Students in the Caribbean, did you consider other healthcare options?

[GypsyHummus]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering, with long odds of graduating from Caribbean school and matching being around 40-50%, as well as increasing amount of MD/DO schools taking up residencies, why did you guys decide to go to the Caribbean vs doing another healthcare field that allows you to practice as a "doctor" in America? The professions that come to mind include: Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Physical therapy, etc. Physical therapy isnt like medicine much at all, but Podiatry and Dentistry certainly have many similar aspects to medicine, even surgery, prescribing medication, and healing people. I understand not wanting to do those specilties and the fear of being "locked into" those career paths, but a majority of Caribbean grads are also locked into primary care.

Statistically speaking, you have higher chances of being a practicing doctor coming from these programs than the Caribbean. For some Im sure it was stats, and while Dentistry is just as difficult GPA wise as MD (3.6+ but DAT is easier than MCAT), DPM (Podiatry) hopefuls can get in with much lower stats than MD and DO (around 3.0 and 490+ for MCAT). Optometry also has lower stats than MD/DO.

This doesnt even touch on the options available to people as Nurse Practitioners (NPs). Some NPs have doctorate degrees and function in a similar way to the primary care doctors autonomously. Or PA, though I certainly understand the wanting to be autonomous.

Just curious your thoughts. I know its not technically "medicine", but you still function as a doctor in a similar capacity.

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[GypsyHummus]

Well, not all DOs do ACGME residency, would you consider them physicians?

And have you ever seen what a Pod does? They do 3 years of foot and ankle surgery. Some do consistant ankle surgery. Seems like a specialist to me. Dentist can get their MD/do an acgme residency if they do oral surgery. I can understand chiro or physical therapy.

Hey Gypsy, Ya you are right, it's about 50 % from jump that match. That said, I knew I could do it, I knew I under performed in college and my undergrad wasn't a good representation of my academic abilities. Half the people that go down there are lying to themselves, when you get to know these people, see them fail out, crater their lives, its sad man, really effing sad. So if you know you arent one of those people, I think your chances are vastly improved.

The other professions listed are Doctors in the same sense as a gender studies phd or a chiropractor. No one besides MD/DOs that complete acgme accredited residency program has the right to call themselves "doctor". I didnt apply to MD or DO programs, I knew my app was $hit, although I absolutely could have done DO (but thats a different story). The fact is being a Carib trained Peds, FM, IM, Psych or if the stars align EM, Gas attending has 3x the earning potential of your average dentist, plus dentistry? cmon. or feet? cmon.

 

[EmeraldDragon]

A good chunk of students going to the Caribbean for their MD are already working in the health field. Nurses, Chiropractors, Pharmacists, EMTs... They are ready to move up to an MD but don't have the grades, background, are older, etc. They want to make the career change but either are unwilling or are not looking to spend the time to take MCAT, classes, and enter traditional US or Canadian MD programs. Take this as you will, networking can give you the support system to secure a residency down the line, but the education portion will be intensive, especially if you haven't been in school recently. There is the high risk of failure. Take a science course at your local community college, are you able to get an A? Are you finding reasons to explain why you didn't get an A? Weigh that against the fact that you will be taking a full time load of classes.

Maybe some 22-year-old fresh college graduates haven't taken the time to look at other career options, but from my experience, most Caribbean med school students are between 25-35 years old and either make the leap or change course and head to PA and podiatry programs.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Have there been people who have failed out of the Caribbean and successfully gotten into PA or Pod school from your experience?

A good chunk of students going to the Caribbean for their MD are already working in the health field. Nurses, Chiropractors, Pharmacists, EMTs... They are ready to move up to an MD but don't have the grades, background, are older, etc. They want to make the career change but either are unwilling or are not looking to spend the time to take MCAT, classes, and enter traditional US or Canadian MD programs. Take this as you will, networking can give you the support system to secure a residency down the line, but the education portion will be intensive, especially if you haven't been in school recently. There is the high risk of failure. Take a science course at your local community college, are you able to get an A? Are you finding reasons to explain why you didn't get an A? Weigh that against the fact that you will be taking a full time load of classes.

