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Warning: This might be a lengthy post, I have a lot of questions 🙂
Hi,
I debated whether to post this here or in the "non-traditional" forum, but after searching a bit, decided on this one.
I'll introduce myself first, as my background is relevant to what options I have.
I'm a U.S. citizen, but have been a resident of Israel since the age of 8. 20 years later, I'm after a B.Sc. in computer science, and working towards an M.A. (thesis track) in cognitive science (both from Hebrew University in Jerusalem).
I also have a number of years of experience in the work force as a computer engineer.
I haven't made the final decision yet, but my heart is heavily bent towards making the career change to medicine, and I have a feeling that one way or another, I'll accomplish this in the end.
The most straightforward thing to do would be to go to medical school over here. Although there are only 4 medical schools in Israel, and they are quite hard to get into, I'm sure that with enough work and preparation I will eventually succeed, even if it takes a couple years.
The main advantage of learning here is that school here is relatively cheap, and with a part-time job, at least for some of the school years, I should be able to make my way through school.
However, I wanted to check my possibilities in the U.S. as well, to open up more options. Reasons for doing this include:
1) Maybe going to a med school with a unique atmosphere, such as a smaller, close-knit one with a primary-care emphasis (the 4 here are all large and similar, although one has a bit more of a patient-oriented holistic approach).
2) The experience of living in a "foreign" country (for me).
As a side note, although I dreamed a lot about med school as a teenager, due to financial considerations, intertia and a somewhat lower motivation, I put aside that dream when I started my B.A.
I recently started an EMT-B volunteer training course, after which I plan on heavily volunteering at the local MDA (the national EMS ambulance service here). The course is what rekindled that dream of 10 years ago, and although as I stated above I have not made a final decision, I believe that I will eventually go on this path (just acknowledging the realism of this option almost gave me a minor heart attack 🙂) In any case, if I would start a program in the U.S. I should have at least of volunteer work behind me.
Background aside, back to realistic options. After some searching through the Net, I came across the post-bac program option (and after a bit more, got to this forum which seems really pack-filled with info!). Post-bac seems like the best option for me, as it's hard for me to imagine doing a full 4-year B.A. If I would have to do that, I would just stick with the med schools here, which are full 7-year programs, and you start learning medicine in the first or second years.
The disadvantage of the post-bac option (for me) is that it seems that many med schools in the U.S. require one to have 90 credit hours at a U.S. institution. In fact, when I corresponded with the post-bac advisor at Brandeis, she answered that all med schools in the U.S. require this, so the program is not right for me. However, at least some places don't, such as UCSD, Brown, Cornell, Emory and probably many more. All these places require only 1 year of college at a U.S. institution (and of course all the pre-reqs need to be done there, which in any case I don't have at all). I don't know the statistics of how many places will accept a B.A.(M.A.) abroad + 1-2 years of U.S. study, I assume that this will limit my options, but I really don't know by how much. Another point to consider.
The main issue would be financial. I have little to no assets, and any assets in local currency would not get me very far in the U.S. anyway.
This means that I would have to get financial aid (grants, loans, etc.) to cover the FULL cost of post-bac, med school and living. Of course there is also the option of working. I was kind of hoping of being able to find an EMT job in the States, but after searching a bit, it seems that even if I was able to transfer the certification from here (I doubt it though), that also wouldn't get me very far in terms of pay (although it would be great experience). Finding a part-time programming job (in which I have a fair amount of experience) would probably make more sense, either on-campus or out, and I guess that choosing a place to learn based on the high-tech employment opportunities in the area makes sense.
Of course that would mean also choosing a program which is flexible enough to allow me to work alongside it.
And that would also mean finding such a job, which I assume would also not be easy, especially finding it from abroad.
So basically what I want is to find a program/framework in which I could relocate to the States, and "start from scratch" both in terms of school and financing.
I don't even know how to begin to go about this.
The specific location in the U.S. is less important.
Some more information which might be relevant:
I'm pretty good academically, although I did much less in the B.A. than I could have. I have an average of 87, which I guess would translate in the U.S. to a B or B+, although I'm not really sure. My M.A. scores will hopefully be a bit better (90-95 is realistic). I took the GRE and got Q 800 V 700 and AW don't remember but think it was a 5. Apropos GRE, does taking also the SAT make sense?
I don't have any college natural science background. I did major in chem in high school but that was a long time ago.
I also don't have much of a liberal arts background as college here is extremely focused.
Another question - is getting a book such as the ExamKrackers and studying for the MCAT from scratch feasible? I.e. even before taking any of the pre-reqs. I studied for the GRE and the local standardized test here by myself, of course the MCAT is different, but maybe it's also possible. If it is possible, does it make sense? Will it help me at all?
That's basically it for now. If you're still with me, any answers, information, or thoughts about the realism of my options, will be most welcome. Information about specific suggested programs would be totally awesome.
