Ben Gurion University - MSIH 2009-2010 Application Thread

[Coal]

Hello all of you prospective Med School for International Health applicants. I noticed that we didn't get a thread on the School Specific Discussion list but thought that we should have our own thread for discussion of topics unique to the 2009-2010 application cycle (for entering Fall of '10).

This is an area to share if you've applied, ask questions about the application process, share and grieve when interviews and acceptances are offered, and etc.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Coal]

I'll start it off: I was confirmed complete on July 14th but am really curious to hear from everyone, particularly anyone who gets an interview offer!

 

[IndigoBoy0]

I'll start it off: I was confirmed complete on July 14th but am really curious to hear from everyone, particularly anyone who gets an interview offer!

I've been confirmed too but they are also waiting on my July 31 MCAT retake scores. I'm so excited about this school and hope that it woks out for me. Any idea when interview offers would be made? Apparently they're in NY.

 

[patches13]

Did you receive confirmation via email? Also about the MCAT retake scores, do you know if they will begin reviewing before scores are released and then put applications on hold until scores arrive if current scores are not good enough, or do they just wait for new scores if you wrote that you were re-writing??

 

[IndigoBoy0]

I was told to include a cover letter with my application informing them I was retaking and they said I shoudl forward my new scores once they arrive. Since they don't use AMCAS you have to inform them via e-mail or phone if you want them to hold your application until new MCAT scores arrive. Otherwise I think they may start to review.

 

[IndigoBoy0]

Yes - confirmation was via e-mail.

 

[DBMD]

Hey All,

First of all - good luck with the application process. Secondly, I am a first year (just came to Beer Sheva about a month and a half ago), and I sent this in an email to someone back in July (perhaps if she is reading this, she will be able to figure out who I am!) but thought it would be nice to share with all of you since I know I appreciated similar stories as I was applying to med schools:

Ben Gurion's was actually one of the more fun applications - they ask for about 10 small essays, which I think really allow you to express yourself and your passion for global health, as opposed to the other applications through AMCAS that only let you write your main essay and write a little bit about activities you've done. So the process for Ben-Gurion was actually fun for me. I know I was extremely candid, being that it was one of the last applications I filled out (I didn't know too much about the school when I first applied - I sort of decided to just give it a shot - there are two other American med schools in Israel - Sackler and Technion. I got waitlisted at Sackler and didn't apply for Technion - I've heard it's not as good a program as the other two schools.) But for Ben Gurion, like I said, I wrote the weirdest stuff! Make sure you emphasize any volunteer/work that you've done over seas or for people abroad. Also anything related to public health.

I was asked for an interview in December. It was my first interview and I was nervous and excited. The first thing Alice (I think she's sort of the head administrator in the US for the school - there is also an Israeli team that I have yet to meet) told us was that if you are "anal" then you shouldn't be applying to the school - you need to be very flexible because that's just how things are in Israel - you never know what will come up. So, after hearing Alice talk about the school for about 10 minute or so (there were 3 others there for interviews, but the interviews themselves were done individually - as opposed to group interviews), I went in for my first interview. It was great - extremely laid back. I'm into infectious diseases/public health right now so i spoke a lot about that, my experiences, etc. and they guy interviewing me seemed very supportive.

My second interviewer was not as great - she was an MD (the other guy was a PhD) and was sort of in the middle of a session (seeing patients) so we kept getting interrupted. I thought she was very rude (I asked if I should sit down on the couch since there was no where else to sit and she didn't invite me. "Where else are you going to sit? I'm not going to make you sit on the floor!" she retorted - ugh.). She was more of the drill sergeant - asking why I got the score I got on the MCATs, about my grades, etc. and why I want to go to Ben Gurion.

And then the whole thing was over and I watched a video about the school and then left. The whole thing took about 2-3 hours and it was at Columbia's Med School in NYC. Not bad.

