Any thoughts on Caribbean schools?

[purplekat]

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Did anyone apply or does anyone go there now and would like to comment on there experience? Bad? Good?

 

[(Dirty Version)]

Did anyone apply or does anyone go there now and would like to comment on there experience? Bad? Good?

In my experience, if you tell someone you went/are going to a carribean school, their response are usually accompanied by some eye-rolling, smirking, or [insert any type of dimunitive behavior here].

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I think you'd be better of going to an Osteopathic medical school than an M.D. program in the Carribean. Island schools just dont get any respect (cue Rodney Dangerfield footage).

 

[purplekat]

I think you'd be better of going to an Osteopathic medical school than an M.D. program in the Carribean. Island schools just dont get any respect (cue Rodney Dangerfield footage).

yea i'm already planning on DO schools, i just wanted another back up to my back up.

 

[crazy250]

why are you that insecure? what are your stats?

 

[purplekat]

why are you that insecure? what are your stats?

My stats are really bad. 3.1 overall, don't even know what science is and i'm retaking the mcats. I think i'm just really crazy or doing wishful thinking.

 

[NubianPrincess]

Good luck in your journey, purplekat

 

[purplekat]

Good luck in your journey, purplekat

thanks nubianprincess, i know i need a lot of it!

 

[NubianPrincess]

I do too, trust me Don't think that i'm implying that you will need alot of luck. I just understand what it's like to be worried, and to wish that you could turn back the hands of time and do things differently. You have my best wishes 🙂

 

[purplekat]

I do too, trust me Don't think that i'm implying that you will need alot of luck. I just understand what it's like to be worried, and to wish that you could turn back the hands of time and do things differently. You have my best wishes 🙂

Oh, do i ever wish i can turn back the hands of time and start my undergrad all over again...oh well... guess i'll just bribe someone 😉 Good luck to u too nubian!

 

[Fermata]

The three most reputable are:
1.) SGU
2.) Ross
3.) AUC

If you apply Caribbean, then apply to those.

 

[Fermata]

Also check out www.valuemd.com

 

[purplekat]

thanks fermata, i will check those out!

 

[Fermata]

thanks fermata, i will check those out!

Check out the forums on valuemd. There are a lot of people talking about their experiences/adventures on the islands.

Good luck.

 

[willthatsall]

Haha, I just can't get over the time my proctor for a Kaplan test (she goes to a Caribbean school) likened it to being in Jurassic Park on the island.

 

[Fermata]

Haha, I just can't get over the time my proctor for a Kaplan test (she goes to a Caribbean school) likened it to being in Jurassic Park on the island.

Hehe. I've heard some interesting stories myself.

 

[Gleevec]

I think you'd be better of going to an Osteopathic medical school than an M.D. program in the Carribean. Island schools just dont get any respect (cue Rodney Dangerfield footage).

Well, respect is something earned anyway, and you will have to work a little harder to earn it regardless.

Because most people have heard of MD, and in general most patients dont ask where you got it once they see your coat. When you do have to tell them you went to the Carribean though, it might be awkard.

Then again, if you have a DO on your jacket, you will have to answer questions about your degree, etc. But once you tell them you went to X COM then you'll be better off on that front.

Its good you're applying to both, and depending on cost considerations and your state residency, one might be better than the other for ya. In any case, you will earn the respect of your peers and your patients regardless of your degree just by being a good doctor. Good luck.

 

[NE_Cornhusker1]

In my experience, if you tell someone you went/are going to a carribean school, their response are usually accompanied by some eye-rolling, smirking, or [insert any type of dimunitive behavior here].

this response is pretty common of jack-off pre-med types who are certain they know it all. st. george and ross are both well respected.

 

[purplekat]

yea i think i'll consider those two schools. Does anyone know what the app deadline is?

 

[Luck]

Hello purplekat,

You should go to the following website because it goes in depth about caribbean schools. I would advise you NOT to apply to the following schools because they have many deficiencies.

http://www.aaimg.com/list/medical.html

I believe that some caribbean schools do have significant deficiencies.

Windsor School of Medicine,
St. Christopher, West Indies, 2000
Deficiencies
Section I a,b,c,d, e,g,h
Section II b,c,d,f,
Section III b,c,d,e,g,h,k
Section IV c,f,g,j,l,k,m,n
Section V a,d,e,f,h,j,l,m
Section VI a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j
Section VII b,c,e,f,g,i
Section VIII e
No substantive changes were noted since the last site visit. The entire campus still consists of two small rented buildings in an industrialized port area. Classrooms are poorly equipped with one inadequate multipurpose lab and no real medical library. One anatomy cadaver is used for multiple terms. Course descriptions and the curriculum breakdown are inadequate. Small faculty teaches numerous courses and there no listing of clinical hospital affiliations. There are no federal or regulated private loans. Complaints have been received from students about slow refunds and withholding of transcripts. Free housing advertised on web site is so poor that most students will pay to rent apartments.

