SHIFA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE in Islamabad, Pakistan

We don't have to take the SAT's here but I'm pretty sure I can take the SAT for Bio, Chem, and Physics but what do you mean Rehan, can you please tell me what is so different about their testing system?

I went to the IBCC website, but their conversion talks about A level and O levels, I don't know how all that works. And I have English, Bio, and Chem this semester, with Bio and Chem being in the high 80's and English low 80's. I got 83 in Algebra and Discrete Geometry and am getting mid-90's in Calculus. I'm worried that my Physics mark is way too low because I only got 75.

It just sounds like its really tough to get in.

hey there showman. welcome to the forum.

I would definitely suggest taking the SATs over the entrance test as well. The testing system is a little different in Pakistan in that they place a large emphasis on memorization. I took the entrance test and found it to be rather difficult. If you plan on taking the entrance test you absolutely must study(well unless you are genius type) from the local FSC books. Read the thread Any1 going to apply for MBBS this year (2007)? for some more info about entrance tests.

In my opinion, taking the SAT IIs has a lot of advantages...
1. If you take the tests now and score well you won't have to fly out to Pakistan just for the entrance test. Which is great if you're already enrolled in school at home.
2. If you don't score well on the SAT IIs you can take them again! (Although I don't think they would like to see the same test taken 5 or 6 times...)The entrance test is a one shot deal.
3. The SAT testing style is much more familiar than Pakistan tests.
4. You wouldn't have to read the FSC books!

Try taking the SAT IIs first and seeing how well you do on them. If you think your scores are too low then use the entrance test as a last resort!

We had some students rotating from Shifa at my medical school a year back and I was really impressed with their clinical knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of medicine. Pakistani schools really do train you people to be excellent physicians.

Good luck to everyone who's applying. Unfortunately not everyone can or will get in, but you gotta keep trying and know that if you have made it, you're part of a select crowd that will receive a great education for much much cheaper than what we pay here in the US!

Alright guys, thanks a lot for the help. I guess I'm gonna go for the SATs. Oh, and when do you guys think is the best time to apply?

do shifa just want 1 yr of physics or the full qualification (Alevel) which is 2 yrs? thank you

It's not Shifa that requires it, but IBCC. You need 1 year of physics if you graduate via the American high school method. I'm not sure whether you need 1 or 2 years if you do A-levels.

hey ! erm well first of all you'll probably not get anytime for "recreational stuff",... cuz first year just goes by in a blur ,... you spend half the time figuring out what books u should be studying and the rest is obviously spent studying ! islamabad is a nice place tho, lots of places to hang out and if u have nice CR's they'll arrange trips ( i recently went to lahore with my class and it was A-mazing !! ). Trust me , once u get in, passing time will be the least of your worries .

WHAT? we're supposed to study in first year??? oh damn. i keep hearing something called terms. hope it's not important...

well at least we 1st years get spring break! ha. eat it.

dude its all about the impression !! terms make that impression,... once u have THAT made , u can go sing a song in prof viva and they'll pass u [ i mean as in they'll give u really good marks even if u give em not too impressive answers cuz they'd assume its cuz of the nerves cuz in terms u did so well and u're SUCH a good student other wise too ! ]

...enjoy ur spring break , i dont mind missing out on one lousy week , i just wanna get done with the next two terms and graduate as a doctor,.... where as u sweety still have a Looooong way to go ! Eat that ! hehe

always tit for tat.

Tat for tit

Keep this thread on topic please.