Common Questions & Answers

ADMISSIONS:

Q: How many students are in the M.D. program?
A: As of June 2008, there were approximately 350 U.S. and Canadian students currently in the Four Year M.D. Program, and 300 in the Six Year M.D. Program.

Q: Where can I get the book list?
A: The book list is available on the Student Government Web Site.

Q: How much financial aid am I qualified for?
A: $20,500 Subsidized and Unsubsidized from the U.S. DOE, plus an additional amount of approx. $17,000 privately depending on which program you are enrolled.

Q: Can I transfer from another school?
A: To apply for transfer, you must first speak to the Director of Admissions.

Q: Will I receive the same degree in the 6 year program as the 4 year program?
A: Yes.

Q: Is your degree accepted in all 50 states and Canada?
A: Yes, although California and New Mexico have additional requirements for residency.  We suggest you check first if you plan to do residency and practice in these states.

Q: How much does it cost for private housing?
A: Private housing costs approximately $450.00-$650.00 per month for one person.

Q: Do I need to know how to speak Polish to study there?
A: No, although language classes are offered and required in order to help students to communicate with patients during clinicals.

Q: Are MCAT’S needed to apply?
A: MCAT’s are not required, however they are highly desirable.

Q: Is the program entirely in English?
A: Yes.

Q: Where and when do students do clinicals?
A: Students complete 18 months of clinicals in Poland, and may take an 12-16 weeks, depending on the location, in the United States or elsewhere.

Q: Where are most of the students from?
A: The United States and Canada. As of 2005/2006, there is also a large population of students from Taiwan.

Q: Does the school help candidates get residencies?
A: Yes, although most students use the Residency Matching System.

Q: Is accreditation equal to that of American schools?
A: Yes.

Q: Must you be a US citizen?
A: No, but there may be special procedures for citizens of the European Union.

Q: Is the school recognized by the WHO?
A: Yes.

Q: When do you interview students?
A: Three times per year.

Q: Is the diploma recognized worldwide?
A: Yes.

Q: How competitive is the school?
A: The school has been rated #1 in Poznan in 2002 and 2003.

Q: Can I speak to some students regarding their experiences there? And if so, whom?
A: Yes. Contact the office of admissions for details.

Q: Do I need to bring a computer?
A: It is highly suggested, although computer facilities are provided, and there are internet cafes and computer stores nearby.

Q: Are there any breaks during the year other than summer?
A: Yes.

Q: When do I take the USMLE?
A: Students take Step I during the second year, and Step II after the third year.

Q: What is the difference between the 4 and 6 year programs?
A: The four year program is for college graduates. The six year program is for high-school graduates.

Q: Is Poznan close to any other large cities?
A: Yes, Berlin is only a 2 to 3 hours away by car. By express train both Berlin and Warsaw are 2.5 hours away. Visit http://www.pkp.pl for maps and routes.

Q: After tuition and dorms what other expenses will I have?
A: Personal and Living expenses only.

Q: Will I need to open a bank account in Poland and is that easy to do?
A: It is advisable to open an account, this is discussed during orientation in Poland.

AIR TRAVEL:

Q: Can you suggest some good airlines?
A: LOT is the Polish National Airline, however they often fly via Warsaw.  Lufthansa, SAS and Swiss are good options, and offer good services and shorter connection times from Poznan by going through Germany instead of Warsaw.  If you travel these airlines, we highly suggest you sign up for the Miles-And-More program at http://www.miles-and-more.com

Q: How should I connect?
A: Many flights connect through Warsaw, Prague, Munich and Frankfurt.  Connections through Frankfurt take approx 6 hours from New York, and an additional 2 hours to Poznan.  Connections through Warsaw take approximately 8 hours from New York, and about a half hour to Poznan.

Q: Can you suggest a good place to purchase tickets?
A: Yes, American Travel Abroad offers very good rates for travel to Poland.  We have found them to offer better rates than most other travel agencies to Poland, and we use them ourselves.  An example is many two-way tickets from New York to Poznan are under $700.  They even offer student discounts to and from Poland, but you need to make sure you mention that you are a student of PUMS.  The proper person to talk to for student discount rates is Magda Walec, and her extension is X126.  Their web site is http://www.amta.com, and telephone number is +1-888-228-0877. They also offer 24 hour reservations before final purchase.  (How they do it?) (Confirmed Feb/2006)

DORMITORIES:

Q: Are the rooms fully equipped with cooking facilities?
A: Each floor of the dormitories has a small kitchen. The Eskulap dormitory also has a cafeteria.