So anyways - I have yet to see how the school actually is, but I am very excited to be going to school in Israel in a program that feels almost like it's catering to my interest - international health.

I wish you lots of luck with the application process (I was studying for the MCAT at the same time I was applying - hopefully that won't be the case for you!) - make sure you find ways to relax and have at least one other person read over your work (I found that having multiple people didn't help!). Good luck!

 

[doctaroo]

First year here!

I absolutely love the school! If you have any questions, feel free to private message me.

 

[gnp441]

I have submitted my application to Ben Gurion for the 2010 entering class and am waiting anxiously to hear whether or not I get invited for an interview. In the meantime I'm trying to figure out how loans would work if I do get accepted. I am a British citizen but got my Bachelors Degree in the USA. Since I'm not a US citizen, I don't qualify for US federal aid, but I don't think I could get British loans for an American-type school, especially one in Israel.
Does Ben Gurion help accepted students get loans or is it entirely up to the student?
The school's website says it has students from something like 19 different countries. How are non-American students funding their education?
I would really appreciate help from anyone with knowledge or adivice on this subject. Thanks

 

[doctaroo]

I'm getting a loan from a bank.

There's usually 1 or 2 students that get a half tuition scholarship which is a ton of money!

Other than that, I'm not aware of any other options...

 

[daisypicker]

I am applying this year as well, and like i guess everyone i will need to take out loans,

I have a friend there in the second year now and she absolutely loves it

My question is if I am on loans will I still be able to do an international clerkship?

Does anyone know, because she is telling me that the seniors this year who have loans arent allowed to go outside of the US or Israel for their International Clerkship?

Thanks everyone and grats on all who have gotten in!!!

 

[Timetoeat]

I am interested in applying, but was wondering if med students who graduate from this program are considered IMG when applying for residencies. Anyone know?

 

[doctaroo]

Firstly, there is an issue that has come up if you are taking Stafford loans.

I don't know the issue in detail, but if you are on Stafford loans, you won't be allowed to do the 4th year externships outside of Israel. There is a team of lawyers trying to reverse this and they say the situation will likely be resolved within a few months.

Secondly, you are considered IMG if you study at any school outside of Canada or the US. This also includes Cornell in Qatar where you get an MD from Cornell.




Dr.oo

 

[doctaroo]

I just want to touch on one other topic of interest.

Alot of people compare the match list at Sackler and BGU. Both have great match lists, but keep in mind, BGU has a completely different focus than Sackler.

Students at BGU usually choose primary care specialties even when some of the students have USMLE scores in the top 1% !!!

It's not because they couldn't get a very competitive residency. It's because they are geared toward primary care which gives you a broad range of skills to work in international health.

There are a couple of students in the upper years that are going for derm, probably the most competitive residency out there.

To date, I'm not sure if we've even had a student interested in going into neurosurgery or plastics. Again, most of us are geared toward primary care from the get go. Best of luck during the application process!

 

[IzzyMD09]

While I agree with Doctaroo's assessment, I have to remind him/her that most students entering medical school do not know what type of physician they want to be, those that do often change their minds while a small statistically insignificant proportion follow through to their initial fields of choice.

That being said, I have some clarifications to make, these are not intended to shed a negative light on my soon to be alma mater, but rather serve as to clear up any confusions.

1. I unfortunately one of the said students applying for Derm, the most competitive non-surgical speciality (and even more competitive than most surgical specialties save neurosurg and plastics).

2. BGU and any other program that claims that they urge or tailor their programs to produce primary care physicians is laughable at best. Again most students dont know or change their mind. The first two years of BGU you learn the medicine that you need for the boards and wards, with some additional training in cross-cultural medicine, albeit this is getting more and more limited with time constraints.

