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How is the cycle going for you all? I'm still taking prerequisites and won't be applying for a few years. Hope things have progressed nicely for the group!
Hey,
Nigerian International here. Moved here 4 years ago for undergrad. I am an applicant in this cycle. I am glad a couple of you have gotten accepted. Still out here waiting for God's intervention.
Happy for you all.
Praying for you! Also I think we have the same first name but I can’t PM you to confirm this haha
Because God’s own is what my name means and I’m NigerianYour prayer is greatly appreciated. That's cool, what makes you think so? (The SDN anonymity life ).
Congratulations!!!!!!!!! Happy for you.Just matched (Texas is weird about med school apps OK) into my top choice school! Very happy, very surprised tbh (considering my stats coming into this...)! I have never seen my parents that happy before lol
Will be matriculating in August by God's grace!My naija family, I hail o, how una dey? Anyone applying or accepted to start med school this fall?
Congrats! Which school if you don't mind asking?Will be matriculating in August by God's grace!
Not sure yet, waiting on one more financial aid offer but it’s between UCSF, Emory, and USC.Congrats! Which school if you don't mind asking?
Having an interview this Friday.
Same! I still have not decided where and am still waiting on a few post-interview decisions.Will be matriculating in August by God's grace!
Those are really good schools! Whichever one you end up with, I'm sure you'll enjoy them.Not sure yet, waiting on one more financial aid offer but it’s between UCSF, Emory, and USC.
Good luck and praying for ya! Keep us posted on where you end up too!Same! I still have not decided where and am still waiting on a few post-interview decisions.
Eh hehnnn, good luck everyone!I want to be mad this forum exists but I can't be.
Omo! We out here.
wish everyone well for the upcoming cycle!
LOLHi guys!
Wow, where una dey all this while?!
Help your brother here desperately needs advice and tips about med school admission.
Am a Chemistry graduate of University of Ilorin and just relocated to the US last year.
I have done my credentials evaluation through WES and would be taking my prereqs at UCLA extension coming Spring.
However I am still afraid of my chances of getting into a US medical school.
What advise(s) can you give?
Currently, have not been able to meet anyone to mentor me through this process and I do not want to end up wasting my time , energy and money.
Thanks! I do appreciate you taking your time to give a detailed answer . I would do well to follow the tips and adviceLOL
My first advice would be to start working on your permanent residency (i.e. green card) if you don't already have one, while you're taking prereqs. You need to have a green card or citizenship by the time you're applying, there's a box you have to check for immigration status on the application forms. Very few schools, if any, consider international graduates whom don't have a green card, the ones that do require a U.S. bank account that's loaded with tuition for the entire 4 years I think (you probably already know this). Out of many things that is of concern for medical schools in the U.S. when considering international graduates, include: (a) how are you going to pay tuition and survive financially while in the program, (b) their aim is to train doctors who plan on practicing in the U.S.... immigration troubles might be an issue for someone without at least a permanent resident status.
Secondly - Ace your prereqs whenever you take them (a couple Bs shouldn't be an issue)
Thirdly, get various volunteer and shadowing experiences so you have inspiring stories to show your commitment for community service tell as well as to have inspiring experiences you can share on your personal statement. Do this while taking your prereqs.
Get a medical/science research experience while taking your prereqs.
Kill your MCAT because at the end of the day, it shows how ready you are for the rigorous medical curriculum.
Save money for whenever you start applying to schools. It can get costly... but not something to really worry about just yet..
Hopefully this helps!
Thanks! I do appreciate you taking your time to give a detailed answer . I would do well to follow the tips and advice
Actually, I am an American citizen and now a California resident too. However my great concerns are:
- how the admission committee would view my foreign bachelor's degree
- would taking prereqs at UCLA extension ( a DIY post bacc) give me enough leverage to get admission into medical schools as compared to going for a 2nd Bachelor's degree?
Am even more concerned about the DIY post bacc at UCLA as it is not structured and I would have to get LORs, volunteer/shadowing experience and a medical/research experience all by myself. I only opted for it as it's the only viable option available to me since I live in LA.
Thus, I would greatly appreciate tips on how to get those letters and experiences by myself.
I wouldn't mind if you can give job tips too.. I don go interview tire! These people do not regard my degree a bit. However I have been working as a caregiver to an autistic teenager for now....
Welcome! Send update and thank you letters to places you have interview, doesn't hurt your chances (unless you reveal something bad about yourself). Good luck to you and keep us posted!Hey guys! Omg so happy I found this thread Yoruba girl on the East coast. I applied this cycle, hoping to get off a couple waitlists. (and some more interview love)
Oh thank you! My fellow omoluabi. Am also Yoruba - Ondo state precisely.Hey hey,
Fellow naija here, Yoruba girl to be exact
I did a DIY post-bacc and mostly took the upper division science classes that many medical schools recommend
(i.e. embryology, histology, biochem). Doing it this way is cheaper and will also help increase your 3.19 GPA which tbh is on a bit of the low side. Also the professors from your post-bacc classes should be able to write you a LOR if you do well in their classes and you've established a good rapport.
Scribe jobs also seem to be ideal and what a lot of recent successful applicants have done; you gain clinical exposure and a paycheck lol; try looking for a position on Scribeamerica.com
Best of luck!!
Would keep that in mind.Oh...Then starting off with some of the lower level classes like general bio, general chemistry and such will be ok and help build up your science GPA as well as give you the proper foundation for MCAT content. Don't take the MCAT until you've completed these courses and feel comfortable with the content!!!
Honestly, I don't know if anyone has told you this. But it might not be appealing to you. If you're not too old like in your late 30's to 40's, I would advise you to pursue a second bachelor's degree in the US or just take prerequisites. You do not have to complete a degree though. Just start afresh taking classes. Leave out your Nigerian Chemistry degree entirely. This would make life easier for you to evaluate your GPA. This is from experience. Good-luck!Would keep that in mind.
Thanks!
Hi,Honestly, I don't know if anyone has told you this. But it might not be appealing to you. If you're not too old like in your late 30's to 40's, I would advise you to pursue a second bachelor's degree in the US or just take prerequisites. You do not have to complete a degree though. Just start afresh taking classes. Leave out your Nigerian Chemistry degree entirely. This would make life easier for you to evaluate your GPA. This is from experience. Good-luck!
Got 4 MD A already, canceled two DO II. Have two MD II to attend still. Goodluck y'all.How is the cycle going for you all? I'm still taking prerequisites and won't be applying for a few years. Hope things have progressed nicely for the group!
Hello my broda I am Igbo and also interested in Ortho. I am in my first year and seeing how this thread was some time ago, are there any updates? Are yall currently applying to ortho residencies and did any of yall complete Nth dimensions?It's the specialty I've shadowed the most (3 different orthopedic surgeons). Also seen some surgeries and I like how mechanical the procedures are. What about you?