SGU or Ross University?

[Preintel]

Hello,

I have been accepted to both SGU and Ross U in the Caribbean and am not sure if I should pick one or the other. I also have open applications for US allopathic and osteopathic schools that I am waiting to hear back from (not good as it is so late in the cycle). Without digressing, I am here to do a cost benefit analysis between these two schools and any personal insight you guys can provide from your own experiences!

Thank you in advance,
Preintel

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[evilbooyaa]

Neither Ross or SGU. If you don't get into MD/DO schools in the US, take a year off, improve your application, and re-apply.

 

[Stellar Clouds]

neither ross or sgu. If you don't get into md/do schools in the us, take a year off, improve your application, and re-apply.

+1

 

[notbobtrustme]

Yep, get into a US MD/DO school. That backdoor is being closed.

 

[D elegans]

Yeah. You'll be so happy you waited.

 

[badasshairday]

rather go to PA school. the Caribbean schools are too risky these days. Either US MD or DO If you can do that, I would recommend PA school.

 

[apumic]

Hello,

I have been accepted to both SGU and Ross U in the Caribbean and am not sure if I should pick one or the other. I also have open applications for US allopathic and osteopathic schools that I am waiting to hear back from (not good as it is so late in the cycle). Without digressing, I am here to do a cost benefit analysis between these two schools and any personal insight you guys can provide from your own experiences!

Thank you in advance,
Preintel

This is like choosing between cyanide and carbon monoxide. They'll both end your career via similar mechanisms. You want to stay in the U.S. for medicine. That "backdoor" is quickly slamming shut.

 

[235009]

i agree with the above advice but to actually answer the question you posed.... SGU >>>> Ross

 

[sazerac]

Hello,

I have been accepted to both SGU and Ross U in the Caribbean and am not sure if I should pick one or the other.

That's an easy questions to answer: No, you should not pick one or the other.

I also have open applications for US allopathic and osteopathic schools that I am waiting to hear back from (not good as it is so late in the cycle). Without digressing, I am here to do a cost benefit analysis between these two schools and any personal insight you guys can provide from your own experiences!

Thank you in advance,
Preintel

While the cost at both schools is a finite value, the benefit (assuming you want to practice in the USA as a physician) approaches zero at both schools. Therefore the cost per benefit ratio at both schools approaches infinity. Comparing these two schools to each other (as you asked), the ratio of infinity to infinity is undefined so a meaningful comparison can't be made.

 

[meek]

may I ask why are school in the caribbean so bad?? is it the same as UAG (mexico)?
Caribbean schools have rotations in the US dont they? why is it a bad choice?

 

[tobi44]

may I ask why are school in the caribbean so bad?? is it the same as UAG (mexico)?
Caribbean schools have rotations in the US dont they? why is it a bad choice?

sure, the most important reason to me is that it severely limits your career opportunities. You might pay your fees, go through med school, get good scores on STEP 1 but your application goes to the bottom of the pile when you are being chosen for residency. Family practice or psych might still be feasible in undesirable locations but anything else is really hard to match. You run a real risk of going through all the work of medical school without the guarantee of residency match somewhere. Even going a US DO would give you more options.

 

[meek]

and what about UHSA? i've read reviews but their all like 10 year ago, i heard they got good affiliations

 

[sazerac]

and what about UHSA? i've read reviews but their all like 10 year ago, i heard they got good affiliations

You don't get it. The affiliations for 3rd and 4th year rotations are irrelevant. If you go to any of these non-American schools you will get an MD. Whoop-dee-do.

1. If you want to practice medicine in the United States, you need to complete a US residency.
2. There will soon not be any residency slots for any foreign MD graduates anywhere in the Unites States.
3. Therefore foreign-trained MDs will not be able to practice medicine in the United States.

If you want to get a medical degree in Mexico, Antigua, Dominica, or whatever country you dream up in your next post, then perhaps you should also look for employment opportunities in that country as well.

 

[Preintel]

I give you guys a choice of two options...what kind of doctors are you?

First of all I have considered my options in PA, nursing, medical technician, PhD/teaching careers, etc. I know it won't be easy or straight forward, I made mistakes and now I have to pay for them which is fair. Although I have a few open applications for US MD and DO programs I am still waiting to hear back from them (at this point in the application cycle it does not bode well). Hence I need to put down a deposit on one of these schools in case I do not get into any US program.

