Wait listed at two schools. Feeling discouraged.

[hallowmann]

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I've told this story many times on SDN. The attitude "there's always more to the story" is not bad, and is precisely the response I get time and again. People cannot fathom that a deserving person could actually have profound misfortune. But life is really like that sometimes.

To the previous poster who asked me a question:
I could let it all hang out here in public in the name of "science" or full disclosure, but the more ignorant premeds among us would still find a way to blame my husband for his poor outcome. Maybe they are right. But please, pay attention to the underlying sentiment here: Caribbean schools are bad. I don't want people to tear apart my husband's story and then have the myth perpetuated that the Caribbean is a viable option.

I think that they should be put out of business. I hope that by the time I get to the level of being a politically active physician that Caribbean schools won't exist, or I will have a hand in stopping them.

I think the more to this story in your case was simply that your husband was a Canadian citizen. That's all. As I've said, I know people who recently came out of the system and were just fine (but again, not a recommendation, just an N=whatever anecdote). My previous comment was more the general sentiment than an implication that people should pry more into your story.

Again, to be clear, the Caribbean is a last resort, as it should be, only after ample research, and multiple unsuccessful attempts at attaining a US MD or DO acceptance. No one here (I hope) is recommending it as anything more than a risky last ditch effort.

 

[Temperature101]

the Caribbean is 100% not a good idea. Like seriously do not even put it on your list of options.

They will suck you dry, put you in debt, and you still won't be a doctor. This is the case for a significant percentage of the students going there. Many get lured in, drop a couple hundred grand, then are essentially left out to hang. This could be after you finish or even have you seeing your way out halfway through.

In the next 10 years I see the doors slowly shutting for Caribbean graduates to get residencies in the US. The bottleneck is already squeezed tight

I am of the opinion that it is better to even have a sucky job and not be a doctor rather than go Caribbean. The risk does not out way the reward



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I don't think the Caribbean (SGU, AUC, Ross and SABA) is that bad for someone who wants to become a PCP and is willing to work hard. However, since OP is on two waitlists, he/she has good chance to get in this cycle. In addition, this suggest that OP is a borderline applicant; therefore, OP should try at least 2 more times before going offshore-- assuming that he/she is <28 years old.

 

[CSqueed]

I don't think the Caribbean (SGU, AUC, Ross and SABA) is that bad for someone who wants to become a PCP and is willing to work hard. However, since OP is on two waitlists, he/she has good chance to get in this cycle. In addition, this suggest that OP is a borderline applicant; therefore, OP should try at least 2 more times before going offshore-- assuming that he/she is <28 years old.

Thank you. Finally someone I agree with on the CaribMD topic, unlike most others on here acting like CaribMD = a walk into hell, itself.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Like seriously... heck even get into podiatry or something instead of going Caribbean... they are are like a mix of surgeon and primary care doc, just all on the knee down. Thats probably my backup plan if I dont get in within a cycle or two. You go to a podiatry school and work just as hard as you would have in med school and you can get a really solid residency and have some great opportunities for a good job. I worked for a podiatrist who owned her own shop with 3 other docs working with her. She was INCREDIBLY happy and wealthy. THAT, or PA school or something is a backup... not Caribbean...

If one can't get into a DO school, there is a low probability one can get into a PA school. They are getting really competitive nowadays.

 

[TreadLightly]

looking at the match lists, the caribbean schools are not THAT bad

Match lists don't usually show how many people didn't match. They just show the 100 people that matched from a much bigger pool that didn't. The ones that get to the point of even applying to residencies are the lucky ones since many students are "weeded out" in the first couple years. Unlike in college where you can just change your major when you fail chemistry, you're going to need to leave the island and take your -$100,000 with you.

I don't think the Caribbean (SGU, AUC, Ross and SABA) is that bad for someone who wants to become a PCP and is willing to work hard. However, since OP is on two waitlists, he/she has good chance to get in this cycle. In addition, this suggest that OP is a borderline applicant; therefore, OP should try at least 2 more times before going offshore-- assuming that he/she is <28 years old.

