Going to carib - Have realistic expectations!

[Duon89]

So..At the end, US DO is better than caribbean in terms of residency match?

Most of the people who are considering Caribbean med schools are considering Osteopathic schools as well, i think...are they not???

Or People here dont know much about D.O.?

Is it true that people who did not get accepted to D.O schools go to caribbean?

I thought both are more or less the same...

I am not really interested in doing derm, ENT, Neuro surg, plastic, rad, gas, urology.

But rather primary care or general surgery or oncology.
I am also interested in doing a Fellowship( like research u know),
How is caribbean student doing interms of getting that spot?( research)

I guess my view can change once i get to the medical school.

Can someone list all the residency that is impossible for a caribbean med students get?

And can some one tell me whether D.O. is better choice?

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[Acheron]

post deleted

 

[bcgans]

Well I wanted to pose a question to everyone out here, even if I get verbally accosted.

I am a 25 yr old who recently graduated with my M.A. I am applying to D.O. schools this year and under the advisement of my anatomy prof (who is guest lecturing at a newly opened carib school) looked into a few Caribbean ones. I am interested in SGU and AUC.

My question involves my expectations about these schools. I was able to go through graduate school while completing my pre-reqs. Came out with a 3.18 undergrad GPA, 3.25 science GPA, and a 3.5 graduate GPA. My MCAT scores get released in 5 days.

If I cannot procure a spot in a D.O. school, would the Caribbean be an option? I am interested mainly in EM, FP, or maybe surgery. Would these specialties be realistic? Thank you for your input.

 

[TedyBearSuicide]

It might be too early to discuss this topic since there has been neither a change nor release of any details about Obama's plan. I am simply curious.

. Will Obama's healthcare reform affect the chances for Caribbean graduates for residency? .

.More specifically, if his plan targets the very reason why American students dislike primary care and address those issues i.e. almost equal salaries for primary care and specialist (since specialists salaries will decrease), less paper work etc..... .

 

[MagicDrumSticks]

I have a question.

Lets say I went to a US Med school instead of the college I am at now (IMG)

How much more LIKELY would I be to match into something like Derm? Like someone let me know how much of a score difference would be allowed on the steps if I was a US Med Grad?

If it's still nearly impossible in the states, then theres no point on grueling over it, but if there would have been a world of difference, then please let me know.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I have a question.

Lets say I went to a US Med school instead of the college I am at now (IMG)

How much more LIKELY would I be to match into something like Derm? Like someone let me know how much of a score difference would be allowed on the steps if I was a US Med Grad?

If it's still nearly impossible in the states, then theres no point on grueling over it, but if there would have been a world of difference, then please let me know.

There were 338 derm positions in last year's match (combining both PGY-1 and PGY-2 offerings).

Of those 338, 328 spots went to US grads, 1 went to a USIMG, 1 to a DO, 7 to non-US IMG's, and 1 was unfilled. So, 97% went to US grads.

But, there were about 17,000 US grads last year (new and repeat applicants, ignoring those who withdrew or did not submit a rank list). 328/17,000 = 1.9%

There were ~5000 US IMG's in last year's match -- I included those who withdrew or no ROL as I guess that many of them took prematches. 1/5000 = 0.02%

So, you about 100x more likely to get a derm spot as a US grad, but the baseline chance is around 2%.

 

[MagicDrumSticks]

There were 338 derm positions in last year's match (combining both PGY-1 and PGY-2 offerings).

Of those 338, 328 spots went to US grads, 1 went to a USIMG, 1 to a DO, 7 to non-US IMG's, and 1 was unfilled. So, 97% went to US grads.

But, there were about 17,000 US grads last year (new and repeat applicants, ignoring those who withdrew or did not submit a rank list). 328/17,000 = 1.9%

There were ~5000 US IMG's in last year's match -- I included those who withdrew or no ROL as I guess that many of them took prematches. 1/5000 = 0.02%

So, you about 100x more likely to get a derm spot as a US grad, but the baseline chance is around 2%.

