Yet Another Post Re: Carribbean med schools

[coronaradiata]

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Ok SDNers, I'm struggling to make a decision right now and I'm turning to this forum for help. I've already heard quite a bit about Caribbean med schools (I'm only referring to the "Big 4" in the Caribbean) and the issue of a sub-par education (compared to US Allo and Osteo schools), the issue of cost and location, high fail out rates, the possibility of not being competitive enough to get a residency after graduating etc. Yes, I've heard all of this.

On the flip side, I've also heard the good things about some of the schools. The multiple start dates, the opportunity to live "abroad", lower entrance standards etc. However, I'm stuck because I am having trouble finding MIDDLE GROUND. Everything I read on here or find online is very polarizing. Its either a horrible experience or its a great experience. I don't feel that either set of info is really giving me an honest look at the reality of going to a CMS.

I am very, very seriously looking at applying to 2 (SGU and Ross) of the Big 4 Caribbean med schools and not even applying to anything state-side. I graduated from a public university in the south (TX) with a B.S in biology and a minor in African American Studies. My cGPA is about a 3.2 and my science GPA is about 3.3. I have yet to take the MCAT (Jan 2010!) but I'm struggling with some of my practice tests right now. I'm very weak in PS and I am getting very low scores on that section. Obviously, I am going to continue to work on this, but I am not going to ignore the fact my PS score may very well stay this low on the real thing, and murder my overall score. I have zero research experience (It simply doesn't interest me. My heart is in patient care.) and I have limited volunteer experience. I've always had to work during college, and frankly...if I have time to do something and not get paid (with the exception of studying), I have time to be at work making money to pay my bills. Because I've always had to take care of myself, that is the mentality I have had to adopt in order to get by. I've worked in health-care for 12 years as a CNA, and have been an EMT-B for 4 years. (I've smelled a lot of patients, so I think its safe to say I've got a lot of "hands-on" experience. )

Without going into gory details, I do not have the luxury of doing an SMP or a grad program right now, otherwise I would do it to bring my GPA up. I'm really thinking that with my not-so-great GPA and a possibly low MCAT (low 20s) score, I should just hedge my bets and apply Caribbean & save my money to move, versus throwing it all into the AMCAS process and possibly walking away with nothing but rejections, and being back in this state of flux that I'm currently in. I'm a non-traditional, URM student. I don't have parents to fall back on and I don't have a significant other helping me out. Because of the job market right now, I'm struggling to secure employment that will pay me a living wage and allow me to pay bills (hello undergrad loans!). I only have X amount of money to work with, and I need to put it towards the more "sure thing" (even though none of it is "sure".) I'm determined to do this somehow, as I've wanted to be a doctor since I was eight years old, and I've carried this desire with me for the past 21 years, even though I sometimes stepped off the right path and made some not-so-great decisions, the desire to pursue medicine has never left and I'm tired of waiting. Settling and doing PA or NP would not cut it for me, and I would never be happy with myself for doing that.

So, SDNers, if you wish to give me advice about my situation (or PM me), I'll definitely accept it. I really hope this thread doesn't dissolve into the bickering of why Caribbean schools suck or what-have-you. I can read those threads elsewhere. I'm looking for people that can point me in the direction of some hard, concrete facts about the Big 4 in the Caribbean. I'd like to go into General Surgery one day and I need to know if going Caribbean is going to be a proverbial shot to the foot, because I'll struggle to get residency placement. I need to know the truth about how much of a stigma, if any, I will face once I come back to the States and how it may hinder my progress as a brand new MD. I'd like to have some idea of what life on those islands is REALLY like, and not look at glossy tourist photos online where everything is picture perfect and probably Photoshopped to some degree. (haha)

Anyway, that's that. Thanks for reading my long post and I hope that I manage to get some worthwhile info from some you. If you want more specific details about my situation, I'll reply via PM. I don't care to get too in depth/specific on the boards. Thank you. 🙂

 

[Ativanigans]

What materials are you using for MCAT prep. From your financial situation you probably can't afford a prep course but you can look into the Examkracker books. I've heard a lot of godo things about them from friends who used them. If you can raise your MCAT to above a 30, that'll be really helpful. You can choose to do some post-undergrad work like in TFA or americorp.

Your URM status, interesting EC's, a serviceable GPA, and a hopefully >30 MCAT should make you a fairly competitive applicant in a lot of schools state-side. I wouldn't just focus on the carib if you dont have to.

