Why do you want to transfer?
Attempting to transfer is an expensive, stressful, demoralizing, and time-consuming trek. Much like your decision to start medical school, deciding to transfer requires a good reason. The reason alone fuels the arduous trip ahead so make sure that it is good enough....
1) 10 years down the road, few patients care about where you went to medical school
2) where you train for residency is more important
3) The big Carib schools do a wonderful job in preparing you for the the future
Pros of transferring:
-You will have an easier time getting into a desired residency
-Some of the stigma will be removed
-It may be cheaper to do your M3/4 years stateside
-You received the same MS1/2 education as your stateside peers, but on a beautiful island
-Easier to get financial assistance
-Better access to clerkships
Cons of transferring:
-Grading is harsher
-Final exams are harder (shelf exams were orders of magnitude harder than the exams I took in the Carib)
-You leave your existing social networks and are cast into a new class
-Having to relocate, though you are probably used to this
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I am currnetly Med student on Caribbean Island. I am planning to send application to be transferd to US Med schools. What is the best reason I could show to get transfer? Please help me write a good solid reason. I am only child of my parents and they would like to have me within their reach.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
There are hundreds of potential reasons to transfer. I kept mine short, sweet and to the point.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned that I did a lot of research prior to attending SGU and noted their track record.
I mentioned that SGU provided me with a solid education.
I went on to explain that I was looking to do a competitive residency and after speaking to program directors, I found my chances would be increased if I transferred to an LCME school.
Good luck!
Hi again,
ReplyDelete1. I had a 27 on my MCAT 9/9/9...Do you think I it would help if i retook it before handing in an application?
2. NJ is the only state left to not approve the Keith B Taylor Global Scholars Program at SGU, the one where you spend your first year at the University of Northumbria in the UK, which means if I were to have done that program, I wouldn't be able to rotate or do residencies in NJ. I've heard this is because NJ wants you to do both basic science years at the same place. Do you know anything about this? Because I guess the same would apply if I wanted to transfer after my first year of basic sciences here at SGU.
Thanks!
Hello giant microbe
ReplyDelete1) Your score is acceptable but with the intense competition for a transfer spot, you would be better off with a higher MCAT score.
2) To be honest, I do not know much about this issue. If it is in fact true that you would not be allowed to rotate or complete a residency in NJ, perhaps it would be wiser to start in Grenada.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteIf somebody wants to transfer to a US med school after completing his basic sciences on the island, does the school which he attended on the island make that much of a difference? Also what if one wants to apply for first year at a US med school after completing basic sciences and writing the usmle, are the chances better this way?
Thanks.
Hello, thanks for all the information!
ReplyDeleteI have a question. Is having an undergraduate degree compulsory for transferring?
I currently go to a medical school in in the UK where students go straight into the 5 year medical program after completing high school(A levels), so I don't have a Bachelors degree.
Would transferring be completely out of the question for me?
(I am a permanent resident of the U.S and would gladly take the MCAT)
Thank you
Cheriedu:
ReplyDeleteThe schools I applied to required some schooling in the US/Canada. This is quoted directly from Drexel's transfer page (http://webcampus.drexelmed.edu/Admissions/documents/Advanced_Standing_Requirements.pdf)
"ELIGIBILITY:
• US citizenship or permanent residency and have completed the science pre-requisite courses
at a US or Canadian undergraduate school.
• MCAT exam.
• Students attending LCME approved medical schools who have satisfactorily completed all first
year courses (for applicants to the second year class) or all first and second year courses and
USMLE Step 1 scores received by May 15 (for applicants to the third year class).
• (1) Students in foreign medical schools listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools
published by the World Health Organization; (2) Dental Students, dental school graduates or
dentists applying to the Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Program; and (3) Osteopathic medical school
students or graduates who can document that they have satisfactorily completed classes equivalent
to our first and second year curriculum."
In response to Anonymous post, 12/14/09, 242pm:
ReplyDeleteAs per individual websites, most schools are eligible to apply for transfer. Out of the transfers that I have met, the biggest representation was from SGU followed by Ross. I met one student who transferred from SMU. To answer your question, I believe that you have a better shot at successfully transferring if you come from a more well-known carib school.
With respect to wanting to transfer to an MS1 position after completing MS2, I am sure that it is in the realm of possibility, but I also think that there are better options out there. You might want to consider a postbacc year or doing some research. If you *really* want to graduate from an LCME school, you are better off starting at one. Since you are willing to put in the time, you have a better chance of getting in as an MS1 after doing some other activities. Check this website out:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=95