:confused:
Hi everyone,

I am currently in my fourth year of life science studies at university of Toronto. My cumulative GPA is in the low 2.0. I haven't written the MCAT yet, but I was wondering is my GPA too low to think about the 4 good carribean schools? I've heard you need a 3.2 to be competitive. If not, should I wait until I write the MCAT in April to apply or can I apply before than?
I appreciate your time,
Noahh :)

2.0, eh?

Is that with a few F's and lots of A's and B's or mostly C's?

How about EC's and research?

I will say now that unless you hit 35+ on the MCAT, you may be in trouble.

:confused:
Hi everyone,

I am currently in my fourth year of life science studies at university of Toronto. My cumulative GPA is in the low 2.0. I haven't written the MCAT yet, but I was wondering is my GPA too low to think about the 4 good carribean schools? I've heard you need a 3.2 to be competitive. If not, should I wait until I write the MCAT in April to apply or can I apply before than?
I appreciate your time,
Noahh :)
I should think not. UofT is a tough undergrad and ppl recognize that. However, to offset the low GPA, you should aim for a 30+ MCAT. Any lower and it would be a stretch. Alternatively, SGU also offers an MPH (1 yr program and if you maintain a 3.5 then they let you in) or an audit program - I know of a UofT grad at SGU who did this and now has a 4.0 GPA in med school (basically you take first year classes at 1/2 tuition and if you maintain a certain GPA, you repeat first year and pay the other 1/2 tuition). You can't erase the past but you can work on your MCAT. It's definitely worth applying - what do you have to lose? However, if the 'big' 4 don't pan out - ie SGU, ROSS, AUC, SABA and maybe St.Matts...I really wouldn't look into the other schools - however I don't think this is a likely possibility. Pending a decent MCAT, you should get in somewhere.

Aside:
McGillGrad...I notice you post alot on this forum and on another one...just wondering, where do you go to school?

Aside:
McGillGrad...I notice you post alot on this forum and on another one...just wondering, where do you go to school?

I have a degree (McGill BA) from 2001 and I am pretty much finished with a 2nd degree (BSc). I also run a company full time which explains all of the internet poting..lol

Noahh....don't give up!!! do whatever you need to do so you can follow your dream...take extra credits...do research...study really hard for the MCAT...there's always a way...
best of luck! :luck:

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the encouragement and advice. I actually have a 2.3 GPA if I convert my GPA to the AMCAS scale. Also, my courses this year are somewhat lighter so hopefully I can pull up my GPA as much as I can.
My GPA, is mostly low because I got almost all D's in first year. (i.e all class averages were in low D's and 2/3 of my bio class failed). I also have one F on my transcript.
I haven't really done any volunteer work, but I have been a retail manager for the past 2 years. I was involved in firing, promotions etc. I don't really know if that is even relevant, but someone told me that admission committees like leadership.
As for clinical experience I shadowed a heart perfusionist and I got to watch open heart surgery for a couple of days, sadly that's all.
I don't know if I should just focus on MCATs or also do research. If I don't get in for september, maybe I'll do an extra semester of school to help my GPA.
Should I wait until I write the MCAT in April or August to apply?
Thanks again,
Noahh :)

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the encouragement and advice. I actually have a 2.3 GPA if I convert my GPA to the AMCAS scale. Also, my courses this year are somewhat lighter so hopefully I can pull up my GPA as much as I can.
My GPA, is mostly low because I got almost all D's in first year. (i.e all class averages were in low D's and 2/3 of my bio class failed). I also have one F on my transcript.
I haven't really done any volunteer work, but I have been a retail manager for the past 2 years. I was involved in firing, promotions etc. I don't really know if that is even relevant, but someone told me that admission committees like leadership.
As for clinical experience I shadowed a heart perfusionist and I got to watch open heart surgery for a couple of days, sadly that's all.
I don't know if I should just focus on MCATs or also do research. If I don't get in for september, maybe I'll do an extra semester of school to help my GPA.
Should I wait until I write the MCAT in April or August to apply?
Thanks again,
Noahh :)
I would apply - what do you have to lose? Also, I would forgo research work for now. Carib schools may look at it but it doesn't really carry much weight in the big scheme of things. The bottom line is you still have to prove yourself academically and realistically speaking the only way to do it now is through the MCAT. Kick butt on the exam and show that you have the intellectually capacity (whatever that means) to handle the academic rigors of medical school. Good Luck

If you can get 30+ on the MCAT, I think you have a good shot at the big 4 Caribbean schools. The Carib schools (especially SABA) realize how difficult U of T is. Your undergrad (life sciences right?) would have given you very good preparation for the MCAT.