The quality of the education is probably perfectly adequate in teh carib, theres just the added stigma that isnt worth it if you can avoid it.

 

[avo]

Your stats DEFINITELY make you competitive for a DO school, assuming your MCAT comes through above average (>25), and if your MCAT is above a 30, I'd say you're competitive at a good chunk of MD schools, too. I'm not sure anyone can completely assuage your fears about job prospects, etc. because that's such an uncertain thing.

Suffice to say that doctors will always have a place in the economy.

On the other hand, regarding Caribbean schools - you need to do well there, bottom line. You need to have solid performance, and you need to distinguish yourself from the herd. In a US school, even an average MD/DO graduate will do just fine. From the Caribbean? Not so much. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[coronaradiata]

What materials are you using for MCAT prep. From your financial situation you probably can't afford a prep course but you can look into the Examkracker books. I've heard a lot of godo things about them from friends who used them. If you can raise your MCAT to above a 30, that'll be really helpful. You can choose to do some post-undergrad work like in TFA or americorp.

Your URM status, interesting EC's, a serviceable GPA, and a hopefully >30 MCAT should make you a fairly competitive applicant in a lot of schools state-side. I wouldn't just focus on the carib if you dont have to.

The quality of the education is probably perfectly adequate in teh carib, theres just the added stigma that isnt worth it if you can avoid it.

Actually, I saved up and I am currently taking a TPR prep course. I also have access to the Examkrackers books. I'm just not good with PS (namely physics) Its always been my Achilles, even in undergrad. I am confident I can boost my BS and VR to respectable levels, but PS.....ehhh...maybe not so much.

I'm actually prepared to face some sort of stigma, because Osteopathic medicine has always interested me and if my MCAT score turns out to be better than I think it may be, I had already planned on applying Osteo. In the end though, I'll go wherever I get accepted...Allo, Osteo or Carib.

Its funny you mention ECs...I have some pretty interesting ones. When I said that I sometimes stepped off of the path and did some other stuff..well, for me that included dropping out of high school, traveling to Europe alone when I was 16 and again at 17, becoming a published photographer, and an award winning burlesque dancer. (I do believe, however, that it'd be in my best interest to leave the burlesque part off of my app. ROFLMAO)

 

[coronaradiata]

Your stats DEFINITELY make you competitive for a DO school, assuming your MCAT comes through above average (>25), and if your MCAT is above a 30, I'd say you're competitive at a good chunk of MD schools, too. I'm not sure anyone can completely assuage your fears about job prospects, etc. because that's such an uncertain thing.

Suffice to say that doctors will always have a place in the economy.

On the other hand, regarding Caribbean schools - you need to do well there, bottom line. You need to have solid performance, and you need to distinguish yourself from the herd. In a US school, even an average MD/DO graduate will do just fine. From the Caribbean? Not so much. Just something to keep in mind.

Avo, I'm just really nervous that my MCAT score WON'T be above 30 and I'm trying to plan accordingly. The PS section, as I mentioned in another reply, is my Achilles. Always has been, and it doesn't appear to be changing. I have some confidence in my VR and BS skills and don't think I should have a problem scoring fairly decently.

I didn't think anyway would really be able to erase my fears, I just want some good information to look at that will help me make the best, informed decision that I can. Its hard to do that when the information you're getting is either very, very negative or its coming from the school itself, so you KNOW its only going to be good stuff. And I had already heard that the level of competitiveness at Carib med schools was pretty crazy!

 

[Ativanigans]

Actually, I saved up and I am currently taking a TPR prep course. I also have access to the Examkrackers books. I'm just not good with PS (namely physics) Its always been my Achilles, even in undergrad. I am confident I can boost my BS and VR to respectable levels, but PS.....ehhh...maybe not so much.

I'm actually prepared to face some sort of stigma, because Osteopathic medicine has always interested me and if my MCAT score turns out to be better than I think it may be, I had already planned on applying Osteo. In the end though, I'll go wherever I get accepted...Allo, Osteo or Carib.

Its funny you mention ECs...I have some pretty interesting ones. When I said that I sometimes stepped off of the path and did some other stuff..well, for me that included dropping out of high school, traveling to Europe alone when I was 16 and again at 17, becoming a published photographer, and an award winning burlesque dancer. (I do believe, however, that it'd be in my best interest to leave the burlesque part off of my app. ROFLMAO)

It sounds like you've had a really interesting life. If you can get a reasonable mcat, even above 27 or something, im sure a lot of MD schools would love to have you.