University of Sint Eustatius,
St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles, 1999
Deficiencies
Section I b,c,d,e,h
Section II c,d,k,l
Section III b,c,d,e,,i
Section IV c,f,l
Section V b,c,e,f,h,j,l,n,m
Section VI b,d,e,f,h
Section VII b,d,e,f,g,i
Section VIII b,c
No substantive changes were noted since the last site visit. A promised campus complex has failed to materialize and there has been significant turnover in faculty and administration. Classrooms are in rented local buildings and can require up to a 30 minute walk from one area to another. ?Dorms? are actually run down local hotels. There is insufficient library space and inadequate book and journal holdings although the computer lab is well equipped. Curriculum has a minimal 32 month total duration with an unrealistic number of basic science courses crammed into four terms. School does not publish hospital affiliations or loan programs. Large student body contingent from African country was withdrawn by government last year. School accepts large number of transfer students, some without proper documentation or completion of a full basic science curriculum. Advertising of success rates on web site is misleading.

International University of the Health Sciences,
St. Christopher, West Indies, 1997
Deficiencies
Section I a,b,c,f,g,h
Section II a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,j,k,I,
Section III b,c,d,f,h,I,k
Section IV c,d,e,f,g,k,m
Section V b,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l,m,o
Section VI b.c.d.e.f,g,h,I,j
Section VII a,b,c,d,i
Section VIII a,b,c,e
No significant changes noted since last visit for school with a primarily distance learning curriculum. Grants advanced placement to allied health professionals; full-time residence on St. Kitts is not required. Problem based learning on computer with tutorials gives insufficient basic science preparation. No labs or real library at ?campus? site which is a solitary rented building, ? Brannigan House?. Lacks permanent onsite faculty and the web site list is misleading about actual faculty involvement with students. While hospital experience on St. Kitts has expanded, local physician preceptors are not skilled in problem based learning. There is no list of clinical sites and no federal or regulated private loans are available. Several state licensing boards will not license graduates of this school. Marketing is misleading on web site. Several new affiliations listed in India but Medical College of London does not appear to exist nor have a current link from IUHS. Web site advertises eligibility to take PLAB in U.K. but this was not confirmed by General Medical Council in U.K. The website for IUHS has been expanded to list affiliations with other institutions in the United States, United Kingdom and India. There were no site visits to these ?affiliates? and the London contact appears to have vanished.

St. Matthews School of Medicine,
Ambergis Caye, Belize, Central America, 1997
Deficiencies
Section I b,c,d,f,h
Section II c,e,k,l
Section III a,b,c,d,e,f,i
Section IV b,c,f,g,m,n
Section V b,d,e,f,h,I,I,j,l,m,n
Section VI a,b,e,h,i
Section VII b,e,f,i
Section VIII c
This school has experienced serious internal management problems with both high faculty and administrative turnover. Relocation of basic science campus last year to a rented office building in the Cayman Islands provides only the most basic classroom facilities. The labs and library remain inadequate; plastinated parts are used in anatomy instead of cadavers. School is very decentralized and the Maine campus at a small remote college still lacks proper structure for a basic science instruction. Portion of instruction done in USA may create licensing problems, although this school is still too new for many test cases. Possible licensing issues are still not realistically addressed by the school. School takes significant amount of transfer students and failures from other medical schools. Web site is misleading as to facility and actual onsite fulltime faculty. Clerkship program is loosely organized.

University of the Health Sciences, Antigua,
West Indies, 1982
Deficiencies
Section I a,b,c,d,g,h
Section II a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,j,k,l
Section III b,c,d,h,j,k
Section IV f,g,I,k,m
Section V b,c,e,f,,h,j,k,l,m,n
Section VI a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,
Section VII b,c,d,e,f,g
Section VIII a,b,c,d
Distance learning, part-time attendance, and advanced placement to allied health professionals are part of this curriculum. The school also specializes in quickie, but expensive, ?conversion? degrees-for dentists, veterinarians, doctors of osteopathic medicine and chiropractors to MD?s. There is a run down permanent campus in a remote location with a guard at the gate. Visitors are not welcome. The dorms are old barracks. There are insufficient laboratories and a small library with a few old books and journals. Insufficient faculty are onsite (one elderly fulltime anatomist this past visit) and the faculty list on web page is very misleading. There is no list of clerkship affiliations or preceptors and the school has no relationship with the local hospital or health care community. Stafford loans were withdrawn on an emergency basis in 1995 by US Department of Education, there are no current financial aid programs. Letters sent by former students complain of inability to obtain transcripts and vital licensing endorsements as well as tuition refunds. This school has been in existence over 20 years but web site fails to list graduates with residencies. There are email contacts for more recent graduates but we received few replies.

