<p>So apparently you can't have two posters on the same account and when my friend declared it was someone else on the account the thread got closed. </p>
<p>To abide by the rules I'm just going to quote what was posted and relay the information back to the other person.</p>
<p>"Hi.</p>
<p>This isn't my account but a friend's son let me use it so I could seek some advice from the users of this site. I hope that I can get some help regarding my predicament and I'd appreciate any responses.</p>
<p>I have just finished serving in the British Armed Forces and am looking to go to College in the US since:
1) my girlfriend lives there and we are becoming very serious as a couple;
2) I would eventually like to go to medical school in the US and be able to practice there. I understand that doing my undergraduate studies in the US means that my chances are raised very slightly from practically zero in comparison to studying abroad.</p>
<p>My High-School equivalence is very poor but that was over 10 years ago. I have grown up and realised what I want from life and want to show the Colleges that too.</p>
<p>My questions are:
what do you think my best route into college is as a mature student?
Should I complete some sort of high school equivalence in the UK, ie. IGCSEs?
If I were to complete APs or something similar, what would you recommend I complete them in? Considering I don't really need APs for Premed since I need the general classes for MCAT and I am planning on majoring in Physics I'm not really sure what would be suitable, if anything.
I guess I have a similar question about SAT Subjects. Are there any courses you really recommend me taking in my situation?</p>
<p>I realise that I have a lot of questions and I will definitely follow up on any advice on here and email colleges directly to see what they say.</p>
Wow. That royally sucks! I’m sorry your time and effort was wasted. I, and I’m sure Dave (the guy who needs the help), really appreciate that you responded. Maybe a Mod could repost your post? I hope so. I will enquire. </p>
<p>I think you’re crazy to want to study medicine in the US considering the fact it’s a graduate degree, the added cost and the likelihood of no financial support. There are so many more opportunities for mature students returning to study in the UK. There are access courses, foundation years, the Open University, specifically designed access to medicine courses as well as the new 24+ loan (which is written off if you successfully pass your degree) which can be used to fund GCSEs, A levels or any other college qualification. There is also a much larger tradition of admitting older students which means 1. universities are likely to take your past non-academic work experience into account and 2. you wont be the only older student on campus.</p>
<p>Yup, it’s gone. Short version: find the local community college- Practically no admissions requirements. Do a lot of homework on med school requirements (minimum is usually bio, chem organic chem & physics). Complete community college program with excellent marks, making sure you get the required courses. This will take 18 months- 2 years. Transfer to the state university (usually automatic qualification if you have the 2 year degree & good grades). Finish undergraduate, including courses for med school(s) of choice. with excellent grades- this will take another 18 months to 2 years. You will have all the info you need to do the MCAT. Take MCAT in final year, do applications to med school. If you get in, you will have a 4 year course, followed by 1 year of being an underpaid overworked Inter, followed by some years as a Resident training in your specialty. So, 3-4 years for undergrad, 4 of medical school. Even though community college is not expensive, and state unis are not expensive by US standards, overall it will be a very process. Original version was better, but you get the drift.</p>
<p>What Nordicblue said is worthwhile- it takes a lot longer and is a LOT more expensive in the US. Lots of adults in the community colleges, but at state unis you will be in with mostly (though not all) eager young students.</p>
He said “Well if I went to University in the UK I would study physics first anyway. I want the liberal arts education. I’ve saved and saved and have enough to go about study in the US. It’s the best route to being a doctor over there so I’m going to give it a shot”</p>
<p>If it’s of any consolation, I also think that it’s a stupid idea - there are great med schools over here and USMLE can be sat by UK students too. </p>
The quote function on this site sucks. It needs to be fixed!</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to summarize. I’ll relay the information and try to get back to you ASAP - it’s 2:30AM here and my head isn’t getting any lighter!</p>
<p>Why does your friend want to be a doctor in the US but not in the UK? He sounds like he doesn’t really know what he wants; he is taking a hell of a risk by moving to the US before he is sure. If he wants to study physics and then medicine he can still do that in the UK, there are graduate entry medicine degrees.</p>
<p>“I would study physics first anyway. I want the liberal arts education.” That doesn’t make much sense to me; he’s going to have to study a lot of other things besides physics if he wants a liberal arts education. In my opinion the liberal arts are very poor preparation for a medical career, what are your friend’s reasons for wanting to do this?</p>
<p>I understand nordicblue’s points, and will add that in addition to costs and the longer time frame, there is that pesky immigration problem. Student visas have to be organized before arrival (ICE takes a dim view of people coming in on a visitor visa and then trying to convert it), and to do that you have to have the paperwork confirming that you are a full-time student enrolled in an approved program. And of course, the whole thing takes a time. </p>
<p>But if your friend is still determined to go forward (the things we do for love…) here is a list of community colleges in the US authorized to issue student visas:</p>
<p>I don’t know where your friend’s amour is based, but the best bet for good/big/used to international students community college that also has a branch of the state university nearby is of course near urban areas. The community colleges around DC and NY, for example, have International Coordinators who are completely au fait with the whole visa thing and used to helping international students come to grips with the US system.</p>
<p>Okay, you want to move to the United States to be with your girlfriend. That’s a good reason. (I’ll leave the med school stuff to the other folks)</p>
<p>Getting into college or uni in the United States is–on average–easier than getting into college or uni in the United Kingdom. You might be surprised how easy it is. You aren’t going to need AP tests, SAT subject tests, etc. Most first year college students in the US couldn’t pass those anyways.</p>
<p>How many years did you serve in the armed forces? Create a resume (what Brits call a “cv”) around this like you would if you were looking for a job, that highlights your specific skills, etc.</p>
<p>Then contact the specific colleges and universities in the U.S. that you are interested in. Ask to speak specifically to an “Admissions Counselor”. Explain your unique situation. Especially the part about the military service. Don’t say that your “high-school equivalence is very poor”, they may think it’s exactly what they are looking for. (You’ve got to stop this British style self-deprecation if you want to make it in the United States). You may find that American colleges and unis are much much more willing to break the rules for unique situations like yours.</p>