- Joined
- May 28, 2016
- Messages
- 62
- Reaction score
- 29
Hello All,
This forum is absolute gold. I appreciate the information, thank you for offering this much value to the process.
Quickly, my stats:
MCAT: 492
GPA: 3.69
Background: Have worked in orthopedic/spinal implant sales since 2005. I wanted to get into a psychology grad program to get a PhD - I was denied by the one program I applied to in 2008, but I was making such good money I decided, "screw it," and continued working..
My desire to be a healer stims from a contrast of 2 aspects of the physicians I have worked with. I have seen surgeon after surgeon with bad ethics & a chip on their shoulder; Seemingly the most miserable people you have ever met. Surgeons who won't use the best product on the market because it won't pay them enough... I could tell you hours of stories of the f#@%*d up things iv'e witnessed in my business- but I will stop there.
Contrastly, I have also worked with a handful of physicians who are some of the most incredible men/women I have ever met. One surgeon, wil honestly tell you that if he won the lottery today, he would still come back to work tomorrow. Another told me that doing surgery is like getting high: The feeling is so euphoric and you go so deeply into the zone that you transcend yourself and become a part of something bigger than you. Your hands can heal. It is the most gratifying experience he has ever felt.
I don't know the feeling of doing surgery, but I have had over 10,000+ hours of patient interaction at this point in my life. The gratification is uncanny. if my brain knew what their Brain knew, my hands could do a much better job. (I'm not trying to sound cocky, this is said with confidence and unconditional love to all of my friends, colleagues and loved ones).
I have made plenty of money, and in 2011 I realized money truly doesn't buy happiness. I began night classes in 2011 and after 5 years of night courses, I had all my pre-reqs finished and took the MCAT last summer.
My job is amazing but it is not fulfilling. I remembered how much passion I had for different therapeutic technique's back when I as in college. I remember being excited about a new book I found in the library.. A new book I'd find online and hunt down in the library. I became utterly obsessed with the information. I transferred this knowledge of human behavior to my business in surgical implant sales & within 2 years of graduating, 2 years away from the library (I still lived closed to the college I did my undergrad in for 3 years after graduating & getting my B.A. In psychology). I began going to the library, by my house to see my friends studying. I would always grab a book and I began to grab inorganic chemistry books. My logic when my friends would ask why I'm reading about chemistry was, "I feel like I know a lot about why people act in certain ways... But I don't understand exactly what makes people tick. I don't know what is going on at microscopic and atomic levels. What causes emotions? What is a though?"
I began studying chemistry as a hobby before/during/after/and in between working and hanging out at the enormous cluster of bars full of tons of college kids down the street from the library. One day it clicked and I decided I'm going to get these pre-requisites done. I'm going to learn this stuff at my own pace & I'm going to enjoy what I am doing. I am diving into a selection of coursework that is required to be a doctor. I can use my obsession of thinking how peopl tick, into a very fulfilling career. I felt like I needed to get to the other side. I want to learn everything in the world. Medicine is so fascinating. And my number 3 goal is medical school.
Goal 1: don't stress.
Goal 2: if at any point I begin to HATE what I am doing- I will remain in sales and continue my career as a salesman (read, "how to sell your way thru life," by Napoleon Hill."). I can sell anything I absolutely love it. I Love all the great people you meet from providing value as a trusted, walking encyclopedia of information about products and programs. I don't even like the phrase "salesman," .. Yes people have to "buy," things. But a really good salesman, focuses on a product that is adding value to other people's life. Someone that addresses a need of another person in a very pleasant way (repeat customers).
Goal3: get into medical school.
1 and 2 are equal and more important than 3. I don't NEED to be a doctor to heal others, but I want it.
I finish all my coursework. I want to do a surgical rotation, and I want to do a psych rotation. I want to get hands on now. and after 5 years of pre-req coursework - I apply to medical school. While working a full time job (and not a mindless job: In commission only sales- you have to be creative to make sales. No sales = zero money in my pocket for 11 years) and being a full time student - I know I have the work ethic to get myself through medical college.