Thanks a lot!
Ephi
Hi,
I debated whether to post this here or in the "non-traditional" forum, but after searching a bit, decided on this one.
I'll introduce myself first, as my background is relevant to what options I have.
I'm a U.S. citizen, but have been a resident of Israel since the age of 8. 20 years later, I'm after a B.Sc. in computer science, and working towards an M.A. (thesis track) in cognitive science (both from Hebrew University in Jerusalem).
I also have a number of years of experience in the work force as a computer engineer.
I haven't made the final decision yet, but my heart is heavily bent towards making the career change to medicine, and I have a feeling that one way or another, I'll accomplish this in the end.
The most straightforward thing to do would be to go to medical school over here. Although there are only 4 medical schools in Israel, and they are quite hard to get into, I'm sure that with enough work and preparation I will eventually succeed, even if it takes a couple years.
The main advantage of learning here is that school here is relatively cheap, and with a part-time job, at least for some of the school years, I should be able to make my way through school.
However, I wanted to check my possibilities in the U.S. as well, to open up more options. Reasons for doing this include:
1) Maybe going to a med school with a unique atmosphere, such as a smaller, close-knit one with a primary-care emphasis (the 4 here are all large and similar, although one has a bit more of a patient-oriented holistic approach).
2) The experience of living in a "foreign" country (for me).
As a side note, although I dreamed a lot about med school as a teenager, due to financial considerations, intertia and a somewhat lower motivation, I put aside that dream when I started my B.A.
I recently started an EMT-B volunteer training course, after which I plan on heavily volunteering at the local MDA (the national EMS ambulance service here). The course is what rekindled that dream of 10 years ago, and although as I stated above I have not made a final decision, I believe that I will eventually go on this path (just acknowledging the realism of this option almost gave me a minor heart attack 🙂) In any case, if I would start a program in the U.S. I should have at least of volunteer work behind me.
Background aside, back to realistic options. After some searching through the Net, I came across the post-bac program option (and after a bit more, got to this forum which seems really pack-filled with info!). Post-bac seems like the best option for me, as it's hard for me to imagine doing a full 4-year B.A. If I would have to do that, I would just stick with the med schools here, which are full 7-year programs, and you start learning medicine in the first or second years.
The disadvantage of the post-bac option (for me) is that it seems that many med schools in the U.S. require one to have 90 credit hours at a U.S. institution. In fact, when I corresponded with the post-bac advisor at Brandeis, she answered that all med schools in the U.S. require this, so the program is not right for me. However, at least some places don't, such as UCSD, Brown, Cornell, Emory and probably many more. All these places require only 1 year of college at a U.S. institution (and of course all the pre-reqs need to be done there, which in any case I don't have at all). I don't know the statistics of how many places will accept a B.A.(M.A.) abroad + 1-2 years of U.S. study, I assume that this will limit my options, but I really don't know by how much. Another point to consider.
The main issue would be financial. I have little to no assets, and any assets in local currency would not get me very far in the U.S. anyway.
This means that I would have to get financial aid (grants, loans, etc.) to cover the FULL cost of post-bac, med school and living. Of course there is also the option of working. I was kind of hoping of being able to find an EMT job in the States, but after searching a bit, it seems that even if I was able to transfer the certification from here (I doubt it though), that also wouldn't get me very far in terms of pay (although it would be great experience). Finding a part-time programming job (in which I have a fair amount of experience) would probably make more sense, either on-campus or out, and I guess that choosing a place to learn based on the high-tech employment opportunities in the area makes sense.
Of course that would mean also choosing a program which is flexible enough to allow me to work alongside it.
And that would also mean finding such a job, which I assume would also not be easy, especially finding it from abroad.
So basically what I want is to find a program/framework in which I could relocate to the States, and "start from scratch" both in terms of school and financing.
I don't even know how to begin to go about this.
The specific location in the U.S. is less important.
Some more information which might be relevant:
I'm pretty good academically, although I did much less in the B.A. than I could have. I have an average of 87, which I guess would translate in the U.S. to a B or B+, although I'm not really sure. My M.A. scores will hopefully be a bit better (90-95 is realistic). I took the GRE and got Q 800 V 700 and AW don't remember but think it was a 5. Apropos GRE, does taking also the SAT make sense?
I don't have any college natural science background. I did major in chem in high school but that was a long time ago.
I also don't have much of a liberal arts background as college here is extremely focused.
Another question - is getting a book such as the ExamKrackers and studying for the MCAT from scratch feasible? I.e. even before taking any of the pre-reqs. I studied for the GRE and the local standardized test here by myself, of course the MCAT is different, but maybe it's also possible. If it is possible, does it make sense? Will it help me at all?
That's basically it for now. If you're still with me, any answers, information, or thoughts about the realism of my options, will be most welcome. Information about specific suggested programs would be totally awesome.
Thanks a lot!
Ephi