Spartan Health Sciences University,
St. Lucia, West Indies, 1981
Deficiencies
Section I a,b,c,d,h
Section II a,b,c,d,f,g,j,k,l
Section III c,d,k
Section IV c,f,m
Section V b,ce,f,h,j,l,m
Section VI a,b,e,f,h,I
Section VII c,e,f,I
Section VIII a,b,e
There are no significant changes since the last site visit. There is some improvement noted in the permanent campus building that sits next to a bottling plant in an industrial area of Vieux Fort. There is a small stable faculty who each teach several courses. Nearly all are foreign trained with the exception of 2 Spartan graduates who never completed residencies. There is no alteration in the minimal four trimester basic science curriculum which is taught in a piecemeal approach. It is impossible for all the basic science and pre-clinical topics to be covered in such a short time frame. Two cadavers, one male and one female, are present in the tiny anatomy lab. There is a small library with internet access but the holdings of books and journals are insufficient. There is no listing of hospital affiliations and students must pay own clerkship fees, which can be several hundred dollars a month. 66 weeks of required core clerkships includes only 6 weeks of Pediatrics but 20 weeks of core surgery and surgical subspecialties. The main teaching hospital is a small facility for civil servants in Juarez, Mexico, which tends to run a low census. There is little structure to the teaching program and students must often find there own clerkships in the USA. Federal loans were withdrawn 1997. Despite establishment in 1981 and claims of licensed graduates in 40 states, this school can provide the names of fewer than 60 licensed graduates. There is a history of legal sanctions by California and injunctions by the Texas Attorney General.

 

[Luck]

You should also not apply to these schools.

St. James School of Medicine,
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, 2000
Deficiencies
Section I a,b,c,d,f,g,h
Section II a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,j,k,l
Section III b,c,d,g,h,i,j,k
Section IV d,f,g,l,k,m,n
Section V b,c,d,e,f,h,j,k,l,m,n,o
Section VI a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,I,j
Section VII b,c,d,e,f,g,i
Section VIII c
This school began by taking transfer students to clerkships before basic science instruction actually commenced. The basic science curriculum attempts to cram the first two years of medical school into four short trimesters. The facility consists of a few classrooms in a very old school building with no gross anatomy lab or cadavers. There are a few microscopes and improvements in classroom equipment but the overall impression is one of high school science facility, and a poor one at that. There is limited internet access but no real medical library. Up to date journals and texts are woefully absent. There is high faculty turnover and some teachers are also students. Some faculty teach many courses that are often not within their field of expertise. This school has minimal admission standards and has a high percentage of transfer students. Recruiting is directed toward granting advanced standing to allied health professionals; a policy clearly stated on the web page. Allied Health professionals pursuing this course of study are at risk for licensing problems. Another program targets foreign trained MD?s in a ?rehabilitation? program. There is no listing of clerkship affiliations in the catalog or on the web page and applicants are given false assurances that their clerkships will meet ?greenbook? standards by recruiters.

St. Martinus University, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, 2003
It appears every Dutch island with the exception of Aruba now has a medical school. There is a sketchy web page showing a minimal basic science program crammed into four short trimesters. The new medical is located in Otrabanda, a charming, older area trying to attract business and tourist interest. The facility is a cavernous, old school building sorely in need of renovation for basic medical school facilities such as labs and a library. There were a handful of students and three faculty (one was the Dean) present. The Dean was a former administrator at the University of Sint Eustatius. This school hopes to attract Venezuelan and South American students with plans for extensive development and charges a great deal of tuition for a practically non-existent program. There are no loan programs to date. Curacao is a large island with one large major teaching hospital and more sophisticated medical community than most Caribbean islands. For the time being, St. Martinus rates Global Deficiencies Categories I-VIII.

