Russian/Ukrainian/Soviet Premeds/Applicants

[Arsenophilia]

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Reggieray2k:

Да хрен его знает, если зачтут, то спасибо, но самому таковым называться вероятно было бы непредусмотрительно. А если уж русскоговорящих преподов достаточно для всех собеседований, то уже можно твёрдо считать, что мы перевалили за критическую отметку.

Arsenophilia:

I'm not sure I'd agree with you here. I find that the more foreign languages you know well, the better you speak your own. 🙂))

No disagreement under normal circumstances, but languages tend to trip me up. It usually helps with Latin derivatives because of root words, but I don't have the linguistic aptitude. The only thing I have going for me is logic and science.

 

[lkorovin]

gabeva:

You may have some conversion problems, since CIS students enter the medical institutes after high school, so you do not have an undergraduate degree. It may have been a safer bet for you to complete your education in Ukraine and then sit for the USMLE. Good luck...

 

[Grand]

Hello, I am from ExSoviet too. BakU

 

[gabeva]

gabeva:

You may have some conversion problems, since CIS students enter the medical institutes after high school, so you do not have an undergraduate degree. It may have been a safer bet for you to complete your education in Ukraine and then sit for the USMLE. Good luck...

Well it is too late to complete med school in Ukraine since I've been living in States for 6 years. Also, I had no problem transferring my Ukrainian credits and using them towards my American bachelor degree. I wish I could only take USMLE and avoid this awful application process.....

 

[lkorovin]

Да, это меняет дело. 🙂 Лично я долго думал куда мне поступать здесь или в питерский и московсий 1-й Мед. В итоге решил учиться здесь ради экономии времени.

 

[gabeva]

Да, это меняет дело. 🙂 Лично я долго думал куда мне поступать здесь или в питерский и московсий 1-й Мед. В итоге решил учиться здесь ради экономии времени.

I eto pravilno!

Are you applying this year?

 

[NavyFlyer]

What's up, eastern block med students and pre-meds? I had no idea there were so many of us here. I was born in Kiev, Ukraine, and moved to the US in '91 when I was 12. Did the standard comp sci degree for an immigrant, but non-standardly became a Navy pilot. I love my job of flying and landing on a carrier, but I like science just as much, if not more, and I can continue to fly recreationally post med school. I am hoping to be applying in a year and a half, and as I finish my pre-reqs, I am continuing to fly for the Navy.

To be honest with you, I am a little worried about the verbal section, since English is my second language, and surprisingly, people who have been speaking English their entire live, tend to do poorly on this part of the MCAT.

For those who did well, how did you prepare? For those of you who did not do so well, but turned it around and got a better score the next time, what did you do differently? I am planning on taking the MCAT a year from now, so I have plenty of time to get ready.

It's great to know there are so many of you here, and I am looking forward to hearing from you.

 

[MossPoh]

Hey everyone!

I was born in Estonia but speak Russian (father is Estonian, mother is Russian). I lived in both Estonia and St Petersburg, Russia during my childhood and have been in the US for 12 years.

Regarding the verbal section on the MCAT - it was my least favorite by far and I struggled with it a lot even though there is nothing wrong with my English. I took a Kaplan course before taking the MCAT but I don't think it really helped me with verbal even thought I practiced it a lot. I ended up getting an 11, which is good, but on all my practice tests I was getting 8-9 so the 11 was a surprise.

One of my best friends is that exact combo. She went to Tallinn University and then did a Masters in Berlin. Estonia (and St. Petersburg) were both pretty awesome places...when it wasn't about -45 degrees out.

 

[zayka]

Yeah, Russia! I'm from St. Petersburg 🙂.

 

[lkorovin]

gabeva:

Yes, I'm applying this cycle.

NavyFlyer:

Вербальная секция относится не столько к знанию языка, сколько к умению работать с разными видами текстов, усваивать прочитанное и делать разные заключения. Если у Вас есть хотя бы росточки гуманитарного склада ума, то Вы справитесь.

 

[NavyFlyer]

gabeva:

Yes, I'm applying this cycle.

NavyFlyer:

Вербальная секция относится не столько к знанию языка, сколько к умению работать с разными видами текстов, усваивать прочитанное и делать разные заключения. Если у Вас есть хотя бы росточки гуманитарного склада ума, то Вы справитесь.

Gabeva,

Thanks for the info. I am looking forward to getting the MCAT over with, and hopefully, moving on to bigger and better things. Thanks for the encouraging words.