Transfering Back to the States

[bigchoader]

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With all of these new concerns about Irish Schools popping up on the forum, I was wondering if anyone knows of people that have tranferred from Ireland back to the US during the first couple of years of school? I know a lot of people at carribean and other central American schools do this.

 

[Winged Scapula]

With all of these new concerns about Irish Schools popping up on the forum, I was wondering if anyone knows of people that have tranferred from Ireland back to the US during the first couple of years of school? I know a lot of people at carribean and other central American schools do this.

Really? Transferring is hard for AMGs to do between American schools, let along for IMGs. There are a *very few* who succeed in doing this, but it requires:

- passing Step 1
- a US medical school with an opening in 3rd year
- a US medical school which accepts any transfers, even with an opening
- satisfactory completion of the first two years which would be equivalent to US medical education

I don't mean to discourage, but wanted to clarify that it is not "A LOT" of people who transfer from a foreign medical school into a US one. But there should be no reason why Irish students should be at any less advantage than the others.

 

[bigchoader]

Really? Transferring is hard for AMGs to do between American schools, let along for IMGs. There are a *very few* who succeed in doing this, but it requires:

- passing Step 1
- a US medical school with an opening in 3rd year
- a US medical school which accepts any transfers, even with an opening
- satisfactory completion of the first two years which would be equivalent to US medical education

I don't mean to discourage, but wanted to clarify that it is not "A LOT" of people who transfer from a foreign medical school into a US one. But there should be no reason why Irish students should be at any less advantage than the others.

I didn't mean a lot as in most carribean students, i really just meant that I have heard that it is not terribly uncommon. Does anyone know if Irish School Students have done this with any success? This isnt something I am planning on doing, however with so much concern and frustration on these boards right now, I would like to know my realistic options should I get into Irish Med.

 

[leorl]

none of the US students that I know of have ever really considered transferring. There was a Canadian in my class who did transfer into a Canadian school (she left because she really really missed her boyfriend and family)

 

[bigchoader]

none of the US students that I know of have ever really considered transferring. There was a Canadian in my class who did transfer into a Canadian school (she left because she really really missed her boyfriend and family)

Quick follow up:

I know that tranfers usually occur after the 2nd year, but with Ireland having 5 year programs, after which year would one transfer? Are pre-clinical years for ireland years 1-2 or 1-3?

 

[Sage880]

You need to transfer after year three. But you can't do it without losing a year. So after year 3, you apply with your step 1 score and it takes them a year to accept you into their third year. So you would have finished 4th year in Ireland.

Most people just try to start over in the US. I've heard rumors of people transfering but every year there are people who re-apply back home and get in. That's a much easier route.

 

[deleted21609]

You need to transfer after year three. But you can't do it without losing a year. So after year 3, you apply with your step 1 score and it takes them a year to accept you into their third year. So you would have finished 4th year in Ireland.

Most people just try to start over in the US. I've heard rumors of people transfering but every year there are people who re-apply back home and get in. That's a much easier route.

It is uncommon, but the most likely way would be to apply as a first year after 1-2 years in Ireland. At least there are lots of schools that would consider your application to their first year class.

The difficulty of transferring later is always very high, but probably varies by your state of residence. I looked into this for myself but only a few private schools consider transfer applicants (probably 10-12 spots nationwide as far as I could tell). If your state's public med school accepts transfers, they probably only accept resident transfers - big advantage.

Transfer is something to consider, but your odds are poor. A stellar USMLE step 1 might tip the odds in your favor. ?

 

[Winged Scapula]

I didn't mean a lot as in most carribean students, i really just meant that I have heard that it is not terribly uncommon. Does anyone know if Irish School Students have done this with any success? This isnt something I am planning on doing, however with so much concern and frustration on these boards right now, I would like to know my realistic options should I get into Irish Med.

The trouble is, it IS terribly uncommon. As noted above, there are very few positions available nationwide and there is a lot of competition for those spots.

I have no data but personal anecdotal experience (from my med school roommate) that it may be easier to try and get a first year spot in a US school after doing a few years abroad rather than getting into the 3rd year. You've proved yourself capable of handling the curriculum and if you apply with a good Step 1, your chances would be much improved.

 

[berkeleyboy]

With all of these new concerns about Irish Schools popping up on the forum, I was wondering if anyone knows of people that have tranferred from Ireland back to the US during the first couple of years of school? I know a lot of people at carribean and other central American schools do this.

It can be done from an Irish school although more transfer back to the states from the caribbean. Actually, the only person I know who transferred from an irish school back to the US is my sister. Everyone else I know who transferred is from the caribbean.

 

[med2UCC]

It can be done from an Irish school although more transfer back to the states from the caribbean. Actually, the only person I know who transferred from an irish school back to the US is my sister. Everyone else I know who transferred is from the caribbean.

One of my classmates went home after 3rd year but I am not sure if he lost a year in the process. He did his Step 1 early, and did not return in the fall. He also spent his summers either doing observerships or working in hospitals in the US, making contacts to support his application.

 

[VeerTheTIGuy]

I've heard of one student who transferred from an Irish school to a US to do her clinicals.

I'll be trying to do something along those lines, but from a UK school (am a US citizen). It's definitely gonna be hard, I can tell you that

 

[Friendly]

I've heard of one student who transferred from an Irish school to a US to do her clinicals.

I'll be trying to do something along those lines, but from a UK school (am a US citizen). It's definitely gonna be hard, I can tell you that

In your own case, it will be impossible because you need a North American undergraduate degree and a MCAT score to transfer to a U.S. school. This is without exception. All of the transfers from the Caribbean and Ireland have this. Sorry, but it's better that you know now.🙁

 

[VeerTheTIGuy]

In your own case, it will be impossible because you need a North American undergraduate degree and a MCAT score to transfer to a U.S. school. This is without exception. All of the transfers from the Caribbean and Ireland have this. Sorry, but it's better that you know now.🙁

thanks for the info. however, as part of my program, we get an Honours BSc in Medical Sciences after our 3rd year, and our preclinical school had actually started to make arrangements with a US medical school which fell through (for other reasons - i didn't get too much detail). so i'm trying to stay optimistic, but we'll see🙂