I know they sent out an email saying that the average stats for the accepted class form last year were 29 and 3.4. I just got accepted as well and plan to attend.
As I'm still new to the forum, I'd rather not post my stats. But I received a letter of acceptance on Wednesday, and I'm really excited for the program. Like some of the other posters on this thread, I'm also very interested to see where the first cohort will match.A friend of mine got a response from mededpath today stating that as of now 29 acceptances have been emailed and around 90 applications were under review in Australia currently. If anyone on this thread has received an acceptance, could you give us your stats and when your application was sent to Brisbane for assessment?
Thanks,
from all of us still waiting...
A friend of mine got a response from mededpath today stating that as of now 29 acceptances have been emailed and around 90 applications were under review in Australia currently. If anyone on this thread has received an acceptance, could you give us your stats and when your application was sent to Brisbane for assessment?
Thanks,
from all of us still waiting...
Welcome to the new guys! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. The Ochsner Medical Student Association (a student advocacy group officially recognized by both UQ and OCS) will have their website up and running sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. The intent is to be a useful resource for folks like yourselves. When it is up and running I will post the address here.
In the meantime I may start up a closed facebook group for those accepted. Last year it turned out to be a very successful source of information and has turned from a group for the "accepted" to the "Class of 2015" group. Thoughts?
I personally like the idea of a Facebook group. I received my letter of acceptance this past week and there's a 90% chance I'll be attending as well. Congrats to the others who got acceptances, and good luck to those still waiting.
Hey everyone! I was accepted here as well and I have a question for current students:
Do the students need to find their own housing (that is, no dorms available. I don't really like this idea but it would be cheaper.). Since I won't be arriving until early January/ late December (probably like most others?) is it possible to get settled by that time, find roommates, etc?
Thanks for your help!
Dorms ARE possible... but believe me you do NOT want to be doing that. Only a very few did it and only one lasted as long as a year. (At least as far as I know). But it really it pretty bad. Your options are very old shared housing with undergrads in essentially a frat community. Some are better than others, but that's about your average.
It is possible to get settled in that time frame. You can go to the FB group (linked in the thread above) and meet up with others in your same situation and work out roommates in advance. Many have done that with good outcomes.
It is reasonably easy to find a furnished place in Brisbane. And share housing is pretty reasonable in cost as well.
Find a list of places online (gumtree.com.au is like their craigslist) and google Brisbane real estate agencies and look at their listings. Have some place in mind right before you leave and try and see as many as you can right off the bat. Your feet will hurt. Bring comfortable walking shoes and shorts, sunglasses and a hat would also be a very good idea. Don't get a place before you actually see it. That often turns out poorly.
Rent is per WEEK not per MONTH, so don't forget that when looking at prices. Expect to pay at least $120AUD per WEEK and that is if you get a good deal on a BIG share house (like 5 people). Typically around $200pw will get you a decent place. I paid $300pw for a studio in the CBD my first year and then $400pw for a 1 bedroom in New Farm 2nd year. Both were fully furnished. New Farm is a WAAAAAY better place to live though, IMHO.
All cost of living is very, very high out there. EVERYTHING costs more, no matter what it is (with rare exceptions). But it is a very nice place to live and traveling around is amazing and absolutely worth it. I didn't travel as much as some of my friends (but I also did not stress out as much and did quite well on my Step 1) but I did see a LOT.
Hope that helps.
Thanks! Yes, it does. That sounds expensive,did you pay that with loans or did you work? I'm just trying to figure out the best way to pay for everything/how much debt I'll be in
Welcome to the new guys! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. The Ochsner Medical Student Association (a student advocacy group officially recognized by both UQ and OCS) will have their website up and running sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. The intent is to be a useful resource for folks like yourselves. When it is up and running I will post the address here.
In the meantime I may start up a closed facebook group for those accepted. Last year it turned out to be a very successful source of information and has turned from a group for the "accepted" to the "Class of 2015" group. Thoughts?
Hi!
Since it's my first post on this forum and all (tries to make things less awkward), I am seriously considering UQ-Ochsner as one of my top choices. It's mainly because I am from New Orleans myself, and Ochsner is really a great hospital network down here.
Earlier, I saw that someone posted that there are some talks about making this program award an MD in 2015. I plan to apply next year 2013 (am currently in the summer between sophomore and junior year in college), so I was wondering whether I would get an MD or MBBS if I were accepted for 2014? Thanks in advance!