Wow I didn't know its that bad. But what I don't see is that why should a student who is just as capable as a US grad be discriminated against? Seems pretty unfair to me. And some of us don't go to US schools because of other reasons besides merit, I could have gotten into a US school but the conditions just weren't right.

Well, what did that one USIMG grad do anyway? To get into derm. I know it's a pretty unrealistic dream for me, but no harm in trying right?

 

[RussianJoo]

if you got the money to waste.. go for it.

 

[womp]

if you got the money to waste.. go for it.

And time.

 

[Ariee]

There were 338 derm positions in last year's match (combining both PGY-1 and PGY-2 offerings).

Of those 338, 328 spots went to US grads, 1 went to a USIMG, 1 to a DO, 7 to non-US IMG's, and 1 was unfilled. So, 97% went to US grads.

But, there were about 17,000 US grads last year (new and repeat applicants, ignoring those who withdrew or did not submit a rank list). 328/17,000 = 1.9%

There were ~5000 US IMG's in last year's match -- I included those who withdrew or no ROL as I guess that many of them took prematches. 1/5000 = 0.02%

So, you about 100x more likely to get a derm spot as a US grad, but the baseline chance is around 2%.

Believe it or not, I know that 1 USIMG. We're talking board scores of get ready or not 290...
blows away my 250's.

90% of derm can be taken care of by a FM. I personally wouldn't want to be a derm, rad, anesthesia....knew that going in, those fields are hyped up b/c we are all the type that like to be the best and the prestige and $$$ just drive some of us silly, nutso...can't wait to see how medicine will change for the better with healthcare reform. What will the numbers be like, when the ROADsters aren't making the mad mulah!

 

[Shosha]

And some of us don't go to US schools because of other reasons besides merit, I could have gotten into a US school but the conditions just weren't right.

Why, in the name of all the holy cows, cats and roosters of the world, would one choose to go to a Caribbean school when having the option of attending a US school, provided that one wants to practice in the US?

This may be too personal of a question, but I am curious, are your running from the mob or the law?

 

[relaxedMD]

After a brief break from the angst and excitement that comes with following these threads the lurking alligator has resurfaced.

I just want to take a bite out of all the people that lack the ability to comprehend something as simple as my thread title. Having realistic expectations doesn't restrict you from having thoughts of a dream residency. In fact everyone is capable of applying to more than one specialty at a time. So take it for what its worth. When you do apply for Derm, Rads, N-Surg, Ortho, Gas, and what not, just do so with an appropriate back up plan (i.e. IM or FM).

Dreaming of Derm: Please dont be so haughty as to think that just because you can beat the system (1 in 5000) and get one of those highly coveted spots, that you actually will. I want you to remember that it is more likely that you will not. In fact, if I was a gambling man, I would comfortably bet against it everytime. As I am not that, I am simply here offering you some dose of reality.

To the critics of these forums: The benefit of these forums is to gain insight from those that have experience ahead of you. Its like having that big brother or cousin that can give it to you straight, NO B.S. Please keep this thread unclogged for actual discussion. It was never there for your tirades and rants about other members.

RussianJoo/TigerzFan: Way to hold it down in my absence!

rlxdmd
(4 months as an intern and still chillin')

 

[RussianJoo]

hey RelaxedMD, so i guess your PD liked my app cause i got an invite!! i'll be there Jan 6th. I'll send you a private message a little later to ask about hotels/motels and directions and other things. good to see you back.

 

[schrizto]

magicdrumsticks goes to school in india, not the caribbean.

 

[BiologyBY]

as an IMG in a match rat race I can definitely tell that some programs will not look at IMG applications regardless of scores because for whatever reason they are convinced that people don't learn anything outside the US. This comes from speaking directly to a PD of a prominent NY school/hospital. Oh well, such is life.