Maybe some 22-year-old fresh college graduates haven't taken the time to look at other career options, but from my experience, most Caribbean med school students are between 25-35 years old and either make the leap or change course and head to PA and podiatry programs.

 

[EmeraldDragon]

Have there been people who have failed out of the Caribbean and successfully gotten into PA or Pod school from your experience?

Yes. Caribbean medical schools are more than just a school; they are being away from your whole life for a prolonged period of time. Displacing everything to focus on one thing. Some students can not adapt.

Carib medical students aren't stupid. They can either run the gauntlet or cannot. Sometimes they don't know if they can until they are fully faced with it. It doesn't mean they can't be successful in other careers. In my experience, many applicants are honest about their faults or deficiencies.

 

[GypsyHummus]

I understand. I know Caribbean students arnt stupid. Just because someone cant get a certain score on the MCAT doesnt mean they wont be good doctors. Thats why I asked why more Caribbean students dont look at other healthcare options that allow you to practice as a doctor. I understand wanting to try one last time though, even if it is a risky move.

Yes. Caribbean medical schools are more than just a school; they are being away from your whole life for a prolonged period of time. Displacing everything to focus on one thing. Some students can not adapt.

Carib medical students aren't stupid. They can either run the gauntlet or cannot. Sometimes they don't know if they can until they are fully faced with it. It doesn't mean they can't be successful in other careers. In my experience, many applicants are honest about their faults or deficiencies.

 

[LM75]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering, with long odds of graduating from Caribbean school and matching being around 40-50%, as well as increasing amount of MD/DO schools taking up residencies, why did you guys decide to go to the Caribbean vs doing another healthcare field that allows you to practice as a "doctor" in America? The professions that come to mind include: Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Physical therapy, etc. Physical therapy isnt like medicine much at all, but Podiatry and Dentistry certainly have many similar aspects to medicine, even surgery, prescribing medication, and healing people. I understand not wanting to do those specilties and the fear of being "locked into" those career paths, but a majority of Caribbean grads are also locked into primary care.

Statistically speaking, you have higher chances of being a practicing doctor coming from these programs than the Caribbean. For some Im sure it was stats, and while Dentistry is just as difficult GPA wise as MD (3.6+ but DAT is easier than MCAT), DPM (Podiatry) hopefuls can get in with much lower stats than MD and DO (around 3.0 and 490+ for MCAT). Optometry also has lower stats than MD/DO.

This doesnt even touch on the options available to people as Nurse Practitioners (NPs). Some NPs have doctorate degrees and function in a similar way to the primary care doctors autonomously. Or PA, though I certainly understand the wanting to be autonomous.

Just curious your thoughts. I know its not technically "medicine", but you still function as a doctor in a similar capacity.

I think you have a very weak understanding of the "Caribbean" path. Not all of those schools are created equal. I've said it before and I will say it again. SGU is a real school that produces real results. A lot of those other schools also produce practicing physicians albeit with much lesser odds.

The argument that if you don't get into a US medical school that you should somehow choose nursing or something else just because those fields are in the "healthcare" field is a stupid argument. If someone decides that medicine as a physician is not a realistic option, then maybe they don't want to do anything else in the healthcare field in an alternative capacity. Having said that, for those students who have excellent academic abilities and the desire to become a physician, the most motivated can pursue that goal by attending a school like SGU.

I would do more research on practicing physicians who come from SGU or any of these schools for that matter because, in the end, the student that succeeds from any of these schools really doesn't care about those who didn't but here on SDN, we seem to be more focused on those students...who we don't even know, who may or may not succeed.

If you don't want to go down that path, that's your choice, but some people do want to take that route and some of those people do succeed.