Now you can sit on your high horse and complain that this is wrong or that is a problem etc or you can see if you have something insightful to say which will help me. (Taking a year to "improve" my application will not work as my GPA is significantly lower than my peers and my MCAT is high enough to be competitive.)

For the person who recommended SGU over Ross, thank you for being decisive and not condescending!
For the other people if you do not have something to say regarding my question then save your time and do something productive (don't you have some studying to do?)

 

[Textbookversion]

and what about UHSA? i've read reviews but their all like 10 year ago, i heard they got good affiliations

Doesn't matter. Not accredited by the LCME or AOA = fail as a US citizen. Unless it's somewhere super legit in Europe like Oxford.

 

[KnuxNole]

I give you guys a choice of two options...what kind of doctors are you?

First of all I have considered my options in PA, nursing, medical technician, PhD/teaching careers, etc. I know it won't be easy or straight forward, I made mistakes and now I have to pay for them which is fair. Although I have a few open applications for US MD and DO programs I am still waiting to hear back from them (at this point in the application cycle it does not bode well). Hence I need to put down a deposit on one of these schools in case I do not get into any US program.

Now you can sit on your high horse and complain that this is wrong or that is a problem etc or you can see if you have something insightful to say which will help me. (Taking a year to "improve" my application will not work as my GPA is significantly lower than my peers and my MCAT is high enough to be competitive.)

For the person who recommended SGU over Ross, thank you for being decisive and not condescending!
For the other people if you do not have something to say regarding my question then save your time and do something productive (don't you have some studying to do?)

Just cause you gave two options doesn't mean it's the only answers you should expect. Especially from sane, informed people who want to help others make smart decisions about their career. Why do you feel a caribbean school would help you in your goal? You got informed responses saying why, and still you reject it for no logical reason. Why not DO? Why not retake classes?(I understand money can be a barrier for some). Why not wait till this cycle is over to see if you got into schools that would actually get you into practice in the US? Getting a degree means nothing whatsoever. Getting a residency means way more.

If you absolutely cannot get into a MD/DO school after multiple cycles, the Caribbean route is the last resort that is recommended. However, nowadays, it's hard for people to support it.

 

[fahimaz7]

Neither. Get the DO. Much easier time getting a US residency.

 

[DrSnips]

I give you guys a choice of two options...what kind of doctors are you?

Everyone saw the two options. But if someone asked you "Should I get a bulletproof vest made of plastic or wood?" wouldn't your answer be that they should get one made of Kevlar, even though that wasn't a choice?

 

[Jamie561]

Definitely SGU


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[Anigma07]

Take notes OP, school's been in session since you decided to ask that ridiculous question.

 

[notbobtrustme]

If you absolutely cannot get into a MD/DO school after multiple cycles, the Caribbean route is the last resort that is recommended. However, nowadays, it's hard for people to support it.

If you can't get in, time to find a new career. Not everyone can be a doctor and people have to recognize their shortcomings/failings. Just because you want to do something doesn't mean you are entitled to do so.

I want to bang pornstars all day. Just because I want to doesn't mean that I'm qualified (I'm not ).

 

[darklabel]

I give you guys a choice of two options...what kind of doctors are you?

First of all I have considered my options in PA, nursing, medical technician, PhD/teaching careers, etc. I know it won't be easy or straight forward, I made mistakes and now I have to pay for them which is fair. Although I have a few open applications for US MD and DO programs I am still waiting to hear back from them (at this point in the application cycle it does not bode well). Hence I need to put down a deposit on one of these schools in case I do not get into any US program.

Now you can sit on your high horse and complain that this is wrong or that is a problem etc or you can see if you have something insightful to say which will help me. (Taking a year to "improve" my application will not work as my GPA is significantly lower than my peers and my MCAT is high enough to be competitive.)

For the person who recommended SGU over Ross, thank you for being decisive and not condescending!
For the other people if you do not have something to say regarding my question then save your time and do something productive (don't you have some studying to do?)

Then go to SGU which would be your "best" option.

These medical students are being great future physicians by warning you. Its no skin anyone's back whatever you decide to do.

Have fun working hard to stay in the top ~10% in your class just to match into FM in some very undesirable part of the country.

 

[evilbooyaa]

Then go to SGU which would be your "best" option.

These medical students are being great future physicians by warning you. Its no skin anyone's back whatever you decide to do.

Have fun working hard to stay in the top ~10% in your class just to match into FM in some very undesirable part of the country.