Don't listen to the people here. They are trying to raise the prestige of their school by making their admissions seem more competitive than it really is. Obviously, none of the people are going to admit you could get into their school with weak grades. That would just imply anyone could get into their school which for all intents and purposes is the stark reality facing these schools. Remember foreign schools like Ross are not government subsidized state schools or private schools with large endowments like the ones in the United States. They are entirely dependent on tuition and will accept almost anyone assuming positions are still available. U.S. schools accept students once per year. If a student drops out of a U.S. school, the school can't replace that student by admitting their replacement in the Winter or Spring quarter. AUC, Ross, SABA and SGU accept students three times per year.

Ross and AUC accept several students with GPA's in the low 2.0 range each year. You wouldn't get into St. George with that GPA but Ross would probably take a chance on you because their class is so large. Get a competitive score on the MCAT 24+ and one of these schools will likely take a chance on you. Apply for the Winter quarter as that is the easiest quarter to be admitted to since most students prefer to start in August and May first. Remember, it's not a huge risk to them because unlike a U.S school they accept 3 large classes in a given year so they expect a significant amount of turnover. This is why approximately 20-40 people in a given class drop out for various reasons. Some can't handle island life, others flunk out and a few others get accepted to DO school. Ideally, they would love to graduate everyone they accepted but they know that's not realistic. This is why they accept so many people each year because turnover is part of their business. They are prepared for a certain amount of turnover per class so they aren't as weary as a U.S. school to admit a potential drop-out.

:confused:
Hi everyone,

I am currently in my fourth year of life science studies at university of Toronto. My cumulative GPA is in the low 2.0. I haven't written the MCAT yet, but I was wondering is my GPA too low to think about the 4 good carribean schools? I've heard you need a 3.2 to be competitive. If not, should I wait until I write the MCAT in April to apply or can I apply before than?
I appreciate your time,
Noahh :)

I would try to get it upto atleast high 2s for the big 3 carrib. schools.

Don't listen to the people here. They are trying to raise the prestige of their school by making their admissions seem more competitive than it really is. Obviously, none of the people are going to admit you could get into their school with weak grades. That would just imply anyone could get into their school which for all intents and purposes is the stark reality facing these schools. Remember foreign schools like Ross are not government subsidized state schools or private schools with large endowments like the ones in the United States. They are entirely dependent on tuition and will accept almost anyone assuming positions are still available. U.S. schools accept students once per year. If a student drops out of a U.S. school, the school can't replace that student by admitting their replacement in the Winter or Spring quarter. AUC, Ross, SABA and SGU accept students three times per year.

Ross and AUC accept several students with GPA's in the low 2.0 range each year. You wouldn't get into St. George with that GPA but Ross would probably take a chance on you because their class is so large. Get a competitive score on the MCAT 24+ and one of these schools will likely take a chance on you. Apply for the Winter quarter as that is the easiest quarter to be admitted to since most students prefer to start in August and May first. Remember, it's not a huge risk to them because unlike a U.S school they accept 3 large classes in a given year so they expect a significant amount of turnover. This is why approximately 20-40 people in a given class drop out for various reasons. Some can't handle island life, others flunk out and a few others get accepted to DO school. Ideally, they would love to graduate everyone they accepted but they know that's not realistic. This is why they accept so many people each year because turnover is part of their business. They are prepared for a certain amount of turnover per class so they aren't as weary as a U.S. school to admit a potential drop-out.

I just wanted to echo daelroy's statements. You shouldn't have a hard time getting into a Carribean school with that GPA.

However, if you study hard for the MCAT and get a 30+ (or even high 20s), I would bring up your GPA a little bit and apply for US MD and DO schools. What do you have to lose? With decent stats you defintely have a shot at going to med school in the US. And if this doesn't pan out for you, at least you know you tried and you won't look back and second guess your decision to go straight for the Carribean.

Hang in there man and good luck :luck:

This is just my $.02........

-tx

Ok...

Im a chump.

