainable, even with average board scores. Most carib grads end up in primary care like IM/FP/psych/peds.

Keep in mind, if you are a true IMG (ie no green card, PR, US citizenship) your chances are even harder to match since you need a work VISA. That is why
brendang's match was particularly impressive since he was a canadian AND match into a competitive residency ie ophtho.

 

[ODhopeful]

why don't you go to a caribbean school, get into an ophtho residency and become a real eye doctor?

Maybe cause not everyone wanna become a old hag when they start to make money and enjoy it. I think people who go to carribean schools might just as well not become a doctor because they are not smart enough in the first place and just wanna spend a tone of extra money to buy the doctor title. I don't like brendang because you should not try to lead people down the wrong road, you LOSER!!!!!!!!! 😡

 

[gqindian]

Which Opt school has the best clinics (meaning, gives you the most clinical experience?)

 

[brendang]

Maybe cause not everyone wanna become a old hag when they start to make money and enjoy it. I think people who go to carribean schools might just as well not become a doctor because they are not smart enough in the first place and just wanna spend a tone of extra money to buy the doctor title. I don't like brendang because you should not try to lead people down the wrong road, you LOSER!!!!!!!!! 😡

wow. that was eloquent... can you be my friend? please? even though i'm going to be like 53 by the time i'm done my retina fellowship, i'll have lots of money with no one to share it with...

man, i wish i would have been a coward and not had any faith in myself and gone done the optometry route instead... i feel so unfulfilled acheiving the seemingly impossible... isn't life a bitch?

 

[ODhopeful]

wow. that was eloquent... can you be my friend? please? even though i'm going to be like 53 by the time i'm done my retina fellowship, i'll have lots of money with no one to share it with...

man, i wish i would have been a coward and not had any faith in myself and gone done the optometry route instead... i feel so unfulfilled acheiving the seemingly impossible... isn't life a bitch?

I think you need to go back and learn English because apparently you don't know grammar.... (gone done???? what?!?!?!?!?!) I hope you do my surgery when I have eye problems so I can sue the hell out of you...

 

[ODhopeful]

Which Opt school has the best clinics (meaning, gives you the most clinical experience?)

SCO I think has the best clinical since their eye center is the most updated with the newest equipments. They also have ophthalmologist on staff to assist students and other doctors. UHCO's students begin seeing patients the second semester of the second year and as far as I know they see patients the earliest.

 

[ODhopeful]

wow. that was eloquent... can you be my friend? please? even though i'm going to be like 53 by the time i'm done my retina fellowship, i'll have lots of money with no one to share it with...

man, i wish i would have been a coward and not had any faith in myself and gone done the optometry route instead... i feel so unfulfilled acheiving the seemingly impossible... isn't life a bitch?

To all optometry students out there,
I think we should all drop out of optometry school because, according to BRENDANG, we are all fake/wannabe eye doctors and we are all cowards. Everyone should thank her because without her we would all go down (I mean DONE) a road of wannabe and fakers.