+1. Idk why OP is so set on ignoring everyone's advice for him.

 

[Member 331305]

I give you guys a choice of two options...what kind of doctors are you?

First of all I have considered my options in PA, nursing, medical technician, PhD/teaching careers, etc. I know it won't be easy or straight forward, I made mistakes and now I have to pay for them which is fair. Although I have a few open applications for US MD and DO programs I am still waiting to hear back from them (at this point in the application cycle it does not bode well). Hence I need to put down a deposit on one of these schools in case I do not get into any US program.

Now you can sit on your high horse and complain that this is wrong or that is a problem etc or you can see if you have something insightful to say which will help me. (Taking a year to "improve" my application will not work as my GPA is significantly lower than my peers and my MCAT is high enough to be competitive.)

For the person who recommended SGU over Ross, thank you for being decisive and not condescending!
For the other people if you do not have something to say regarding my question then save your time and do something productive (don't you have some studying to do?)

You're missing the point here. Forget "not easy" and "not straightforward"...it will become virtually impossible for an IMG to match into a US residency four years from now. To quote ACGME, "We estimate that we will see domestic production of medical school graduates functionally surpass our current total number of GME postgraduate year-one pipeline positions [posts that lead to initial specialty certification] by 2015 or sooner, and this does not include some 10,000 non–U.S.-citizen international medical graduates and about 3700 U.S.-citizen international medical graduates who seek GME posts in U.S. teaching hospitals.” (Source)

Lastly, there are ways you can try and boost your GPA. Have you tried a postbac or considered a SMP? Take a few years off, go back to school, and raise that GPA. Unless you got a 30+ on the MCAT, it wouldn't hurt to retake that as well. Try the "What Are My Chances" forum for even more advice.

Would you rather spend 2 years improving your app for a shot at US med schools and US licensure, or would you rather dump all your money into a foreign school with a dwindling chance of practicing in the US? You still have time to turn things around.

 

[arkuna]

If you can't get in, time to find a new career. Not everyone can be a doctor and people have to recognize their shortcomings/failings. Just because you want to do something doesn't mean you are entitled to do so.

This is very true. No IMG has done anything productive in the field of medicine. [sarcasm]

 

[notbobtrustme]

This is very true. No IMG has done anything productive in the field of medicine. [sarcasm]

That's not what I said. I'm saying that this backdoor has been exploited for a long time as a last chance for those mostly unqualified to gain admission into a US medical school. Naturally, if you stick 1500 students into a class, you're bound to get some who rise to the occasion, but they will be the exception, not the rule.

 

[meek]

everybody has an opinion, in the end it doesn't matter!!! what do you want to do? what kind of doctor do you want to be? and what kind of student are you? Ross has great rotations and maybe that way you can meet the people who will be choosing students for residencies!!! has anyone thought of that?? forget about the negativity and choose the university that best fits you! I wish you a lot of success!!!

 

[KnuxNole]

everybody has an opinion, in the end it doesn't matter!!! what do you want to do? what kind of doctor do you want to be? and what kind of student are you? Ross has great rotations and maybe that way you can meet the people who will be choosing students for residencies!!! has anyone thought of that?? forget about the negativity and choose the university that best fits you! I wish you a lot of success!!!

Of course people thought about the rotations, some of which are good while others are below par. Compared to a US school, it's varied. I'm not denying Ross has great rotations. However, do they have enough to accommodate ALL students with 100% assurance? Are all the hospitals great places for students to learn and to be functional interns? They'll meet people on their rotations, and hopefully they will be happy at those hospitals. People are being realistic about the ups and downs. Pointing out flaws isn't a bad thing, it sheds light so people can make an informed decision. There is an attrition rate, the stigma of being an IMG, hoping you get the good rotations in time, and other things that can make it a headache.

You said earlier that Caribbean schools have rotations in the US, which must mean they are good...which is not the case. Not all hospitals are created equal. There are places which have IMGs and AMGs doing rotations together. Then there are places that are run down and accept med students to keep the place afloat, and ends up being a terrible place to train.

 

[itsmcv2015]

everybody has an opinion, in the end it doesn't matter!!! what do you want to do? what kind of doctor do you want to be? and what kind of student are you? Ross has great rotations and maybe that way you can meet the people who will be choosing students for residencies!!! has anyone thought of that?? forget about the negativity and choose the university that best fits you! I wish you a lot of success!!!