NP's and PA's are not doctors. If you want to become a "doctor" you are not going to want to become an NP or PA because they are not doctors. SGU and these other schools produce "doctors" so that is why people still apply to these programs in record numbers. SGU enrollment, according to the admissions office, is increasing not decreasing so some students are not getting the SDN memo not to go there.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Oh, I’ve certainly met practicing docs who graduated from SGU, but it was back in the late 90s when they graduated. The people I meet now who graduate don’t end up in residency. I used to work with two grads from the Carribean, one from the “big 4” and one from a smaller school, and both couldn’t find a residency 3 years out. Granted, one only applied Psych and the other didn’t apply to enough FM programs, but they are still not “practicing medicine” as of the last I heard.

Whereas if you went to Pod school or Optometry school, one would have a much better chance at “doctoring”. I know there is some debate on SDN if DPMs “practice medicine” (For the record, I see them as Podiatric physicians), but functionally, Pods are specialists. They do injections, drainage, wound care, surgery, prescribed medication, refer out, manage disease, and do a lot of what a regular specialist doctor does. DPMs even take classes alongside DO students at some schools and rotate through many of the same specialties.

I think the same is true to a much lesser degree with ODs.

Now, I get that Podiatry and Optometry might not be for everyone, the same way being a radiologist isn’t for everyone. But if there was a school where you could become a hand surgeon but only work with hands, I have a feeling more people would look at it. I think people should at least look at the other fields and see if it’s something they could do.

I think you have a very weak understanding of the "Caribbean" path. Not all of those schools are created equal. I've said it before and I will say it again. SGU is a real school that produces real results. A lot of those other schools also produce practicing physicians albeit with much lesser odds.

The argument that if you don't get into a US medical school that you should somehow choose nursing or something else just because those fields are in the "healthcare" field is a stupid argument. If someone decides that medicine as a physician is not a realistic option, then maybe they don't want to do anything else in the healthcare field in an alternative capacity. Having said that, for those students who have excellent academic abilities and the desire to become a physician, the most motivated can pursue that goal by attending a school like SGU.

I would do more research on practicing physicians who come from SGU or any of these schools for that matter because, in the end, the student that succeeds from any of these schools really doesn't care about those who didn't but here on SDN, we seem to be more focused on those students...who we don't even know, who may or may not succeed.

If you don't want to go down that path, that's your choice, but some people do want to take that route and some of those people do succeed.

NP's and PA's are not doctors. If you want to become a "doctor" you are not going to want to become an NP or PA because they are not doctors. SGU and these other schools produce "doctors" so that is why people still apply to these programs in record numbers. SGU enrollment, according to the admissions office, is increasing not decreasing so some students are not getting the SDN memo not to go there.

 

[24blue8]

The professions that come to mind include: Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Physical therapy, etc. Physical therapy isnt like medicine much at all, but Podiatry and Dentistry certainly have many similar aspects to medicine, even surgery, prescribing medication, and healing people.
Just curious your thoughts. I know its not technically "medicine", but you still function as a doctor in a similar capacity.

How familiar are you with medicine? The jobs you listed above are radically different than working as a physician. You might as well have thrown in veterinarian. I'm sure they go to the Carribbean bc they want to be doctors and practice medicine. Not everyone wants to slog through years of school bc they simply like the vague idea of being an allied health professional.

Teeth and feet don't make me want to get out of bed and hit the door running...

 

[GypsyHummus]

Can’t run without your feet!

I’m very familiar with medicine. That’s why I’m shocked so many people don’t view DPMs as “practicing medicine” or radically different. It would be like people going to medical school to become hand surgeons but they could only work on hands. I can kind of understand Optometry or PA/NP

Now my question to you is, how familiar are you with the DPM degree and Podiatric Medicine? Dental Medicine? Did you know that a dentist can get their MD degree?

How familiar are you with medicine? The jobs you listed above are radically different than working as a physician. You might as well have thrown in veterinarian. I'm sure they go to the Carribbean bc they want to be doctors and practice medicine. Not everyone wants to slog through years of school bc they simply like the vague idea of being an allied health professional.

Teeth and feet don't make me want to get out of bed and hit the door running...

 

[24blue8]

Can’t run without your feet!

I’m very familiar with medicine. That’s why I’m shocked so many people don’t view DPMs as “practicing medicine” or radically different. It would be like people going to medical school to become hand surgeons but they could only work on hands. I can kind of understand Optometry or PA/NP

Now my question to you is, how familiar are you with the DPM degree and Podiatric Medicine? Dental Medicine? Did you know that a dentist can get their MD degree?