Bump. got this email and I'm curious. Any word on US residency afterwards?
As I have tried to explain before, there is no issue with residency or licensing in CA or NY.
The traditional pathway is better if you want an internship in Aus. The Ochsner pathway is definitely better if you want a residency in the US.
do you have to fly to Australia for an interview?
If after year 1 + 2 one were to develop a desire to stay in Brisbane is there an option to transfer into the 'regular' program for year 3 + 4?
If after year 1 + 2 one were to develop a desire to stay in Brisbane is there an option to transfer into the 'regular' program for year 3 + 4?
When you apply to UQ-Ochsner it states that you are not eligible to transfer into the traditional Brisbane-based program for years 3 & 4. However, I think this is mostly to discourage everyone from transferring to the traditional program and overwhelming their clinical placements. It could be possible. Your best bet is to call/email admissions to find out.
There is no interview for the University of Queensland. Admission to the medical school is based on your MCAT, GPA, letters of recommendation, CV, and personal statement.
Hmmm. This is interesting. I suppose if you wanted a shot to practice in Australia, then could you take both the USMLE and the Australian version of the USMLE and apply to American residencies and Australian internships? Or is this not feasible?
I suppose the transfer would be like shooting yourself in the foot anyways. You would greatly diminish your chances at an American Residency, yet you would remain an 'international' and have a difficult time getting Australian internship as well.
Is the inaugural class matching this March? If all 9 students get residency it will greatly increase my desire to attend this program.
It will be interesting to see where they will match.
I just finished the 4 year program at UQ last month. I am American, but not in the Ochsner program. I'll try to keep the point. It's very possible to match from UQ. I was offered interviews at:
-Yale
-Washington University in St. Louis
-Univ of Colorado
-University of Chicago
-Many others...
However, I was one of the lucky ones who received an internship offer here in Australia and decided to take it for personal reasons. Also, I was able to secure the above interview offers without ever having done a rotation in the states and all of my LORs are from Australian physicians.
As for staying in Australia, yes, that is a mess...currently. I suspect things will change though and that Australia will switch to a centralized application system, but the intern spots will still be well short of the graduates being put out.
True, there currently is no standardization of medical graduates in Australia. The system is not designed like the US. Graduates are randomly (for the most part) assigned to a hospital they preferenced earlier in the year. You must complete this intern year to gain General Registration to practice in Australia (for the duraiton of the year you are Provisionally Registrered). You then may go on to choose to train in a specialty (called vocational training) or you may go on to be a house officer (not in a training program). This is where the problem lies. People are actually having trouble finding jobs AFTER internship. Getting on a training program is both time-consuming and very difficult.
If you're career driven, go to the states. It's shorter and you have a better chance (currently). That being said, Australia is catching up. They have been piloting a standardizing exam here for the past few years. It is called the Australian Medical Assessment Collaboration (AMAC) and I sat this exam earlier in the year (http://www.acer.edu.au/amac). It was quite challenging and seemed very similar to Step 2 CK. Additionally, UQ now requires 4th year students, at the very end of your studies, to sit the International Foundations of Medicine (IFOM) Clinical Science Examination (http://www.nbme.org/Schools/iFoM/index.html), very similar to the USMLE and it is written by the NBME. The latter exam does not currently form part of your mark at UQ but I suspect this will change soon.
Just focus and work hard. I'll save the most important part for last: do well on the USMLE.
How did you match into US programs if you graduated last month? I thought UQ students have to wait 6 months to start a residency because of the difference in graduation dates between US and Australia?
I don't know anything yet as a pre-med, but isn't there only one match day every year in March for US residencies?
That's comforting to hear though about your success, I actually shadowed an IMG physician and I could see he was very talented and good at what he did. So I am confident in the quality of education. I like the idea too of it starting 9 months earlier than an American MD because I am approaching my 30s and getting pretty old.
I am particularly cautious because I have a Chemistry major from a top university and have been unable to gain employment in my field. So I worry about not being able to get a residency if I go international because of this experience of not being able to get a job with a good degree from a good school.
Do you mind if I ask which specialty you've applied and got interviews from? I heard that most IMGs have high chance only on FM,IM, and psychiatry. It's impressive to see how you've got an interveiw from the top schools. What was your USMLE scores if you don't mind me asking?