Q: Do students get their own private room/bathroom?
A: Students of the Eskulap dorm share a bathroom with one person. The Medyk & Aspyrinka dormities have private bathrooms.

Q: May I choose which dormitory I wish to stay in? Dormitory rooms are assigned to students as they become available.
A: First year students will likely be placed in the Eskulap dorm as there are usually not any available rooms in the newer dormitories.

Q: Are there internet connections?
A: Yes, Eskulap has a computer room with high-speed internet as well as telephone connections within the rooms. Some of the remodeled floors may also offer high speed wired connections as of 2004/2005.  The Medyk and Aspyrinka dormitories have high-speed access in every room.

TRAVELING/GETTING AROUND:

Q: Do I need a Visa?
A:As of 06/2006, the requirements for visas have changed.  Please refer to the PUMS Official Web Site for the most up to date information...[Link to Poznan Site - Valid As of 04-2007]

As of 03/2007, Visa requirements are as follows:

1. All students who possess Polish citizenship are required to obtain a Polish passport from the appropriate Polish consulate before departure. Anyone having a valid Polish passport will not need a visa. However they should bring their American passport with them as it will be nessesary when they retum to the States.

2. All other foreign students intending to study in Poland (other than those who intend to stay for 3 months or less) are required to obtain a Student Visa from the appropriate Polish consulate before departure. These visas may be given for a period not exeeding 6 months.

3. Before the visa expires students are required to apply to the local authorities for an extension (for another 6 months) or for a Temporary Stay Card. This card is valid for a period of 1 year with the possibility of extension for up to, but not exceeding, 10 years.

4. The application for a Temporary Stay Card should be submitted to the local authorities not later than 60 days before the visa expires. Students therefore are advised to apply for the Student Visa or Temporary Stay Card within 2 months of arriving in Poland.

5. Staying illegally in Poland can result in deportation.

6. When applying for a Student Visa or Temporary Stay Card students are required to submit the following:

a) two completed copies of the form of application for a Visa and Temporary Stay Card.

(As the forms have to be completed in Polish students will find an English translation in the Dean`s Office);

b) 3 color passport photographs;

c) a letter from the University signed by the Dean which will include:

- a statement confirming the source of income or your own financial resources and their value (to confirm that you have sufficient resources to cover the cost of your studies and maintenance through out the course) - PROOF OF ENROLLMENT - a statement confirming that you are a student, year and program and the expected date of graduation; (This letter can be obtained from the Dean`s Office)

d) a certificate confirming fulfilment of your residence registration requirements. If you are accomodated in the dormitory all you need to do is to deliver a photocopy of your Dorm ID Card (KARTA MIESZKAŃCA). If you are not living in the dorm you should obtain the certificate from the Registration Office in URZĄD MIEJSKI, on 22 Słowackiego St., room # 150;

e) a photocopy of your passport;

f) either the stamp duty or a receipt confirming payment of the consular fee;

The address of the Visa Office is as follows:
17 Plac Wolności, Poznań
4th floor, room # 8,
Website: http://www.en.poznan.uw.gov.pl/439-4486d38e1b044.htm

The Office is open:
Mondays from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesdays - Fridays from 8.15 a.m. to 2.45 p.m.

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Q: What is the temporary stay card?
A: The temporary stay card is renewed yearly, and is carried with your passport.  You need to have this card with you if you plan to enter Poland, as customs officials take very seriously over-stay requirements and penalties.  Officials inspect all stamps and dates in your passport.  It takes 2-3 months to obtain the temporary stay card, which will come by mail to your dormitory.  If you plan to move out of the dorm, it is important to consider that you will need your paperwork completed beforehand, or have a residence permit your new place of stay.

Q: How do I get around if I don't speak Polish?
A: You will learn very quickly in fact how diverse Poznan is. Many people speak multiple languages. Common languages used in Poznan include English and Deutch, and with the older generations, Russian. Generally if you need something, you can obtain it. If you need to purchase something, there is usually someone who works at the store or at a nearby store who is willing to help. You can also ask a taxi driver "Eskulap" or "Aspyrinka, on Rokietnicka (sound like: rok-eet-neet-sca)".