St. Mary?s School of Medicine, Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies, 2003
This school first surfaced in the Pacific Basin with a WHO listing in the Cook Islands, Rarotonga. There was an aborted effort to hold classes in the Hawaiian Islands resulting in the loss of tuition to many students. The promoter, who had an office in El Paso, Texas, then began instruction across the border in Juarez, Mexico, following the time honored tradition of CAHSU and Spartan. Complaints to the Texas Attorney General by students led to governmental scrutiny and this school vanished from site for a few years. It has resurfaced with a web site and alleges a campus now on the island of St. Lucia. The address on St. Lucia is actually a post office box and there was no evidence of a campus. Furthermore, the World Health Organization is unable to verify any request from the Ministry of Health of St. Lucia to list this school in the World Directory of Medical Schools. St. Mary?s WHO listing has been removed from the Cook Islands. Students are not approved as of the fall of 2003 to take the USMLE exams by the ECFMG. The web site gives no names to contact other than ?Admissions? which is how inquiries are answered by email requests. Students are not required to pay an application fee by must put down a non refundable matriculation of $950.00. St. Mary?s is more than deserving of the Global Deficiencies, Categories I-VIII. There are probably a few confused souls who will actually send a deposit to this place.

Grace University,
Belmopan, Belize, Central America, 2000
Deficiencies
Section I a,b,c,d,f,gh
Section II a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,j,k.l
Section III a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,I,j,k
Section IV c,f,g,I,k,m
Section V a,b,c,d,e,f,h,j,k,l,m,n
Section VI b,c,d,e,f,g,h,I,j
Section VII b,c,d,e,f,g,h
Section VIII a,c,d
Grace University has been in existence for over 15 years and reinvented itself on several occasions. Opening initially on the island of Nevis with a minimal operation, a Cambridge, England, ?campus? was subsequently opened. The site visit in 2001 revealed a shabby, run down upstairs flat on the outskirts of Cambridge promoting a distance learning program with advanced standing for allied health professionals. The school closed briefly when it lost its charter then obtained registration in Belize. The operation moved to the capital, Belmopan, with promises of building a new campus. Grace remains true to its prior modus operandi and has its classes in a rented two flat building on a dirt side road in a residential area. A handful of students hear lectures by a few visiting faculty in the made over living room and bedroom ?classrooms? in this dreary place. There is no catalog and the web site misrepresents the program, facility and faculty members. There is no list of hospital affiliations. This school has run out of the promoter?s home in Florida despite regulations by the Florida Department of Education that requires an approval process. Run from this one.

Central American Health Sciences University,
Belize City, Belize, Central America, 1996
Deficiencies
Section I a,b,c,d,f,h
Section II a,b,c,e,f,g,j,k,l
Section III b,cd,e,g,h,k
Section IV a,b,c,d,f,g,j,l,m
Section V b,c,d,e,f,h,j,k, l,m,n
Section VI b,c,d,e,f,g,h,I,j
Section VII c,d,e,g,I
Section VIII d,e
There are few changes since the last site visit. The school has moved further from Belize City into an area designated as the ?free zone.? This is a guarded area for businesses investment and other entities. The building is an improvement over the former structure but nevertheless rented. There is a large library with computer access but holdings are sparse and most woefully outdated. Students live in nearby small village; this is an isolated area. The anatomy lab held two desiccated cadavers with dirty dissection tools lying about on trays. There is minimal faculty presence; most are part-time. The handful of students present during the site visit state they spend only two terms in Belize then go to the Juarez, Mexico, ?campus.? Our site visitors confirmed that this is, in fact, a store front facility directly across the border from El Paso, Tx. The school does not publish a hospital affiliation list. There is a history of sanctions by the Texas Attorney General.

American International School of Medicine,
Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, Guyana, South America
Deficiencies
Section I b,c,d,f,g,h
Section II a,c,d,e,f,g,h,j
Section III b,c,d,e,h,i,k
Section IV a,c,f,g,m
Section V b,d,e,f,h,j,k,l,m,n,o
Section VI a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,I,j
Section VII b,d,e,f,g
Section VIII a,c
Application to this school can only be made online and faxed to a number in Massachusetts. Information available on the web site is still incomplete. Minimal facilities and labs still characterize this school which gives advanced standing to allied health professionals and clerkship credit for on the job training. There is some experience available in local hospitals. There are few fulltime qualified faculty members and no list of clerkships. The promoter is a graduate of Grace University with no postgraduate training. Tuition refunds are given only in the case of proven serious illness per the web page.

Centro de Estudios Universitarios Xochimilco,
Ensenada, Mexico
Deficiencies
Section I b,c,d,f,gh
Section II a,b,c,e,f,g,h,I,j,l
Section III b,cd,h,I,k
Section IV a,f,g,k,m
Section V d,f,g,h,l,n
Section VI b,c,d,e,f,g,h,I,j
Section VII c,d,e,f,g,I
Section VIII a,b,d

This school has opened and closed in a number of locations in Mexico for the past 15 years. It moved from central Mexico to the Baja peninsula to attract gullible Americans. It was featured in 1992 on a national investigative news program and subsequently lost U.S. Federal loans. The campus is still housed in a former hotel. There are no labs and few fulltime faculty. Admission standards, course attendance and testing requirements are lax. Faculty is primarily part-time and courses are taught in a haphazard order. There is no list of affiliated hospitals and haphazard clinical supervision.

