Tips to help you select the RIGHT Medical University

Choosing the right university isn’t easy for some students, whilst others have googled their way into finding the right one. How do we make sure that the decision we make is the right one when there are over 3500+ Medical Universities to choose from, where do we draw the line?

By the time you complete reading this article, you will have 70% of the information that is required to make that well informed decision! The rest of the 30% will be shared with you by visiting our website www.pathestudy.org

Get your priorities straight first! Recognition of the Medical University Globally and Locally – International Accreditations and Certifications

First up, prospective medical students should be keen on visiting and checking if the university options they have listed out are locally recognized by the Sri Lankan Medical Council (SLMC). Secondly, with this degree certificate are you able to find an employer. To verify that, visit the official website of the World Directory of Medical Schools ( WDMS) https:// search. wdoms.org/ and search the university you have in mind by keywords such as the country and the name of the university. WDMS Database is compiled by the help of WFME (World Federation of Medical Education) & FAIMER ( Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research).

Next, we need to verify the universities international presence by foreign medical bodies such as the ECFMG: https://www.ecfmg.org/ (Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) United States of America, the Australian Medical Association (AMA): https://ama.com.au/, GMC: https:// www. gmc- uk. org/ ( General Medical Council) the United Kingdom and others…

How Important Is the Location?

Location of the university in terms of the country has a big impact in the years to come. Asian parents who prefer a close watch on their sons and daughters prefer a university which is between 4-5 Hours of Air Travel. Lastly, depending on the country the clinical exposure could be entirely different. For Example: Students in Malaysia lack cadavers for clinical dissections which has a hefty impact on the clinical

Program Structures Available – 4/5/6 Years (MD/MBBS)?

MD – Doctor of Medicine (North American System) MD – Doctor of Medicine (European/ Russian Medical System) Pre Medical Foundation - 1 Year Foundation in Science (FIS) - 1 Year MD - 6 Years MBBS – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Common Wealth or the UK System) MBBS - 5 Years

Dependingon thecountry you select to pursue your higher education, the program structure would vary. For Example: Malaysian Medical System under the Common Wealth Umbrella conducts the 5 Year MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) Program. On the other hand, a European Country like Latvia, Germany, Lithuania, Romania conducts the 6 Year MD (Doctor of Medicine Program). skills as they practice on mannequins. Depending on the country, the diseases, illnesses and various conditions unique to a certain region could be displaced. For Example: Tropical diseases such as Dengue and Malaria would not be present in European countries. But, end of the day the ERPM/ ACT 16 Exams would contain a major proportion from Tropical Diseases.

Lecture Panel and Clinical Exposure

Lecture panel has to consist of PhD holders, Professors and Consultants in the relevant subject they teach and a fairly English speaking one. Students should also, check on the bed capacity of the university and verify if they uni- Internship Internship MD - Specialization (3/7) Years versity has their own hospitals attached and how the clinical years’ work out.

Questions to Ask the University Office or Agent! Students are advised not to show the educational certificates such as O/ Level and A/ Level Final Certificates, Passport and the Birth Certificateuntil a final decision is made. Your documents could be used without your consent to block you from reaching other Agents or University Offices. Actual Fee Structure, a separate breakdown of University Charges and finally a separate fee breakdown of the “Agent Fee” is to be requested. Write to the university directly, to verify if the agent is authorized to represent the university in Sri Lanka and the payments requested. Request for real time testimonials by getting contact details of past students not just restricted to one school or area. Ask current students, for their opinion on selecting the best university office depending on pricing and service. Students following the Preparatory programs or Pre- Medical Foundations in Sri Lanka affiliated to foreign universities are requested to carry the original certificates offered by the university and not awarding bodies or third party organizations. PLEASE NOTE (BEWARE): AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM PAST STUDENTS AND PARENTS, FUTURE ASPIRING STUDENTS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE WELL INFORMED DECISIONS BEFORE HANDING OVER EDUCATIONAL DOCUMENTS TO THIRD PARTY UNIVERSITY AGENTS OR UNIVERSITY OFFICES. PAST RECORDS INDICATE THAT UNAUTHORIZED AGENTS/ PERSONNEL OR UNIVERSITY OFFICES CHEATING STUDENTS BY OVER CHARGING AND BLOCKING STUDENTS OR HARESSING THEM OVER THE PHONE WHEN STUDENTS APPROACH OTHER AGENTS WHO ARE CHARGE LESS FOR THE SAME OR BETTER SERVICE. E-MAIL: naushad@anceduc.com | medicaladmissions@ancedu.com FOR CONSULTATION Call: 077 16 94 94 2 | 077 083 903 4 | 0777 66 22 33 | 0777 570 498 OR VISIT US AT ANC Medical Placements- 111 1/2, Maya Avenue, Colombo 06 | ANC Education, 308-310, R. A. D Mel Mawatha, Colombo 03 | ANC Future Center, Queens Road, Colombo 04