Q: Where should I exchange my money into Zloty (Pronounced ZWOTY)?
A: When you arrive in Poznan's Lawicka International Airport(POZ), it is suggested that you change money at the Kantor, however only change enough for a Taxi and some food. You will find significantly better exchange rates within the city(about 7% better).  Changing approximately 80 USD should be enough to get you by until you can get to a Kantor.  A taxi to Eskulap or Aspyrinka/Medyk should cost around 15-20 Zloty(4-6 US Dollars). Radio-Taxi 96-22 and 96-24 are reputable services, and they usually have cars waiting at the airport. Eskulap is a 10-20 minute trip down Bukowska Street directly to Przybyszewskiego St. (Left out of airport, 10-20 minute drive, Right onto Przybyszewskiego St.).  Not all taxi services are the same however, so be careful.

Q: Is there internet access?
A: While the dormitiories have high-speed internet access, the access is now tightly controlled due to abuse(after the 03/04 school year). It is important to note that in the dorm certain services such as Skype will not work unless a special form is completed with Technical Support. This may take some time to accomodate. Also, pc's may not receive access until students complete the proper forms during orientation. Regular http/https/ftp/pop3/smtp access is open to students. There are also internet cafe's and hot-spots in Poznan. If you have an apartment, you can get either DSL or Cable. Cable/DSL cannot be ordered in the dormitories as they have an internal digital pbx and television transmission system.  Cable tends to be faster than DSL, depending on the area.

Q: How do the payphones operate?
A: Payphones in Poland operate with SIM Cards. To use a pay phone, you need to purchase a pre-paid sim card from a local grocery store or kiosk. The most popular card is TP (Polish Telecom). You then pick up, put in the card and dial. To dial to the usa, you would dial 00 + 1 + Area Code + Number. To call within poland, you would dial 0 + City Code + Number.

Q: How do the dormitory phones work?
A: All dormitories have telephones in the rooms. Medyk/Aspyrinka use a proprietary digital telephone set. Inter-Dorm communications are free and are always active, as are incoming calls. For long distance, students must pay a deposit in Eskulap at the telephone administration office. Then, students will receive a special code to activate the phone in their room.

Q: How do I get a cell-phone?
A: Poland primarily uses GSM, on the 800/1800/1900 bands. If you are looking for an inexpensive phone, you can purchase one at a store in the Old Town.  If you already own a GSM capable phone (which is unlocked by your old provider) and has a 110/220 volt charger, it is suggested you bring it and purchase a pre-paid SIM Card in Poland. You can buy these cards in various telephone stores in Poznan (Orange/IDEA, SimPLUS, ERA). To refill, you purchase re-fill cards for your particular provider at any nearby kiosk or grocery store and enter a code from the card on your mobile handset. There are contract services, but only for Polish Citizens with the proper local identification documents. It is important to know that in Europe, mobile phone calls are billed to the caller, so if you call a mobile, it is more expensive (about 25 cents/min additional). Also, if someone calls to a mobile phone from the states, the rates are higher.  Various discount services from the usa can be as low as 2 cents/minute to Poland land-lines, but normally do not go under 27 cents/minute to Poland mobile's.

Q: Can I get an apartment?
A: Yes, however you must consider that there are rules regarding moving out of the dorm. Most important, dorm is paid in semester increments, not monthly. You will want to make sure that you can move out without penalties.  As for getting an apartment, you can find Agents by picking up a local newspaper(available at the BP next to Eskulap). If you move out of the dorm, you will receive your dorm deposit back after the USA Office has been notified.  The rest is the same as in the USA.

Q: What about summer arrangements for dormitories?
A: Students may keep their dorm rooms during the summer.  Additional fees apply, and there are also special billing considerations.

Q: How do I receive funds?
A: There are ATM's located all over the city. You may wish to check with a local bank to find out what the international limits are. Some banks in the USA charge a percentage fee for funds withdrawn out of the USA. If you wish to open a bank account, you will need a letter signed by the dean confirming your student status and method of receiving funds. You may also need your temporary stay card or a residence permit. These documents are discussed during orientation. You will also need to make sure you obtain the details to receive a wire transfer into your account.

Q: Where are good places to shop?
A: There are plenty of places to purchase items. Poznan has three large malls, one new one built last year could be considered a 'premium' mall, with designer stores and items. There are also plenty of bookstores, libraries, etc. You can find in Poznan all of the things you would find in a city college environment.

