transfer med schools

[whatdoido]

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is it possible to transfer from a med school to another?

I just finished my undergrad, during which I dug myself in a big hole that I have only recently begun to climb out of. I am considering applying to a foreign med school, and was wondering if its possible to transfer to a US school after a year or two.

I just took the august MCAT, so I'm only beginning to research my options now. Sorry if this is a ridiculous question.

also any thoughts on the best way to spend time off from school?

 

[nick_carraway]

Transfers are very rare, from what I understand. Besides requiring the best of reasons, they're only allowed if there's a vacancy in a med school class (i.e. for you to transfer in, someone else must drop out). With the attrition rate so low at U.S. med schools, the chances of that happening are slim.

 

[Law2Doc]

is it possible to transfer from a med school to another?

I just finished my undergrad, during which I dug myself in a big hole that I have only recently begun to climb out of. I am considering applying to a foreign med school, and was wondering if its possible to transfer to a US school after a year or two.

I just took the august MCAT, so I'm only beginning to research my options now. Sorry if this is a ridiculous question.

also any thoughts on the best way to spend time off from school?

Transferring from a foreign med school to US allo almost never happens, and when it does, it's due to huge connections. I wouldn't plan on this as a realistic option.

In terms of domestic transfers, it happens pretty rarely -- it isn't much of an option for most folks, and certainly not as widespread as folks transferring in college. Many schools have room for about 1-2 transfer students who have completed their second year and Step 1. Quite a few folks from other US med schools fight for these measly 1-2 spots. In general, to transfer you have to (1) have completed your second year in good standing from another US school, and (2) completed Step 1, and (3) the school has to have a spot, which means someone has to have taken time off for research or transferred out or dropped out, and (4) you have a REALLY good reason why you are transferring that both your home school and your target school find acceptable. Meaning unless you are transferring because your spouse got relocated, or you need to be closer geographically to a sick family member or something of that caliber, it ain't gonna happen. Transferring because you don't like the school you are at, or feel like it doesn't offer you the same opportunities, basically never is permitted. That's the kind of decision schools expect you to have made before you started. If your credentials are not up to snuff for US schools, your only options are (1) to do what is needed to rehabilitate your credentials, even if it means years of postbac, SMPs or whatever other tools you may have available, or (2) if all that fails, after reasonable attempt, you might look to foreign locations, but should know you aren't going to be transferring back and will have to be a bit lucky and succeed on a much harder road if you plan to get back to the US for a residency. Good luck.

 

[ODorDO]

I wouldn't unless that person is "special"

 

[Law2Doc]

I wouldn't unless that person is "special"

If by special you mean the kid's family name is on the building you are sitting in, you might be right.

 

[tiedyeddog]

also any thoughts on the best way to spend time off from school?

I'd think about doing an SMP or doing a ton of post-bacc work.

 

[cgscribe]

Agreed with prior posts, it's not a reasonable option unless you know someone very big. Even then, it's very rare, and usually in the cases of family emergency for a very qualified applicant (and usually only between two allo schools in the US).

 

[gopher22]

There's a much smaller chance of successfully transferring med schools than there is of getting in to the given school in the first place, even if you plan to improve yourself.

Aim for a good residency program.