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SHIFA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE in Islamabad, Pakistan

217K views 890 replies 174 participants last post by  Dua jafri 
#1 ·
Shifa College of Medicine in Islamabad, Pakistan is currently accepting applications from applicants all over the world to join the medical school class of 2011.

Applications are accepted year round and information regarding what is required to apply is listed at http://www.shifacollege.edu

Many of the original forum users here are upperclassmen at Shifa College and would love to answer any questions that you have regarding the college and its application procedure.

Hope this helps!

UPDATE: Find pictures of Shifa College of Medicine HERE
 
#765 ·
anyone know if the admissions for 2015 is filled? are there chances for a 3rd list bc punjabs results are coming after?

Not sure if there will be a 3rd list but how about waiting till the 30th of November? Since, the submission date for the 2nd list people is 25th Nov, so it'll probably take 4-5 days to sort out/see who is and who isn't turning from the 2nd list candidates.
 
#770 · (Edited by Moderator)
1. What is necessary to bring to the hostel?
2. What type of laptop is preferred/are there any programs that are PC only?
Thanks!
what you will need to bring to the hostel is everythin other than a bed and a study table that you normally use when you living at your home
and about the laptop you will need a laptop on which u can surf the web and make/view powerpoint presentations and you wont be needin a laptop in college but you would look funny if you take one to class cause people do not do that here
but
you could bring any laptop that you feel like bringing there are no restrictions about that

Can a current Shifa student please explain what the foundation module is?
Thanks!
the foundation module usually goes on for a month and there is an end of the month test
what you are taught in the module is how to work as a group because most of the students come from schools that do not have the kind of system followed by shifa
there is introduction to pbls and the tools you will be using during your 5 year course like pubmed etc.
there will be random topics assigned to your group and you will be asked to present your findings as a group
you will be introduced to medicine and there will be talks about medical ethics
there will be various heads of departments and some prominent doctors giving you lectures about the various things you face as a doctor
an active participation in this module will teach you a lot of things that will help you as a doctor
so do not think of it as a waste of time but as a learnin opportunity
and a good learner is a good doctor
 
#772 ·
Hello,
I am currently in 11th grade and next year I am going to be in the 12th grade. I am going to take the SAT and I was wondering what should be the scores for regular SAT and SAT subject test. I want to apply to Shifa College of medicine, and I was wondering what I have to do next year in order to get into Shifa College of medicine. Also I was wondering how much would it cost if I apply to Shifa College of medicine, and what if I move to Pakistan and went to Shifa College of medicine do I pay the same as Pakistan students and not what the foreign pay for the college. Also next year when I get my diploma what do I have to do to apply to Shifa College of medicine? Please help thanks.
 
#774 ·
umm no .. its lower than that to get in and much much lower to be eligible. obviously sat2 scores arent the only thing that matters, theres the rest of your transcripts and the interview. the min requirement to get into shifa this year was about BBC in Alvls with around 55-60 in the entrance test. sorry I dont know how to equate that to High school merit though.
 
#776 ·
I'm sure a few people apply every year with 700+. With that said, from what I know about applicants, 600 should be more than safe for Shifa. Its process is very similar to that of DIMC from what I understand. Both have listed 550 as min requirements and both attract a similar population. With 700 (or 750+ even), I would suggest you apply to AKU.
 
#777 ·
There's no such thing as safe. You're never guaranteed admission regardless of your scores. It's really ill advice to suggest scoring a 600 on a test with a maximum score of 800 just because the minimum requirement of a certain college is 550. Don't give out suggestions without any factual basis. Talk to the admissions office and ask them to tell you how many people applied to Shifa last year with SAT scores of 700+ and how many of them were actually accepted. This doesn't mean that there aren't students there who scored less than 700, but again, tests scores are only one portion of your application which is why I said, there's no such thing as safe.
 