Yes, I have had dentist and OMFS residents on my team to see first hand how different our training is. Though, obviously, by the end of their training I'd prefer to be stuck on an island LOST- style with an OMFS trained professional than a dentist.

Will a dentist or a podiatrist respond to an emergency call on an airplane for a doctor? That I would be interested to hear...

 

[GypsyHummus]

Maybe. I would imagine the pod would. There are board questions specifically geared to emergency medicine.

Granted, I wouldn’t want a DPM tinkering with my heart medications, but I wouldn’t want a dermatologist to do it either.

I think it comes down to your “LOST” scienerio. Or zombie apocalypse scienerio. I’d take a Pod or dentist in my survival group. Though I think a general surgeon or emergency Med doc would be the best bet in zombie apocalypse, covers a lot of bases.

Yes, I have had dentist and OMFS residents on my team to see first hand how different our training is. Though, obviously, by the end of their training I'd prefer to be stuck on an island LOST- style with an OMFS trained professional than a dentist.

Will a dentist or a podiatrist respond to an emergency call on an airplane for a doctor? That I would be interested to hear...

 

[schmoob]

Dentists are "oral surgeons" until and ENT walks in the room.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists who have completed a 4 or 6 year SURGICAL PG program, the latter of which earns an MD and does an ACGME accredited general surgery internship for medical licensure (from an American university). A real, medical, surgical, program. OMFS is also listed as one of the specialties recognized by the American College of Surgeons. Lots of overlap among OMFS and ENT but they are different, with each trained to serve a particular purpose.

Much like a Dentist "oral surgeon", theyre surgeons until Ortho walks in the door and backhands them

No, ortho does not "backhand them." They are different specialties and occasionally work together on cases like orthognathic surgeries.

I would take a look at admissions statistics of US Dental schools. Then look at what it takes to be OMFS or Ortho. Those folks are not dumb.

The fact is being a Carib trained Peds, FM, IM, Psych or if the stars align EM, Gas attending has 3x the earning potential of your average dentist, plus dentistry? cmon.

Also, no. Dentists have higher earning potential due to the nature of the work. For example, out of your list I randomly picked psych who averages $228K (on google). I'm sure its higher because for dentistry it's definitely higher than the $179K listed. Anyway, a psych makes more than a general dentist, but they also went to four years of postgrad. That means the psych wont break even with the dentist for 10 years after residency, to include residents stipend.

Now if you want to compare earning potential with comparable training time, you should look at the dental specialties and what they make.

Another thing to remember is that general dentists are legally allowed do almost any dental procedure so long as they can do them up to the standards of care. So a root canal doesnt always get referred to endodontists. The dentist can do the root canal themselves, plus post/core buildup, plus the crown. This is a few thousand dollars here.

Just so you know, the top earners in dentistry are general dentists despite having a lower average pay because of the business opportunities.

I recommend that you go back and do your research before making silly claims.

The thing that boggles my mind is that you said "cmon" because dental and podiatry deal with teeth and feet, but have you been to the ED? So much butt stuff.

 

[LM75]

Oh, I’ve certainly met practicing docs who graduated from SGU, but it was back in the late 90s when...

As I stated earlier, you're understanding of the Caribbean pathway is very weak as your argument lacks substance...it's not deep. What you are trying to argue is not even very strong because anybody who graduates from any of these "Caribbean" schools is just proving your argument wrong.

A better argument would be along the lines that you or anybody does not want to go to the Caribbean because they just don't have it in them to take such a risk.

Oh, and when it comes to somebody's dreams, aspirations, and career choices, I highly doubt they would want your advice. Would you want theirs?

 

[GypsyHummus]

That was part of my original argument. The risk is just too great that it would be better to do something else, and there are avuenues in America that allow you to still be a doctor.

