PLEASE HELP!!! I need to find out what my options are to re-enter medical school

[Buffettduck]

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Hey guys, I'm hoping that someone reads this and can lead me in the right direction...I have completed the first two years of medical school with As and Bs and a Step 1 score of 206. I completed the third year of clinical rotations with As and Bs and great narrative comments. During my fourth year, I ran into some medical issues that required taking a leave of absence. I came back and finished all of my 4th year electives except for my sub-internship. That last month, I had to take another medical leave of absence. There is a clause in my medical school policy that only allows for six years to complete an "MD" degree. Unfortunately, my six years are up and I had to do a student-initiated withdrawal from my med school for medical reasons. I'm one rotation short and have to pass Step 2 CK and CS to fulfill my degree requirements. Problem is, I can't go back to my medical school. I have no idea what my options are at this point. Is there a school I can get into to finish that last rotation? Do I need to do 4th year over? Do I need to do all clinical rotations over? Is there anyway I could finish that last rotation through a medical school in the Caribbean? I'm in desperate need of some good advice and will be forever grateful for someone who could lead me in the right direction to finish my degree. I have an intense passion for medicine and couldn't think of doing anything else. Please help.....

 

[Buffettduck]

And let me reiterate that I withdrew myself from medical school...I was never dismissed

 

[Buffettduck]

Hey guys, I'm hoping that someone reads this and can lead me in the right direction...I have completed the first two years of medical school with As and Bs and a Step 1 score of 206. I completed the third year of clinical rotations with As and Bs and great narrative comments. During my fourth year, I ran into some medical issues that required taking a leave of absence. I came back and finished all of my 4th year electives except for my sub-internship. That last month, I had to take another medical leave of absence. There is a clause in my medical school policy that only allows for six years to complete an "MD" degree. Unfortunately, my six years are up and I had to do a student-initiated withdrawal from my med school for medical reasons. I'm one rotation short and have to pass Step 2 CK and CS to fulfill my degree requirements. Problem is, I can't go back to my medical school. I have no idea what my options are at this point. Is there a school I can get into to finish that last rotation? Do I need to do 4th year over? Do I need to do all clinical rotations over? Is there anyway I could finish that last rotation through a medical school in the Caribbean? I'm in desperate need of some good advice and will be forever grateful for someone who could lead me in the right direction to finish my degree. I have an intense passion for medicine and couldn't think of doing anything else. Please help.....and let me reiterate, I withdrew myself from medical school, I was never dismissed

 

[GABAnergic]

I'm no expert, but I think that your best chance is still with your former home institution. They know you best, and must know of your situation. As long as you have been strong academically in your time there, is there a way that a faculty council of sorts (not sure how they do it at your school) could meet and review your case? Applying the "6 year" rule for the sake of applying it seems foolish when you are so close, and from what you've said in your post this situation is no fault of your own.

It is obvious that you really want this, and I have no doubts that you will make a fine doctor in the future. Good luck!

 

[WellWornLad]

This question is really for your dean. If you've already talked to him/her, what did they specifically say?

If you absolutely had to go to another school, I can't see a way around redoing 3rd & 4th year. If your circumstances are as "clear" as you make them sound, a transfer should be possible.

It feels like there's more to this story, though. Why did you do a "student-initiated withdrawl" instead of taking a leave of absence?

 

[C5toC9]

was it really medical reasons?

 

[Buffettduck]

The reason I could not have any more "leave of absence" time is because my six-year time frame is up...assuming that I can't finish at my school, what are my options on finishing elsewhere or even outside the US. I've heard about students in Carribean schools doing their clinical rotations in the US...is there anyway I could finish at my school or a school/hospital nearby and be affiliated with a Carribbean medical school???

 

[metallo]

The reason I could not have any more "leave of absence" time is because my six-year time frame is up...assuming that I can't finish at my school, what are my options on finishing elsewhere or even outside the US. I've heard about students in Carribean schools doing their clinical rotations in the US...is there anyway I could finish at my school or a school/hospital nearby and be affiliated with a Carribbean medical school???

I think your situation is unique enough that you won't get any meaningful advice, or at least accurate advice, here that is specific to your problem. I agree with the earlier poster who said you should talk to whoever your contact is at your former medical school. At my school, we have a "student affairs" person who handles any problems students have... even former students (I've heard that he has handled cases of former alumni who want to switch residencies and reapply, for example). Find this person at your school, explain your situation if they aren't already familiar with you, and explore every option available. You're too close to having your degree not to explore all your options, and even if it might seem awkward to contact people at your former school, I'd say they're your best bet for either readmitting you or putting you in contact with people at other institutions.

 

[ZagDoc]

Check to see if your school has an ombudsman. Probably best source of advice.

 

[fleetgoddess]

I agree you should really talk to student affairs or your dean of students. They should be there to help inYour medical situations. Did you talk to them about the situation. Your situation seems weird as I'd think you should have talked to them and see if they could bend the rules for you if you had a legit reason for taking leaves. I had a medical emergency during third year and my dean of students was a great advocate: Made sure things were ok for me to come back and tried to make sure that I worked within the restricted hours my doc recommended ( I actually didn't because the other med students started saying things to me). Most people, not all, seemed to try to bend over backwards for me, I'm not sure about your school. I would also assume that you aren't the first one with a medical emergency. We have a small class and two people including myself got into car accidents in a year and had to take time off. I know the other person is taking at least a year off.

You'd probably have to complete third and fourth year if you switched.