Here is the story:

In 2000, I was accepted into osteopathic medical school. I had taken the MCAT a year ago without having taken most of the typical prerequisites, and scored a 21. I remember thinking to myself, "what am I doing taking this test, i have never seen most of the material here!" I have an aunt and two uncles who are MD doctors, but the DO title did not (and mostly still does not) matter to me.

The thing that kept playing on my mind was I had just gotten a C in organic chemistry, and online no less. I invested a total of approximately 14 hours into the entire class, that is, 2 hours enrolling and getting ready for the class, and 12 hours studying and taking tests. The entire 12 hours was an all night, no sleep marathon, on a cold Monday in December. I had no organic chemistry knowledge previously, but the design of the class, and fast research allowed me to pass an entire semester of organic chemistry in one night. Having taken 3 tests and a final, I was finished by 6am that next morning, and ready to go to my electrical engineering job in two hours.

This was really only the beginning to an amazingly easy ride into the osteopathic world of medicine. I found that without trying, I could slip in under their radar, and additionally get a full ride in achieving something that I thought I had wanted to do since I was five. I thought it was all a part of the life of that allowed me to be accepted into the high IQ society, Mensa, where if you could think pretty fast then people thought you were something special even if you were a lazy bum doing nothing to better society, much like myself.

So the school year started as I had expected, lectures all the time, and a test in a few weeks. Well as was my typical routine, I would not study. In fact I would wait until the night before the exam to do any studying at all. I manage to pass my tests with a typical score of 75-80%, getting near perfect scores in the subject of pathology that was considered to be so hard for everyone, so I was not too worried about trying any harder. It was bothering me somewhat, that I am in this to handle the life or death health choices for many people, and I was taking this all so lightly. However, my first final exam I did not even bother to study for and I failed. It was a complete surprise to me as were the next few months where this exact process repeated.

I left feeling surprised and hurt, partly feeling mad at the school, but really I knew it was my own fault. In some way, I was happy to leave, there were a number of small things that happened that encouraged me to not try, and I wasn't learning like I should. I liked the people, the material was very interesting, I got along with everyone very well. I was even the President two clubs.

In the following weeks I realized I had to wake up and take notice of what had occurred, or even if I never fulfill my dream, I will go through life not doing my best, not enjoying life.

So, I set up a plan, in painful consideration of my faults but also my strengths, with goals I decided I must achieve if I were to even consider going back to school. First, I decided I needed to find my driving force in pursuing this pathway. This is the reason why I wanted to do this at all, I knew I had felt it a number of times, but this had to be concrete to me, and make me want to try hard, and do very, very well. Second was to take a complete set of prerequisites this time, and do not slouch on this as my previous school actually allowed, by getting straight A's in all new courses. Medical school requires extreme dedication and if I could not get A's in these simple classes then how could I reasonably expect to do well in life or death situations that require fast and most importantly accurate thinking? Third was to study for and retake the MCAT. I decided I must far surpass the average for acceptance to satisfy my personal resolve. Only meeting averages or just passing is how I used to operate, and this is how I run my life no longer.

Now, 4 years after I started, I have achieved a straight A record on my new classes, and a 33 on the MCAT. I became certified as a paramedic and have logged several thousand hours rushing to literally save people's lives. This was most important to me, because I feel I have gained a truly invaluable experience in this time as a paramedic, giving me the spirit and motivation I had only previously seen on occasion. In addition, I continued my work as an Electrical Engineer and received my PE license, however, this only managed to further my realization that work as an engineer is not what I have enjoyed, it is not what I felt a strong calling to do in life.

My past experiences have been that of someone who had life very easy and was never pushed. I felt like getting into osteopathic medical school was something that was simply handed to me, and I never felt encouraged to try. I have been handed scholarship after scholarship, opportunity after opportunity, all just simply handed to me, and that part of my life has been nearly meaningless in helping me or helping others in this amazing journey we call life. I have learned a great deal in the past four years, and can honestly assure you, but most importantly know in myself, that I will no longer be lackadaisical in what I do. Life is something you get to play with for only a few fleeting moments, and then it is gone. I have chosen my present path because I know it to be something dear to my heart, and I feel very challenged and motivated from within to pursue this further.

So I guess what I am asking, is this dream even possible after all of this time, am I just kidding myself even now?? Will any MD school let me in its doors with my history??