I'm more than happy to answer any questions you may have - I was in a similar position previously.
Before I begin I'd like to mention a key SDN feature. By clicking on a screen name you can find previous posts by a user. If you do this with my name (neulite30) you can find where I posted my USMLE scores (Step 1: 244, Step 2 CK: 265)...and before you say to yourself "oh that's why he got those interviews" remember, the USMLE is completely under your control and rewards those who put forth the effort. By no means did it come naturally, I made a 24 on the MCAT first try.
I applied to pathology programs, regarded as being in the "middle" in terms of competitiveness. Please don't pigeon-hole yourself by thinking you'll be restricted as an IMG. Remember I was able to do this without ever having medical experience in the states. True, pathology may be unique to this lax in requirements for US clinical experience, but I also have published and presented at conferences while in med school, thus there are things you can do to get noticed. Finally, if you're really concerned or want to know where you stand then write directly to the program directors (probably not during application season). I did this with many programs and one of the ivy league directors mentioned that they do NOT regard Australian medical institutions as inferior or at a disadvantage when applying for residency.
Take what you will from my advice, but I generally found the process very fair and no different than if I had attended an LCME-accredited medical school.
I just finished the 4 year program at UQ last month. I am American, but not in the Ochsner program. I'll try to keep the point. It's very possible to match from UQ. I was offered interviews at:
-Yale
-Washington University in St. Louis
-Univ of Colorado
-University of Chicago
-Many others...
However, I was one of the lucky ones who received an internship offer here in Australia and decided to take it for personal reasons. Also, I was able to secure the above interview offers without ever having done a rotation in the states and all of my LORs are from Australian physicians.
As for staying in Australia, yes, that is a mess...currently. I suspect things will change though and that Australia will switch to a centralized application system, but the intern spots will still be well short of the graduates being put out.
True, there currently is no standardization of medical graduates in Australia. The system is not designed like the US. Graduates are randomly (for the most part) assigned to a hospital they preferenced earlier in the year. You must complete this intern year to gain General Registration to practice in Australia (for the duraiton of the year you are Provisionally Registrered). You then may go on to choose to train in a specialty (called vocational training) or you may go on to be a house officer (not in a training program). This is where the problem lies. People are actually having trouble finding jobs AFTER internship. Getting on a training program is both time-consuming and very difficult.
If you're career driven, go to the states. It's shorter and you have a better chance (currently). That being said, Australia is catching up. They have been piloting a standardizing exam here for the past few years. It is called the Australian Medical Assessment Collaboration (AMAC) and I sat this exam earlier in the year (http://www.acer.edu.au/amac). It was quite challenging and seemed very similar to Step 2 CK. Additionally, UQ now requires 4th year students, at the very end of your studies, to sit the International Foundations of Medicine (IFOM) Clinical Science Examination (http://www.nbme.org/Schools/iFoM/index.html), very similar to the USMLE and it is written by the NBME. The latter exam does not currently form part of your mark at UQ but I suspect this will change soon.
Just focus and work hard. I'll save the most important part for last: do well on the USMLE.
many congratulations on your success! I plan to take Step 1 and 2, but have not heard of this AMAC exam that you mention of. Is performing well on this exam for an international student studying in an Australian medical school increase the chances of an international student landing an internship?
I know with the recent newly created positions, that most students again will get an internship this year. But what are the benefits of taking this AMAC exam? Does it nearly ensure a international student studying at an Australian medical school get an internship?
Thank you
Apologies. I probably shouldn't have put that out there for the impressionable.
The answer is no. The AMAC is only in its infancy and is currently being piloted by administering to medical students in their final year. The scores are not used for anything other than research at this stage. My point was that Australia is aware of the lack of standardization for their medical graduates and I believe this exam is one way they are addressing this.
I'm going to be entering a 6 year program, so I am guessing that by the time I am approaching graduation, the exam may be used as a benchmark to determine which students get an internship position.
Can you go a little bit more into detail of how to apply for internships ie. what they look for; (I know its mainly citizenship, but can applicants also send in their CV's and references to be considered?), and was there any miniscule benefit you think for your application to internships by having taken the AMAC? Thank you.