SO...in 2015- I applied to 5 US schools: Miami U, Tulane U, Arizona U, University of South Florida & The University of Oklahoma (hometown school).
Result: I was rejected from all of them.
My little brother told me I should apply to SGU in Mar.16, a school he had just been accepted to-
I applied, and within 2 weeks I was contacted to setup a day/time to interview and I told them I can interview right now. We setup an interview for the next day (thursday).. My interview was with a surgery resident graduate of SGU, it lasted about an hour and a half on skype.
Within 24 hours I received the call saying I was accepted.
What a great day! Now it was time to research this whole Caribbean School thing.
The amount of mixed reviews are unbelievable. Carib grads absolutely rave and rave about it- but everyone else, US grads, seem to think Carib schools are absolute scum. That's the general vibe I get, please correct me if I'm wrong.
So the program is legit. The rotations are legit. I can say this after talking to about 12 different SGU grads on the phone.
SGU works with around 53 different hospitals in america for year 3 & 4 - depending on your scores, rank within the class & your personal skills- that determines where you will be able to do your clinical rotations. Sounds good right?
Well then I start talking to grads.. If you're not a champion, you're not getting the extreme awesome residencies.. I wasn't sure what those were... After some digging .. Those seem to be orthopedics, spine, basically anything that pays tons of money.
Then I realize holy crap... The specialty I LOVE and want to get into-- is actually considered absolute ****! ... my two favorites (in this order):
1. Psychiatry
2. Primary care (family practice... These seem to be the same thing?)
I think people forget that family practice doctors used to be considered very very high status, when the reimbursement dropped- so did their status. As someone who has made plenty of money; money is nice, but fulfillment in life CANNOT be bought.
Here is the list of SGU affiliate hospitals:
http://www.sgu.edu/school-of-medicine/affiliated-hospitals.html
Within that list are a few really good psych programs!
So, I have been getting more and more excited about the idea of going down to SGU.
Seeing that, mostly, no one wants the psych or family medicine residencies (relative to other residencies)... For me, this could be a good thing. By wanting to go into Primary Care or Psych, SGU could be an awesome place to get an MD. Can anyone dispute this statement?
I've researched the price, yes, SGU is quite more expensive than anywhere else.
But my argument against this is- I have lived a life full of money, I have everything I want right now. Big house, beautiful girlfriend, 5 digit paychecks every month.... But what I don't have--- is fulfillment.
I am not doing what I was put here to do. I do not feel I am following my purpose. I literally read books on different therapeutic methods for enjoyment in my free time. It is absolutely fascinating to me.
Psych is where I belong. ... BUT, to play devil's advocate- my hands need to be operating. I am absolutely in love with surgery. Hands down, the most fascinating profession to exist. In my opinion. I get so excited thinking about being a surgeon I could cry.
The real question I have after all this research is this,
Is a Caribbean school a good place to go for someone who wants to go into perceived, "low status residencies," such as psych or family medicine? .. BUT- if they do well, can also. Get into orthopedics?
When you are fulfilled in life with your career, you'll make plenty of money, but it wont matter. Its about the quality of life, how you feel when you go home
Are you miserable or are you satisfied? Are you happy and excited to goto work the next day... Life, is not about making millions... Don't get me wrong, money is GREAT.. And I have PLENTY, but I am NOT fulfilled, not even close to what I know I will be doing in my future.
I'm going to be a doctor & I'm going to heal people. I'm going to make a ripple in the universe. I have been accepted into a Medical Doctor 4 year program at St. George's University (SGU) in Grenada.
Is this the right path to take?
What would you do? Go and get your M.D. In the caribbeans now, or wait another year or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 .. You get the point. I'm going to apply until I die. This will happen. The goal has been reached on my first attempt at getting accepted. Should I decline my acceptance at SGU - or should I increase my MCAT score/resumé and apply to US Schools.. Always keeping SGU in the back of my mind as the back up back up back up back up plan?
Please only serious responses from people who have done their research, entered into a program like this, or have graduated from a Caribbean school and are doing what they want to do.
Thank you everyone so much. The value this forum offers is incredible.