:confused:
Hi everyone,

I am currently in my fourth year of life science studies at university of Toronto. My cumulative GPA is in the low 2.0. I haven't written the MCAT yet, but I was wondering is my GPA too low to think about the 4 good carribean schools? I've heard you need a 3.2 to be competitive. If not, should I wait until I write the MCAT in April to apply or can I apply before than?
I appreciate your time,
Noahh :)


yea a 2.0 will probablly kill ur chance. you need a good score on the mcat - aim for a 27+ and tell the adcoms that you changed, and can do well.

im telling you from experience...i had a higher gpa than yours clinical experience, three published papers...emt work...followoing doctors...and didnt get inot the big 3.....i would aim lower or get more on your resume....and i suggest the second...but above all...DONT GIVE UP!!! its not that easy anymore.

im telling you from experience...i had a higher gpa than yours clinical experience, three published papers...emt work...followoing doctors...and didnt get inot the big 3.....i would aim lower or get more on your resume....and i suggest the second...but above all...DONT GIVE UP!!! its not that easy anymore.

How did your interviews go and did you take the MCAT?

:confused:
Hi everyone,

I am currently in my fourth year of life science studies at university of Toronto. My cumulative GPA is in the low 2.0. I haven't written the MCAT yet, but I was wondering is my GPA too low to think about the 4 good carribean schools? I've heard you need a 3.2 to be competitive. If not, should I wait until I write the MCAT in April to apply or can I apply before than?
I appreciate your time,
Noahh :)

2.0 is probably too low, but a 3.2 is not necessary to be competitive. It is the avg, but i think you would be competitive with anything above a 3.0, maybe even high 2s. If you can get a year of straight As and a decent mcat 25 and up. I think that would show the adcoms that you are ready for med school and ready to work hard.

my interviews went fine....mcat was low....but i ended accepting St. Matts....with my scores, im not saying that i didn't get into a school, but rather not the top three. I made the mistake of showing my scores to Saba when i didnt have to, it did me in. I'm happy with my decision since i want to live on the east coast anyway. But if you have any further questions, let me know. I leave for school next week, so if you have any specific quest for st. matts, i would also be happy to help.

Ok...

Im a chump.

Here is the story:

In 2000, I was accepted into osteopathic medical school. I had taken the MCAT a year ago without having taken most of the typical prerequisites, and scored a 21. I remember thinking to myself, "what am I doing taking this test, i have never seen most of the material here!" I have an aunt and two uncles who are MD doctors, but the DO title did not (and mostly still does not) matter to me.

The thing that kept playing on my mind was I had just gotten a C in organic chemistry, and online no less. I invested a total of approximately 14 hours into the entire class, that is, 2 hours enrolling and getting ready for the class, and 12 hours studying and taking tests. The entire 12 hours was an all night, no sleep marathon, on a cold Monday in December. I had no organic chemistry knowledge previously, but the design of the class, and fast research allowed me to pass an entire semester of organic chemistry in one night. Having taken 3 tests and a final, I was finished by 6am that next morning, and ready to go to my electrical engineering job in two hours.

This was really only the beginning to an amazingly easy ride into the osteopathic world of medicine. I found that without trying, I could slip in under their radar, and additionally get a full ride in achieving something that I thought I had wanted to do since I was five. I thought it was all a part of the life of that allowed me to be accepted into the high IQ society, Mensa, where if you could think pretty fast then people thought you were something special even if you were a lazy bum doing nothing to better society, much like myself.

So the school year started as I had expected, lectures all the time, and a test in a few weeks. Well as was my typical routine, I would not study. In fact I would wait until the night before the exam to do any studying at all. I manage to pass my tests with a typical score of 75-80%, getting near perfect scores in the subject of pathology that was considered to be so hard for everyone, so I was not too worried about trying any harder. It was bothering me somewhat, that I am in this to handle the life or death health choices for many people, and I was taking this all so lightly. However, my first final exam I did not even bother to study for and I failed. It was a complete surprise to me as were the next few months where this exact process repeated.

I left feeling surprised and hurt, partly feeling mad at the school, but really I knew it was my own fault. In some way, I was happy to leave, there were a number of small things that happened that encouraged me to not try, and I wasn't learning like I should. I liked the people, the material was very interesting, I got along with everyone very well. I was even the President two clubs.