I actually think the 2CK score and research may have been the more polarizing components of your application. A Step1 in the 240s is good for an AMG, but for an IMG, it's pretty neutral. The main concern of any American PD is the clinical competency of the applicant because he or she isn't receiving the bulk of his or her clerkship training in the US. So whereas 2CK isn't a very critical part of the AMG application, it's vital for the IMG's. But yeah, a 240-range score is solid for path. If you want a competitive gen surg spot though, or even just a general chance at plastics or derm, an IMG Step1 sub-255 won't do the trick.
Are graduates of the University of Queensland's Ochsner Program recognized for licensure by the medical boards of all 50 US States?.
.
As of May 1, UQ Oschner program is fully recognized by the California Medical Board.California medical board site committee recommend full accrediation as of April 16, 2014 for all student from Jan. 1, 2009 for the UQ Oschner program. It will be recognized for sure in California. ..
This is for my own clarification not to pick a fight:
I spoke with a representative from the medical boards of Colorado and Arkansas. Both states use California's list of approved medical schools for determining licensure. University of Queensland is on that list. Nevertheless, the application for the program does state that students will not be eligible at this point to practice in California. Dr. Pinsky (head of the Ochsner Clinical school) told me personally that he couldnt foresee any reason why there would be a problem attaining full approval from the California State Medical Board for the UQ/Ochsner program. According to him this is because Ochsner is an approved clinical school in the state of California and the University of Queensland is an approved medical school in the state of California. I have no reason to doubt that in the near future California will no longer be an issue at all for graduates from this program. But it is still up in the air at the moment as far as I know.
As for New York, I still dont know what the deal is with that. The medical school grants the degree for this program and the medical school for this particular degree is the University of Queensland, located in Australia NOT Australia and the United States. I dont understand how Ochsner Medical Center being approved as a contributory medical institution by the AMC in Australia makes any difference.
The reasoning just seems a little fuzzy and I dont see any really concrete evidence that would convince someone at the NYSED or The New York State Department of Health that UQ/Oschner students are exempt from the 12 weeks rule.
As far as I have been told the degree will not say anything about Ochsner on it. Just as if your clinical school were in Redcliffe, Toowoomba, or Nambour there would be no indication of where you did your clerkships. The degree will simply be from the University of Queensland and because more than 12 weeks of clerkship are completed outside of Australia in the UQ/Ochsner program it seems that the New York 12 weeks rule does apply.
As previously stated, New York is one of the most IMG friendly states for residencies and to have that taken off the table is a big deal for anyone thinking about the program or currently in the program.
According to Medico290, the response from the education credential specialist for the NYS Board for Medicine says that UQ/Ochsner graduates will NOT be eligible for residency. (I am currently awaiting a response to my own email to the New York State Department of Health to confirm this).
Phloston, if you have any documented evidence or could give me the name of an administrator of the program that I should talk to either at UQ or Ochsner or someone at the New York State Department of Health that could provide me some concrete evidence or some assurance that New York is going to allow graduates from the UQ/Ochsner program to do residencies in that state I would be very grateful.
If graduates cannot complete residencies in the state of New York at the very least this issue should be disclosed to future applicants just like the California restriction was disclosed on the application in previous years. Furthermore, this entire issue should be clarified to current students by the OMSA reps or the program administration before the census date because I know that there are at least several current students that are aware of this New York issue and are concerned.
I recently looked into the program however I have decided not to apply. The Ochsner students are currently not eligible to practice in California (per the application: i. UQ is in the process of making an application for recognition to the Medical Board of California. Graduates of the UQ-Ochsner program would not be allowed to become licensed in California at this time.) or New York (read it somewhere online, schools must be on a list of medical schools approved to conduct long-term clinical electives outside the country where the school is located, UQ Ochsner is NOT on this list).
$208,000 is a lot of money to ask for a program that isn't recognized by all 50 states. If you want to study medicine at the University of Queensland the best bet is to apply to traditional 4-year program that is conducted entirely in Australia.
I recently looked into the program however I have decided not to apply. The Ochsner students are currently not eligible to practice in California (per the application: i. UQ is in the process of making an application for recognition to the Medical Board of California. Graduates of the UQ-Ochsner program would not be allowed to become licensed in California at this time.) or New York (read it somewhere online, schools must be on a list of medical schools approved to conduct long-term clinical electives outside the country where the school is located, UQ Ochsner is NOT on this list).
$208,000 is a lot of money to ask for a program that isn't recognized by all 50 states. If you want to study medicine at the University of Queensland the best bet is to apply to traditional 4-year program that is conducted entirely in Australia.