3. Fact - a lot of students in my class and those ahead of me got the residencies they sought not because the school gears us to primary care specialties (IM Family Peds Psych) but because really that is all you are exposed to in your 3rd year clerkships. Yes we also have surgery and neurology and OB/Gyn (of which some also consider primary care because it is becoming more of a womens health field and seperate entity in of itself). Our 3rd year schedule is not dynamic and malleable, whereas other US schools allow electives and selectives in other fields of potential interest to be mixed in to the third year (as long as core clerkships are completed by graduation) ours does not.

4. Last year in several AMSA magazine articles, a study found that women were less likely to go for neurosurgery residencies, not because they couldnt get in, but because they lacked exposure and mentors to inspire them. I apply this same principle to our program, students are not exposed to other fields (unless they themselves take it upon themselves to see what is out there) so naturally people tend to migrate to what is most familiar. In this sense it is my belief that no student is geared to a field based on the medical school he/she goes to.

5. International Medicine - this debate has been around for a while, and while inconclusive what we can all agree on is that there is a demand for global medical practitioners in all areas of medicine from ophtamologists to surgeons (and plastic surgeons too). My area of choice (Dermatology) is in great demand as internationally this consists of Venerology (except in the states) so infectious diseases that are sexually transmitted (rampant and abundant in the third world) require the utmost specialized care. This is evident in Israel amongs many of our refugee populations as well as our migrant and immigrant populations. However, like the US, a shortage of doctors both in primary care and in the specialties is always going to present itself as a conundrum, especially with the US going socialized as it seems.

6. BGU students do not have scores in the top 1% (which according to the NRMP of last year is 256 and above) the 2 digit score on the USMLE is not a percentile, please see the ECFMG website for more clarification on this topic.

7. Sackler is as great a medical school as is BGU-MSIH, I see no differences in the output of student doctors. They also participate significantly in the exact same community and international outreach as BGU students, the only difference is it is not a part of their curriculum. I believe their third year clerkships are set up similarly to ours with a similarly non-existent exposure to other specialties, however students there lacking the IHM curriculum have more time to explore other specialties. This has been confirmed.

8. Students receiving their first choice residencies, keep in mind that this means, after a student sends out applications, and receives interviews, that they only rank the programs which interviewed them. I can send out 100 derm applications, get only 5 interviews, and match my first choice out of 5, but that does not mean that i got my first choice residency seeing as I was not invited back to 95 programs, this is a cause of confusion.

9. On being an FMG applying to a specialty, had I known that Derm was my callling before I applied to medical school, I may not have chosen to study in Israel, as for me it was a choice between here several US programs. This process (administratively aside) as been disheartening discouraging, and borderline insulting as I have had to make my way through electives and the application process as a second class citizen in the country I am a citizen of. I can honestly state that I know for a fact, my application is in a seperate pile as an FMG (learning this upon speaking with several program directors) and that because of my FMG status I will be automatically screened out of many programs despite competitive scores grades and achievements that are comparable if not greater then my US senior counterparts. Did I mention fees are levied on FMG's that US seniors are not burdened with.

Knowing point 9 I strongly urge students who are for sure 100% that they want a competitive specialty to apply elsewhere. If you are unsure, then I reccommend BGU-MSIH in the highest of regards as it is a unique and wonderful learning experience that you will find nowhere else.

Again, these are truths coming from a 4th year student applying to a competitive field with comparable stats, this is not make believe.

Your choices will determine your path for the rest of your life, choose them wisely.

Izzy

P.s. As per the 4th year clerkships, I am unaware of any developments, I was to be in Vellore, India for mine, and am now unable to attend because I take out student loans, this was painfully disheartening as I was looking forward to this for 3 years in lieu of our intense preparation. If you are applying to our program to take part in what would have been this amazing experience, keep in mind your loan status as it too will affect your capabilities

As per usual PM me with any questions or concerns,

I hope this cleared up some propaganda and false advertising.

Again, BGU-MSIH is an amazing one of a kind program, it calls for a certain type of personality and is full of challenges you may have never faced before. If you like adventure and education with a twist, check it out.

