Wanna be a MS student... Again.

[fourplay]

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Hello, I graduated from the medical school in 1993 and from the law school in 2003 abroad (Europe). Did not have medical practice since 1997 (had good GPA scores in the MS and LS though), so think it will be more effective to start from the beginning and enter US medical school than to pass USMLE. My question is: will my completed courses in the medical school abroad (I have already done chemistry, biology, physics, philosophy, psychology e.c.) count toward those prerequisites required for the first year admission? Have Green Card, 36 years old. Thank you, Alex

 

[Winged Scapula]

Most US medical schools will require that your pre-req courses have been completed within the previous 5 years; so it appears that your med school courses will be out of date.

While your situation is rather unique, there are many others in a similar situation with pre-med courses out of date. Often they either enter a formal Post-Bacc course or do higher level pre-reqs on their own (ie, not retaking basic Bio but rather an upper level, more advanced survey). This may be the easiest route for you (as I think you will also find ECFMG certification and getting a US residency so far out of clinical practice difficult).

 

[fourplay]

Most US medical schools will require that your pre-req courses have been completed within the previous 5 years; so it appears that your med school courses will be out of date.

While your situation is rather unique, there are many others in a similar situation with pre-med courses out of date. Often they either enter a formal Post-Bacc course or do higher level pre-reqs on their own (ie, not retaking basic Bio but rather an upper level, more advanced survey). This may be the easiest route for you (as I think you will also find ECFMG certification and getting a US residency so far out of clinical practice difficult).

Thank you Kimberli. How long does it take to do the typical formal Post-Bacc course? Are there any specific entry requirements here?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Most of the Post-Bacc programs are 2 years I believe; as for requirements, they would probably vary from school to school. Why don't you check out the Post-Bacc forum here http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71
and meet some liked-minded people who probably have more info than I do.

Best of luck to you.

 

[fourplay]

Thank you.

 

[mstar]

Fourplay, just be aware that a lot of medical schools in this country do not accept people who have already gotten their medical degree elsewhere. I distinctly remember that question being on several of my applications. Also, you may want to consider taking some Kaplan courses and passing the Foreign Medical Graduates Equivalency Exam rather than starting over. It's worth at least a try because it would save you at least 6 years, 2 for post-bac prerequisites and 4 of medical school Just a thought. My mom passed that exam-she had been a doctor in another country- and was able to go straight into residency. Good luck!

 

[Denn]

Fourplay, just be aware that a lot of medical schools in this country do not accept people who have already gotten their medical degree elsewhere. I distinctly remember that question being on several of my applications. Also, you may want to consider taking some Kaplan courses and passing the Foreign Medical Graduates Equivalency Exam rather than starting over. It's worth at least a try because it would save you at least 6 years, 2 for post-bac prerequisites and 4 of medical school Just a thought. My mom passed that exam-she had been a doctor in another country- and was able to go straight into residency. Good luck!

I agree. You need to pass USMLE step one and two and apply for a residency program. You don't need to go to medical school again. I think you can't even get accepted if you finished a medical school in the past. Talk to people who were in the similar situation (doctors who came from other countries). They'll be able to tell you exactly what to do. Once again, don't think about applying to medical school. You don't need it. Take USMLE.