Getting Started

VERY IMPORTANT: EACH YEAR IS DIFFERENT SO IT IS UP TO YOU TO FIND OUT WHICH SCHOOLS ARE ACCEPTING TRANSFER STUDENTS


Now that you have decided to transfer, you need to start finding schools!

Which schools accept FMGs? Do they take MS2 or MS3 students? Some schools will take MS1 students. An MS4 is eligible to transfer into MS2/MS3 spots.

Where to start:

http://services.aamc.org/tsp_reports/
There are several approaches for the aamc website; the best advice I have is to spend some time going through this website. It is very valuable as a starting point.


For me, the following schools were accepting applications (some information for the 2009 cycle is provided):


1 SUNY Upstate
http://www.upstate.edu/com/admissions/transfer.php
http://www.upstate.edu/currentstudent/document/com_transfer_app.pdf
The deadline to complete an application is April 1
Applications are accepted to the third year class from LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education): not sure how new this policy is, but I know ~8 people who have transferred from the Carib.


2 Drexel (they did not have any seats for 2008)
http://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/Admissions/MDProgram/TransferApplicants.aspx
We begin accepting applications for potential transfer positions after February 1. We'll know more about possible open positions in the spring. If we have open positions, we'll begin to review complete applications in early/mid May. If there are no positions available, we'll return materials sent to us by applicants.
http://www.drexelmed.edu/Portals/0/Transfer_Application.pdf


3 NEOUCOM
http://www.neoucom.edu/audience/applicants/succeed/admi/currentMedTransfer
Effective December 1, 2008: The Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine is accepting applications for advanced standing admission to the M3 year for the 2009-10.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Materials and Deadline: If and when the College accepts Advanced Standing applications, the following materials constitute a completed application for Advanced Standing Admissions to NEOUCOM and must be postmarked by April 1, 2009.
1) Advanced Standing Admissions Application
2) Payment of a $150 application fee (nonrefundable)
3) Official transcripts from all current and previous post-secondary enrollment
4) Two recommendation forms
5) Official NBME transcript of USMLE Step 1 Score Report or date scheduled to take USMLE Step 1
6) If you have other information that would be helpful to the committee, such as clinical skills evaluations, please send these materials as well.



4 MSSM (they did not have any seats for 2008). They ask you to email a CV and if any seats are available, they will email you.
According to the 2009 website: Applications for transfer into the second, third, and fourth year classes are no longer accepted.
http://www.mountsinai.org/Education/School%20of%20Medicine/Degrees%20and%20Programs/MD%20Program/How%20to%20Apply



5 Tulane (was not accepting applications in 2008)
http://tulane.edu/som/admissions/admissions-process.cfm




6 SUNY Buffalo (they did not have any seats for 2008)
http://wings.buffalo.edu/smbs/ome/admission/admission_tranfers.htm
From U.S./Canadian/Foreign Medical or U.S. Osteopathic Schools
Transfer applications are usually considered only into our Third-Year Class. Other special circumstances requiring transfer are also considered. The number of third-year transfers is determined by class attrition. If space is available, applications are considered only if documented evidence of hardship exists for the student to continue at the school in which he or she is currently enrolled. Transfer information and application instructions can be obtained by contacting the Medical Admissions Office.

7 GWU Seems like they are no longer accepting carib applications. You can call to make sure; please comment if you find out if they will accept carib students.
http://www.gwumc.edu/edu/admis/html/admissions/transfer.html
2009-The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences will only accept transfer applicants from U.S. or Canadian schools of medicine and osteopathic medicine programs. Applicants must be either US or Canadian Citizens or US Permanent Residents. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours, including the required pre-medical coursework, at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university prior to matriculation. The vast majority have an undergraduate degree. Eight semester hours (six lecture and two lab) must be completed in each of the following fields: biology, physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. Six semester hours of English (literature and/or composition) are also required. Applicants must be in good academic standing and eligible to reenter at their current medical school.

Students eligible to apply to our second or third-year classes are those from U.S. or Canadian schools of medicine, and those enrolled in Osteopathic Medicine Program. Students are eligible to apply if they meet our specific curriculum requirements. All students are required to submit MCAT scores. All Students from osteopathic schools must provide a passing USMLE Step 1 score (we cannot review students from these schools with only one-year of medical school coursework).

Depending on your state, your results may vary.

Note: You can call each school individually and ask them if they would accept your application, but I personally think this is low yield and annoying for the schools. I went to websites and looked up transfer policies. If you are unsure, feel free to call the school. The aamc website above gives you the name of the person to contact.


Addendum:
According to data published by one of the big 4, the following schools have accepted transfer students in the past few years:
Drexel University College of Medicine* Most students from here
Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
East Carolina University Colle of Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
University of Calgary
University of Vermont College of Medicine
Jefferson Medical College
Louisiana State University School of Medicine
New York Medical College

According to data provided from one of the big 4, from 2003-2005, ~30 students transferred. The mean medical school GPA was 3.46 (sd 0.46), mean USMLE 1 was 231 (sd 13.65), mean MCAT 25.28 (sd 3.17), UG GPA 3.25 (sd 0.32), Science GPA 3.18 (sd 0.38)