Thank you,
-Truckboat
This forum is absolute gold. I appreciate the information, thank you for offering this much value to the process.
Quickly, my stats:
MCAT: 492
GPA: 3.69
Background: Have worked in orthopedic/spinal implant sales since 2005. I wanted to get into a psychology grad program to get a PhD - I was denied by the one program I applied to in 2008, but I was making such good money I decided, "screw it," and continued working..
My desire to be a healer stims from a contrast of 2 aspects of the physicians I have worked with. I have seen surgeon after surgeon with bad ethics & a chip on their shoulder; Seemingly the most miserable people you have ever met. Surgeons who won't use the best product on the market because it won't pay them enough... I could tell you hours of stories of the f#@%*d up things iv'e witnessed in my business- but I will stop there.
Contrastly, I have also worked with a handful of physicians who are some of the most incredible men/women I have ever met. One surgeon, wil honestly tell you that if he won the lottery today, he would still come back to work tomorrow. Another told me that doing surgery is like getting high: The feeling is so euphoric and you go so deeply into the zone that you transcend yourself and become a part of something bigger than you. Your hands can heal. It is the most gratifying experience he has ever felt.
I don't know the feeling of doing surgery, but I have had over 10,000+ hours of patient interaction at this point in my life. The gratification is uncanny. if my brain knew what their Brain knew, my hands could do a much better job. (I'm not trying to sound cocky, this is said with confidence and unconditional love to all of my friends, colleagues and loved ones).
I have made plenty of money, and in 2011 I realized money truly doesn't buy happiness. I began night classes in 2011 and after 5 years of night courses, I had all my pre-reqs finished and took the MCAT last summer.
My job is amazing but it is not fulfilling. I remembered how much passion I had for different therapeutic technique's back when I as in college. I remember being excited about a new book I found in the library.. A new book I'd find online and hunt down in the library. I became utterly obsessed with the information. I transferred this knowledge of human behavior to my business in surgical implant sales & within 2 years of graduating, 2 years away from the library (I still lived closed to the college I did my undergrad in for 3 years after graduating & getting my B.A. In psychology). I began going to the library, by my house to see my friends studying. I would always grab a book and I began to grab inorganic chemistry books. My logic when my friends would ask why I'm reading about chemistry was, "I feel like I know a lot about why people act in certain ways... But I don't understand exactly what makes people tick. I don't know what is going on at microscopic and atomic levels. What causes emotions? What is a though?"
I began studying chemistry as a hobby before/during/after/and in between working and hanging out at the enormous cluster of bars full of tons of college kids down the street from the library. One day it clicked and I decided I'm going to get these pre-requisites done. I'm going to learn this stuff at my own pace & I'm going to enjoy what I am doing. I am diving into a selection of coursework that is required to be a doctor. I can use my obsession of thinking how peopl tick, into a very fulfilling career. I felt like I needed to get to the other side. I want to learn everything in the world. Medicine is so fascinating. And my number 3 goal is medical school.
Goal 1: don't stress.
Goal 2: if at any point I begin to HATE what I am doing- I will remain in sales and continue my career as a salesman (read, "how to sell your way thru life," by Napoleon Hill."). I can sell anything I absolutely love it. I Love all the great people you meet from providing value as a trusted, walking encyclopedia of information about products and programs. I don't even like the phrase "salesman," .. Yes people have to "buy," things. But a really good salesman, focuses on a product that is adding value to other people's life. Someone that addresses a need of another person in a very pleasant way (repeat customers).
Goal3: get into medical school.
1 and 2 are equal and more important than 3. I don't NEED to be a doctor to heal others, but I want it.
I finish all my coursework. I want to do a surgical rotation, and I want to do a psych rotation. I want to get hands on now. and after 5 years of pre-req coursework - I apply to medical school. While working a full time job (and not a mindless job: In commission only sales- you have to be creative to make sales. No sales = zero money in my pocket for 11 years) and being a full time student - I know I have the work ethic to get myself through medical college.