If I wanted to be a mechanical engineer, but I got into a school that only graduated half of the class, I would try to get into anouther school or do something else all together. But wait, there is this pathway to becoming an electrical engineer but you could only work in electrical engineering, would you do it? That’s along the similar lines with choosing dentistry and podiatry vs going to the Caribbean. It’s still a doctor, just in a field you didn’t think of. And I’m sure there are people right now in podiatry school who made that very decision and are now happy with it. How can one know if they never look into the option. Have you ever shadowed a DPM? Optometrist? How would you know you wouldn’t enjoy it?

I would like someone else’s input before putting up 300k+ of non dischargeble debt @6% interest on anything, dream or not. Sometimes it is good to have someone’s input who isn’t emotionally invested in the topic at hand, and has a clearer sense.

As I stated earlier, you're understanding of the Caribbean pathway is very weak as your argument lacks substance...it's not deep. What you are trying to argue is not even very strong because anybody who graduates from any of these "Caribbean" schools is just proving your argument wrong.

A better argument would be along the lines that you or anybody does not want to go to the Caribbean because they just don't have it in them to take such a risk.

Oh, and when it comes to somebody's dreams, aspirations, and career choices, I highly doubt they would want your advice. Would you want theirs?

 

[LM75]

That was part of my original argument. The risk is just too great that it would be better to do something else, and there are avuenues in America that allow you to still be a doctor.

If I wanted to be a mechanical engineer, but I got into a school that only graduated half of the class, I would try to get into anouther school or do something else all together. But wait, there is this pathway to becoming an electrical engineer but you could only work in electrical engineering, would you do it? That’s along the similar lines with choosing dentistry and podiatry vs going to the Caribbean. It’s still a doctor, just in a field you didn’t think of. And I’m sure there are people right now in podiatry school who made that very decision and are now happy with it. How can one know if they never look into the option. Have you ever shadowed a DPM? Optometrist? How would you know you wouldn’t enjoy it?

I would like someone else’s input before putting up 300k+ of non dischargeble debt @6% interest on anything, dream or not. Sometimes it is good to have someone’s input who isn’t emotionally invested in the topic at hand, and has a clearer sense.

It says you joined here way back in 2011. If you're making this type of argument after all those years, then 1. You need to start studying a lot harder so you can become a doctor yourself because clearly you are not there yet or 2. You have not been researching this issue enough or you are researching it incorrectly.

A few pointers...
Federal student loan debt is not a death sentence. Research it. If you take out even half a million and never become a doctor, I guarantee you will never pay that full amount back due to loan forgiveness.
You don't become a dentist because you didn't get into medical school. Those are two VERY DIFFERENT fields.
Define risk? Your perception of risk may differ from someone else.

 

[deleted888443]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering, with long odds of graduating from Caribbean school and matching being around 40-50%, as well as increasing amount of MD/DO schools taking up residencies, why did you guys decide to go to the Caribbean vs doing another healthcare field that allows you to practice as a "doctor" in America? The professions that come to mind include: Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Physical therapy, etc. Physical therapy isnt like medicine much at all, but Podiatry and Dentistry certainly have many similar aspects to medicine, even surgery, prescribing medication, and healing people. I understand not wanting to do those specilties and the fear of being "locked into" those career paths, but a majority of Caribbean grads are also locked into primary care.

Statistically speaking, you have higher chances of being a practicing doctor coming from these programs than the Caribbean. For some Im sure it was stats, and while Dentistry is just as difficult GPA wise as MD (3.6+ but DAT is easier than MCAT), DPM (Podiatry) hopefuls can get in with much lower stats than MD and DO (around 3.0 and 490+ for MCAT). Optometry also has lower stats than MD/DO.

This doesnt even touch on the options available to people as Nurse Practitioners (NPs). Some NPs have doctorate degrees and function in a similar way to the primary care doctors autonomously. Or PA, though I certainly understand the wanting to be autonomous.

Just curious your thoughts. I know its not technically "medicine", but you still function as a doctor in a similar capacity.

