URGENT: UCD Grad's advice needed.

[jeeves22]

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Hi. I am new to this website so please forgive me if there is already a similar post.

I just got accepted to UCD for fall 2013 entry, however I currently have applications in at medical schools in the US for fall 2014 entry and wont hear from them for many months.

I only have a few more days to decide if I will accept it for this year or wait and see if I get into the US schools.

UCD Grad's (preferably American students who went back to the States):

1) when did you graduate?

2) Were there many obstacles trying to get a summer electives in the States? Was UCD helpful in getting them? I know they have some sort of relationship with a few Universities in America.

3) I have read so many things about how it is getting harder for FMG's to land residency positions (or good ones at least) when tying to go back to US. Is this true?

4) Do FMG's have to do exceptionally well on the USMLE's to get considered for even the non-competitive residencies like internal or pediatrics?

5) Any other advice or information??

My head is spinning as obviously this is a huge decision. I don't want to rush into anything but it seems crazy to pass up an acceptance--don't know what it will be like in the long run being a FMG though.

Thanks so much for taking the time!

 

[RNAi]

Congrats for getting accepted to UCD!

 

[jeeves22]

Thanks! Are you a UCD student?

 

[RNAi]

Nope I'm not, I'm more of a UCD want-to-attend kinda guy 🙂

 

[Medstart108]

Hi. I am new to this website so please forgive me if there is already a similar post.

I just got accepted to UCD for fall 2013 entry, however I currently have applications in at medical schools in the US for fall 2014 entry and wont hear from them for many months.

I only have a few more days to decide if I will accept it for this year or wait and see if I get into the US schools.

UCD Grad's (preferably American students who went back to the States):

1) when did you graduate?

2) Were there many obstacles trying to get a summer electives in the States? Was UCD helpful in getting them? I know they have some sort of relationship with a few Universities in America.

3) I have read so many things about how it is getting harder for FMG's to land residency positions (or good ones at least) when tying to go back to US. Is this true?

4) Do FMG's have to do exceptionally well on the USMLE's to get considered for even the non-competitive residencies like internal or pediatrics?

5) Any other advice or information??

My head is spinning as obviously this is a huge decision. I don't want to rush into anything but it seems crazy to pass up an acceptance--don't know what it will be like in the long run being a FMG though.

Thanks so much for taking the time!

My advice is to wait. You might as well stay in the US since its a big hassle to apply back. You probably won't have too much trouble organizing electives. I'm pretty sure UCD will be quite helpful in helping you with electives, a good number of UCD people get electives every year. However, you do need to do better than US grads and by better I mean a significant bit better to have the same shot at most residencies and a number of the competitive ones are out of the option.

If you have a shot at US schools just ignore the offer and wait for the next US cycle. Just keep in mind that you will have to work harder, do better just to get the same as what a US student would get and you will still be restricted from many specialties and many good programs. Generally, Irish students stay in the east coast, there seem to be a number of them at community programs in massachusetts like Lahey Clinic. US students can go anywhere, its just a much less stressful experience if you go to a US MD school.

 

[Driver23d]

If I were in your situation I would take UCD's offer and start school this fall & save yourself a year of waiting around however If you can share your grades, MCAT score & extracurriculars so we can all gauge your competitiveness for US schools that would help.

 

[meeep]

Very sorry I didn't get to this earlier but I rarely/nearly never use this website. I know it's too late for this person as he's made his decision by now, but hopefully this will be useful for someone else. OP can feel free to PM me if you're already in Dublin.

1) I'm graduating in 2014 so this is my final year.

2) Electives are a hassle to get, and increasingly so. UCD was not helpful.

3) It is hard for IMGs to get back to the US and that is a trend that is getting worse for many reasons.

4) IMGs generally should have to score higher than AMGs for the same residencies, and must prove themselves exceptional in other ways as well (very difficult).

5) Do not go to Ireland until you've exhausted your options for US MD schools. It's difficult, you will always be at a competitive disadvantage, and though many succeed, many also fail. I would strongly consider DO school if you're not competitive for MD programs and cannot make yourself so (improve MCAT, get a masters). Ireland is a great experience but it is hard, getting harder, and there is very little/no support if you fall through the cracks.

Good luck.

Hi. I am new to this website so please forgive me if there is already a similar post.

I just got accepted to UCD for fall 2013 entry, however I currently have applications in at medical schools in the US for fall 2014 entry and wont hear from them for many months.

I only have a few more days to decide if I will accept it for this year or wait and see if I get into the US schools.

UCD Grad's (preferably American students who went back to the States):

1) when did you graduate?

2) Were there many obstacles trying to get a summer electives in the States? Was UCD helpful in getting them? I know they have some sort of relationship with a few Universities in America.

3) I have read so many things about how it is getting harder for FMG's to land residency positions (or good ones at least) when tying to go back to US. Is this true?

4) Do FMG's have to do exceptionally well on the USMLE's to get considered for even the non-competitive residencies like internal or pediatrics?

5) Any other advice or information??

My head is spinning as obviously this is a huge decision. I don't want to rush into anything but it seems crazy to pass up an acceptance--don't know what it will be like in the long run being a FMG though.

Thanks so much for taking the time!