 

[Assembler]

I think the top 3 are SGU, Ross, and AUC. I'll probably apply to at least SGU and Ross.

I think they have rolling admissions, and they accept applications at least 2-3 times a year. Just look at their websites for more info.

Caribbeans are getting somewhat more difficult to enter. The avg. MCAT for SGU students is like 27 or so. I don't know if Ross listed theirs, but I'm guessing it would be near.

 

[Luck]

The following schools have some deficiencies but have passed the test and are good caribbean schools that are worth looking at. I would advise people to first look at MD and DO schools in the US before looking at these. Either way though, you will still be a doctor. 😀

http://www.aaimg.com/list/meeting.html

The threshold for meeting or exceeding AAIMG evaluation criteria was a minimum of 75% compliance in each category.
St. Georges School of Medicine,
Grenada, West Indies
Deficiencies
Section IV a
Section VII i


Saba University School of Medicine,
Saba, Netherlands Antilles
Deficiencies
Section I c
Section III e
Section VII i


American University of the Caribbean:
St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
Deficiencies
Section I c,i
Section II k
Section IV f,n
Section V g
Section VII i


Ross University School of Medicine,
Portsmouth, Dominica, West Indies
Deficiencies
Section I i
Section II a,n
Section IV f,n
Section V g,i
Section VII i


*Medical University of the Americas,
Nevis, 2000, West Indies
Deficiencies
Section I c
Section II c
Section III d,e
Section IV f
Section V c,n
Section VII i


Universidad Iberoamerica,
Santo, Domingo, Dominican Republic
Deficiencies
Section I c,f,
Section II g
Section III k
Section IV a,g,n
Section VI c
Section VII i
Section VIII d


Instituto Technologica De Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic
Deficiencies
Section I a,c
Section II f,g,l
Section III k
Section IV a,e,f
Section V g,n


Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara,
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Deficiencies
Section I c,i
Section IV a,n
Section III k
Section IV f,k,n
Section V g,n
Section VII i
Section VIII d


Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez,
Juarez, Mexico
Deficiencies
Section I c,d
Section III k
Section IV a,f,k,n
Section V d,g,n
Section VI f,j
Section VIII d


Universidad De Monterrey,
Monterrey, Mexico
Deficiencies
Section I c
Section III I,k
Section IV a,c,f,k
Section V d,g,n
Section VI f,j
Section VIII d


Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey,
Monterrey, Mexico
Deficiencies
Section I c
Section III k
Section IV a,f
Section VI j
Section VIII d


Universidad de Montemorelos,
Nuevo Leon, Montemorelos, Mexico
Deficiencies
Section I c
Section II k
Section III k
Section IV a,f
Section VI f,j



* This school was listed as provisional in the last report. It is rare for AAIMG to find 75% compliance for a new school, particularly in the Caribbean Basin. Of 9 new schools to open in the Caribbean and Central America since 1997, this is the only school with a permanent, suitable physical facility, adequate staffing and developed clerkships.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Well, respect is something earned anyway, and you will have to work a little harder to earn it regardless.

True. But I wasn't only referring to respect from patients and other M.D.s. Carribean graduates are bottom of the barrel for residency picks, and some don't get picked up at all. I have heard horror stories of fourth year medical students finding out that their Carribean M.D. school is losing accreditation (anecdotes aren't worth their weight in paper, i know, but it can happen). I simply wouldnt reccomend going to medical school outside of the United States for those who want to practice here, for a number of reasons, despite the quality education that most foreign medical school have to offer (including the Carribean).

 

[purplekat]

wow that's a lot of info on those schools, thanks for the insight Luck! I will definetly consider MD and DO first.

 

[Assembler]

I believe the pass rate for USMLE I, for SGU is 93%, and in the high 80's (86%?) for Ross.

Also, these two schools can let you come back into the US and do rotations for the last two years. SGU has a 100% matching rate, and I'm pretty sure that Ross is really high also. I think Ross has a wider variety of states to match back into though.

Anyway....Nothing is wrong with either of these schools.

Edit: Oh, yeah, and I think, if you don't pass USMLE I in SGU, they make you take a leave of absence until you pass it. Either that, or they kick you out. This was somewhere on their website. I was reading it a few days ago.

I believe that MD and DO schools should be your top priority, but these are worth considering in any case. The only other thing I left out is that by doing your training in the Caribbeans, or anywhere off-shore, you'll need to be ECFMG certified - which means passing the Clinical Skills Assessment exam in addition to whatever other USMLE exams.

