should i apply to carribean schools or just WAIT...? help!

[KiwiTeawi]

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okay,i need some help from you guys...

i was planning on taking the mcats this august and then applying for fall 2004 entrance (MD and DO schools). however, it doesn't look like i'm going to be at all ready to take the august exam, so i then figured i would take the april 2004 test and apply for fall 2005. what's another year to do everything the right way instead of messing up because i was in a rush, right?

after some thinking, i came to the conclusion that i will be close to my mid 30s when i'm finished with residency (assuming i do a 3 or 4 year residency).

the thought of waiting another year to apply to schools and not starting med school until fall of 2005 is driving me nuts. i feel like i want to get started on my life already.

so now i'm thinking maybe i should apply to carribean schools that don't require the mcats? i've read some stuff about st. matthews, sint eustacius, and even st. christopher's in england. however, i'm a bit wary of these schools...

i'm also thinking, that maybe medicine is not the way to go... while i do want an intellectually challenging career, i also want a balanced lifestyle... time for kids, family, friends, etc.

does anyone have some words of advice? right now, i am COMPLETELY lost.

thanks

 

[Naphtali]

In a nutshell: take the extra year, apply US (MD or DO, whatever your pleasure).

I shall elucidate: Now, I don't know what the Carribean schools are like in terms of education-- I would bet they vary quite a bit. Problem is, I've heard it can be hard to get into your US recidency of choice coming from the islands. And your residency ultimately determines what style of life you lead (being a surgeon is different than being a FP.) Add to that the fact that Carribean schools are usually MORE expensive than your state med school, and financial aid may be iffy.

So you're going to be 33 or 34 when you finish? Big deal. I've chosen to go MD/PhD... I'll be about the same age when I finish. Compare those few years with THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Doesn't seem so long now, does it?

 

[Paws]

Hmmmm ... first things first, you are going to be mid-30's in about 7 years anyway so what do you want to be doing? There's no reason to think that you can't have a family and kids as well as a medical practice.

Why do you want to skip the MCAT? I don't think anyone likes taking it, but it's a basic requirement in the US and Australia has a very equivalent version (almost exactly the same). We have this test for a reason, which is to 1) test our abilities 2) bring our knowledge base up to par 3) and weed out people who can't hack the rigor. It's an important exam for many reasons and I think alot of people feel proud of themselves after having survived it and done ok.

If you don't feel ready, can you stop and consider why and what you really need to be doing right now? One more year is nothing when it is part of a long marathon. Medical school shouldn't be about half measures, it's a long process but there are reasons for the timing.

I've known people who BEGIN medical school at 40 (or older) so don't ever think: 'I am too old...'

Just my 0.02 ...

 

[TTSD]

Whoa there. A year or two or even three delay really is no biggy. If you look at most of the people who enter medschool, they're in their midtwenties and older.

But, if you just can't wait long enough to nail that MCAT and have to go the Caribbeans.. here are my two cents:

The only ones worth going to would be SGU and Ross and you STILL have to take the MCATs. Do a lot of research on those other Caribbean medschools, I believe it's only those two that are accredited in all 50 states.

Caribbean Medschools should also be considered only by those who are DEAD sure they WANT to become a doctor and/or don't want to play in the more traditional gradschool to medschool route alternative. Especially at places like Ross while sure, they'll most likely accept you.. staying in is a whoole different story. Remember, you'll be in a third world country, nothing to do and they'll be making damn sure you can pass and do well on that USMLE before even letting you off of Gilligans Island.

Also consider that certain high-competition residencies are almost entirely closed off to Caribbean graduates such as ortho, opth, and derm. The only way to get into these residencies is to have the most kickass scores and know the Deans at the respective residencies). But if those aren't what you want than by all means, Caribbeans are fine.. hell, even neurosurgeons come out of there and right now the Chief Resident of Radiology at John Hopkins is an SGU graduate.

But let me add this warning again: Don't consider Caribbeans unless you're willing to work your butt off in a strange land with dirt poor conditions. Med School by itself is enough to send people over the deepend.. add in hurricanes, power outages, no shopping malls, and no safe strip clubs.. and boom.

 

[skypilot]

Originally posted by KiwiTeawi
okay,i need some help from you guys...

after some thinking, i came to the conclusion that i will be close to my mid 30s when i'm finished with residency (assuming i do a 3 or 4 year residency).

Don't think this way or you will drive yourself crazy. Think like I will be 26 when I start learning how to treat patients, 28 when I move into clinical medicine as a student. I will be an MD when I turn 30. Residency is an apprenticeship as a physician. You are working as a doctor. Most of the guys you see on E.R. are residents.

Second point is if you are not sure you want to go through with it you have plenty of time to try to explore other options. There is nothing wrong with SGU but don't put yourself through that wringer until you are fully committed. And as a previous poster said the MCAT and decent grades are required for the top schools in the Carribean for good reason. Talk to Dr. Cuts who went through the Carribean and now is a radiology resident. He will dissuade you from going anywhere except maybe SGU and only then if you aren't accepted anywhere in the US.

 

[coredump]

Another way of coping with waiting another year is to find something really enjoyable to do during that year. If your finances can support you, do something you've always wanted to do: travel, take some classes, find a different job, etc. This way, you won't feel like you're actually "losing" a year of your life, but can look back on it and feel that it was well worth it.

I have nothing against offshore schools. I think they're a great option for those that have tried their luck here, or are in a real rush to get into school. But if you're going to school for 7+ years, why let something like the school from which you graduated hold you back?

btw, I'm in the same boat. I was hoping to apply this year (still am, but with little hopes of getting in due to average MCAT scores). I was bummed about sitting out this year, but put things in perspective and realized it's not so bad. Life doesn't need to be put on hold just b/c you're not moving in the direction of your goals. Just my $0.02.