Basically, dont sell yourself short by only doing carib schools. T

 

[coronaradiata]

Basically, dont sell yourself short by only doing carib schools. T

Thank you for that. 🙂

 

[Eyti]

Actually, I saved up and I am currently taking a TPR prep course. I also have access to the Examkrackers books. I'm just not good with PS (namely physics) Its always been my Achilles, even in undergrad. I am confident I can boost my BS and VR to respectable levels, but PS.....ehhh...maybe not so much.

I'm actually prepared to face some sort of stigma, because Osteopathic medicine has always interested me and if my MCAT score turns out to be better than I think it may be, I had already planned on applying Osteo. In the end though, I'll go wherever I get accepted...Allo, Osteo or Carib.

Its funny you mention ECs...I have some pretty interesting ones. When I said that I sometimes stepped off of the path and did some other stuff..well, for me that included dropping out of high school, traveling to Europe alone when I was 16 and again at 17, becoming a published photographer, and an award winning burlesque dancer. (I do believe, however, that it'd be in my best interest to leave the burlesque part off of my app. ROFLMAO)

I would include everything including the burlesque dancer portion. You can use your entire life history to explain why medicine is right for you. As for the MCAT, realistically you have until May to get it in very early for US schools. Physics in my undergrad, is approached in such a dry fashion. I didn't start getting interested until I started following some more advanced concepts and then back-tracking to pre-med physics. Put an ad up on craigslist and find someone to talk with about physics. [Possibly lame suggestion]. Verbal descriptions and discussions do help with it.

 

[JJMrK]

You mentioned your minor; are you african american? If so, that's going to be a huge benefit to your application. With a score in the mid-20's you are probably very competitive for DO schools and possibly some MD schools.

I think most of the "polarization" you see regarding off-shore schools comes from people in two categories: those who attend them vs everybody else.

 

[coronaradiata]

You mentioned your minor; are you african american? If so, that's going to be a huge benefit to your application. With a score in the mid-20's you are probably very competitive for DO schools and possibly some MD schools.

I think most of the "polarization" you see regarding off-shore schools comes from people in two categories: those who attend them vs everybody else.

Indeed, I am African American. Born way up north, now living in dirty dirty Texas, so I have TX residency. 🙂 I knew that having URM status could benefit me, but I never knew exactly how much and I wasn't really counting on it to help me out AT ALL if I got a low MCAT score.

And I think your statement re: off-shore schools is right. I hear great things from students who "say" they didn't have any issues. (Please note..these were former students who were speaking at a Ross University seminar. I am fully aware they were handpicked, more than likely, because of their experience, but that doesn't mean its the norm.) All of the nay-sayers are the people state-side. I don't really hear anything from people who might work alongside off-shore med school grads, as fellow residents or as their superiors. I hear all the negative stuff about the Caribbean from other undergrads/pre-meds and the occasional med student.

 

[coronaradiata]

I would include everything including the burlesque dancer portion. You can use your entire life history to explain why medicine is right for you. As for the MCAT, realistically you have until May to get it in very early for US schools. Physics in my undergrad, is approached in such a dry fashion. I didn't start getting interested until I started following some more advanced concepts and then back-tracking to pre-med physics. Put an ad up on craigslist and find someone to talk with about physics. [Possibly lame suggestion]. Verbal descriptions and discussions do help with it.

I actually thought that the burlesque bit might be a little bit too racy for the eyes of Adcoms. I have some other experiences that actually involve teaching/leadership and community health outreach, but because of the nature of those experiences, my current Health Professions advisor strongly suggests I leave it out of my profile, even though the business that hired me to do this job is a 25yr old community icon and is willing to write a stellar LOR for me. My HPA thinks that it will scare some of the conservative Adcom members and be a surefire way to get my app tossed. So, I just have to negate that part of my life, even though I think its pertinent and would make me stand out as an interesting/unique individual. *shrug*

The Craigslist idea is not lame and I think I just might do what you hav suggested. Thank you.

 

[seelee]

If it was me I would be putting extra effort into maximizing my PS score. Books, tutors, etc. Talk to the physics department at your school to see if there is someone who would be willing to help you. Do extra PS problems, find where you are specifically weak and practice, practice, practice!