 

[Skip Intro]

they are convinced that people don't learn anything outside the US. This comes from speaking directly to a PD of a prominent NY school/hospital.

This is true.

Let me tell you something about the northeast...

New York (read that "Manhattan") and New England (read that "Boston") are a little high-and-mighty. They tend to believe that, somehow, they are just a little bit smarter than their colleagues everywhere else, that their patients are a little bit sicker, that they practice a little bit better medicine, and that they generally are just a little superior in everything they do.

So, not only are they convinced that people don't learn anything outside the U.S., they're pretty much convinced that people don't learn anything anywhere else in the country... and... if they just happen to luckily accept you into their program (for which you should be eternally grateful), they are going to have to begrudgingly spend at least the first year re-training you how to do everything the "right" way.

Get used to this.

I have been in this "game" (and, yes, it's a game) long enough now to tell you that there are a lot of HIGHLY EDUCATED *****s out there with great pedigrees. The rest of the country just laughs at them. Yes, laughs. So should you. People like this deserve only to be mocked.

-Skip

 

[BiologyBY]

This is true.

Let me tell you something about the northeast...

New York (read that "Manhattan") and New England (read that "Boston") are a little high-and-mighty. They tend to believe that, somehow, they are just a little bit smarter than their colleagues everywhere else, that their patients are a little bit sicker, that they practice a little bit better medicine, and that they generally are just a little superior in everything they do.

So, not only are they convinced that people don't learn anything outside the U.S., they're pretty much convinced that people don't learn anything anywhere else in the country... and... if they just happen to luckily accept you into their program (for which you should be eternally grateful), they are going to have to begrudgingly spend at least the first year re-training you how to do everything the "right" way.

Get used to this.

I have been in this "game" (and, yes, it's a game) long enough now to tell you that there are a lot of HIGHLY EDUCATED *****s out there with great pedigrees. The rest of the country just laughs at them. Yes, laughs. So should you. People like this deserve only to be mocked.

-Skip

bravo...couldn't have said it better myself

 

[MagicDrumSticks]

Believe it or not, I know that 1 USIMG. We're talking board scores of get ready or not 290...
blows away my 250's.

90% of derm can be taken care of by a FM. I personally wouldn't want to be a derm, rad, anesthesia....knew that going in, those fields are hyped up b/c we are all the type that like to be the best and the prestige and $$$ just drive some of us silly, nutso...can't wait to see how medicine will change for the better with healthcare reform. What will the numbers be like, when the ROADsters aren't making the mad mulah!

If it's possible, could you let me know how your friend prepared for the steps? I know he probably has a huge degree of aptitude to support his scores, but still, I want to maximize my potential.

 

[Chakavack]

Hi guys,

I am new to pre-medical forum. I have an undergrad GPA of 2.9 and a grad GPA of 3.8, I am studying for MCAT. with my undergrad GPA I don't think I have a chance at US schools, do you think there is a chance for me in carribeans?

Thanks

 

[relaxedMD]

Hi guys,

I am new to pre-medical forum. I have an undergrad GPA of 2.9 and a grad GPA of 3.8, I am studying for MCAT. with my undergrad GPA I don't think I have a chance at US schools, do you think there is a chance for me in carribeans?

Thanks

This will be difficult to say without an actual MCAT result. Please post again when you have that number available.

Additionally numbers do not tell the whole story. Please provide more background information, such as your undergrad major, where you attended undergrad and grad school, research completed, papers published, leadership roles in acitivities, etc. Tell us more about your interest in medicine as a career.