 

[doctaroo]

Those are some great points IzzyMD09.

Clearly, you will learn alot of things during medical school. I don't have as much depth of knowledge.

Regarding the USMLE scores, I got that from a BGU student. Maybe I misinterpreted because I have no idea how it's even scored !

I agree that there is a great need for all specialists in international health.

But if you are competing for very competitive specialties, it's a bit of a hurdle coming from an FMG school.

Sackler matched someone into Brown Neurosurgery a couple years ago!!


Dr.oo

 

[IzzyMD09]

Correct and we matched someone at Yale Anaesthesiology and Columbia Presbyterian for Surgery

Yale student had tens of publications, numerous hours of clinical research experience in addition to connections to Yale not to mention did Stellar on Step 1 and during his clerkships

Columbia surgery person I know less about but SHE must have done something right, I know she is a hard worker and very enthusiastic

It can be done, I am just letting those who think that it will be the same as US Grads know that it is not the case. There is still a very existent prejudice against FMG's more so now then before you can read the boards or just search "They took our jobs" and PD's and Residency Programs fuel this bias.

Its something all have to consider! With regards to USMLE I believe the past few years for Step I had a score that matched or was better than the US National Average, with a pass rate similar to that of US schools, my class of 42 students had only 2 people that failed.

So there you go

 

[IndigoBoy0]

Interview invite today - wohoo. Although I love this program I would prefer to stay in the US due to family, personal reasons, etc. But at least another oprion as I've somehow secured two US Allo interviews too.

 

[eblashko]

Interview invite today - wohoo. Although I love this program I would prefer to stay in the US due to family, personal reasons, etc. But at least another oprion as I've somehow secured two US Allo interviews too.

Hi, Indigo. I got e-mail confirmation in mid September. When did get yours? how long did it take to get invited?

 

[IndigoBoy0]

I was complete mid-August but sent them my updated MCAT scores Sept. 1 - inteview invite Oct. 14. So a little over a month I guess from when they received my updtaed score?

 

[Froggy 4ever]

Hey all,

I'm applying to sackler. If you did not get in - I'm wondering what you think the reason was. MCATs, GPA, Undergrad institution, interview?

Thanks

 

[caseofthemndays]

Hey all,

I'm applying to sackler. If you did not get in - I'm wondering what you think the reason was. MCATs, GPA, Undergrad institution, interview?

Thanks

weird place to post this question. I got rejected last year post-interview. I think it was my grades, and I just didn't click with the interviewer. I applied with a 29 (prob fine for sackler) a 3.2cGPA/3.3sGPA (prob a little low) and I have traveled to Israel and speak some hebrew.

 

[IndigoBoy0]

Interviewed here before Thankgiving and loved it. Fingers crossed.

 

[IndigoBoy0]

Just got my acceptance letter! Will anyone be joining me in Beer-Sheva?

 

[Coal]

Just got my acceptance letter! Will anyone be joining me in Beer-Sheva?

i was rejected very quickly, pre-interview. major bummer but c'est la vie. good luck to the rest of you!

 

[eblashko]

Congratulations, indigo!

i was rejected very quickly, pre-interview. major bummer but c'est la vie. good luck to the rest of you!

I was rejected very quickly too a few months ago and had pretty much given up hope. Then Alice from the New York office called me last week and told me that some temp that was working there accidentally sent rejections to a bunch of people that were supposed to be sent interview invitations. Maybe the same happened to you?

I just interviewed in here in Be'er Sheva today and am keeping my fingers crossed. We'll see.

Did those of you who interviewed send thank-you notes afterward?

 

[IndigoBoy0]

I did send thanks yous but my interview was at anward time (around Thanksgiving) so I think I jut sent e-mails as opposed to cards that i sent some other places.

 

[Nakivumbi]

Got my acceptance letter last Friday...WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO! Be'er Sheva here I come!

