Med School advice?

**Jeremydyer** · 15-04-2007, 08:28 AM

I'm a high school student and very determined that I want to enter Medical school. I am faced with a dilemma however: should I go to med school in Europe or Canada? If I go to med school in Canada (where I am from) or the US then I will spend 4 years doing my undergrad, 4 years in med school and then 6 years doing my residency. If, however, I go to med school in Europe, I will spend 6 years in pre med / med and 2 years doing my residency. Thats almost half the time it would take to do it in Canada. My question here though is if it would look better to go to school in Europe or if it would look worse making it hard to become employed. It seems to me that it would look worse because it seems like your getting a "way to quick, sloppy" education or maybe it looks great because you have received a very advanced education. Also, would it be difficult to come back to Canada or the US to practice after receiving my education in Europe (the school I'm looking at is Odessa state medical school in the Ukraine). Thanks a lot for any help or advice given

**Scottish Chap** · 15-04-2007, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by Jeremydyer

I'm a high school student and very determined that I want to enter Medical school. I am faced with a dilemma however: should I go to med school in Europe or Canada? If I go to med school in Canada (where I am from) or the US then I will spend 4 years doing my undergrad, 4 years in med school and then 6 years doing my residency. If, however, I go to med school in Europe, I will spend 6 years in pre med / med and 2 years doing my residency. Thats almost half the time it would take to do it in Canada. My question here though is if it would look better to go to school in Europe or if it would look worse making it hard to become employed. It seems to me that it would look worse because it seems like your getting a "way to quick, sloppy" education or maybe it looks great because you have received a very advanced education. Also, would it be difficult to come back to Canada or the US to practice after receiving my education in Europe (the school I'm looking at is Odessa state medical school in the Ukraine). Thanks a lot for any help or advice given

Very difficult to make it back to Canada - even with a medical degree from the U.S. I would try to stay in North America, if you can. Many people find success in off-shore medical school, but it is generally a last resort - in part due to problems finding funding.

**Jeremydyer** · 16-04-2007, 12:50 AM

Thanks a lot for your advice. I guess it would be best to just stay here in Canada instead of trying to take the easy way out and get it done quicker anyways.

**Scottish Chap** · 16-04-2007, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by Jeremydyer

Thanks a lot for your advice. I guess it would be best to just stay here in Canada instead of trying to take the easy way out and get it done quicker anyways.

Welcome. If you end up leaving Canada, there are several medical schools in the U.S. (including my own) that accept Canadians. In addition, a very reasonable scheme called canHELP provides loans for this purpose. If you find (further down the line) that a U.S. school looks like it might be a stretch, I would apply to the U.K. or Ireland for medicine before the Caribbean or elsewhere in Europe. Good luck!

**Jeremydyer** · 16-04-2007, 01:03 AM

So, if I were to go somewhere in the UK, would it still be a stretch to come back to North America and practice?

**Scottish Chap** · 16-04-2007, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by Jeremydyer

So, if I were to go somewhere in the UK, would it still be a stretch to come back to North America and practice?

It would not be easy but it is not impossible either. Many people do it every year - but usually to practice in the U.S. Other than funding, the major issue faced is that you will not be prepared for the licensing examinations that all medical students take in the U.S. and Canada. You will essentially be on your own for those at the same time as you will be studying your regular courses in the U.K. A good score is needed to be sure of landing your choice of residency.

**Jeremydyer** · 16-04-2007, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by Scottish Chap

It would not be easy but it is not impossible either. Many people do it every year - but usually to practice in the U.S. Other than funding, the major issue faced is that you will not be prepared for the licensing examinations that all medical student take in the U.S. and Canada. You will essentially be on your own for those at the same time as you will be studying your regular courses in the U.K. A good score is needed to be sure of landing your choice of residency.

I see. Yeah I'll probably just end up staying here for schooling. My province has one of the lowest tuition fee's in Canada and I'm sure to get scholarships for the University here. Are you currently a medical student?

**Scottish Chap** · 16-04-2007, 02:35 AM

Originally Posted by Jeremydyer

I see. Yeah I'll probably just end up staying here for schooling. My province has one of the lowest tuition fee's in Canada and I'm sure to get scholarships for the University here. Are you currently a medical student?

Yes, I am a medical student (British but enrolled in an American medical school). Again, not to get too far ahead but keep in mind that a couple of Canadian medical schools actively give preference to students with higher degrees (MSc, PhD) if you do not gain entry immediately after undergraduate work. The University of Toronto is one of those schools.

Also, if time is a huge consideration for you, two Canadian medical schools offer a three-year M.D. - McMaster in Ontario and (I think!) UBC on the West coast. The former, last time I checked, even admits some students after year three of the undergraduate degree...as long as the grades are excellent. So, that's 6-7 years and in your own country.

**Jeremydyer** · 16-04-2007, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by Scottish Chap

Yes, I am a medical student (British but enrolled in an American medical school). Again, not to get too far ahead but keep in mind that a couple of Canadian medical schools actively give preference to students with higher degrees (MSc, PhD) if you do not gain entry immediately after undergraduate work. The University of Toronto is one of those schools.

Also, if time is a huge consideration for you, two Canadian medical schools offer a three-year M.D. - McMaster in Ontario and (I think!) UBC on the West coast. The former, last time I checked, even admits some students after year three of the undergraduate degree...as long as the grades are excellent. So, that's 6-7 years and in your own country.

Wow thats awesome! Oh another question, Is it true that you get paid to do your residency rather than having to pay to do it? Best of luck to you in school by the way.

**Scottish Chap** · 16-04-2007, 02:46 AM

Originally Posted by Jeremydyer

Wow thats awesome! Oh another question, Is it true that you get paid to do your residency rather than having to pay to do it? Best of luck to you in school by the way.

Yes, in the U.S., first-year residents are paid 41-50K per year depending on location, and this is incremental throughout residency. I cannot speak for Canada, but I know that you'll have enough funds to meet your immediate needs. Thank you for the good wishes and, once again, good luck!