Good luck studying for the MCAT. I am glad to see that you are sitting for the test. A good chunk of students that go to some second and most third tier carib schools never attempt the MCAT at all. IMHO, they are doing themselves a dis-service.

rlxdmd

 

[Chakavack]

Hi,

O.K. so I graduated as a Biochem major in 2006 from a UC school and getting my masters in Public Health now and I will graduate fall 2010. I have done 3 years of research in cardiology, tons of prehealth club envolvements and volunteer work. I am an officer in MPH club in my school right now and actually while getting my masters I became interested in medicine. before that I was thinking of going to research or pharmacy school. currently I am working in a pharmacy as a technician since I thought I wanted to go to Pharm school , but honestly something just hit me last month and I just changed my mind! I don't know what I just found a passion in medicine though! I think the grad courses that I took made me more interested in all the aspects of medicine, I wanted to know more and more and my professors did not have the answers! Actually most of the caribbeans now require MCAT , well at least how u guys put it well: THE BIG 4 S!! Thank you guys, these posts are great and really helpful.

 

[Chakavack]

dear pre-meds,

I know that everyone says if u go to Caribbean go to big 4's, but I am just wondering how bad are the other ones? for example medical uni of americasn(MUA), or St Martin? appreciate your feedback.

 

[Aphtalyfe]

dear pre-meds,

I know that everyone says if u go to Caribbean go to big 4's, but I am just wondering how bad are the other ones? for example medical uni of americasn(MUA), or St Martin? appreciate your feedback.

The med school on St. Maarten = AUC = One of the big 4

The others aren't necessarily bad schools, they just aren't approved by all 50 states... so you can't get licensed to practice in those states.

 

[NeuroAP86]

what a hostile thread! anyways, to you guys saying that carribean is a last resort for people that couldn't get into a US MD or DO schools stop generalizing. I might be going to SGU as a matter of fact since every DO school that I interview for keeps waitlisting me. I have other factors like my family and financial situation that doesn't really allow me to take another year off school so I can pursue some sort of post-bacc and most likely get into a US MD or DO school next cycle if it doesn't happen this year. I had a 3.3cGPA and 30 MCAT but being waitlisted each time is annoying as hell. I tried my best to rack up clinical experience and having been invited to interviews does show that these schools feel as if I am a competative applicant. Saying that people that go to carribean to pursue medicine because its the easy way out or there not worthy enough to get those residencies is ridiculous. I busted my ass here and nobody is giving me a chance yet. This is my passion so I will decide to go to a place that will give me an opportunity. Its not like there is much distinction, otherwise the carribean schools would not licensed by each state.

 

[relaxedMD]

Hi,

O.K. so I graduated as a Biochem major in 2006 from a UC school and getting my masters in Public Health now and I will graduate fall 2010. I have done 3 years of research in cardiology, tons of prehealth club envolvements and volunteer work. I am an officer in MPH club in my school right now and actually while getting my masters I became interested in medicine. before that I was thinking of going to research or pharmacy school. currently I am working in a pharmacy as a technician since I thought I wanted to go to Pharm school , but honestly something just hit me last month and I just changed my mind! I don't know what I just found a passion in medicine though! I think the grad courses that I took made me more interested in all the aspects of medicine, I wanted to know more and more and my professors did not have the answers! Actually most of the caribbeans now require MCAT , well at least how u guys put it well: THE BIG 4 S!! Thank you guys, these posts are great and really helpful.

I certainly am glad that you bring more than just numbers to this discussion. With a history of research and clinical experiences, you have a strong application. Be sure to apply to US schools including DO programs when you do apply to the Carib schools. You may be surprised at how many interviews you will get stateside. I especially feel that your grad degree makes you even stronger than your peers. Most admissions committees will see it as a sign of an excellent work ethic. You did a good job improving your GPA in Grad school, it will certainly help your cause.

As for the BIG 4, once you have the scores, anything above a 25 should get you 3 or 4 interviews. After that let your personality show. Express your passion and state your motivations, I dont see how you could get rejected.