In the following weeks I realized I had to wake up and take notice of what had occurred, or even if I never fulfill my dream, I will go through life not doing my best, not enjoying life.

So, I set up a plan, in painful consideration of my faults but also my strengths, with goals I decided I must achieve if I were to even consider going back to school. First, I decided I needed to find my driving force in pursuing this pathway. This is the reason why I wanted to do this at all, I knew I had felt it a number of times, but this had to be concrete to me, and make me want to try hard, and do very, very well. Second was to take a complete set of prerequisites this time, and do not slouch on this as my previous school actually allowed, by getting straight A's in all new courses. Medical school requires extreme dedication and if I could not get A's in these simple classes then how could I reasonably expect to do well in life or death situations that require fast and most importantly accurate thinking? Third was to study for and retake the MCAT. I decided I must far surpass the average for acceptance to satisfy my personal resolve. Only meeting averages or just passing is how I used to operate, and this is how I run my life no longer.

Now, 4 years after I started, I have achieved a straight A record on my new classes, and a 33 on the MCAT. I became certified as a paramedic and have logged several thousand hours rushing to literally save people's lives. This was most important to me, because I feel I have gained a truly invaluable experience in this time as a paramedic, giving me the spirit and motivation I had only previously seen on occasion. In addition, I continued my work as an Electrical Engineer and received my PE license, however, this only managed to further my realization that work as an engineer is not what I have enjoyed, it is not what I felt a strong calling to do in life.

My past experiences have been that of someone who had life very easy and was never pushed. I felt like getting into osteopathic medical school was something that was simply handed to me, and I never felt encouraged to try. I have been handed scholarship after scholarship, opportunity after opportunity, all just simply handed to me, and that part of my life has been nearly meaningless in helping me or helping others in this amazing journey we call life. I have learned a great deal in the past four years, and can honestly assure you, but most importantly know in myself, that I will no longer be lackadaisical in what I do. Life is something you get to play with for only a few fleeting moments, and then it is gone. I have chosen my present path because I know it to be something dear to my heart, and I feel very challenged and motivated from within to pursue this further.

So I guess what I am asking, is this dream even possible after all of this time, am I just kidding myself even now?? Will any MD school let me in its doors with my history??


god, I would let you in if I were on an admissions board. You seem to have learned your lesson and found out a lot about yourself and life in the process.
You keep on trying, don't stop, and I think you'll get to the place you want to be. Best wishes. :)

god, I would let you in if I were on an admissions board. You seem to have learned your lesson and found out a lot about yourself and life in the process.
You keep on trying, don't stop, and I think you'll get to the place you want to be. Best wishes. :)

Accept he posts the same 2000 word long response on every thread. :thumbdown

Accept he posts the same 2000 word long response on every thread. :thumbdown

Hahahaha...I just read this entire thread, and to end it with that was absolutely great.

Hahahaha...I just read this entire thread, and to end it with that was absolutely great.

do u go to u of t st george?? 2/3 of ppl in bio150 didn't fail it buddy i was in that class. u of to is not that hard. and the class avgs for 1st yr life sci classes at u of t st george are always maintained at c+ to B- (68-71) so even if the class ends up with a D average, they bell curve the marks up. therefore no classes ever at st.george has a class average of D. The faculty of arts and sci sets out guidelines for what the class average should be based on statistics and the normal curv. the only time they allow an average to deviate from their expectations is when its too high (the prof will have to write a letter approved by their dept chair first, to the facutly dean explaining why its so high) and this usually not allowed for first yr classes with 500+ students. but in higher yrs yes.

from my experience at U of T if u want to do research this is how it works: U ask prof, prof asks u for your grades. If they see a 2.3 but notice that you've been improving (ie. b's and a's in ur recent years) then its cool. otherwise they tell u bluntant 'no'.

u of to is not that hard.

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see someone admit this.

Ok...

Im a chump.

Here is the story:

In 2000, I was accepted into osteopathic medical school. I had taken the MCAT a year ago without having taken most of the typical prerequisites, and scored a 21. I remember thinking to myself, "what am I doing taking this test, i have never seen most of the material here!" I have an aunt and two uncles who are MD doctors, but the DO title did not (and mostly still does not) matter to me.