This is a nice thought. I applaud you for your positivity. Unfortunately, if the OP wishes to practice in the U.S., it is, frankly, misplaced. There will simply not be any residency spots left for IMGs in the coming years. I would anticipate political pressure for Carib graduates to be barred from U.S. residencies entirely at some point in the near future, either by ACGME resolution, AMA and/or AAMC pressure, or by actual legislation. It is becoming increasingly competitive for U.S. MD (and DO) grads, which means U.S. schools are likely to begin to see Carib programs as more than just a relatively benign cancer eating up the money of poor, naive, academically weak former pre-meds. You can't tell me that attending a Carib program is a smart choice without sounding ignorant.

 

[CDI]

If you're adamant on going this route, for whatever reason, then it really doesn't matter what place you choose. You might as well get the cheapest education possible, and just eat, sleep, breathe Step 1. Where you go and what actual education you get hardly matter for an IMG as it is, let alone 4 years from now.

Bottomline...no one is actually guaranteed a residency spot. Being an underperforming US MD doesn't guarantee you anything either. IMGs will still be around and will still show up with their 250s and 260s and snag spots away from underperforming US MDs. That's how the game works. Getting those scores is of course the hard part...

 

[meek]

"I would anticipate political pressure for Carib graduates to be barred from U.S. residencies entirely at some point in the near future, either by ACGME resolution, AMA and/or AAMC pressure, or by actual legislation. "

Seriously? Barred?? I guess some people are scared of the competition. If not, then, why so hostile?

 

[CDI]

This is a nice thought. I applaud you for your positivity. Unfortunately, if the OP wishes to practice in the U.S., it is, frankly, misplaced. There will simply not be any residency spots left for IMGs in the coming years. I would anticipate political pressure for Carib graduates to be barred from U.S. residencies entirely at some point in the near future, either by ACGME resolution, AMA and/or AAMC pressure, or by actual legislation. It is becoming increasingly competitive for U.S. MD (and DO) grads, which means U.S. schools are likely to begin to see Carib programs as more than just a relatively benign cancer eating up the money of poor, naive, academically weak former pre-meds. You can't tell me that attending a Carib program is a smart choice without sounding ignorant.

Caribbean medical education is just another business. They don't promise you residency spots. There won't be any barring taking place anytime soon. We can't even keep DNPs and PAs from infringing on our turf and you think the ACGME/AMA are going to care about a few Caribbean students willingly pouring in mililions of dollars every year in the form of USMLE fees and residency application fees?

The increase in med school spots is a calculated way to keep money within the US. It causes a squeeze on the Caribbean programs who have been running MD mills and syphoning TONS of money. However, these programs also pay a lot to allow their students to rotate in US hospitals. It's all a money game. However, now a couple more of those last-tier students (who would have resorted to the Caribbean) will instead stay within the US - floating more jobs and keeping money at home (the US).

 

[KnuxNole]

"I would anticipate political pressure for Carib graduates to be barred from U.S. residencies entirely at some point in the near future, either by ACGME resolution, AMA and/or AAMC pressure, or by actual legislation. "

Seriously? Barred?? I guess some people are scared of the competition. If not, then, why so hostile?

There isn't any actual competition. If someone from the US didn't get a spot that a Carib student got instead, the US student should have worked harder. I dunno why you seem so defensive meek. First you were curious why people think Caribbean schools are bad, then you switched gears and got defensive for some reason...

 

[omgbiscuit]

There isn't any actual competition. If someone from the US didn't get a spot that a Carib student got instead, the US student should have worked harder. I dunno why you seem so defensive meek. First you were curious why people think Caribbean schools are bad, then you switched gears and got defensive for some reason...

Hint: he goes to one

 

[fahimaz7]

There isn't any actual competition. If someone from the US didn't get a spot that a Carib student got instead, the US student should have worked harder. I dunno why you seem so defensive meek. First you were curious why people think Caribbean schools are bad, then you switched gears and got defensive for some reason...

Sigh.. The problem with the Caribbean school is that most people who enroll do not graduate with a MD, much less get into a residency of their choosing in the US. Hell, the 250/250 guys from the islands are having to apply to 100+ locations and are lucky to get 5-10 interviews when the time comes.

Nothing is certain and it's much, much easier to get a residency location if you are a MD or DO from the US.