Good luck with the process. PM me if there are any further questions.

rlxdmd

 

[Chakavack]

I certainly am glad that you bring more than just numbers to this discussion. With a history of research and clinical experiences, you have a strong application. Be sure to apply to US schools including DO programs when you do apply to the Carib schools. You may be surprised at how many interviews you will get stateside. I especially feel that your grad degree makes you even stronger than your peers. Most admissions committees will see it as a sign of an excellent work ethic. You did a good job improving your GPA in Grad school, it will certainly help your cause.

As for the BIG 4, once you have the scores, anything above a 25 should get you 3 or 4 interviews. After that let your personality show. Express your passion and state your motivations, I dont see how you could get rejected.

Good luck with the process. PM me if there are any further questions.

rlxdmd

wow! Thank you so much! I did not even considered applying to US schools. Looking at their stats I see averages of 3.6 and 3.7 and high MCATs. But if that's the case I will apply. Thank you for your comments.

 

[ScootDoc]

...

 

[howelljolly]

Yes, you are so right..... you know all.......you are IT....you've got THE STUFF...... rlxdmd has no idea what he is talking about, he knows nothing, he is not it, he has no stuff......sense the sarcasm yet? You may find this thread hostile, but it is also factual. Just because you busted your ass to get to carib doesn't mean that everything will work out for you and that you will be able to get any residency spot you want. Ever thought that this same attitude is what has actually kept you out of US schools? Statistically speaking, yes hard work at SGU will likely get you a residency spot, but don't count on it being in a competitive field. If you would have actually read the OP's post you would have realized that. rlxdmd knows what he is saying first hand. He has been there and done that. He is not just here to crush your dreams......like I would be.

Youre funny. Who died and made you the expert in figuring out peoples attitudes and correlating them with their situation?

Thanks for the insight about the low probability of getting into a competitive field. I was looking at the match statistics for a bunch of carib schools and saw that the overwhelming majority were in primary care. I wasn't sure how this happened.... I was thinking that Carib students were applying to Derm and Optho, and the magical residency elf was magically placing them in primary care residencies. Then I got to thinking..... maybe the overwhelming majority of caribbean students were actually APPLYING to the primary care residencies.

Ever thought that the reason that the majority of Carib students who land a residency, do so in a primary care field because they are realistic about things?

Do you really think that you are telling us something that we dont already know? Do you think that after reading "hostile" posts that we'll have a sudden realization that we made a big mistake, and we'll go jump off a bridge? Ever thought that you're really not that important to me?

 

[ScootDoc]

...

 

[howelljolly]

Yeah and maybe the overwhelming majority of caribbean students were actually applying to the carribean because they knew they wanted to go into primary care, so they figured that they would bypass applying to US MD/DO schools completely because primary care is more easily accessible via the carribean schools. Right?

The point being that any pre-med applying to caribbean schools should understand that somewhere along the way, no matter how hard they "worked their a** off to get there, they did screw up somewhere along the way or they wouldn't be in the predicament they are in by having to apply to medical school outside the US., caribbean schools in particular. Caribbean schools are meant to give students with sub-par academic outcomes (i.e. s**tty, grades, MCAT score, etc) one more chance at becoming a physician. The point was also made very clear by rlxdMD, someone who has been there and experienced the process, that those who are in the position should have realistic expectations about what that entails. Meaning, they will have their chance to prove themselves and become a doc, but no one ever guaranteed them a competitive field. Now, this obviously doesn't apply to everyone, as some students have managed to climb their way to the top and find placement into competitive residency positions. To them I commend you for your efforts. But, for some reason many caribbean students/applicants, much like poster I originally responded to, still feel entitled to positions that they just won't be competitive enough for based not only on the nature of the schools to which they will be attend, but the also the nature of students who attend them (i.e. students who couldn't make the grades, MCAT scores, etc to matriculate into US schools). It may sound harsh but it is the truth for the most part (there are always those who could have gained admission to US schools after 1-2 more tries, these are probably those who end up doing really well and finding placement into competitive spots btw). As for the rest they need to realize their position and be grateful for the chance to even still become a doc.