The thing that kept playing on my mind was I had just gotten a C in organic chemistry, and online no less. I invested a total of approximately 14 hours into the entire class, that is, 2 hours enrolling and getting ready for the class, and 12 hours studying and taking tests. The entire 12 hours was an all night, no sleep marathon, on a cold Monday in December. I had no organic chemistry knowledge previously, but the design of the class, and fast research allowed me to pass an entire semester of organic chemistry in one night. Having taken 3 tests and a final, I was finished by 6am that next morning, and ready to go to my electrical engineering job in two hours.

This was really only the beginning to an amazingly easy ride into the osteopathic world of medicine. I found that without trying, I could slip in under their radar, and additionally get a full ride in achieving something that I thought I had wanted to do since I was five. I thought it was all a part of the life of that allowed me to be accepted into the high IQ society, Mensa, where if you could think pretty fast then people thought you were something special even if you were a lazy bum doing nothing to better society, much like myself.

So the school year started as I had expected, lectures all the time, and a test in a few weeks. Well as was my typical routine, I would not study. In fact I would wait until the night before the exam to do any studying at all. I manage to pass my tests with a typical score of 75-80%, getting near perfect scores in the subject of pathology that was considered to be so hard for everyone, so I was not too worried about trying any harder. It was bothering me somewhat, that I am in this to handle the life or death health choices for many people, and I was taking this all so lightly. However, my first final exam I did not even bother to study for and I failed. It was a complete surprise to me as were the next few months where this exact process repeated.

I left feeling surprised and hurt, partly feeling mad at the school, but really I knew it was my own fault. In some way, I was happy to leave, there were a number of small things that happened that encouraged me to not try, and I wasn't learning like I should. I liked the people, the material was very interesting, I got along with everyone very well. I was even the President two clubs.

In the following weeks I realized I had to wake up and take notice of what had occurred, or even if I never fulfill my dream, I will go through life not doing my best, not enjoying life.

So, I set up a plan, in painful consideration of my faults but also my strengths, with goals I decided I must achieve if I were to even consider going back to school. First, I decided I needed to find my driving force in pursuing this pathway. This is the reason why I wanted to do this at all, I knew I had felt it a number of times, but this had to be concrete to me, and make me want to try hard, and do very, very well. Second was to take a complete set of prerequisites this time, and do not slouch on this as my previous school actually allowed, by getting straight A's in all new courses. Medical school requires extreme dedication and if I could not get A's in these simple classes then how could I reasonably expect to do well in life or death situations that require fast and most importantly accurate thinking? Third was to study for and retake the MCAT. I decided I must far surpass the average for acceptance to satisfy my personal resolve. Only meeting averages or just passing is how I used to operate, and this is how I run my life no longer.

Now, 4 years after I started, I have achieved a straight A record on my new classes, and a 33 on the MCAT. I became certified as a paramedic and have logged several thousand hours rushing to literally save people's lives. This was most important to me, because I feel I have gained a truly invaluable experience in this time as a paramedic, giving me the spirit and motivation I had only previously seen on occasion. In addition, I continued my work as an Electrical Engineer and received my PE license, however, this only managed to further my realization that work as an engineer is not what I have enjoyed, it is not what I felt a strong calling to do in life.

My past experiences have been that of someone who had life very easy and was never pushed. I felt like getting into osteopathic medical school was something that was simply handed to me, and I never felt encouraged to try. I have been handed scholarship after scholarship, opportunity after opportunity, all just simply handed to me, and that part of my life has been nearly meaningless in helping me or helping others in this amazing journey we call life. I have learned a great deal in the past four years, and can honestly assure you, but most importantly know in myself, that I will no longer be lackadaisical in what I do. Life is something you get to play with for only a few fleeting moments, and then it is gone. I have chosen my present path because I know it to be something dear to my heart, and I feel very challenged and motivated from within to pursue this further.

So I guess what I am asking, is this dream even possible after all of this time, am I just kidding myself even now?? Will any MD school let me in its doors with my history??

If you apply honestly by informing medical schools you were previously accepted to a DO school and failed out, you will not be accepted into any U.S. osteopathic or Allopathic school aside from maybe the DO school that you failed out of.

You would easily get into any Caribbean school. At this point in your life, I wouldn't even think of applying to a U.S. school. It's out of the question. The kiss of death is that you were admitted and you failed. You would have been better off as a 2.0 GPA candidate that did post-bac or a Masters and got a 4.0 in that program.