I’m about to finish my first semester at Ross. Upper semesters tell me that most people get kicked out earlier in the process. Another group gets kicked out because they couldn’t pass the NBME COMP in the 4 tries we are given. After that, you only get kicked out if you royally screw up. In my class of 500 there are 120 people repeating, which is 40% of the previous class. Yes, 40% of people fail semester 1 at Ross. I’d imagine by the time I get to step 1, more than half of the people who started with me will either be gone or be in the semester behind me.

Does this mean the school is trying to fail people out? I wouldn’t say so, because our exams have been very fair and there’s no reason to not pass. The school does accept people who shouldn’t be here. Some may see that as predatory, others may see that as giving people a last opportunity. Ultimately, it’s up to the student to fix their studying habits and seek help when necessary. The exams here are all multiple choice which I find to be easier but that may trick some people.

To answer your question, I did consider podiatry for a time. I was ready to submit my application but something wasn’t feeling right to me. I felt like if I chose podiatry I would be settling for something I had no passion for. My MCAT score was actually fine for DO and podiatry, it was the mistakes I made in undergrad that held me back, and it would require me to do another bachelors degree to even get me competitive for a US DO/MD. Because of this, I looked deep within myself and decided I had the drive to succeed, and so decided to choose Caribbean.

 

[LM75]

I know you love these

I do love them. That's the same reaction I have when I see you on probationary status every time.

 

[GypsyHummus]

I have been doing research, I concluded that the risk was too great. I was just wondering why more Caribbean students dont consider other healthcare alternatives that allow you to be a doctor.

And the student loan forgivness isnt all its cracked up to be. This government loan forgiveness program has rejected 99% of borrowers so far

It says you joined here way back in 2011. If you're making this type of argument after all those years, then 1. You need to start studying a lot harder so you can become a doctor yourself because clearly you are not there yet or 2. You have not been researching this issue enough or you are researching it incorrectly.

A few pointers...
Federal student loan debt is not a death sentence. Research it. If you take out even half a million and never become a doctor, I guarantee you will never pay that full amount back due to loan forgiveness.
You don't become a dentist because you didn't get into medical school. Those are two VERY DIFFERENT fields.
Define risk? Your perception of risk may differ from someone else.

 

[GypsyHummus]

You too. I hope you make it.

You do you my friend

Good luck!

 

[LM75]

I have been doing research, I concluded that the risk was too great. I was just wondering why more Caribbean students dont consider other healthcare alternatives that allow you to be a doctor.

And the student loan forgivness isnt all its cracked up to be. This government loan forgiveness program has rejected 99% of borrowers so far

Like I said earlier, I think you should do more research. Also, 2011 was a long time ago, you have students who became pre-med's after you joined this site and already graduated from SGU so that scenario would not help further your argument.

 

[schmoob]

You don't become a dentist because you didn't get into medical school. Those are two VERY DIFFERENT fields.

Yes! Dentistry=/=Plan B.

And the student loan forgivness isnt all its cracked up to be. This government loan forgiveness program has rejected 99% of borrowers so far

They rejected them because criteria have not been met. Out of the MILLIONS of people with student loan debt, a few thousand probably thought they were clever and just ask to have their loans discharged without meeting the program requirements.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Like I said, I know plenty of people who graduated from the islands and did not make it.

Like I said earlier, I think you should do more research. Also, 2011 was a long time ago, you have students who became pre-med's after you joined this site and already graduated from SGU so that scenario would not help further your argument.

Dentistry is a good alternative. Great profession if you have the academic chops for it.

Yes! Dentistry=/=Plan B.


They rejected them because criteria have not been met. Out of the MILLIONS of people with student loan debt, a few thousand probably thought they were clever and just ask to have their loans discharged without meeting the program requirements.

 

[LM75]

Like I said, I know plenty of people who graduated from the islands and did not make it.




Dentistry is a good alternative. Great profession if you have the academic chops for it.

You have a LOT of research you need to do regarding this matter. Where are you now exactly in your journey to becoming a doctor? 2011 was a very long time ago.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Not at a Caribbean school.

I’ve done the research. Like you keep mentioning, I’ve been here since 2011 and have asked the questions. In real life too. The risk to me wasn’t worth the reward. Especially with the proliferation of new DO and and schools with minimal residency expansion.

