Please Help! Medical schools out of the country?

wickedsunshine39 · October 2007

Through out my whole life, I've always wanted to be a Pediatrician. I can't see myself doing anything else. However, medical schools in the US are both expensive and very hard to get into.. Do you think that it will acceptable if I went to college in another country like India or England, finished med school, and came back here to do my residency? I could save both money and time.. I'm really confused.. Please help!!

norcalguy · October 2007

That would not be ideal. You would be considered a FMG (foreign medical graduate). You will be required to pass whatever licensing exams the foreign country requires AND the licensing exams required in the US (the USMLE's). In addition, you will be at a severe disadvantage when applying for residency positions here.

sciencenerd · October 2007

If you decide to do this though MAKE SURE that your school is good. Because a lot of schools that aren't in the US are only average and sometimes subpar.

bluedevilmike · October 2007

It is a very bad idea even if your school overseas is very good. See NCG's discussion.

researchermom · October 2007

My niece went to mexico for med school because she couldn't get in here. Last two years of that med school were in new york. She just graduated and got into a US residency. It took her a lot longer though to pass each qualifying exam at each step, but to her it was worth it. She won't get the top job in any city but there will be jobs for her wherever she goes.

tetrisfan · October 2007

It's gonna be very tedious, mate. But FWIW, India's got a reputation for med schools, and you can get in right after HS.

dabulls · October 2007

i agree... i would discourage you from doing that. I knew a few people who did do that and ended up becoming doctors and the US, and all it does is lengthen the already long medical track. Also, once you do get a residency you wont recieve as much respect as you should from coworkers simply because they know your a foreign grad. But on the brightside, im sure if you passionate enough to leave the country, and positively portray that passion to american schools, you should be able to sneak in somewhere. And as far as from a financial standpoint, if u talk to any current residents they will agree that they are in some hefty debt but they arent worried about it because theyre confident with their future salaries and some patience persistance theyll be able to work it off

J'adoube · October 2007

If your dream is to become a Pediatrician, go for it. Make sure you speak the language of the country you'll be going to. If you speak Spanish, then Costa Rica comes to mind. You'll be a privileged person when you come back: U.S. citizen that speaks English and has a Medical degree. One of the main difficulties for foreign doctors is that they don't speak English well enough to pass the boards not that they don't know their medicine. It might be difficult to get a residency, but it will be 100 times less so than actually getting accepted to a Medical school here. If you decide to do so, make your decision early: don't wait to finish college and get a masters degree before realizing that there is no room at the inn.

bluedevilmike · October 2007

If your goal is primary care (as Pediatrics usually is), far better to become a PA or an NP. They have very similar roles, somewhat less independence. The bonus is that the risk is much lower than going overseas.

Please Help! Medical schools out of the country?

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