As for you my friend HJ. In order for you to find yourself in a position for competitive fields you should probably learn to spell them first.... Ophtho...not Optho....

As for the residency elf who magically places people like you into primary care positions after they apply to derm and opHtho... I have heard of him. I think his name is SCRAMBLE!

I'm hurt that I'm not important to you though.........

Never said I could spell. Besides Optho is my abbreviation for Ophthalmology, I skipped quite a few letters there, including the H, which I tend not to pronounce (I dont say oFtho). Yeah, Im a yankee.

Do you know how few spots there are in the scramble? There was only 69 internal medicine spots last year, and a whopping 224 family medicine spots. So no, Carib students are applying to primary care in the MATCH itself.

Why bother explaining things to Caribs who think they are entitled to competitive residencies? I dont deal with Caribs or Americans who think they are entitled to anything.

And no, not all Carib students are in that "predicament" because they messed up. Many go to Carib schools because they are completely changing careers. It's easier to do it that way, and its not "messing up" in the first place. People can have a perfectly good career in one thing, and then suddenly get bored of it, and want a change. Its not messing up, its wanting something different.

There you go again with thinking that you know why people are in the situations they are in.

Anyway.... I pretty much agree with you, but it's really annoying to hear you say that people should be "grateful" for what they get and for professing to know why people end up where they do.

I dont know how far into clinical medicine you are... but you should know that patients have their own story, and a mind-dependent reality. You can't go telling them what you think that they are thinking, or how they should think, or how they got in the be bed that they're laying in. It doesnt work, and it just alienates them. Same goes for all other humans.

 

[RussianJoo]

Never said I could spell. Besides Optho is my abbreviation for Ophthalmology, I skipped quite a few letters there, including the H, which I tend not to pronounce (I dont say oFtho). Yeah, Im a yankee.

Do you know how few spots there are in the scramble? There was only 69 internal medicine spots last year, and a whopping 224 family medicine spots. So no, Carib students are applying to primary care in the MATCH itself.

Why bother explaining things to Caribs who think they are entitled to competitive residencies? I dont deal with Caribs or Americans who think they are entitled to anything.

And no, not all Carib students are in that "predicament" because they messed up. Many go to Carib schools because they are completely changing careers. It's easier to do it that way, and its not "messing up" in the first place. People can have a perfectly good career in one thing, and then suddenly get bored of it, and want a change. Its not messing up, its wanting something different.

There you go again with thinking that you know why people are in the situations they are in.

Anyway.... I pretty much agree with you, but it's really annoying to hear you say that people should be "grateful" for what they get and for professing to know why people end up where they do.

I dont know how far into clinical medicine you are... but you should know that patients have their own story, and a mind-dependent reality. You can't go telling them what you think that they are thinking, or how they should think, or how they got in the be bed that they're laying in. It doesnt work, and it just alienates them. Same goes for all other humans.

sorry not to undermine you just had a story about this. the team i am rounding with this month did exactly that to one of our patients. sometime patients need doctors to tell them how they ended up there. in my case the guy had his 3rd TIA, he's in his 40's obese, has uncontrolled DM with peripheral neuropathy, HTN, and a few other things. We basically told him he ended up in that bed because he doesn't control his DM and HTN through diet and exercise. sure he takes his meds but the meds can only do so much. We told him if he doesn't get this under control he will die. So we told him exactly how he ended up in that bed.

 

[ScootDoc]

...

 

[relaxedMD]

The exchange between HJ and SD has gotten a bit abusive. I notice that you both make great points.

I feel that both of you agree that people should not enter the caribbean scene with their doctor dreams set on specialty residencies that are very hard to acquire. Instead they should use their opportunity to train as primary care physicians in much needed areas of the United States.

In my opinion, HJ would prefer it if we leave the average hard working caribbean student alone; avoid discouraging those who keep their expectations in line with their circumstance and want to become doctors to benefit the sick.

