WHAT IS THE ALLIANCE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE (AIM)?
AIM is an international institute established to create better opportunities for American and Canadian students to study medicine in reputable and prominent foreign medical universities. Currently, AIM is affiliated with The Medical University of Lodz, in Lodz, Poland, where American, Canadian, European, and Asian students are provided with a superior medical education, designed to meet the specific medical licensing requirements of their countries. AIM is also presently in the process of establishing additional affiliations with a select number of renowned medical schools in the international arena.
The Medical University of Lodz is recognized and listed by both the W.H.O. (World Health Organization), IMED-FAIMER (International Medical Education Directory), and the ECFMG (Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates) as an approved school, thereby permitting all medical university students/graduates to sit for the USMLE. Additionally, The Medical University of Lodz is fully approved by the US Department of Education for US Government-sponsored financial aid for its students, such as subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans.
Graduates of all international medical schools who successfully complete Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE (as well as the CSA Clinical Skills Assessment Test), and who receive their ECFMG CERTIFICATION, are eligible for residency training in the United States, either through the NRMP (National Resudency Matching Program), or outside of the Match.
United States and Canadian citizens who attend an international medical school have a distinct advantage in obtaining U.S. residency training, if they have completed clinical rotations in U.S. teaching hospitals. The U.S. hospital clinical training enables the students not only to obtain the necessary skills to pass the (CSA) Clinical Skills Assessment, but also allows students to make themselves known to the Directors of Medical Education and Program Directors at the various teaching hospitals. This makes it possible for the hospital to evaluate a student's ability to participate in residency training, as well as assist the student in obtaining Letters of Recommendation necessary for residency application purposes.
The Medical University of Lodz graduates are eligible for licensure in the United States and Canada. Each state requires ECFMG Certification for international medical school graduates, which includes passing Steps 1, 2, and 3 of the USMLE, passing the (CSA) Clinical Skills Assessment Test, and successfully completing three years of residency training.
Additionally, all states have individual requirements relating to such areas as number of undergraduate credits received, completion of a specific number of Pre-Med courses, completion of a specific number of weeks of clinical rotations, age of the applicant, moral character of the applicant, etc. Students must request from their individual state, the licensing application, and rules and regulations for medical licensure in that particular state. Students interested in practicing medicine outside of the US and Canada, must meet the licensing requirements of the country in which they desire to practice.
AIM/The Medical University of Lodz offers both 4 & 6-Year Medical School Programs in English for US and Canadian Citizens/Permanent Residents.
The 4-Year Medical School Program is designed for college graduates or college students with 90+ college credits, who have completed the following Pre-Med requirements, allowing them to commence their studies in the Basic Sciences Medical Curriculum:
2 Semesters (8 Credits) Biology with Labs
2 Semesters (8 Credits) General Chemistry with Labs
2 Semesters (8 Credits) Physics with Labs
2 Semesters (8 Credits) Organic Chemistry with Labs
2 Semesters (6 Credits) English Courses
The High School-Direct 6-Year Medical School Program has been developed for either high school or college students/graduates who have NOT completed their college level Pre-Med Requirements.
If you are interested in either our 4 or 6-year medical school programs, it is necessary to go online to http://www.gotomedschool.com/, download an application, fill it out (sign and date), and mail it to our New York Office, along with the following required application materials:
- COPY of Photo Page of Passport
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Application Fee of $75 USD
- (5) Passport Photos Signed on the Back
- OFFICIAL Transcripts from all Colleges and Universities attended
- COPY of Police Certificate of Clearance - Obtain through your local Sheriff's Office
or State Police (Keep the ORIGINAL with you when traveling to Poland).
- ORIGINAL of Health/Immunization Forms - Contact your Family Physician in order
to have this form filled out. (Keep a COPY for your files)
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED OF 6-YEAR STUDENTS ONLY:
- COPY of High School Diploma
- OFFICIAL High School Transcript
- NOSTRIFICATION of High School Diploma/Certificate
Any High School Diploma/Certificate obtained outside of Poland has to be legalized (Nostrified) in the country in which it was issued. In order to have your High School Diploma nostrified, the 6-Year applicant must contact the Polish Consulate closest to his/her home in the US or Canada, and request an APPLICATION FOR NOSTRIFICATION, as well as further instructions regarding the Nostrification Process. Nostrification Documents must be TRANSLATED into Polish AFTER the applicant has been accepted, and AFTER he has arrived in Poland to start his medical education.
After receipt of an Application plus supporting documents, the Medical University of Lodz Admissions Committee reviews the materials and makes a decision in regards to scheduling an applicant for a mandatory telephone interview.