 

[Aucdoctobe]

Yes, Yes PurpleCat, going to the Caribbean will hurt you so so much. lol..

This is a bunch of bullsh*t.

Go to valuemd and write to all the successful doctors.

Also, you may want to PM the now Harvard Rad Oncology Instructor and former chief resident at John Hopkins about how the Caribbean messed her up!

While you are at it, you may want to contact the President of the Arkansas medical association about how the Caribbean hurt him!

Finally, check the statistics that show no difference in income or clinical skills between Caribbean and US graduates of the same specialties.

Or better yet... Stop listening to people who know nothing about it. Do your research. Contact the big 3 Caribbean schools -- AUC, SGU, and Ross. Ask for alumni contacts in the area and talk to them. That is what I did before making up my mind.

I found out that there were 2 professors at my local allopathic medical school who graduated from the Caribbean school that I am attending in January.

You will be pleasantly surprised when you find out about the alumni. Get started on your research.

BY THE WAY, DON'T TRUST AAIMG!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Yes, there are quality schools on the Islands. Sounds like you are doing your HW, which is crucial when applying to these schools. Make sure that their students pass the boards and are matched to residencies in acceptable numbers.

 

[skypilot]

Stick with SGU and you won't go wrong. There are a lot of shady schools but that one is definitely reputable. Check out their match list at http://www.sgu.edu Like Aucdoctobe said there is a Radiologist at Harvard who went there. There are also residents at Stanford, Hopkins, Yale and a professor at U Vermont that went there. I think the important factor is good third and fourth year clinical sites in New York City and licensing approval for all 50 states including California.

Good luck.

 

[Luck]

Stick with SGU and you won't go wrong. There are a lot of shady schools but that one is definitely reputable. Check out their match list at http://www.sgu.edu Like Aucdoctobe said there is a Radiologist at Harvard who went there. There are also residents at Stanford, Hopkins, Yale and a professor at U Vermont that went there. I think the important factor is good third and fourth year clinical sites in New York City and licensing approval for all 50 states including California.

Good luck.

I would agree with this assessment. SGU seems to be the only caribbean school worth going to based on their rotations, and since they are approved in all 50 states. All the other schools probably should be avoided.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Yes, Yes PurpleCat, going to the Caribbean will hurt you so so much. lol..

This is a bunch of bullsh*t.

Dude, no one was saying that you cant be a doctor if you go to the Carribbean. You just have to be careful about what schools that you choose. I think the caution being stressed to the OP is valid and important.

 

[Aucdoctobe]

Though I agreed with Skypilot about the acheivements of Stephew (very nice person and smart as hell), I disagree with other points.

NEVER EVER TRUST PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE ALTERNATIVE like SGU in the Caribbean.

Following that line of thought will make you a loser who is never able to overcome one obstacle in life.

I don't agree with SGU being the only Caribbean school. It's a good school, but it is certainly not the only option in the Caribbean. Do your homework? A Caribbean grad is a Caribbean grad. Licensing matters.

Again, do your research. Use common sense.

No pun included SanDiegoSOD.

 

[Luck]

Dude, no one was saying that you cant be a doctor if you go to the Carribbean. You just have to be careful about what schools that you choose. I think the caution being stressed to the OP is valid and important.

Don't worry too much about Aucdoc. He gets really touchy if you say a bad thing about any caribbean school. I also believe that the caution is well-warranted.

The reality is that going to the caribbean is a risk especially if you eventually want to practice again in the states. Because of this, it's logical to choose a school in the caribbean that has less problems getting you back in the states, give you a good education, and gives you rotations at ACGME accredited hospitals in the US.

The school that does the best job of this is SGU. So if you have to go to the caribbean, you might as well choose a school that will get the job done for you. That school is SGU. You shouldn't risk it by trying anything else especially since SGU has been proven to have successful graduates.

 

[Drakensoul]

The bottom line is the same with any school (within reason).

Do well. Have good grades, have good roatations (and good grades on the rotations), get good letters, and have a good USMLE score.

If you graduate from a Caribbean school with a 190 Step 1 score, prepare for difficulty in attaining a residency in non-primary care fields. But you'll have the same difficulty were you to have graduated from a US MD school with that score.

Graduate from a Caribbean school with a 260 Step 1 score, and you've got a red carpet to walk on.

Granted, if you have the same Step scores as a US MD grad and you're applying to the same program, the US grad will probably have priority. Be aware of this, and put in that little bit of extra effort everywhere you can, and you'll be fine. It comes down to how badly you want to achieve your goals.