Why do you have to go one of the Big 3? Whether you go to St. George or St. Matthews, you are still an IMG in most program's eyes. That's what IMG grads don't get. Do you really think most hospitals distinguish between foreign medical schools? Unless you plan on doing your residency in New York where they have a lot of IMG's and thus can distinguish between the quality schools, the rest of the country give a rat's ***** which Caribbean medical school you went to. Outside of New York and New Jersey, programs don't receive enough IMG grads to know there is a difference in the calibre of schools. They are just going to look at your Step 1 score and your interview. Obviously, if you are a student at St. George, Ross or AUC, you will disagree.

But take it from a U.S. student who is applying to residency programs. When you are an IMG, they care about only one thing: Your Step I score! Sorry but there is no Harvard of the Caribbean as St. George students would have you believe. Just go to any Caribbean school that has a decent reputation and has been in existance for more than 15 years. You don't have to go to the Big 3. Most of the people on this forum attend one of those schools which is why their advice is so biased.

Why do you have to go one of the Big 3? Whether you go to St. George or St. Matthews, you are still an IMG in most program's eyes. That's what IMG grads don't get. Do you really think most hospitals distinguish between foreign medical schools? Unless you plan on doing your residency in New York where they have a lot of IMG's and thus can distinguish between the quality schools, the rest of the country give a rat's ***** which Caribbean medical school you went to. Outside of New York and New Jersey, programs don't receive enough IMG grads to know there is a difference in the calibre of schools. They are just going to look at your Step 1 score and your interview. Obviously, if you are a student at St. George, Ross or AUC, you will disagree.

But take it from a U.S. student who is applying to residency programs. When you are an IMG, they care about only one thing: Your Step I score! Sorry but there is no Harvard of the Caribbean as St. George students would have you believe. Just go to any Caribbean school that has a decent reputation and has been in existance for more than 15 years. You don't have to go to the Big 3. Most of the people on this forum attend one of those schools which is why their advice is so biased.

The big three plus SABA are the only schools that are accredited in all 50 states including California (my home state). The rest of the schools arent accredited in CA and you can not EVER come back and practice medicine in CA. EVER!!!!! Dont believe it when other people say that you can come back from the other schools to CA.

The big three plus SABA are the only schools that are accredited in all 50 states including California (my home state). The rest of the schools arent accredited in CA and you can not EVER come back and practice medicine in CA. EVER!!!!! Dont believe it when other people say that you can come back from the other schools to CA.

So you think someone should delay a year and reapply to the Big 3 just so they can practice in California? What if they have no interest of living in California or Texas.

So you think someone should delay a year and reapply to the Big 3 just so they can practice in California? What if they have no interest of living in California or Texas.

It depends on what the medical degree means to the person. If it is meant for a career and to make money, then the extra year could mean more flexibility or earning power.

If the MD is merely for its intrinsic value and for the ultimate goal to make the world a better place through healing, then SMU is fine.

Of course I am painting with broad strokes, but you get my drift.

Would I wait a year? Yes, but that is simply because one year means absolutely nothing to me in view of a whole lifetime's worth of living with the consequences of your unfulfilled dreams, whatever they may be.

So you think someone should delay a year and reapply to the Big 3 just so they can practice in California? What if they have no interest of living in California or Texas.

You dont have to wait an entire year. ROSS accepts people 3 times a year at the beginning of each semester. SGU accepts people twice a year August and January. I would personally definitely wait an extra year to go to SGU or ROSS. I m gonna spend a year doing a masters so that i can actually increase my chances at a US school, if not SGU will be the next step (already have the grades and mcat for it).

I think the education and clinical rotations are much better at ROSS and SGU..... much much better (compared to other carrib. schools). St. Matts has very poor and very few clinical sites, the best sites being in Michigan. My friend goes to St. Matts and even he admits this. He regrets going there and wishes that he waited 1 semester and reapplied to ROSS and SGU, he was in a hurry also but regrets it now.

i have no idea where you are getting your info, but St. Matts has a lot of clinical sites. Sure there can be more, but they just added more. In fact you can do all your clinicals in NY alone, green rotations. As far as my decision went, CA was not that important to me, it was more of achieving my dream. Sure you can wait to do all of these masters programs and etc. If it gives you a better chance with the US schools, then i say why not. But the education you receive at St. Matts is equivalent to all the top 3. But at the end it is YOUR decision. I personally think SMU is a great school and chose to attend it instead of upping my resume and reapplying and not knowing if i could still get in to the other schools. So that being said, if you have any reason or if you want to practice in CA...DO NOT APPLY TO AN UNAPPROVED SCHOOL, otherwise i dont see a problem. It is a very proactive school and will have CA approval in the future.

