Aussie Vs Islands vs DO schools?

[mango1999]

**Bit of a long read ahead!**

For a little more context: I am a Canadian citizen quite exhausted from trying to secure a spot in Canadian med schools (yet, still applying this cycle). I am also very discouraged from hearing some of my very close and incredibly brilliant friends' stories about getting in after 3 years of reapplying.

I'm also applying to US DO schools this cycle and am slightly hopeful for it (I have a strong GPA and meet above MCAT cutoffs plus a pretty diverse range of experiences).

I have received an acceptance from an Australian university (Here's the catch, my offer expires in a week...eeep!) For some more insight, I have been accepted to a very top-ranked university for medicine (among the top 50 in the world and in the top 3 in Australia). While AUSSIE offer is appealing because I could do my internship and residency there as well, it is the same as being a Canadian or an American IMG, I would be considered an IMG in AUS and wouldn't be at the top of their list to get the internship of my choice. (Their message literally says that international students are required to be more flexible with where they want to do their internship in Australia)

I am debating applying to 2 (AUC, SGU) of the 'BIG 4' Carib schools as backup options as well and I am conflicted between choosing either the AUS or CARIB schools to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a physician.

While there are so many negative views (with some truth to them) on the island schools, I have quite a few friends who have attended these schools and are now specialists practicing in the States -granted they had extensive connections, and I currently have at least 10 friends studying at these schools.

Aside from the fact that I know people who have done this path, I also know that going to an Island school would mean that their clinical rotations in years 3 and 4 would be in the States which seems to be extremely advantageous for an IMG who are already at the bottom of the barrel - I wouldn't have this exposure if I chose the AUS route and I'm afraid this would put me further down the list when trying to match into a res program.

Also wanted to add that I am not aiming for surgical specialties - My goal is Primary care specialties such as Gastroenterology or Endocrinology etc. So I know I'm not really selling myself short by attending island schools because attending them essentially means sealing your fate shut for major specialities.

I am looking for any words of advice and any related experiences from the crowd on this to help with making my decision on which route I'm about to invest half-mill $$ on.

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[KaiBuzz]

Without more information regarding your GPA, MCAT, UG attended, EC’s, Australian Medical School, it’s difficult to advise. BTW, GI is not considered primary care and is very competitive.

 

[Rejected Med_Vet_Students]

What DO programs did you apply to? Some schools (MD & DO) offer 3 year programs for primary care.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

DO->Aussie->Islands

 

[chilly_md]

Endo is not primary care either. Like GI, it is a fellowship after internal medicine (albeit a less competitive one).

 

[lymphocyte]

**Bit of a long read ahead!**

For a little more context: I am a Canadian citizen quite exhausted from trying to secure a spot in Canadian med schools (yet, still applying this cycle). I am also very discouraged from hearing some of my very close and incredibly brilliant friends' stories about getting in after 3 years of reapplying.

I'm also applying to US DO schools this cycle and am slightly hopeful for it (I have a strong GPA and meet above MCAT cutoffs plus a pretty diverse range of experiences).

I have received an acceptance from an Australian university (Here's the catch, my offer expires in a week...eeep!) For some more insight, I have been accepted to a very top-ranked university for medicine (among the top 50 in the world and in the top 3 in Australia). While AUSSIE offer is appealing because I could do my internship and residency there as well, it is the same as being a Canadian or an American IMG, I would be considered an IMG in AUS and wouldn't be at the top of their list to get the internship of my choice. (Their message literally says that international students are required to be more flexible with where they want to do their internship in Australia)

I am debating applying to 2 (AUC, SGU) of the 'BIG 4' Carib schools as backup options as well and I am conflicted between choosing either the AUS or CARIB schools to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a physician.

While there are so many negative views (with some truth to them) on the island schools, I have quite a few friends who have attended these schools and are now specialists practicing in the States -granted they had extensive connections, and I currently have at least 10 friends studying at these schools.

Aside from the fact that I know people who have done this path, I also know that going to an Island school would mean that their clinical rotations in years 3 and 4 would be in the States which seems to be extremely advantageous for an IMG who are already at the bottom of the barrel - I wouldn't have this exposure if I chose the AUS route and I'm afraid this would put me further down the list when trying to match into a res program.

Also wanted to add that I am not aiming for surgical specialties - My goal is Primary care specialties such as Gastroenterology or Endocrinology etc. So I know I'm not really selling myself short by attending island schools because attending them essentially means sealing your fate shut for major specialities.

I am looking for any words of advice and any related experiences from the crowd on this to help with making my decision on which route I'm about to invest half-mill $$ on.

Australia is great. Working in Australia is fantastic, and you might change your mind about going back. Without exaggeration, moving here ended up being the best decision I've ever made.

I went to University of Sydney, and many of frends got into great American residences like UVA neurosurgery and Harvard EM. One of the psychiatry faculty at Harvard is a USyd alum, and so is a haematologist at Mayo Clinic. Everyone that was serious about going back got a spot.

I stayed in Australia and can privately tell you what it's like to be a consultant (including remuneration through every stage of training), but it's very good, and I live 3 minutes from a great beach.

Also, in Australia, where you do internship and residency doesn't really matter THAT much for where you do speciality training, and you even get extra points for working rural if that's where your end up. Giving everyone a "fair go" is an important part of Australian culture.

I think the deadline for your decision might have passed, but you can always send me a message anytime. Good luck!

 

[sean80439]

Australia is awesome. Would recommend. Good pay, good lifestyle, good beaches, and after internship you will always have job opportunities literally constantly. I have to turn down work consistently.