Re: Caribbean schools. I have heard the same things everyone else has. Particularly that you have to score in the 90% percentile on the step to get into a US residency and that the attrition rate approaches 50% (as opposed to 1-2% in the US). Like I said, that is what I heard (don't know if it is true). I do know that I haven't met a single doc at my school who studied Caribbean.

It was implied that going DO would give you a similar stigma as going overseas. Not true. The only people who care about MD vs. DO are premeds. Professionally, they are pretty much the same.

 

[iatros]

i'm impressed by the passion in your original post. i'm quite confident you will achieve your dreams... you should share that same level of confidence.

you still have lots of time to study for the mcat and kick it's ***** (assuming you're applying for matriculation in 2011?). with your clinical exposure, life experiences, and URM, you should have no problem getting into a solid stateside program. adcoms love to see people like you because you have so much more to offer the profession of medicine than the standard, traditional highschool-to-medschool applicant.

as for the burlesque thing- unless it was a major factor in shaping your life, your best bet is to probably leave it out.

also, if you maintain that high level of enthusiasm and passion, you WILL stand out. i'd recommend you WAIT on the carrib thing until you get your mcat scores back.... you might surprise yourself!

 

[Alwaysbehopeful]

I think you are giving up on Physics too easily. Physics and G Chem were my weakest points as well on the MCATs. I got a B in every Physics/G Chem class I have ever taken (I think I got a C in AP physics).

However, I buckled down and REALLY re-studied Physics. Instead of avoiding and accepting my weakness, I made sure to understand it. It was tough I'll admit and at times I wanted to give up but I ended up getting a 12 on the PS section. Actually it ended up being my best scored section.

When I took the first TPR practice test I got a 4 in PS....15 in Bio....and 10 in VR. I think I actually studied too much Physics because I didn't do so well in the other sections.

Bottom line: Don't give up yet! Not every medical school has a 3.7 33 MCAT average. With my 3.5 and 29 MCAT many told me I couldn't get in. But I applied anyways (late too!) and I have 2 interviews in Jan!!! I also applied to SGU just in case and is also interested in General Surgery. However the truth is that it would be really difficult to get into that specialty coming from the Carribeans. What I have learned most about this whole thing is that everyone walks a different path to medical school. It sounds like you are resilient and have tried the best you could do and Medical schools will see that. Being URM helps espeically applying to the HBCUs. I think you have a great shot at a US MD school. You sound like an interesting person who have had unique experiences that will make you stand out. You can shoot the CMS an app but FOCUS on US schools. Apply early and broadly and I have faith you will end up doing very well.

 

[coronaradiata]

If it was me I would be putting extra effort into maximizing my PS score. Books, tutors, etc. Talk to the physics department at your school to see if there is someone who would be willing to help you. Do extra PS problems, find where you are specifically weak and practice, practice, practice!

I'm so horrible at physics there simply aren't enough hours in the day for me to practice enough to get to where I need to be. Hahahaha. In all seriousness, I'm doing what I can to try and bring that PS score up, but there may come a point where I just have to realize that I cannot get blood from a stone. :/

If only physics were fun and more interesting. Right now, I firmly believe there is a special level of hell that has been reserved for Issac Newton and his ilk.

 

[coronaradiata]

i'm impressed by the passion in your original post. i'm quite confident you will achieve your dreams... you should share that same level of confidence.

you still have lots of time to study for the mcat and kick it's ***** (assuming you're applying for matriculation in 2011?). with your clinical exposure, life experiences, and URM, you should have no problem getting into a solid stateside program. adcoms love to see people like you because you have so much more to offer the profession of medicine than the standard, traditional highschool-to-medschool applicant.

as for the burlesque thing- unless it was a major factor in shaping your life, your best bet is to probably leave it out.

also, if you maintain that high level of enthusiasm and passion, you WILL stand out. i'd recommend you WAIT on the carrib thing until you get your mcat scores back.... you might surprise yourself!

I'm taking the Jan 29th MCAT. I feel like that date is right around the corner! Every day I feel myself getting a little more anxious about it. :/ I am looking at applying for 2011. Heck, if I could get in earlier, I'd jump at the chance!

I'm no Mother Theresa, but I'd like to think my passion to help & heal others is very evident. I find it difficult to explain my reasons for wanting to be a physician without getting emotional and choked up. (I'm really not an emo person, but talking about THIS makes me that way.) I'd like to think that I'm an impressive, interesting COMPLETE package, but if you strip me down to just numbers (gpa and MCAT) I'm afraid that I don't look that appealing and will get glossed over by adcoms, which is why I was thinking the Carib may be a better way for me to go. However, the uncertainty of what will happen after I leave a CMS and come back to the US is pretty daunting. I could not imagine graduating from medical school (who cares which one) and NOT being able to get a residency placement, or having to choose a residency placement that isn't one I really want, but its the only thing I could get. That would destroy me thoroughly.