SGU, ROSS, AUC, SABA.. you're fine. You may have to endure a few jovial jokes at your expense for it (if you choose to make it public knowledge), but you'll make it if you have the desire and put forth the effort. It may take a bit of extra work, and some fighting/ass-kissing here and there, but you'll make it. It's the people who go to the Caribbean because they could never have gotten into a US MD school and then proceed to bask in their mediocrity and do half-assed work that will have it come back to bite them in the ass.

 

[Luck]

SGU, ROSS, AUC, SABA.. you're fine.

I am not too sure about all those schools. SABA doesn't even require the MCAT and Ross didn't require the MCAT until a few years ago. SABA isn't liscensed in CA so that's a minus if you're from that state, and all schools are having trouble getting liscensed in Texas.

The only legitimate school that is the most difficult to get into of the caribbean schools and offers the best opportunities is SGU.

 

[Drakensoul]

I am not too sure about all those schools. SABA doesn't even require the MCAT and Ross didn't require the MCAT until a few years ago. SABA isn't liscensed in CA so that's a minus if you're from that state, and all schools are having trouble getting liscensed in Texas.

The only legitimate school that is the most difficult to get into of the caribbean and offers the best opportunities is SGU.

I'm not saying that you have the same flexibility as a graduate of the others that a US MD or even SGU grad would have, but you can become a practicing physician, perhaps even in a competitive specialty (some people manage it from Caribbean schools other than SGU every year). Will it be easy, probably not. Is it possible, yes.

The SABA match list is available on their website, and it's fairly decent.

 

[Fermata]

I'm not saying that you have the same flexibility as a graduate of the others that a US MD or even SGU grad would have, but you can become a practicing physician, perhaps even in a competitive specialty (some people manage it from Caribbean schools other than SGU every year). Will it be easy, probably not. Is it possible, yes.

The SABA match list is available on their website, and it's fairly decent.

Check out the second name on the list:

Mohammad Ali, M.D.

Now that's catchy. 😀

 

[Fermata]

I'm not saying that you have the same flexibility as a graduate of the others that a US MD or even SGU grad would have, but you can become a practicing physician, perhaps even in a competitive specialty (some people manage it from Caribbean schools other than SGU every year). Will it be easy, probably not. Is it possible, yes.

The SABA match list is available on their website, and it's fairly decent.

David Goldman, M.D.
Transitional Year, Ophthalmology
Class Of 2002 Current Status
Henry Ford Hospital Program, Detroit, MI


Not bad. 🙂

 

[smokeycat]

I've considered Caribbean schools, and after my research I looked at the following three schools SGU, Ross, AUC.

Until this year, Ross did not require MCAT scores (I know someone that is currently attending Ross and didn't have to take the MCAT). Ross has rolling admissions. But I decided not to apply to a Caribbean school b/c I had serious concerns about my safety (being an American and being outside of the US). Granted, the Caribbean is not as bad as other places, but I had to consider the possibility. But if you believe the 9/11 Commission report, Americans aren't safe anywhere.

 

[skypilot]

I don't agree with SGU being the only Caribbean school. It's a good school, but it is certainly not the only option in the Caribbean. Do your homework? A Caribbean grad is a Caribbean grad. Licensing matters.

I'm not saying that there are not alternatives. But there is no reason to go looking under rocks and bushes for a school when there is a school with an excellent long term track record.

I'd look at licensing in all 50 states, permanent faculty, years in existence, third year rotations, and alumni success.

That leaves you with only Ross, SGU, and AUC with SGU being the top choice.

 

[Assembler]

lol. Give me a break. 9/11 was the most bunch of BS I have ever heard, and it is still continuing to this day. Ever since that damned day happened, everyone and their grandmother thinks we're unsafe; plane, boat, car, movie theatre - you name it. Why are people so ignorant that they fail to realize the ongoing destruction in other countries? Our bombing Afghanistan and Iraq had more, serious, fatal consequences than ever did the "tragedy of 9/11." On top of that, you forget that most other countries are already poor, living in desolate conditions, and in need of food. Safety. Blah.

Also, you forget: The Caribbeans were MADE for Americans. It is pretty damn safe over there, if you stay close to campus grounds. The most you might ever see is petty theft. Hell, I would even go so far as to say the crime rate is lower there than it is in most major cities here. That is one of the most horrible reasons I have ever heard for not considering another type of school. At least maybe if you had gone with some other factor, such as prestige from attending a well-known institution vs. an off-shore one, OK, maybe that's a little more relevant. Safety though? lol. Whatever.