 

[mj1207]

Hello,

I have been accepted to both SGU and Ross U in the Caribbean and am not sure if I should pick one or the other. I also have open applications for US allopathic and osteopathic schools that I am waiting to hear back from (not good as it is so late in the cycle). Without digressing, I am here to do a cost benefit analysis between these two schools and any personal insight you guys can provide from your own experiences!

Thank you in advance,
Preintel

Although I don't know much about either school, I would do some research. I looked at SGU's website, and they have lists of where students have matched for residency. Take a look at that and see how you feel. I bet if you reached out to admissions offices at both schools, they may be able to give you contact information for some current students. I would definitely take the time to talk to them and ask them questions...I feel like a student would be pretty honest about their experiences, if they feel supported, and how they feel about matching in the states. You could also ask admissions if they know of physicians that have graduated from their programs located close to where you are. Then you could reach out to them to ask questions. Hope this helps you decide! Good luck!

 

[Law2Doc]

Although I don't know much about either school, I would do some research. I looked at SGU's website, and they have lists of where students have matched for residency. Take a look at that and see how you feel. I bet if you reached out to admissions offices at both schools, they may be able to give you contact information for some current students. I would definitely take the time to talk to them and ask them questions...I feel like a student would be pretty honest about their experiences, if they feel supported, and how they feel about matching in the states. You could also ask admissions if they know of physicians that have graduated from their programs located close to where you are. Then you could reach out to them to ask questions. Hope this helps you decide! Good luck!

Problem with this is success of people who graduated a year ago will have no bearing on odds of someone just starting med school. The gates are swinging shut and so the guy who got through when it was still half open will give false hope.

 

[Law2Doc]

I give you guys a choice of two options...what kind of doctors are you?...

a good doctor will tell you when both options are bad. Imagine a patient who comes in and asks which is better for him, to keep taking heroin or to switch to meth. You really think we need to stick with those bad options because that's what was asked?

 

[113]

Which one has a nicer beach?

Pick that one.

 

[da8s0859q]

I give you guys a choice of two options...what kind of doctors are you?

...

Now you can sit on your high horse and complain that this is wrong or that is a problem etc or you can see if you have something insightful to say which will help me.

...

For the other people if you do not have something to say regarding my question then save your time and do something productive (don't you have some studying to do?)

You: "Hey, I'm between this not-so-great idea and this other not-so-great idea."

Chorus, insightfully: "Do neither! Make your app better and try again. Best option for future security."

You: "That's not the advice I wanted so I'm gonna go off on this silly rant!"

Dude, I know it's an unpleasant situation, but sometimes the majority opinion is right.

Caribbean grads do end up in the United States, yes, but do you really want to start yourself on a needlessly uphill battle which can only get more uphill when you decide you want to match into a more competitive specialty?

 

[yoyostring]

You're not going to listen to people telling you not to go to the Caribbean. You already know what kind of risk it is. Right? It sounds like you're pretty stubborn and that can be a plus for you.

I'd tell you to just pick one. Talk to some grads of each, and ask why they chose to go there. Research which will be best for you (tuition, US rotations, grad support....whatever), and pick one.

You already know what you are up against. If you are willing to take the risk, then best of luck to you.

You still have a couple of options though to get into school here in the states, like getting a masters degree. Many programs will look past bad grades as an undergrad if someone has a competitive MCAT and did well in their masters program. You could pick a one year masters in something medical or a two year program and apply even after one year (while taking that time to get good grades and polish up other parts of your application).

You could also start at a caribbean school and transfer back to the US. I think something like 10% of SGU students that make it past step 1 do this. Granted this will probably be more difficult in the next few years but still possible.

Finally, you could just stick it out in the caribbean and hope for the best. There is a possibility that they will even increase the number of residency slots in the next couple of years. Our country is in a financial crap hole, but the president is kinda doing what ever he wants....and you never know. If you don't get a residency, you don't have to practice medicine. It sounds like that is what you want, but if worse comes to worse you could teach anatomy at some university somewhere and still live ok, pay off your loans (slowly) and enjoy what you do.

You are the master of your fate. Don't let people tell you that you can't have what you want. Its a risk, but as long as you know that....do what you want to do

 

[CDI]

I give you guys a choice of two options...what kind of doctors are you?

The kind with medical degrees... You?

 

[GoSpursGo]

Moving to Caribbean.

As other posters have noted, going to the Caribbean closes doors to many specialty options, and many who go that route will wind up with a mountain of debt and no residency to fall back on--a situation that will become all the more common in the coming years as the number of US MD and DO graduates increase as residency spots stay roughly constant. If you insist on the high risk/high reward Caribbean route, I don't think it matters--either way you need to be self-motivated to be one of the rockstars that destroys Step 1--so you might as well go to whichever program seems like a better location.