No, the burlesque thing was more of a recent endeavor so I can't say that it played a major role in shaping my life, but it actually has done wonders for my self esteem and confidence...except when it comes to physics. Haha. I will find it quite difficult to talk about the things that shaped my life in my personal statement, because there have been so many (some really good...such as my foray into the arts and becoming a published photographer and some not so good.....like being a victim of abuse and dropping out of high school). I could honestly write a book, instead of an essay. LOL

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I do hope that applying to the Caribbean is something that I won't have to do, but I am determined to keep every single option open, because failing at this or saying that I cannot do it is not an option for me. And if I have to go to Ross or SGU to make all of this happen, then so be it. I'll be in the rainforest (or on the beach) reading my Pharmacology books. 🙂

 

[coronaradiata]

I think you are giving up on Physics too easily. Physics and G Chem were my weakest points as well on the MCATs. I got a B in every Physics/G Chem class I have ever taken (I think I got a C in AP physics).

However, I buckled down and REALLY re-studied Physics. Instead of avoiding and accepting my weakness, I made sure to understand it. It was tough I'll admit and at times I wanted to give up but I ended up getting a 12 on the PS section. Actually it ended up being my best scored section.

When I took the first TPR practice test I got a 4 in PS....15 in Bio....and 10 in VR. I think I actually studied too much Physics because I didn't do so well in the other sections.

Bottom line: Don't give up yet! Not every medical school has a 3.7 33 MCAT average. With my 3.5 and 29 MCAT many told me I couldn't get in. But I applied anyways (late too!) and I have 2 interviews in Jan!!! I also applied to SGU just in case and is also interested in General Surgery. However the truth is that it would be really difficult to get into that specialty coming from the Carribeans. What I have learned most about this whole thing is that everyone walks a different path to medical school. It sounds like you are resilient and have tried the best you could do and Medical schools will see that. Being URM helps espeically applying to the HBCUs. I think you have a great shot at a US MD school. You sound like an interesting person who have had unique experiences that will make you stand out. You can shoot the CMS an app but FOCUS on US schools. Apply early and broadly and I have faith you will end up doing very well.

I got a B in Physics 1, but I struggled to get a C in Physics 2. (Granted my physics 1 class was very sub-par and I do not feel that I had an adequate enough foundation to even go into Physics 2, and I got slaughtered.) I did ok in G-Chem, Bs in both 1 and 2, but I took those classes awhile back and drudging up that knowledge, while not impossible, is difficult. I'll get back into the swing of GChem, but Physics...eh, I don't know. And its not that I am trying to avoid working harder at PS, that's not the case. I'm simply trying to prepare myself for the possible outcome of not making significant progress on that section on the real MCAT. I want to have a Plan B already outlined and ready to go, instead of crying my brains out after taking the MCAT a bunch of times to raise my score, but only making marginal progress, if any and not knowing what to do next. This is why I was considering the Caribbean med schools so seriously.

Meharry, Howard and Morehouse are probably my top 3 allo schools to apply to, because I know I probably have the best shot getting into one of those schools than I do any other allo schools. I am also open to osteo, and my current mentor is a DO, so I know I can get an LOR from him should I end up being competitive enough for a DO school.

Thank you as well for the words of encouragement. I may have to visit this thread periodically when I start to get too down and out about my PS performance on my practice tests. I'll need to read the kind words on occasion. 🙂

 

[Alwaysbehopeful]

Meharry, Howard and Morehouse are probably my top 3 allo schools to apply to, because I know I probably have the best shot getting into one of those schools than I do any other allo schools.

I completely understand that you are just looking into other options for the "uh oh just in case" situations and that is very smart of you. I am doing the same thing and just got my SGU acceptance in the mail the other day! It actually makes me feel pretty god to know I have some sort of acceptance hahah!

I actually have an interview at Meharry in Jan and is dying to get one from Howard. I'm Asian Female, upper middle class but that is only recently. Grew up pretty impoverished in a rural part of China. I applied to these schools because I really wish to return to my hometown and improve the health care there. Also I am very interested in serving urban disadvantaged communities. I just want to tell you that Meharry and Howard care more about you as a whole person than other schools. They are really big on community service.