#778 ·
Okay, saying 600 is safe is not the best phrasing. Of course foreigners should try to obtain the best score possible. To be honest, neither of us have facts or statistics on the process and I would challenge the school to release data with the entry statistics of its applicants (as they do in the US, UK, or gov't medical colleges). With that being said, when there are people getting in that do not even meet the minimum requirements, it makes me question the administration of the school. I'm sure there are people that get 700 and go to Shifa, just like I'm sure there are people that have 4.0 GPAs and go to mediocre universities. They are the exception, not the rule.

Pakistani locals, however, have to score quite high (900+ /1100) for admission. The unfortunate nature of the situation is that foreign students undergo an easier process for admission. Anyways, I digress...aim for the highest SAT score you can achieve and if it happens to be 750+ then also send an application to AKU.
 
#779 ·
When are the Shifa Applications coming out?
I called them and got in touch, and they said July
but the website says May?
Also, i think i got a 700 in bio&chem subject tests
but ill prolly get only a 650 in mathII idk if thats good enough for Shifa
I also have a 4.0 GPA i took AP Bio and AP Chem, i got a 5 on bio and 4 in chem
and I have a very excellent original resume,
ALSOOOO this is very important, since im in the USA, im going to be HOME for a semester
because Shifa starts in December and a semester here end in January, so i can't just leave in the middle, so im going to Self Study at home for 3 months, whats the best method? what are some good books i should familiarize myself with and what subjects should i focus on, please please please be specific, it would truly be appreciated #happy
 
#782 · (Edited)
Salman,
Disclaimer: I do not attend Shifa and am not promoting it. Just giving my two cents.

1) Shifa offers a decent quality of education and some of the best facilities in the country. There was alot of controversy recently about how medical schools are springing up left and right but there aren't enough teaching hospitals around. I have looked into it and the Shifa International hospital, while new, seems to be suitable for rotating students. The tuition is on the pricey side though (at least for foreigners, not sure for locals).

2) The 'value' of its degree (as viewed by Canada, America, or UK) is equivalent to any other PMDC accredited medical college.

3) I think people sometime misunderstand Shifa's background. It was set up by Pakistani doctors living in North America with the intention of bringing an excellent standard of education to Pakistan. However, I am pretty sure it does not have affiliations for electives. (side note: AKU is affiiliated with University of Alberta and Waterloo if you're looking for that).

4) not sure- irrelevant though. If you're looking for a private medical college with top notch facilities and an acceptable standard of education, then Shifa would be on your list.

5) Your performances on the USMLE is dependent upon on how much effort you put into it. With that said, there are certain schools that have higher pass rates/scores. I don't know if Shifa publishes this data and I don't want to go on anecdotal stories. (I would recommend studying a section of Step 1 every summer from first year. Eager I know, but its a crucial exam especially for someone trying to attain medical residency from Pakistan)

DIMC is similar to Shifa in its philosophy and goals but there are some serious cons
1) Its very new and there is some confusion as to whether it is actually IMED accredited (under DOW)
2) The teaching hospital is really subpar for what would be expected from a medical school. It was just constructed in the Ojha area and doesn't seem to have too many beds (plus there is still some construction going on)
3)Have heard the area is not too safe
 
#786 ·
First things first, this thread is not about DOW its about Shifa. Secondly, you can never be too sure that you'll get in. The applications will start in July. Your grades are really good but you said you think you have 700?? And about the semester thingy I can't tell you much about that.
 
#787 ·
dammit i got a 680 in chem
but im going to get 700+ in bio and math inshAllah..
hopefully thats good
and idc shifa and dow i mean both..
my first choice is Shifa, but if anything..then DIMC
 
#789 ·
they just anounced their increasing hostel fees to 290000 rupees per year from next december.. most of us are abandoning ship and moving out..

and no we arent satisfied with the related facilities considering the amount we're paying. the food isnt always great and their arent generators for when the electricity goes out either, just this UPS in the common room which supplies a few light and 1 fan. Worst of all the management and maintenance people can be very sloppy, unprofessional and difficult to deal with at times with their egos, laziness and other shit.

But all in all 75% of the time its fine. I dont mean to scare you off. Its an adjustment but not the worst place for a guy to spend a year or two, you get used to it. If your a girl, the girls hostels are alot better I hear.
 
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