 

[Unzbuzzled]

Hello,

I have been accepted to both SGU and Ross U in the Caribbean and am not sure if I should pick one or the other. I also have open applications for US allopathic and osteopathic schools that I am waiting to hear back from (not good as it is so late in the cycle). Without digressing, I am here to do a cost benefit analysis between these two schools and any personal insight you guys can provide from your own experiences!

Thank you in advance,
Preintel

I know you don't want to hear this, but the advice you need is to not go to the caribbean. While it's true that there are practicing Caribbean doctors in this country, it is getting harder and harder to follow in their footsteps due to new laws and the looming residency crunch. But there are still solid options for you. Do what I did and apply to the BMS program at RFUMS. There are still spots open for this next fall, and all you have to do is get As or Bs in all of the classes and you'll be a US MD student in a year's time. If you have the stats to get into SGU or Ross, you have the stats to get into BMS. It's a much more conservative approach than heading offshore. If you are truly willing to work to compensate for your low undergrad stats, BMS will give you an amazing opportunity. Just my $0.02.

http://www.rosalindfranklin.edu/Degreeprograms/BiomedicalSciences.aspx

 

[Preintel]

Hello,

Okay I figure since you guys want to help me I might as well give more information so my situation makes a little more sense

I did my undergraduate 4 years and finished in 2009 with a low GPA of about 2.85. The problem was I had to work full or part time and was financially disadvantaged through most of this time. At this point I thought there was nothing I could do so I decided to work and try to pay off the loans; in 2010 through now I have been taking some courses in biology and took the MCAT (scored a 35T) while doing some research and trying to get the ECs which I didn't have time to do during undergrad. Unfortunately I was naive during my undergrad years and took higher level courses than my peers (who got admitted into US MD programs) because I wanted to learn, naturally things fell apart juggling work and school, so I have low semesters and high semesters fluctuating like a sine curve on my transcript (about 120 credits so far).

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy working to improve my situation and have been brought up with the idea that I am simply not good enough (which is why some posts tend to incite me quite more). I am willing to do a post bacc or other program as I am 26 years old right now and can devote a year but keeping in mind this will probably mean having to retake the MCATs and hope I first can even get into the post bacc program (as these are usually instate and competitive to begin with, based on my research of 10-15 of these programs).

I have worked at a small Caribbean MD school and know already a number of them are closing down and telling their students bye-bye with nothing to show for their invested time and money, but I was hoping SGU and Ross being more established will be able to at least compete assuming of course I have a immaculate USMLE step 1 and 2. Now my intent is to enter into Pediatrics or FP so I am not looking to make big bucks or a name for myself. My goal is to get into residency, work in the US and devote part of my time overseas with doctors without borders and other non-profits. I will be quite happy having a income of $50k a year after tax (obviously 10 years down the road I will need to adjust for inflation). Despite all the crazy things going on from the so-called fiscal cliff to the financial bubble to Obama's insane desire to control health care policies domestically, life is ultimately playing the lottery and trying to increase your odds to improve your chance and there are no guarantees.

Naturally the next 2 months will be life changing for me as I will hear back from the last of the US MD and DO schools that I have applied to, however it does make sense to have a contingency plan (despite the odds and shortcomings). Hence I have sent in a deposit for SGU while I wait to hear back from US schools but am open to any specific suggestions of post bacc programs that I can still apply to for this year. I hope I do not come across as arrogant but rather seeking a solution to an ever complex problem, hence my dubious nature which will invariably produce more insightful responses from this intelligent community.

If you have read this far, thank you for your time and devotion to this community but keep in mind I will take your advice with a grain of salt as this decision has undetermined consequences forthcoming.

 

[MD2B1987]

As a current SGU med student who is very pleased with the education (basic sci and clinicals) and the success of those who go before me, I would highly recommend attending SGU over ROSS. SGU was the first in the caribbean and is by far more reputable and reliable in terms of clinical spots. I would not hesitate to begin my education ASAP if I were you because should you not get into US MD schools next year again, it will simply be another year wasted. SGU provides an excellent education and superb match results and has been around for almost 40 years, much longer than some US medical schools. DO schools are a whole seperate issue as I am more allopathic minded. Despite probably being an excellent candidate that would do great in any medical school, your GPA will likely prevent you from being admitted to US MD schools and the obvious 'contingency' plan is SGU! Great teaching, tons of administrative support, great island and rediculously good match results year after year! Hope this helps.