Q: Where should I get my books?
A: There is a book store in Poznan that sells a large amount of the textbooks used in the English programs. We suggest you visit the Amercian Student Government Web Site for information about book purchases, and you can also pre-order books one month in advance at The BestSeller Web Site. You can also bring them with you, but be careful of the weight when getting on the plane. LOT for example, may charge you money if you exceed 40 or 50 lbs. Lufthansa has also tightened their wieght requirements, and over a certain weight they may not even let you board. After reviewing the schedule, you may elect to only purchase books for the classes you are taking in the first semester. It is also possible to purchase xerox copies of textbooks in Poznan.  Books can also be shipped from the usa from various shipping services.  Other students also sell their used books on the ASG Web Site Forums (login required).

Q. How do I receive mail/packages?
A: UPS and Fedex letter packages are normally very fast to Poznan.  A UPS Priority Envelope which costs about $95 to send, can arrive in Poznan on the third business day.  Packages and boxes however, are subject to Customs searches whereas envelopes are not.  If you need to receive a package, make sure your phone number and e-mail address is on the package.  It may also be required that you complete a form before receiving a package.  If you need to receive medications or important documents, we suggest you use a courier service and a document envelope.  Regular mail averages about 2-3 weeks to Poznan from the USA.  USPS Global Priority mail envelopes typically take about 5-7 days to Poznan.

Q: Should I bring my computer or electronic items with me?
A: You certainly can, but keep in mind that there are electronics stores in Poznan as well. Electronics are a bit expensive however. Also keep an eye on the power requirements, as in Poland the voltage is 220, and poland uses a European plug (round adaptor).  You may visit a web site such as http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/plug-adapter.html.  Common adaptors would be the VP-5(2-prong) and VP-11 (grounded).

Q: What are some good places to eat?
A: There is a large variety of gourmet cuisine, from Mediterranean to Japanese. You will be introduced to them during orientation. For a quick snack, the local BP next to eskulap has some pretty good sandwiches. They also have an espresso-bar, something not common in the states.

Q: How do the TRAMS work?
A: The public transportation TRAMS have various routes posted at tram stops.  You must purchase tram tickets at a local kiosk for the amount of time you spend on the tram.  When you board a tram, you use a time punch for each period you are on the tram.  If you do not punch the time, you can receive significant fines as a penalty.

PAYMENT PROCEDURES:

Q: What are the payment procedures for tuition and dorm?
A: All payments should be made to the USA Office by check or wire transfer in US Dollars.  There are special requirements for Canadian payments.  Your student account statement (online and paper) has all the relevant details for payment.

Q: What are the special requirements for Canadian Checks?
A: Canadian personal checks, even drawn on US Funds accounts, are not accepted.  They incur special handling fees when deposited to a USA bank, at a high percentage.  Not all bank checks from Canada are accepted either.  A proper bank check must have the name of a United States Clearing bank written on the front or back of the check.  These checks can usually be obtained if you ask for a bank check "Drawn on a US Account".  Additionally, there will be a 10 digit ABA number encoded on the bottom of the check.  Commonly, checks from TD Canada Trust and CIBC have not been a problem as long as they bear the name of a United States clearing bank. 

Q: What are the due dates for payment?
A: All tuition and fees need to be paid at the beginning of the school year.  Dates vary depending on the program and year or study. Refer to the Student Guide for further details.

Q: Are there any extra fees?
A: The only extra fees which students may be charged throughout the school year are for additional courses, exam re-takes, dormitory damage/telephone usage fees, and extra months in the dormitory.

Q: If I move out of the dorm, who must I inform?
A: You must inform the dormitory administration, as well as the dean's office and the USA Office Bursar. You will also need to provide your new address and telephone contact information.  In order to obtain refunds for the dormitory, the USA Office must be notified by the financial office at Fredry that you are eligible for a refund.  This process can take time, as the dormitory administration must inform the financial office at Fredry who will in turn inform the USA Office Bursar.  Once the USA Office Bursar is informed of the refund amount, then your refund will be sent.  You need to inform the USA Office Bursar where you need the refund sent, and in what form.

Q: Does the school offer a payment plan?
A: No.  Requests for deferred payment or payment arrangements can only be granted in special circumstances through the President's Office.  Such approvals need to be documented and shown to the Dean's office.  The Dean's Office and USA Office do not have the ability to grant extensions.

Q: Can payments be made in Poland?
A: Yes they can, however we suggest that payment be made to the USA. This helps to avoid any billing issues.