RETURNING STUDENTS/ MED SCHOOLS IN INDIA

[homer]

I am glad I stumbled across this site.

I would really appreciate some advice. I am considering going back to school -- Med School. I am bordering thirties, my husband and I are considering to pack up our bags and quit our successful jobs to go back to school full time.
He already has a Science degree, but I on the other hand have an AA in Computer Science and professional certifications.

This is what we are planning to do -- apply at one of the Med schools in India. Looking into Manipal. Any thoughts.....One of the reasons that we are looking into schools in India is because we have the tution ammount and the idea is no loans after we are done.

I am trying to understand the Indian degree system. After MBBS can one sit the USMLE exams and get into US residency programs? or do you have to do MD after the MBBS degree.

Can anyone share their experiences in similar situation. I understand this is a huge undertaking to let go of successful smooth careers, so mentally I think that we are prepared. Is it too late for us to go to Med school as we will be in our late 30's by the time we are done...

Any thoughts -- advice on the above would be greatly appreciated!!

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[Devdas]

Hi Homer,

Indian MBBS degree is recognized by the ECFMG.You can sit for USMLE tests after graduating from an indian medschool (Recognized by W.H.O directory)Manipal is a recognized medschool and most of the medschools in india are recognized.You can even appear for the step 1 after your preclinical years (first one and a half year).

MD degree in india is a post-graduate degree which is equivalent(technically) to American board exam for specialists.It is not neccessary to have MD degree to take USMLE exams.

There are thousands of indian physicians who had undergone residency training in the United States after completing MBBS degree.

I personally think 30 years is not too late get into medschool.
Is there any career in life which is too late to dream?

 

[assyrian]

i personally think that if u are already in the united states then u should try to go to medical school here. the medical schools in india are great, in fact i am from an indian medical school but the problem is that when u come back here to do your residency you will find it very difficult to get into the residency of your choice. so as far as possible it would be best for u to do medical school in the usa. i am sure there are lots of medical students here who start medical school in their 30s. i dont know if u and your husband are graduates. if u are it will take u only 4 years to do medical school here and in india it ll take u 6 years to do med school.

 

[kamya]

I n my opinion you have made the right decision to go to India for Med school. You can afford it and there will be no loans aftyer you are done.

But one thing I will suggest you. Please study veRy hard when you are there. You can take your step 1 after your pre clinical years. I am sure it is not at all hard to get into a residency program in US if you score in 90's and you are citizen. You can even apply for the fifth pathway program if you have graduated in US. This will be a plus point.

30 is not at all late to start med schools. Given by the time you are done with the school you are also done with both steps and CSA and ready to apply for residency. So do a proper planning to save time and money

You can do it ---

 

[Maran]

I would also recommend going to medical school in the U.S. if you can. Finances are not the only issue here. Despite the fact that India has wonderful medical schools and produces highly skilled and qualified physicians, if your plan is to practice in the U.S. when you graduate, you should be aware of the prejudices against FMGs.

When U.S. citizens go to medical school oversees, employers tend to assume it is because you could not get accepted into a U.S. medical school and that somehow that means that you won't be as good a doctor.

Let me be clear that I am not a proponent of these beliefs in any way. But I talk to employers who need to hire physicians every day, and most will not consider FMGs. Of course, if you and your husband intend to open your own practice, this may not be as big an issue for you.

(Note: I use "FMG" to refer to physicians from the U.S. who attended medical school outside of the U.S., and "IMG" to refer to physicians from anywhere else in the world who studied medicine in their home country.)

 

[navs]

Hi Maran,

I found ur comment sort of interesting.

Are u saying if u had a FMG that went to Harvard for his residency training u wouldn't consider him?? Instead ur superiors would choose a less qualified and TRAINED individual just because they are AMG??

Man, if that is the case thank god the best way to get jobs after residency is through the alumni network of ur training program!! IF people had to rely on people like you MANY very qualified individuals would be out of a job.

Good luck.

 

[homer]

Thanx to all that responded.

I would be curious to talk to someone - a US resident that went to India for Med school & back & currently practicing. Just to get an idea of life & school there & challenges after completion in US.

Maran- the biases that you mentioned apply to all FMG's? -- e.g- India, UK etc. or typically to folks that went to Med-school in India?

 

[halothane]

As an fmg it will always be difficult to get into a very competitive program.....but as in my own case good USMLE scores make the task easy. In the end.....after residency youll be OK, U might become chief resident, program director etc depending on your personal ability. Still if one can help it get a US degree. 2nd best get a foreign degree such that you can do a lot of rotations in the US. Best of luck.