Five Reasons to Consider the UQ Ochsner School of Medicine

1. Academic Success

It starts with academic excellence. If the school is great, it doesn't matter if it is foreign; in fact a top-ranked foreign medical school can enhance a student's opportunities for success. Medical school graduates are judged on their school's credentials and on their own performance. (This belies the common misconception of a broad brush definition for all IMG's.) The University of Queensland School of Medicine is ranked #40 in the world, ahead of 85% of all U.S. medical schools (http://www.usnews.com/education/worlds-best-universities-rankings/best-universities-life-sciences-and-biomedicine?page=2)

2. USMLE Success

The UQ Ochsner Clinical School program has been developed to train U.S. citizens for practice in the U.S. It includes a complete curriculum of preparation for the USMLEs beginning in year one. UQ students who sat the USMLEs in 2010 had a first time pass rate of over 90% (56/62).

3. Residency Success

Residency Directors seek high performing students from excellent clinical programs. They also look for other factors that distinguish candidates as outstanding. Global medicine is cutting edge; this program adds a valuable distinction to prospective candidates for many Residency Directors. The UQ Ochsner medical school combines a global medical experience in Brisbane with an outstanding U.S. clinical experience at Ochsner. Ochsner faculty have been successfully teaching medical students and writing to residency directors on behalf of students for over 40 years. In addition, each year Ochsner awards 70 residencies of its own on a competitive basis, for which students in the program who are interested will be well-positioned. This global experience, the highly regarded UQ Ochsner education and the experienced faculty support can significantly enhance a graduate's appeal for residency positions.

4. Easy Transition into a Life-Expanding Experience

Australia is the sixth largest and a rapidly growing destination for U.S. students studying abroad. It has very high satisfaction ratings among U.S. students. The University of Queensland is 'Australia's International University'; 1 out of every 6 students is international. To support this large number, the University has extraordinary services for international students. From being met at the Brisbane airport, to finding housing, to support and counseling services, right through to graduation, the international student experience is not only academically rewarding and socially broadening, it is an easy transition at UQ.

5. Australian Medical Schools Begin in January

Because Australia is in the southern hemisphere, its seasons are the opposite of those in the U.S. All Australian medical schools begin and have their only entry in January at the end of the Australian summer. If you qualify, you could be in one of the world's great medical schools in a wonderfully welcoming environment, in January 2012. Eligible students can receive U.S. financial aid.