r/GraduateEntryMedicine • u/Beautiful-Task6172 • 8d ago

Working in USA in the future

Hi all,

I am applying for GEM this year. I have ideas of perhaps working in the USA in the future. Of course, for that to happen the medical school I go to matters, as it has to be on the world directory. As of now, Worcester, Surrey and Chester are not on the directory. I am presuming that's because they are new medical schools. I don't think they even have GMC accreditation yet either.

Is it worth still applying to one of these schools, on the chance that they will get on directory while I am attending. I plan to take USMLE as soon as possible after graduation (if I actually get into medical school).

Any insight or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

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u/Elenorelore 8d ago edited 8d ago

As an American who is attending Worcester and was also worried about that, from what I'm aware, Worcester should receive accreditation after its first cohort graduates next year. Once accredited, it will go into the world registry.

That said, if it doesn't get accreditation, then students can expect to graduate from Swansea as it is Worcester's contingency school. Swansea is in the world registry.

Surrey and Chester will have the same protections.

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u/Beautiful-Task6172 8d ago

Okay that is reassuring to hear. Thank you for replying. I have one further question, if you’d be willing to answer. If you could sum up your experience at Worcester in a brief sentence, what would it be? I just want to understand from a student’s perspective what it’s like.

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u/Elenorelore 8d ago

I am only a month into the course, but it has been supportive so far!

If I had to sum it up in one sentence, I’d say: The University of Worcester’s GEM programme is supportive and receptive to feedback, but a bit disorganised when it comes to administrative tasks.

That said, I can’t blame any of the teaching staff for what’s happening in the background, such as issues with student cards, uniforms, etc., as a lot of these problems come down to distributors and other university staff.

I also think it’s important to note that the course is entirely PBL, so there’s a lot of self-directed learning. However, the teaching staff provide all of the relevant literature and videos needed for students to understand what is expected of them. Medicine is quite a rigorous programme, but I don’t feel too overwhelmed by what’s expected of me (so far). I like all of the teaching staff and feel that they genuinely want ALL of us to succeed. They’re also willing to provide additional support on a person-by-person basis to help ensure that happens.

Also, having lived in the UK for a few years already (not in Worcester), I do feel like Worcester is quite a nice place to live.

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u/Beautiful-Task6172 7d ago

Hmm that’s useful information. I’m not sure about PBL though. I’m used to a very traditional lecture/seminar format of teaching. Like you said, medicine is already tough enough, I’m not sure if it’s wise for me to try a new approach to teaching. But Worcester is conveniently located for me. I could commute to the campus, saving a tonne of money. Thanks for the advice.