What's the Difference?

[JohnnyOU]

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Hi all,

I am planning to start my application process next year and am pretty confident that I will be accepted at one of the U.S. MD schools I want to attend...

however, the thought of spending a couple of years living in the Caribbean with my family sounds fun, or at least my better-half thinks so 🙄

I have heard a lot of talk about how much better U.S. med schools are than Caribbean ones.
Anyone's input is appreciated.

What IS the actual difference in the education and experience I would get at SGU or Ross, as compared to a U.S. allopathic school ?

Thank you,
Johnny 🙂

 

[medic2md1]

I have done a fair amount of research into US schools vs the big 3 carib schools (AUC,SGU,Ross). The big difference is you and what type of specialty you want. Unless you are getting into a top ten US school, then staying stateside or going to the carib will get you where you want to go, usually. The carib schools provide you the resources, the classes, the clinical training, etc... to become a doc. Remember it is up to you to study, to learn, and if needed seek out the help you may need-whether from an instructor or study group. There are thousands of those school graduates all over the US today practicing in every state of the US. Many of those graduates score well on the USMLE's, many times better than US grads because they aren't coddled like many US grads are

It is true that those schools have higher attrition rates. That is because they are easier to get into but they are not easy to get out of. You will definitely be challenged going through one of the big 3 schools and if you make it through you will do well because you will have been pushed.

The problems you will face coming from one of these schools is purely political. When it comes time for residency placement you will face discrimination. Remember, for most this is the most importnat factor of why they got into medicine. You have to out-perform grads from US schools in order to be competitive for a particular specialty that you may want that they also want-excluding Family practice, IM, Peds. You wou would be limiting your opportunities for future residency placement and if you don't have to then don't. Is it fair? No! but life isn't fair, life is what you make of it.

If you want to practice in the US in a more competitive job then you should try US first. If you can't get in here then go over there. I am going straight over to the carib because I am older and don't want to wait out the process here. Besides I am looking at IM which isn't hard to get and I'll be able to start school once I graduate from here.

Other than that if you have thick skin and can face it, then go for it. If your feelings get hurt easy then don't do it.

 

[bts4202]

If you have the chance, go to a U.S. school... NO QUESTION!! Don't let anyone tell you differently.

 

[stephew]

yep agreed.

 

[meanderson]

Originally posted by medic2md1
[The big difference is you and what type of specialty you want. Unless you are getting into a top ten US school, then staying stateside or going to the carib will get you where you want to go, usually. [/B]

I deleted a lot of what you wrote because I agree with most of it, but I think the issue is a little more complicated. Too often I think we try to categorize certain fields and residencies as being 'competitive' or 'non-competitive', and we use extreme examples. The problem with this is that most people enter areas of medicine that could be described as semi-competitive. There is a huge middle ground between ortho at JH and internal medicine at a community program.

The difference between the 40th ranked US medical school and the 7th ranked US medical school is miniscule compared to the difference between the 40th ranked US medical school and carribean schools.

 

[TTSD]

.. unless you end up 99 and 99 on your USMLEs.. then you're cool.

 

[Archangelesk99]

medic2md1....how old are you????

 

[medic2md1]

mid 30's

 

[ny skindoc]

If you want a "fun" time in the caribbean then take a vacation there.Going to med school there is filled with problems,things you wont deal with in the US.It is a route you take when med school in the US is not an option.Comparing caribbean schools to non top 10 US schhols is very much off base.Your opportunities from even an average US school are much better.Dont believe that? Look at the match lists from NY Medical College (often looked "down" on as a lower level US school) and compare it to the caribbean schools.There is no comparison.. it is light years better in terms of specialties and competitive hospitals.Having said that... a place like St Georges is a good medical school with a decent match list,and a great alternative way to enter the US medical system.

 

[erichaj]

I agree, don't go to there for a fun medical school experience. If you are asking the question about medical school there, I have to wonder how sure you are about getting into a state side school.
Either way, If you can get into a state side school, then do it.
Take your wife for a vacation to the Islands.
EH.