SO...in 2015- I applied to 5 US schools: Miami U, Tulane U, Arizona U, University of South Florida & The University of Oklahoma (hometown school).
Result: I was rejected from all of them.
My little brother told me I should apply to SGU in Mar.16, a school he had just been accepted to-
I applied, and within 2 weeks I was contacted to setup a day/time to interview and I told them I can interview right now. We setup an interview for the next day (thursday).. My interview was with a surgery resident graduate of SGU, it lasted about an hour and a half on skype.
Within 24 hours I received the call saying I was accepted.
What a great day! Now it was time to research this whole Caribbean School thing.
The amount of mixed reviews are unbelievable. Carib grads absolutely rave and rave about it- but everyone else, US grads, seem to think Carib schools are absolute scum. That's the general vibe I get, please correct me if I'm wrong.
So the program is legit. The rotations are legit. I can say this after talking to about 12 different SGU grads on the phone.
SGU works with around 53 different hospitals in america for year 3 & 4 - depending on your scores, rank within the class & your personal skills- that determines where you will be able to do your clinical rotations. Sounds good right?
Well then I start talking to grads.. If you're not a champion, you're not getting the extreme awesome residencies.. I wasn't sure what those were... After some digging .. Those seem to be orthopedics, spine, basically anything that pays tons of money.
Then I realize holy crap... The specialty I LOVE and want to get into-- is actually considered absolute ****! ... my two favorites (in this order):
1. Psychiatry
2. Primary care (family practice... These seem to be the same thing?)
I think people forget that family practice doctors used to be considered very very high status, when the reimbursement dropped- so did their status. As someone who has made plenty of money; money is nice, but fulfillment in life CANNOT be bought.
Here is the list of SGU affiliate hospitals:
http://www.sgu.edu/school-of-medicine/affiliated-hospitals.html
Within that list are a few really good psych programs!
So, I have been getting more and more excited about the idea of going down to SGU.
Seeing that, mostly, no one wants the psych or family medicine residencies (relative to other residencies)... For me, this could be a good thing. By wanting to go into Primary Care or Psych, SGU could be an awesome place to get an MD. Can anyone dispute this statement?
I've researched the price, yes, SGU is quite more expensive than anywhere else.
But my argument against this is- I have lived a life full of money, I have everything I want right now. Big house, beautiful girlfriend, 5 digit paychecks every month.... But what I don't have--- is fulfillment.
I am not doing what I was put here to do. I do not feel I am following my purpose. I literally read books on different therapeutic methods for enjoyment in my free time. It is absolutely fascinating to me.
Psych is where I belong. ... BUT, to play devil's advocate- my hands need to be operating. I am absolutely in love with surgery. Hands down, the most fascinating profession to exist. In my opinion. I get so excited thinking about being a surgeon I could cry.
The real question I have after all this research is this,
Is a Caribbean school a good place to go for someone who wants to go into perceived, "low status residencies," such as psych or family medicine? .. BUT- if they do well, can also. Get into orthopedics?
When you are fulfilled in life with your career, you'll make plenty of money, but it wont matter. Its about the quality of life, how you feel when you go home
Are you miserable or are you satisfied? Are you happy and excited to goto work the next day... Life, is not about making millions... Don't get me wrong, money is GREAT.. And I have PLENTY, but I am NOT fulfilled, not even close to what I know I will be doing in my future.
I'm going to be a doctor & I'm going to heal people. I'm going to make a ripple in the universe. I have been accepted into a Medical Doctor 4 year program at St. George's University (SGU) in Grenada.
Is this the right path to take?
What would you do? Go and get your M.D. In the caribbeans now, or wait another year or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 .. You get the point. I'm going to apply until I die. This will happen. The goal has been reached on my first attempt at getting accepted. Should I decline my acceptance at SGU - or should I increase my MCAT score/resumé and apply to US Schools.. Always keeping SGU in the back of my mind as the back up back up back up back up plan?
Please only serious responses from people who have done their research, entered into a program like this, or have graduated from a Caribbean school and are doing what they want to do.
Thank you everyone so much. The value this forum offers is incredible.
Thank you,
-Truckboat
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