How can you say that with any certainty? How do you know the laws won't be changed soon to limit residents coming out of the carib? Recently there has been a ton of bad press and lawmakers are starting to notice. Not to mention the expansion of DO schools (and MD). Competition is going to be worse than it has ever been in the United States. How will people from outside the US be treated?

Not knocking on carib schools. They've given a lot of great doctors a chance when US schools didn't. But these days you better be damn smart to make it out.

 

[CajunMedic]

A) Patience is a virtue
B) Start working on Plan B
C) You can do better than carib
D) If you get rejected, call the Admissions Deans and ask for feedback on why, and then improve yourself. LOI are generally worthless, BTW.

I would say go with Goro's recommended game plan. I'm right there with you. 2 interviews: 1 rejection, 1 waitlist, with one interview next month. I'm concentrating on improving my marginal MCAT score and if things don't work out this cycle, taking it as an expensive learning experience. I've also got to echo the sentiments of everyone else- stay away from the Carib schools. Our local EM program is fairly DO and Carib MD friendly, most of the Carib residents will tell you they hated the experience, several wound up there after the scramble, 1 didn't match or scramble and wound up back on the truck as a Paramedic till the next match.

Best of luck to you, don't give up, you will make it through this!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

If one can't get into a DO school, there is a low probability one can get into a PA school. They are getting really competitive nowadays.

If you can't get into DO then go DPM, Dental, DPT, Nursing.

In the end many on the DO forum spout this whole you need to be invested in the specialness of your degree. But after people fail to get in they leak down to other fields that get them a perfectly solid lifestyle.

 

[Chillywilly]

If you can't get into DO then go DPM, Dental, DPT, Nursing.

In the end many on the DO forum spout this whole you need to be invested in the specialness of your degree. But after people fail to get in they leak down to other fields that get them a perfectly solid lifestyle.

A lot of people forget PA is still an option. Heck, a lot people don't even know what a PA is (especially non premed)

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

I do agree though that PA school is very competitive and honestly takes about as long to get as the MD (minus residency). Because a lot of the schools require like 1000-4000 hours of clinical experience, and some are really only taking people with masters degrees and stuff, for a lot of people the PA thing is a really sweet deal....

Having said all of that, knowing the data and the trends at Caribbean, I would still do PA over Caribbean.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

A lot of people forget PA is still an option. Heck, a lot people don't even know what a PA is (especially non premed)

PA isn't an option for most trad people because they require an enormous amount of previous health care exposure.

 

[Chillywilly]

PA isn't an option for most trad people because they require an enormous amount of previous health care exposure.

True, but it may be worth it rather than settling for something lower .

 

[drcollete]

I don't think the Caribbean (SGU, AUC, Ross and SABA) is that bad for someone who wants to become a PCP and is willing to work hard. However, since OP is on two waitlists, he/she has good chance to get in this cycle. In addition, this suggest that OP is a borderline applicant; therefore, OP should try at least 2 more times before going offshore-- assuming that he/she is <28 years old.

Yeah, this is my first application cycle. I am 26 years old. I agree with what you're saying.

 

[TXKnight]

Yeah, this is my first application cycle. I am 26 years old. I agree with what you're saying.

drcollet, at 26 you are young, no need to freak out. You will get in I am sure, don't sweat it...and no carib...unless you are on a cruise, that is.

 

[IslandStyle808]

If you can't get into DO then go DPM, Dental, DPT, Nursing.

In the end many on the DO forum spout this whole you need to be invested in the specialness of your degree. But after people fail to get in they leak down to other fields that get them a perfectly solid lifestyle.

I actually agree with you on this. I had a friend who applied to both DO and PA schools and got in both. It is more of a stats things, when I refer to seeing PA a backup. With most PA programs having an average matriculating GPA of 3.5, the stats that you need for PA school would most likely get you into a DO school.

You can pretty much aim for whatever you want (even at the same time), but I still believe one should still show somewhat of a track record of interest in the field. Some people maybe able to get a away with not having a track record (i.e. shadowing, clinical hours, etc.), but I still sternly believe it would lower your chances if you do not have one.