i have no idea where you are getting your info, but St. Matts has a lot of clinical sites. Sure there can be more, but they just added more. In fact you can do all your clinicals in NY alone, green rotations. As far as my decision went, CA was not that important to me, it was more of achieving my dream. Sure you can wait to do all of these masters programs and etc. If it gives you a better chance with the US schools, then i say why not. But the education you receive at St. Matts is equivalent to all the top 3. But at the end it is YOUR decision. I personally think SMU is a great school and chose to attend it instead of upping my resume and reapplying and not knowing if i could still get in to the other schools. So that being said, if you have any reason or if you want to practice in CA...DO NOT APPLY TO AN UNAPPROVED SCHOOL, otherwise i dont see a problem. It is a very proactive school and will have CA approval in the future.


Cool, i m glad you like St. Matts :thumbup: . Coming back to Ca is important to me, so that would rule out St. Matts for me.

thank you....like i said...only downfall for smu....CA approval is not going to happen for a little while. :thumbdown

I went to St. Matts and it has the same problems as all the others. Don't go there if you want to go to California.
All have different things that are important to different people. From people I know, SGU is the best teaching. I have heard horror stories from people that transferred in from Ross, SABA and AUC. I am sure that if SMU folks transferred out, they would tell horror stories as well. I would be worried about the safety of Ross though for real.
I am interviewing for residency right now and none of these interviewers have a clue where my school is. They just know it as the caribbean. One guy who was interviewing me for a preliminary year was actually a graduate of SGU so he knew, but none of these other guys have a clue which is which.

Choose based on geography, lifestyle, things like that. I liked St. Matts because it is just an hour flight to Miami and you only have to be down there for a year.
Yes, some of our clinical sites sucked but during those rotations, I met people from ALL the carib schools so they are in the same boat. I had some absolutely amazing rotations as well though, that have been referenced in interviews by the docs.

hey everyone,

i am currently a senior rite now and i wanted to apply to
the carribean med schools but i don't know if im competitive enough. my gpa is 3.1 (overall) and science is 2.5. my mcat score is 24. i have research experience + hospital work + working at a physician's office + shadowing doctors + working with children with multiple disabilities. if anyone could let me know about where i could possibly apply and if i am competitive enough that would be great

thanks!

you might be able to get into Ross, AUC, maybe Saba(their class is kind of small though) then the lower tiered carib schools like AUA, MUA, SMU.. apply and see what happens the applications aren't that long and the fees are like $75 so it's not that big of a deal.

and like said above the winter class is less competative than the summer or fall class.

hey everyone,

i am currently a senior rite now and i wanted to apply to
the carribean med schools but i don't know if im competitive enough. my gpa is 3.1 (overall) and science is 2.5. my mcat score is 24. i have research experience + hospital work + working at a physician's office + shadowing doctors + working with children with multiple disabilities. if anyone could let me know about where i could possibly apply and if i am competitive enough that would be great

thanks!

SGU no

AUC ROSS and SABA are a maybe you have to apply, IMHO they are your best shot

I would apply to SGU if I could afford it since the MCAT is 24 even with the low Science they may accept you but my opinion is probably not

thank you!

i did have another question however - do any of u know of other med schools that would maybe accept me?

thank you!

i did have another question however - do any of u know of other med schools that would maybe accept me?



Like who? these are the "All 50 schools" with loans:confused:

thank you!


i did have another question however - do any of u know of other med schools that would maybe accept me?




If the big four don't take you, I'm sure you could get in somewhere like MUA-Nevis or St. Matthew's. But try to get into at least one of the big four schools. Graduates of those schools are allowed to practice in all 50 states, so those schools give you the best opportunities to practice wherever you want.

If the big four don't take you, I'm sure you could get in somewhere like MUA-Nevis or St. Matthew's. But try to get into at least one of the big four schools. Graduates of those schools are allowed to practice in all 50 states, so those schools give you the best opportunities to practice wherever you want.
MUA has TERI

does St. Matts have them too? I know they lost a loan