 

[skypilot]

lol. Give me a break. 9/11 was the most bunch of BS I have ever heard, and it is still continuing to this day. Ever since that damned day happen, everyone and their grandmother thinks we're unsafe; plane, boat, car, movie theatre - you name it. Why are people so ignorant that they fail to realize the ongoing destruction in other countries? Our bombing Afghanistan and Iraq had more, serious, fatal consequences than ever did the "tragedy of 9/11." On top of that, you forget that most other countries are already poor, living in desolate conditions, and in need of food. Safety. Blah.

If the CIA hadn't had their fingers up their noses 9/11 would have never happened. Instead of getting the intelligence situation straightened out they are putting the U.S. in a permanent state of panic.

🙂

 

[Naima19]

I'd look at licensing in all 50 states, permanent faculty, years in existence, third year rotations, and alumni success.

That leaves you with only Ross, SGU, and AUC with SGU being the top choice.

I would agree with skypilot. Being able to be licensed in all 50 states is VERY important! Also look at the partnerships they have with hospitals in the US, it will help with getting into a residency program.

 

[Drakensoul]

I would agree with skypilot. Being able to be licensed in all 50 states is VERY important! Also look at the partnerships they have with hospitals in the US, it will help with getting into a residency program.

I don't see why being able to be licensed in all 50 states is VERY important, unless the state you can't be licensed in happens to be the one in which you want to practice. I, personally, will never live in California. It's too crowded, and far too expensive.

 

[smokeycat]

lol. Give me a break. 9/11 was the most bunch of BS I have ever heard, and it is still continuing to this day. Ever since that damned day happened, everyone and their grandmother thinks we're unsafe; plane, boat, car, movie theatre - you name it. Why are people so ignorant that they fail to realize the ongoing destruction in other countries? Our bombing Afghanistan and Iraq had more, serious, fatal consequences than ever did the "tragedy of 9/11." On top of that, you forget that most other countries are already poor, living in desolate conditions, and in need of food. Safety. Blah.

Also, you forget: The Caribbeans were MADE for Americans. It is pretty damn safe over there, if you stay close to campus grounds. The most you might ever see is petty theft. Hell, I would even go so far as to say the crime rate is lower there than it is in most major cities here. That is one of the most horrible reasons I have ever heard for not considering another type of school. At least maybe if you had gone with some other factor, such as prestige from attending a well-known institution vs. an off-shore one, OK, maybe that's a little more relevant. Safety though? lol. Whatever.

your opinion is like an *sshole, it's full of ****.

 

[skypilot]

I don't see why being able to be licensed in all 50 states is VERY important, unless the state you can't be licensed in happens to be the one in which you want to practice. I, personally, will never live in California. It's too crowded, and far too expensive.

The reason it is important is it says something about the school and its track record. In order to be approved for licensing in California, a site visit by a delegation from California is required where the facilities, equipment and curriculum are inspected. It would reassure me if approval was received. It means that the school is approved by a U.S. licensing authority!

Other states and hospitals (and patients!) may look to this approval when they review your qualifications to practice medicine.

 

[Assembler]

your opinion is like an *sshole, it's full of ****.

I fail to see the reason why you could not just resort to a rationalized discussion of your own perceptions...

Maybe you have been deluded by too much of the "fair and balanced" coverage that FOX News has to offer. I wonder what will ever happen if one of your fellow colleagues or patients ever decides to disagree with you. What will you think of next?

 

[TexPre-Med]

Does anyone else find it funny that Mohammad Ali and James Brown are two of the guys on the match list of SABA! They FAKED their matchlist, I know it!

 

[Drakensoul]

The reason it is important is it says something about the school and its track record. In order to be approved for licensing in California, a site visit by a delegation from California is required where the facilities, equipment and curriculum are inspected. It would reassure me if approval was received. It means that the school is approved by a U.S. licensing authority!

Other states and hospitals (and patients!) may look to this approval when they review your qualifications to practice medicine.

And if it hasn't been approved, it could just mean that they haven't visited yet. Or that they have, and they haven't finished going through the insurmountable stack of paperwork required..

Political processes are always lengthy.. 🙁

LoL @ the faked match list.. that would be so awesome 😀

Mariah Carey, MD - Plastic Surgery
Faith Hill, MD - Plastic Surgery

Huhwhat?

 

[flighterdoc]

I don't see why being able to be licensed in all 50 states is VERY important, unless the state you can't be licensed in happens to be the one in which you want to practice. I, personally, will never live in California. It's too crowded, and far too expensive.

You say that now, but what if your desires change in the future?

Also a couple of states just use California's approvals - New Mexico is one, I think there are others (Idaho?). So, you're limiting yourself.

Also, being California approved shows that the school has been around for awhile, and has enough confidence in themselves to risk the inspection. Some other schools that just started may not last any longer than cashing your first check.