Maybe to some it is worth it. I don’t know why people just don’t do the SMP route if their grades are bad but they have a high mcat. I’ve seen too many people go through the meat grinder and not come out. The docs I met from the islands graduated back in the 90s.

That’s why I asked the question why more carribean students don’t consider other healthcare options. So far it’s been because “ew feet/teeth” which I guess is to be expected.

But now I have to ask, are u a Caribbean student?

You have a LOT of research you need to do regarding this matter. Where are you now exactly in your journey to becoming a doctor? 2011 was a very long time ago.

 

[LM75]

Not at a Caribbean school.

I’ve done the research. Like you keep mentioning, I’ve been here since 2011 and have asked the questions. In real life too. The risk to me wasn’t worth the reward. Especially with the proliferation of new DO and and schools with minimal residency expansion.

Maybe to some it is worth it. I don’t know why people just don’t do the SMP route if their grades are bad but they have a high mcat. I’ve seen too many people go through the meat grinder and not come out. The docs I met from the islands graduated back in the 90s.

That’s why I asked the question why more carribean students don’t consider other healthcare options. So far it’s been because “ew feet/teeth” which I guess is to be expected.

But now I have to ask, are u a Caribbean student?

My friend, you have A LOT of research to do on this matter. I suggest you take some time off from posting here and go do said research and then return with your findings.

Also, as far as careers go, you are making the mistake of assuming that if someone doesn't get into medical school that they just go down to the next rung of the healthcare ladder. That might be the scenario for individual people but not all applicants as a whole. If your passion is to be an internist then your passion will not translate to podiatry. A non-impassioned podiatrist is not a good podiatrist.

Now if that's what YOU want to do with your life, go right ahead.

 

[GypsyHummus]

One could make a similar argument for wanting to do a competitive residency, say ENT, but ended up at a Caribbean school, where that likelihood is close to 0. Im sure that has happened to a number of students.

If your passion is to be an internist then your passion will not translate to podiatry. A non-impassioned podiatrist is not a good podiatrist.

 

[LM75]

One could make a similar argument for wanting to do a competitive residency, say ENT, but ended up at a Caribbean school, where that likelihood is close to 0. Im sure that has happened to a number of students.

If you did that research I was telling you to do you would probably figure out that nobody goes to the Caribbean with the goal of becoming an ENT in mind. Well, I'm sure there are some naive ones.

Why are you posting here instead of going to podiatry school?

 

[GypsyHummus]

Because I decided not to go DPM, but instead try for Dental.

I was just wondering why people dont consider Podiatry or the other healthcare options that allow you to be a doctor in the states. Caribbean seems like a risky move compared to being a podiatrist or optometrist. You still get that patient interaction and ability to help people, common reasons applicants site for wanting to be physicians in the first place. The feedback Im receiving is "Ew Feet/Teeth" and "My passion". To each their own.

Why are you posting here instead of going to podiatry school?

 

[LM75]

Because I decided not to go DPM, but instead try for Dental.

I was just wondering why people dont consider Podiatry or the other healthcare options that allow you to be a doctor in the states. Caribbean seems like a risky move compared to being a podiatrist or optometrist. You still get that patient interaction and ability to help people, common reasons applicants site for wanting to be physicians in the first place. The feedback Im receiving is "Ew Feet/Teeth" and "My passion". To each their own.

The answer is because podiatry or the "other" options are not their passion.

Are you in dental school or "still trying?" You're confusing me here.

 

[bigindian4891]

The answer is because podiatry or the "other" options are not their passion.

Are you in dental school or "still trying?" You're confusing me here.

Hes been trying to get his fingers in all the cookie jars the past few years: DO, podiatry, dentistry. SDN doesn't know what he's going into, but he sure seems to love giving advice across multiple fields.

 

[LM75]

Hes been trying to get his fingers in all the cookie jars the past few years: DO, podiatry, dentistry. SDN doesn't know what he's going into, but he sure seems to love giving advice across multiple fields.

Not surprised at all. Perhaps this individual was feeling board the last few days.