I am a 25 yr old foreigner working as a business professional. I graduated from a liberal arts college in US with a degree in Mathematics in 2001.
After having volunteered some of my time at a local hospital, I really got interested in becoming a doctor. I researched information on what it takes to become a doctor and the news doesnt seem go be in my favor. My overall GPA was 3.29 with my GPA in Math being around 3.4. While I wouldnt mind taking my pre-med classes and hence try to enhance my GPA, I would like to get some advice from you before I commit my time and money into pre-med classes.
1) How hard will it be for me to get into a med school in the US or Canada, given my non US/Canadian status, my GPA? Is it possible to be at least be optimistic if I get a good MCAT score and recommedations?
2) How about the Caribbeans or Russion or East European countries? Do I at least have a shot in one of those places? Which are the good schools in the Caribbean?
Thanks again for your time.
Sincerely,
Arjun
Answer Arjun,
If you can bring your GPA up to 3.5 or better and come to interview with good MCAT scores (make sure you have the opportunity to take them a couple of times to get the best scores you can) your chances are pretty good. US schools are considered the best. If you go overseas and want to practice in the USA then you must pass the FLEX exam (which is difficult) and foreign schools (even Eruopean) are not as well regarded in the US as US schools. I don't know much about Caribbean or foreign schools to comment further.
Since applications are down because of Med. Mal Issues, the Tort system, Managed Care and poor reimbursements for time spent practicing medicine, your chances of being accepted are better than just 5 years ago.