I think that SD would like us to inform the plastics-, derm-, ortho- and rads hopefuls that he would bet against them 99.2% of the time in a Vegas-style wagering system. He, like I, believe their chances of landing one of those specific specialties among all caribbean grads applying to the match will be less than 1%.

My belief is that most Caribbean students do go down there to practice primary medicine when they are licensed doctors. During their rotations, they get distracted by the flashiness of some of the specialties they encounter: perhaps the financial reward is double that of a general practitioner or the lifestyle is more laid back. Whatever the reason, a few Caribbean students begin to waver from their direct course to primary care medical practice. With great difficulty, however, only a handful of caribbean grads each year match into their desired "high-end" specialty.

As a new SDN poster, I noticed that requests for information about "high-end" specialties were very common; they received very few constructive replies. IMO the nature of the posts (i.e. I only want to be a bone doc, Only a dark room with 9-5 hours can make me complete, etc.) would alienate that person from the average Caribbean student and the average observer on this forum.

My original post was intended to present the numerical reality of Caribbean outcomes. My personal experiences were also used to highlight how difficult it CAN BE to attain a competitive residency. By the time a third year med student read this thread it would already be too late for them to change their mind, which is probably why this thread gets bashed so often.

However, my hope was to discourage students who were applying/registering for medical school in the caribbean with a specific dream to train in a "high-end" specialty. I was acting like a big brother to provide them with some perspective.

Based on personal experiences and moderate analysis of numerical data, I believe that it is easier to match into a "high-end" specialty graduating from US schools than from Caribbean schools. After four long years of schooling, I would not want my cousin/brother/sister to match in something they weren't passionate about.

rlxdmd

 

[thamsenman]

You didn't go to a US school because the conditions weren't right? What the heck does that mean Did you head to the Caribbean for the beaches and sunny weather? I think the majority of people would tell you that regardless of the conditions they would choose a US school over a Caribbean school.

As for you claim of the unfairness of the situation, this has been discussed ad nauseum and needless to say despite your protestations that this is the status quo at this time.

 

[howelljolly]

The other thing that people might not realize about the specialty goals of Carib students... a majority of them are put in a "primary care track" whether they like it or not.

Only the better students in the better schools get to rotate in academic medical centers.

The rest of them do ALL their rotations, from Peds to OB to Sub-Internship, in a teaching hospital through a Family Practice residency program ONLY. Even if they can schedule a Peds Sub-I or cardiology elective, it will be through the FP program. (unless of course they intentionally go outside their program)

So after getting all their clinical training in an FP program with FP residents and attendings... if the students are still honestly thinking about dermatology...

I suppose that some students might not have been paying any attention for 2 years, and be totally out of touch with reality.

I also suppose that the residency interviewers would do a pretty good job of screening for a psychiatric disorder.

 

[womp]

what a hostile thread! anyways, to you guys saying that carribean is a last resort for people that couldn't get into a US MD or DO schools stop generalizing. I might be going to SGU as a matter of fact since every DO school that I interview for keeps waitlisting me. I have other factors like my family and financial situation that doesn't really allow me to take another year off school so I can pursue some sort of post-bacc and most likely get into a US MD or DO school next cycle if it doesn't happen this year. I had a 3.3cGPA and 30 MCAT but being waitlisted each time is annoying as hell. I tried my best to rack up clinical experience and having been invited to interviews does show that these schools feel as if I am a competative applicant.

Dude, why not just retake the MCAT? If you score higher, try to apply once more, if you score lower, then go to the Carib.

A 34 or above would make you significantly more competitive for US schools. Postbacc won't do you any good if you've already taken your prereqs.

 

[howelljolly]

Dude, why not just retake the MCAT? If you score higher, try to apply once more, if you score lower, then go to the Carib.

