Troubling development

[coralis]

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I have been accepted to UCD

... Dublin. SO confused now?!

I am in a conundrum now...should I go there....or SGU? I mean....I have plane tickets for me and my mum, signed an apartment agreement. Paid 5000 deposit + 650 for the apartment. Then there is the cost of Ireland, which is a bit more...not too much more though...I calculated it....yes in the worst case scenario exchange wise as well... would it be worth it? I could probably afford it. SGU gave me a scholarship though....a substantial one... 😕

Sorry for the double post! Want to make sure I hear from both parties

 

[gadabout]

i don't know of Canadians matching to Canadian/American residencies after going to Caribb. the matchlist for some Caribb schools look very good, but i don't know how well the Canadians match. (and doesn't SGU have an intake of 800 students a year? it didn't look like they had more than 200 matches.)

eta: congrats on your acceptances, btw!

 

[coralis]

The thing is that I am not interested in the Canadian match....I am a European citizen and would love to move to the UK or remain in Ireland and practice there. The US match does interest me...BUT...Europe is more in my heart

 

[gadabout]

If you have EU citizenship, then going to Ireland is a no-brainer, no? I can't think of why you'd even contemplate going to SGU if money weren't an issue...

 

[Sage880]

If you go to SGU I don't think you'll ever work in Canada or Europe. If you go to UCD then the state, Canada and Europe are all open to you.

But.... you've paid a lot and made plans already so if you're happy enough to work in the states then why change all your plans?

 

[slight365]

This is quite and interesting case here. I would likely go to Dublin, under the situation. Like it was already mentioned, SGU is somewhat limited on where and how the degree would be recognized throughout the world. A good think about EU licensure is transferability within participating countries within the EU, as well as non-EU countries. Dublin is not a bad school, either.

I am a UK citizen myself, however, I was not eligible for home fee status in the UK. I'm not sure if they allow it after your third year (36 months is required for legal residency outside of schooling).

Good luck with the decision. There are advantages and disadvantages. Time is one of them. Invest more or less time from this point. If you want the international experience, then you'll have it at Dublin (or at least a bit more diverse than SGU!).

 

[gadabout]

http://www.sgu.edu/alumni/1997-2postgraduate-residency.html

2006 match list for SGU... it's the most recent one i can find... and it might not be complete.

i noticed one person matched to "Kingston General Hospital" which is at Queen's University.

so it's still possible to match in Canada, but it will be difficult.

as for the OPs concern... i think UCD is the way to go. SGU will only save you some money in the short term. they have over 3700 students enrolled in their MD program right now.

 

[pattycanuck]

http://www.sgu.edu/alumni/1997-2postgraduate-residency.html

2006 match list for SGU... it's the most recent one i can find... and it might not be complete.

i noticed one person matched to "Kingston General Hospital" which is at Queen's University.

so it's still possible to match in Canada, but it will be difficult.

as for the OPs concern... i think UCD is the way to go. SGU will only save you some money in the short term. they have over 3700 students enrolled in their MD program right now.

Unfortunately - this may not be correct - I was a part of that FM residency class entering 2006 at Queen's - only one person from Saba and another one who claims (*and still does) that he went to "Columbia" in NYC for med school, but his CPSO credentials STILL say he went to Ross despite all of his credentials with the CPSO being correct even his practice details post graduation.

As above, only 2 Canadian born IMGs from the Caribbean schools actually entered Queen's FM that year - so regardless, getting into Canada for FM from the Caribbean is very doable. Nothing in the 2007, 2008 and 2005 matches as far as I know.

In countering - each year, 2-3 Irish grads have entered Queen's FM consistently for 2006-2008.

Thus at least in this neck of the woods and in relation to the above, either choice is fine as you will have "some chance".

 

[coralis]

If you go to SGU I don't think you'll ever work in Canada or Europe. If you go to UCD then the state, Canada and Europe are all open to you.

But.... you've paid a lot and made plans already so if you're happy enough to work in the states then why change all your plans?

I believe that Europe is still doable from SGU...now since they are starting to get known in the UK. They also have rotations you can do in the UK.... so... counting that on top of my EU passport....I believe the chance is great. I will unfortunately have to pass that insane PLAB exam.... BUT... should I spend 100K just not to have that in my way?! I could make it at UCD financially but it would leave me and my family at ZERO.... SGU will leave me with 20K in my pockets.
Decisions, decisions *sigh*

 

[pgrewal]

If the total difference is only $20,000, including your family for SGU vs UCD, then go to UCD.

$20,000 is NOT that much. Think long-term. You are investing in your lifelong career path. Once you are practicing, even with the interest, the total debt on UCD vs SGU will not be that different (If $20,000 is the only variance).

If the difference is actually more (i.e. if SGU will not drain financing from immediate family and UCD will), then there's more to it. Despite this, I would still pick UCD. From what I've seen, the world-class reputation cannot be ignored.

Out of curiousity - what did you end up deciding?


Cheers.

I believe that Europe is still doable from SGU...now since they are starting to get known in the UK. They also have rotations you can do in the UK.... so... counting that on top of my EU passport....I believe the chance is great. I will unfortunately have to pass that insane PLAB exam.... BUT... should I spend 100K just not to have that in my way?! I could make it at UCD financially but it would leave me and my family at ZERO.... SGU will leave me with 20K in my pockets.
Decisions, decisions *sigh*

 

[coralis]

If the total difference is only $20,000, including your family for SGU vs UCD, then go to UCD.

$20,000 is NOT that much. Think long-term. You are investing in your lifelong career path. Once you are practicing, even with the interest, the total debt on UCD vs SGU will not be that different (If $20,000 is the only variance).

If the difference is actually more (i.e. if SGU will not drain financing from immediate family and UCD will), then there's more to it. Despite this, I would still pick UCD. From what I've seen, the world-class reputation cannot be ignored.

Out of curiousity - what did you end up deciding?


Cheers.

The difference would be 120K (at the current exchange rate)! SGU will more or less save me 20K from my debt....UCD will make me take a loan on my house on top of my education loan! Hence I decided SGU 😛

Thanks for all the advice and debating!