Had Success in Podiatry Applications, How about elsewhere?

[CRizzHomeRun]

I was wondering if anyone could help me and see if my stats would be good enough for a D.O. school or a Caribbean M.D. school. Also, if you don't feel the portfolio is qualified enough, what would you do to improve it other than raising the MCAT score?

Here is my information: MCAT = 21 N, cumulative GPA 3.53, science GPA 3.2, 3.9 non-science GPA, biology degree from private college in U.S., took many courses outside of biology major requirements (1 year of Anatomy & Phys., Genetics, Biochemistry, Comparative Phys., Developmental Psychology, Microbiology, etc.) about 2000 hours of being a hospital laboratory aide, in 4 college clubs, very active with community service, lots of shadowing experience, scientific research experience (presented at 2 scientific conferences, I am a co-author and will most likely be published in a scientific journal), tutor, etc.

I have been invited to interviews for 7 of the 7 podiatry schools I applied to in the U.S. and I was wondering if this success would mean that I would be able to get into D.O. school or an M.D. program in the Caribbean. Thanks so Much! I appreciate it.

[CaribMD]

Hello

the GPA looks fine, its the 21 MCAT, with such a low MCAT, then the Caribbean will be the only bet.

You could apply to all Three SGU, ROSS and AUC, I think you have a shot.

I really think you are looking OK in the GPA area all around.

So Do you want to be a Physician or a Doctor of Podiatry?

I guess thats the question here, No matter what you do in Podiatry school, if you want the MD later you would have to start Medical school from the beginning, Sometimes people think Being a Chiropractor or a Podiatrist or even an RN and you are half to most way there in Medicine, in reality to be a physician you have to go to medical school from year 1.

So take this into consideration

any more questions just ask.

[cheechootrain]

Yeah, what CaribMD said. Someone told me it would be easier to do RN and go to medical school, but after reading Carib's comment, I think I can debunk that assumption.

[CRizzHomeRun]

Thanks for the information! Its very helpful for me. I am guessing I am too late to be applying for the Caribbean Schools right now, so what would you do with the year off? I have been accepted by podiatry and by a physician assistant program, so I do not know what to do at all. I want to become a physician and I want to take the right steps in becoming one because I am very determined in becoming a doctor. I just don't know if I should play it safe and accept either podiatry or P.A. and then apply for a Caribbean school/D.O. next year or if I should be doing something else? Please let me know your opinions because my college does not really help pre-med students and I know little about the Caribbean schools. Also, I did see there are a bunch of Caribbean schools, is there a reason why only 3 schools were mentioned earlier? Just curious. Thanks!

[CaribMD]

Thanks for the information! Its very helpful for me. I am guessing I am too late to be applying for the Caribbean Schools right now, so what would you do with the year off? I have been accepted by podiatry and by a physician assistant program, so I do not know what to do at all. I want to become a physician and I want to take the right steps in becoming one because I am very determined in becoming a doctor. I just don't know if I should play it safe and accept either podiatry or P.A. and then apply for a Caribbean school/D.O. next year or if I should be doing something else? Please let me know your opinions because my college does not really help pre-med students and I know little about the Caribbean schools. Also, I did see there are a bunch of Caribbean schools, is there a reason why only 3 schools were mentioned earlier? Just curious. Thanks!

Too late? You can apply in the nest 30 minutes and know within 3 weeks if accepted.
You can go in May ( its too late for January ) or you can go in Sept.
The Caribbean schools all have 365 day rolling admissions.

[CRizzHomeRun]

That is great news! I checked online at some of the Caribbean schools and they do have the 365 day rolling admissions like you said. It looked to me as though all I have to do is send an application to them with the necessary materials and they will look at it (seemed like no middle man like the aacpm for podiatry?). Is there a reason why the 3 schools that were listed earlier were in the reply instead of other ones? Also, if I apply right now, would you apply for January 2011 to improve my chances or should I try for August 2010? I am just curious if there is an advantage at all to applying for january since I figure most people will be applying for may or august. This has been very helpful and has convinced me to apply to caribbean schools. Hopefully I will be competitive enough to get in because I am dying to become a doctor. Please let me know what you think about when to apply for, the 3 schools listed earlier in the forum, and the other stuff I said here. Also, what do you think my actual chance of getting in would be? I can really tell people on here really know what they are talking about so I am going to take your opinions very seriously. I'm so glad I found this studentdoc website. It has been a savior for me...lol Thanks!

[CaribMD]

That is great news! I checked online at some of the Caribbean schools and they do have the 365 day rolling admissions like you said. It looked to me as though all I have to do is send an application to them with the necessary materials and they will look at it (seemed like no middle man like the aacpm for podiatry?). Is there a reason why the 3 schools that were listed earlier were in the reply instead of other ones? Also, if I apply right now, would you apply for January 2011 to improve my chances or should I try for August 2010? I am just curious if there is an advantage at all to applying for january since I figure most people will be applying for may or august. This has been very helpful and has convinced me to apply to caribbean schools. Hopefully I will be competitive enough to get in because I am dying to become a doctor. Please let me know what you think about when to apply for, the 3 schools listed earlier in the forum, and the other stuff I said here. Also, what do you think my actual chance of getting in would be? I can really tell people on here really know what they are talking about so I am going to take your opinions very seriously. I'm so glad I found this studentdoc website. It has been a savior for me...lol Thanks!

August 2010 your chances are pretty good to get accepted in your Case I think.

[CRizzHomeRun]

Ok so I am about to apply to Caribbean M.D. Schools this weekend and I was wondering if you had any pointers as to what schools to apply to (I seen all are not U.S. accredited). Some I seen are not fully U.S. accredited but you could take a test and become eligible to practice in the United States. Do you know anything about this or what schools you might recommend?

[CaribMD]

Ok so I am about to apply to Caribbean M.D. Schools this weekend and I was wondering if you had any pointers as to what schools to apply to (I seen all are not U.S. accredited). Some I seen are not fully U.S. accredited but you could take a test and become eligible to practice in the United States. Do you know anything about this or what schools you might recommend?

ok All schools are the same, All are FMG
No Caribbean school is US accredited
SGU, AUC, Ross and SABA are Approved by California
NY, Fl and Tx do an approval forr clinicals during medical school.

This idea of confusion on this is on purpose by some schools to make people think there is Accreditation.

You are the same if you went to school in London or Pakistan.

Yes you sit for the USMLE steps 1 to 3 like all others ( there is no special test except in Tx, they have a language test no big deal really)

I recommend
AUC, Ross and SGU for starters, all three have US federal student loans
then SABA,
then others if needed.............

[CRizzHomeRun]

Thanks! So basically if I went to a Caribbean Medical School, it would allow me to be eligible to take the USMLE Steps 1 through 3 just like any other medical student in the U.S. or any foreign student wanting to come to the United States? Then, I would have to pass all three steps in order to be evaluated by the particular state I would like to practice in and hope they approve me? Is this all correct here? Do most students pass the USMLE? How difficult is it to get state approval after passing USMLE steps 1 through 3? I'm sorry, I have a ton of questions because I am deciding on what to do and I know very little about the topic. If any1 knows anythin about this, please let me know. I highly appreciate it.