 

[Top Gun]

As a current SGU med student who is very pleased with the education (basic sci and clinicals) and the success of those who go before me, I would highly recommend attending SGU over ROSS. SGU was the first in the caribbean and is by far more reputable and reliable in terms of clinical spots. I would not hesitate to begin my education ASAP if I were you because should you not get into US MD schools next year again, it will simply be another year wasted. SGU provides an excellent education and superb match results and has been around for almost 40 years, much longer than some US medical schools. DO schools are a whole seperate issue as I am more allopathic minded. Despite probably being an excellent candidate that would do great in any medical school, your GPA will likely prevent you from being admitted to US MD schools and the obvious 'contingency' plan is SGU! Great teaching, tons of administrative support, great island and rediculously good match results year after year! Hope this helps.

As an SGU grad, I agree with you in regards to the education provided by that school. I feel that I received an excellent education in both the basic and clinical sciences. And yes, SGU has undoubtedly produced the best match results of all the Caribbean schools. Several of my classmates matched into more competitive specialties like anesthesia, general surgery, or EM. One or two even matched into ophtho.

Having said that, however, the OP needs to understand that getting into a US MD/DO school opens more doors than a Caribbean one. Students from the Caribbean already have to work much harder than those from American schools in order to land a residency spot. A student from SGU, for instance, will have to score better on the USMLE than an AMG in order to land the same residency spot. Also, the uber-competitive fields like derm or plastics are virtually impossible for a Caribbean grad to get into. Even AMGs have difficulty matching into one of those fields. And with the number of med schools opening up in the US, the competition for residency spots is becoming tighter than it ever was, because the number of residency spots available continues to remain constant.

The Caribbean schools are an option, but they should be considered as a last resort. If you have tried at least twice to get into US schools and have done everything possible to improve your application (i.e. retaking courses, doing an SMP, retaking the MCAT, doing more ECs, etc...), then you should consider the Caribbean.

 

[Kobebucsfan]

As an SGU grad, I agree with you in regards to the education provided by that school. I feel that I received an excellent education in both the basic and clinical sciences. And yes, SGU has undoubtedly produced the best match results of all the Caribbean schools. Several of my classmates matched into more competitive specialties like anesthesia, general surgery, or EM. One or two even matched into ophtho.

Having said that, however, the OP needs to understand that getting into a US MD/DO school opens more doors than a Caribbean one. Students from the Caribbean already have to work much harder than those from American schools in order to land a residency spot. A student from SGU, for instance, will have to score better on the USMLE than an AMG in order to land the same residency spot. Also, the uber-competitive fields like derm or plastics are virtually impossible for a Caribbean grad to get into. Even AMGs have difficulty matching into one of those fields. And with the number of med schools opening up in the US, the competition for residency spots is becoming tighter than it ever was, because the number of residency spots available continues to remain constant.

The Caribbean schools are an option, but they should be considered as a last resort. If you have tried at least twice to get into US schools and have done everything possible to improve your application (i.e. retaking courses, doing an SMP, retaking the MCAT, doing more ECs, etc...), then you should consider the Caribbean.

what if u just want to go into Internal or family medicine. Which i heard is less competitive than others. Would Caribbean schools give us a residency for this field ?

 

[CDI]

what if u just want to go into Internal or family medicine. Which i heard is less competitive than others. Would Caribbean schools give us a residency for this field ?

Still difficult. Four years from now even those will be tough.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

Hello,

I have been accepted to both SGU and Ross U in the Caribbean and am not sure if I should pick one or the other. I also have open applications for US allopathic and osteopathic schools that I am waiting to hear back from (not good as it is so late in the cycle). Without digressing, I am here to do a cost benefit analysis between these two schools and any personal insight you guys can provide from your own experiences!

Thank you in advance,
Preintel

If you have a good MCAT score (26+), I think you should do a postbacc. There are many DO schools (LMU-DCOM, LECOM, TOURO etc...) that have one year postbacc with guarantee acceptance to their DO school if you maintain a 3.0 GPA during the postbacc. Their admission requiremnts are not that high...Most of them require a 3.0 cGPA, 2.75 sGPA and a 24 MCAT. You 'should' use that avenue first before heading to SGU or ROSS.