During this admissions process, the Admission Committee considers many factors to determine if the applicant possesses the stongest potential and motivation to succeed in a medical school environment. Each applicant is evaluated and selected on the basis of such factors as educational background, major area of study, level of difficulty of completed coursework, intellectual and social maturity, volunteer and work experience, as well as the outcome of the Admissions Committee telephone interview. MCAT scores are optional, but considered desirable.
Several weeks after the interview process, the Admissions Committee notifies each applicant via email of their decision. Upon acceptance, the applicant then receives a Letter of Acceptance from the Dean of The Medical University of Lodz.
The accepted applicant is then requested to mail into AIM a Non-Refundable $750 Admissions/Seat Placement Fee, within TWO WEEKS time, in order to hold his position at The Medical University of Lodz for that particular academic year. At that time, AIM forwards to the applicant our Welcome Packet Letter, which provides all relevant information necessary for him to travel to Poland, and begin his medical education. This includes information regarding Financial Aid, Travel, Visas, Orientation, Booklists, Academic Calendars, and Dorm/Apartment Accommodations.
No, the MCAT'S are not required, but it is considered highly desirable to have taken them.
AIM/The Medical University of Lodz accepts students once per year for the Fall Semester, and operates on a rolling admissions basis. Therefore, your application can be forwarded to us at any time during the year. The earlier sent, the better your chances for admission.
Yes. AIM's affiliate university, The Medical University of Lodz, is presently approved for federally-subsidized Stafford Loans, and for private loans such as TERI and Sallie Mae.
Stafford Loans allow up to a maximum of $20,500 per year. Both TERI and Sallie Mae Loans permit up to a maximum of $45,000 per year, with low interest, but are credit-based. If you feel that your credit is questionable, they will allow for a US citizen/permanent resident co-signer, with good credit, to co-sign for your loans.
Canadian students can apply for CANHELP (Teri) Loans, and for the Canadian Government's Provincial Student Loans' Program (such as OSAP and BCSAP Loans). Canadian students also are encouraged to apply for the Bank of Canada and the Bank of Montreal Medical Line of Credit.
Classes are spread out throughout the vast Medical University of Lodz Campus, with each area of study, such as Anatomy, having its own separate building. Most lectures involve the entire class, whereas seminars, labs, and clinical rotations are comprised of smaller groups.
The students have free access to the Library's printed and on-line journals, catalogues, databases and the internet. The library also has a list of reference volumes along with other books that the various departments recommend to students for a particular academic year. Additionally, students can sign up for an email account on the library server, and can also utilize the Library's Reading Room, Circulation Desk and Scientific Information Department.
Lodz, the second largest city in Poland, which is approximately 1 1/2 hours drive from the capital city of Warsaw, is the textile capital of Eastern Europe. The main street of the city, Piotrkowska Street, displays numerous buildings in an eclectic style of architecture dating from the early 19th century. "P" Street is also the commercial tourist and entertainment center of the city. Botanical gardens, recreational areas, ice rinks, tennis courts, fitness clubs, elegant boutiques, museums, opera houses, movie theaters, clubs, pubs, and coffee houses can all be found in this multinational and multicultural vibrant city.
Most students come from the United States, Canada, Taiwan, and the EU countries.
Yes, both programs are taught entirely in English.
No. However, all students are required to complete a 2-semester Pass/Fail Polish Course, aimed at assisting the students with basic communication skills helpful during clinical rotations.
This decision is entirely up to the student, and is based on the method of purchase and transportation with which the student feels most comfortable.
The required textbooks for all of the 4 & 6 Year Courses can be ordered and purchased online, at http://www.medicalbooks.pl/, and picked up by you, or delivered to you several days after your arrival in Poland. You can also purchase the required books at http://www.amazon.com/, and bring them with you, or have them shipped to your address in Poland.
All students can go online to and click onto the medical school in Poland which they attend, and then click onto either the 4 or 6-Year Program.
Although students are not required to bring a computer, it is considered advisable to do so.
After passing Part 1 of the USMLE, AIM/The Medical University of Lodz students then proceed to rotate through 84 weeks of Core and Elective Clinical Rotations. These Clerkships may be taken in AIM's affiliated US Hospitals, located in the Northeast, Midwest, and the South. Students also have the option of completing their rotations in the United Kingdom and Poland.
Yes, all students have the opportunity to sit for the NBME SHELF Exams in each of the Basic Sciences, as well as the Comprehensive Basic Sciences Shelf Exam. Additionally, each student has the option of choosing which exams to sit for.