Best of luck to you. Like I said everyone walks a different path to medical school. A lot of people on this forum might be intimadating but it does not represent EVERYONE. There are many ways to get in, many different stats, experiences, etc.

As long as you are doing the best you can with what you have, you will get in to a school. I didn't believe this when I first came on this site but now I do. So many have told me I wouldn't even get an interview and here I am with 2 already and hoping for a couple more. Sure I might not go to Duke or UCSF but in the end people like us with lower stats will be doctors. And maybe betters ones because we had to deal with real life hardships that others might not be able to experience.

 

[suckybreakfast]

Your story is so sad! I feel bad! 🙁 I really hope you get in somewheres! I can't really give you any info but I hope everything is gonna be alright. 👍 👍

 

[Mackey]

If you get above a 25 in your MCAT I would be surprised if you did not get into a DO school.

That being said, that is what you really need to put all your effort into. Going to a DO school will provide you with a great education and equal footing with your peers as far as getting a US residency goes. Don't forget, however, you'll probably need a DO letter of rec when you apply, so get started on that.

Try and avoid going to a Carib school if you're serious about this. No one goes to carib schools because they "like the philosophy of a Caribbean medical school"... to put it one way.

 

[coronaradiata]

If you get above a 25 in your MCAT I would be surprised if you did not get into a DO school.

That being said, that is what you really need to put all your effort into. Going to a DO school will provide you with a great education and equal footing with your peers as far as getting a US residency goes. Don't forget, however, you'll probably need a DO letter of rec when you apply, so get started on that.

Try and avoid going to a Carib school if you're serious about this. No one goes to carib schools because they "like the philosophy of a Caribbean medical school"... to put it one way.

My mentor is a DO, and I am chatting up a couple of other local DOs, so I'm hoping between those people...the DO LOR is (hopefully) in the bag. Shadowing experience, however, is a different story. My primary mentor does not do patient care. The other 2 DOs I have been talking with are military doctors and work in facilities where I would not be allowed. I'll figure out a way to circumvent those road blocks though, so no worries. My primary mentor says he knows some other DOs that are doing patient care and he will try help me out with that.

Believe me, its not that I really WANT to go to a Carib school, I'm just willing to do it if I have to. If my scores end up not being competitive enough, I want to have a viable fall back plan. Ideally, I won't have to put Plan B (or C or D) into effect because Plan A will work out just fine. 🙂

 

[coronaradiata]

Your story is so sad! I feel bad! 🙁 I really hope you get in somewheres! I can't really give you any info but I hope everything is gonna be alright. 👍 👍

Aww, thank you for the kind words. I don't think my story is all that sad. I have not had an easy life, but I know that I have had it better than a lot of others out there. I've done some pretty amazing stuff and even though I've had my share of bad times and bad decisions, I wouldn't trade my life for the world. If I did, I wouldn't be me and THAT, my friend, would be sad.

If I had lived my life any differently, I wouldn't be where I am now, and this is exactly where I want to be, on the verge of making my dream come true. 🙂

 

[coronaradiata]

http://www.do-online.org/iLearn/home.cfm

Hahahaha...where do you think I found my current mentor!?

 

[coronaradiata]

Also I am very interested in serving urban disadvantaged communities. I just want to tell you that Meharry and Howard care more about you as a whole person than other schools. They are really big on community service.

THIS RIGHT HERE. I can't even seriously consider applying to a school that placed a large emphasis on research and less on community service. Schools like Meharry and Howard are the types of places I want to get into because community service is my passion. In fact, my dream (after having paid off my loans) would be to spend the rest of my years doing as much pro bono work as I could and doing things such as medical missions. So schools that really value community service are right up my alley. Do you know of any other schools that are heavily focused on community service?

 

[Ativanigans]

THIS RIGHT HERE. I can't even seriously consider applying to a school that placed a large emphasis on research and less on community service. Schools like Meharry and Howard are the types of places I want to get into because community service is my passion. In fact, my dream (after having paid off my loans) would be to spend the rest of my years doing as much pro bono work as I could and doing things such as medical missions. So schools that really value community service are right up my alley. Do you know of any other schools that are heavily focused on community service?

You shouldn't look at it like that. Research heavy schools are usually flush with resources and also have really strong community outreach programs. Smaller schools without the heavy NIH funding have to "focus" on community service since they dont have the resources to compete in research.