A 34 or above would make you significantly more competitive for US schools. Postbacc won't do you any good if you've already taken your prereqs.

This is true. If you've done your premed classes in undergrad, a postbacc won't do any good.

 

[cannon1014]

Hello
I got accepted to both UCC and AUC, but I am not sure which one to attend. While UCC is accredited as a US medical school I was not impressed with the facilities nor the low USMLE 1 pass rate in comparison with AUC. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[RussianJoo]

compare the match lists of both schools. going to a "US" school should be better. but i don't know how peurto rican schools are looked at. also how's your spanish? would be willing to stay in puerto rico for residency?

 

[glory7pr]

Hello
I got accepted to both UCC and AUC, but I am not sure which one to attend. While UCC is accredited as a US medical school I was not impressed with the facilities nor the low USMLE 1 pass rate in comparison with AUC. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.

If your Spanish is good, you should do fine at UCC.

USMLE 1 low pass rate should be related with the fact that the test is in English and the majority of UCC students first language is Spanish. Imagine US citizens taking the USMLE 1 in Spanish....they will also have a low pass rate.

This year a guy at UCC matched for Harvard's Invasive Cardiology...not bad at all!

 

[RussianJoo]

If your Spanish is good, you should do fine at UCC.

USMLE 1 low pass rate should be related with the fact that the test is in English and the majority of UCC students first language is Spanish. Imagine US citizens taking the USMLE 1 in Spanish....they will also have a low pass rate.

This year a guy at UCC matched for Harvard's Invasive Cardiology...not bad at all!

where did he do his residency? that's probably more important for fellowships than where he went to med school. but i agree that because UCC is an LCME accredited med school you'll probably have a slightly easier time to match into a better residency program.

 

[demayette]

The exchange between HJ and SD has gotten a bit abusive. I notice that you both make great points.

I feel that both of you agree that people should not enter the caribbean scene with their doctor dreams set on specialty residencies that are very hard to acquire. Instead they should use their opportunity to train as primary care physicians in much needed areas of the United States.

In my opinion, HJ would prefer it if we leave the average hard working caribbean student alone; avoid discouraging those who keep their expectations in line with their circumstance and want to become doctors to benefit the sick.

I think that SD would like us to inform the plastics-, derm-, ortho- and rads hopefuls that he would bet against them 99.2% of the time in a Vegas-style wagering system. He, like I, believe their chances of landing one of those specific specialties among all caribbean grads applying to the match will be less than 1%.

My belief is that most Caribbean students do go down there to practice primary medicine when they are licensed doctors. During their rotations, they get distracted by the flashiness of some of the specialties they encounter: perhaps the financial reward is double that of a general practitioner or the lifestyle is more laid back. Whatever the reason, a few Caribbean students begin to waver from their direct course to primary care medical practice. With great difficulty, however, only a handful of caribbean grads each year match into their desired "high-end" specialty.

As a new SDN poster, I noticed that requests for information about "high-end" specialties were very common; they received very few constructive replies. IMO the nature of the posts (i.e. I only want to be a bone doc, Only a dark room with 9-5 hours can make me complete, etc.) would alienate that person from the average Caribbean student and the average observer on this forum.

My original post was intended to present the numerical reality of Caribbean outcomes. My personal experiences were also used to highlight how difficult it CAN BE to attain a competitive residency. By the time a third year med student read this thread it would already be too late for them to change their mind, which is probably why this thread gets bashed so often.

However, my hope was to discourage students who were applying/registering for medical school in the caribbean with a specific dream to train in a "high-end" specialty. I was acting like a big brother to provide them with some perspective.

Based on personal experiences and moderate analysis of numerical data, I believe that it is easier to match into a "high-end" specialty graduating from US schools than from Caribbean schools. After four long years of schooling, I would not want my cousin/brother/sister to match in something they weren't passionate about.

rlxdmd

You are one of the mature ones in the carib forum...Thanks for your perspective.