 

[IndigoBoy0]

Congratulations!! I have to send them my deposit soon.

 

[lgrabowi]

I was just accepted to BGU-MSIH class of 2014!!!! Yay for getting into medical school

 

[DocOptimus]

Yea got mine too, about 2 weeks ago. If anyone is seriously planning on attending please PM me , I got a bunch a questions.

 

[minsoox1983]

Shalom, future doctors! My name is Minsoo Kim.

I just wanted to say congratulations on your acceptances! I remember that one of my happy moments was to receive the acceptance letter from MSIH.

I am currently a first yr at MSIH and I have to say I love to study in here. Although our schdules are quite saturated with classes, we love what we are studying (medicine!). There are some courses that we wish to improve as well and I believe they are improving like Anthropology! In addition to medical courses, I personally love taking IHM (International Health Modules). As you might know, students in MSIH get to take these global health related electives such as Health & Immigration in Israel, Nutrition, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine, TB, Malaria, International Health Organizations, Ageing, Healer's Art, Pharmaceutical companies in the globe and many many more! Some are taught by Columbia Medical school faculties (such as Nutrition, which I enjoyed the most! this one was taught by Dr. Decklebeum, one of MSIH-CU deans!) and Israeli physicians (such as Travel Medicine, which I enjoyed as well. Our faculties for travel medicine were family physicians who practice at Kibbutzim!) Each IHM class is limited to 10~15 students so you will have tons of time to interact with faculties and share your personal experiences.

There are many activities going on as well (medically like micriobio luncheon discussion, shadowing at emergency medicine department, surgical suture workshop (yes, you get to do some suturing!) and so many more.. culturally like a trip to Bedouine village and socially like.. this one is secret). Yesterday, we had a purim festival. I loved watching a skit performed by Dr. Margolis (our formal MSIH dean) and his lovely family. I loved all these personal interactions with fellow students, faculties and deans.

While studying in Caroline House (which is a brand new building and was built for us. This place is a study center and opens 24 hours/7 days.), I got to interact with many Israeli Ben Gurion University medical students. I learned so much about Israeli culture already as well as hebrew language.

Although I did not know before, Ben-Gurion Medical School has been a very promising institution in Israel. Check it out!

Ben-Gurion University: Reaching Out to the Future
this one is very dramatic. Lewis (our biochemistry professor) is a movie star. And also, Dr Lobel is our virology professor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZsFePoKDqQ

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev: The Spirit of the Negev - Faculty of Health Sciences
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx554TFX9KA


Two weeks from today is a cardiovascular week, in which MSIH first year students work with second year Israeli medical students to present about various topics in cardiovascular diseases (CV). My group's topic is CV diseases in developing world. It'll be very interesting!

Each of us (from many different parts of the world with amazing global health experiences/interests) has many personal and unique stories to share.

If you have any question or anything, you can email us at
MSIH 2013 <[email protected]>

This is our group e-mail (class of 2013). I'm sure we would love to keep in contact with you!

Good luck on your preparations for an exciting study+journey at B7 (We call Beer-Sheva as B7)!

bye,

 

[emanuelme]

A

 

[emanuelme]

Any idea of the schedule for the 2010 starting class? Do you know when orientation begins and when classes start?

 

[doctaroo]

I heard that the next entering class will start their orientation on July 23rd.

I'd say, just give it a couple of days and then try calling their office.


Dr. oo

 

[Medstud111]

Hi Everyone,
This might be really late, but it is too late to apply for the entering class of 2010? It said on the website that applications are considered on a rolling basis and no deadline was mentioned, but wasn't sure if they consider late applications. Also, what type of ais is offered to non-U.S. citizens? Are there scholarships you can apply for after your first year? Thanks a lot! any help is really appreciated!

 

[Nakivumbi]

http://www.facebook.com/search/?pos...784929156&ref=search&sid=2900188.965970730..1