Choosing a medical school is the first step in the long process of applying to medical school. Whether you’ve previously thought about it or haven’t, selecting the best one for you necessitates serious study.
Not only do you want to choose a university where you’ll like the course, but you also want to apply strategically. This will increase your chances of admission.
What are the major things that one should consider before applying to medical school in the USA?
When deciding on the best doctor university in USA that is best for you, there are several variables to consider. Each student places a different value on each of them, and the process might be intimidating.
Here are some things to consider before applying to a medical school.
Accreditations
Only students from DOE-approved institutions can complete clinical rotations, get residency, and practise medicine in the United States.
To practise in the United States after graduating from an overseas medical school, you must be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). The ECFMG will only accept Caribbean medical schools with CAAM-HP certification beginning in 2023. This implies that if you graduate from a school without it, you will be unable to get licensure in the US or Canada.
USMLE Step 1 pass rate on the first time
Be aware of institutions that do not publish their pass rate. However, a school that claims to have a 100% pass rate may be altering the statistics in order to claim the greatest percentage. Be wary of institutions that report overall pass rate rather than a specific year. Most importantly, check for the phrase first-time. When students retake the exam numerous times to pass, the pass percentage is less representative of the student body’s preparation. As of 2019, the Washington University of Health and Science first-time pass rate was 80.7%.
Clinical science training
Research how many and where Caribbean medical schools have links with teaching hospitals and clinical venues to provide clinical training for their students. This will give you an impression of the clinical sciences program’s strength. WUHS has 6 affiliation agreements spread across the United States, Canada, and India. Furthermore, qualifying students can complete all clinical rotations at and get official credentials from a U.S. medical school through a clerkship certificate programme.
Residency placement
You should not dismiss a school that does not reveal the number, even if it is a useful statistic. Instead, analyse their students’ residency placements each match season. You should also compare which programmes and disciplines students have been placed into to your own aims. If you want to be a physician, look at how many recent grads have received paediatric residencies in institutions you love.
To date, 80.2% of WUHS graduates got first time residency rate in 2019-2020. These graduates are eligible to receive a residency spot.
Graduate success and alumni support
Spend some time reading the graduate success page of a school. If you are very impressed by someone, contact the school’s graduate services department to see if they will put you in touch with them. You want to go to a school with alumni whose accomplishments you admire.
Not all Caribbean medical schools provide incoming or prospective students with access to an alumni network. Alumni can share vital information about their student experiences, general advice, and answers to concerns from a perspective that the institution cannot supply.
After answering the questions above, you’ll be able to eliminate the nonviable possibilities, leaving you with a list of established and respected Caribbean medical schools that will prepare you for a successful career as a physician. WUHS which is one of the best medical colleges in USA for Indian students has more than 2000 alumni network with 40% practicing in areas of need.
Duration of the course
Most medical schools provide a five-year programme in medicine. Some institutions need an intercalation year, therefore the total length of study is six years. This may sway you depending on whether you believe intercalation is right for you.
If you are undecided, you may wish to consider institutions that provide intercalation chances without making it mandatory.
If you don’t have the requisite grades before enrolling, several medical schools offer a foundation year. This will add a sixth year to your education. Furthermore, some graduate entrance courses provide a four-year programme that you can complete.
Atmosphere
Even if you read up on other campuses, you won’t have a full sense of what it’s like until you actually travel there. This is why it’s critical to attend as many open days as possible to get a sense of where you might end up studying.There will be universities where you can see yourself studying for years. Washington University of Health and Science educates tomorrow’s physicians. They provide service to their communities and patients that strengthen through international learning opportunities. It is a diverse learning community, and a focus on social accountability and participation.
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