AUC or Ross, both have rumors abound

[DATtaker]

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which school do you guys recommend? I understand AUC has been adding more and more clinicals recently (especially with NY approval). I have talked to numerous people and they told me both are great schools. however, people have said ross has a few things to note like a very difficult and accelerated curriculum with difficult MINI tests. harder than AUC? I heard most people fail at AUC b/c of partying and distractions while at Ross there are no distractions but people fail b/c of a really tough and quick schedule.....also the very difficult MINI tests.

what do u guys think?

 

[Rasta man]

I will be posting some information about Ross University. I t is not good news for Ross.

 

[pitman]

I can hear Rasta Man scurrying about collecting his data.
😛

-pitman

 

[soopa]

well, when do you expect this info and will it relate to someone picking b/w AUC or Ross?

anyway, for the topic of this thread. i am also making the decision between AUC and Ross and am really confused. if you have any info, please post.

 

[msgbueno]

i've heard bad news about ross. one of my good friends goes to st. george, and he tells me that there are a lot of students transfer to his school from ross.

 

[Skip Intro]

Originally posted by soopa
well, when do you expect this info and will it relate to someone picking b/w AUC or Ross?

anyway, for the topic of this thread. i am also making the decision between AUC and Ross and am really confused. if you have any info, please post.

There has been a lot of threads on this topic. Do a search. And, be careful about those who make wild claims, either exuberantly for or against, Ross or any other Caribbean school. Do your homework on your own. Don't trust what any single person or source tells you.

Best of luck,

-Skip
MSIII RUSM
In NYC doing Clinical Rotations

 

[USIMGgrad]

Here's what I did. I went to an unknown, unheard of - medical school all the way in the other side of the world in asia. I studied my ass off when I got there, graduated 26th out 220 in my class whom were really smart people and came back home and took Step 1 and got a 91. Now I am almost certain I will land a residency. basically what I am saying is its not the school that makes the doctor its the individual. If I was able to do that, I am sure it won't matter which school you go to as long as you take your education seriously.

Good Luck

 

[dianalowry]

Sorry, my reply got posted as a new thread under 'Auc'...

 

[lealf-ye]

From what I know, Ross appears a little better than AUC.
I can not find any stats on how students from AUC performed on USMLE and their post-gradution education/residency. Ross has more info about these key issues on its website.

The issue with Ross is that the curriculum is very difficult and many people drop out before graduation, but as the school has an open addmission policy, certain negative effect is inevitable.

Another good alternative is SGU, but not everyone is able to get in. 🙁

 

[soopa]

Originally posted by lealf-ye

The issue with Ross is that the curriculum is very difficult and many people drop out before graduation, but as the school has an open addmission policy, certain negative effect is inevitable.

Another good alternative is SGU, but not everyone is able to get in. 🙁

I would happen to think that both AUC and Ross have a difficult curriculum? A certain medical school wouldn't really be "easier," especially when considering the Big 3 in the caribbean (AUC, Ross, SGU).

 

[lealf-ye]

Agree with the above post.
However, considering that one only has 1 year and 3 months to master all the materials in the basic science at Ross, it is more difficult comparing with other schools.

 

[silenthunder]

Hey all,

I just read lealf-ye's post, and it made me think of another question:

Exactly what do Ross people do while they are in Miami in 5th term? I'm not trying to badmouth the school, I just wonder what the curricula is like, and why it's in Miami.

I guess in a similar question:

What do SGU people do in St. Vincent? Why isn't it in Grenada?

And finally, Why doesn't AUC send their people away in 5th term?Is there curricula completely different for 5th term?

Damn, I shoulda started a new thread.......

Cheers all,😀

Silenthunder

 

[soopa]

Originally posted by silenthunder


And finally, Why doesn't AUC send their people away in 5th term?Is there curricula completely different for 5th term?

Damn, I shoulda started a new thread.......

Cheers all,😀

Silenthunder

hey, i asked this question once on the AUC board and they said their 5th semester curriculum is the same as Ross. a pre-clinical semester.....it's just that AUC takes place on the island while Ross you bo back to Miami to get off the island quicker. so that makes Ross and AUC basic science schedule very similar. So I would still have to say one isn't easier than the other. Island living conditions can definitely affect someone though.........don't really know how people say Ross is harder. maybe harder exams but that can only help for board prep.

 

[stephew]

SGU has a term in SVG because they have a good (if basic) hospital there which is anemable to teaching rotations- these are not part of your formal 80 weeks of rotations but a great exposure.
Grenada's hospital isn't up to par for this.

 

[dknykid1980]

hey--

here's my input.. guys like Skip Intro will try to sound unbiased and tell you that you have to do your own research. IF you do your own research you will find that caribbean schools are a risk! why? well look at the facts. at diploma mills like Ross (this will get Skippie really mad i bet) will accept people that have not taken the MCAT (or have unheard of scores....their only reason for MCAT requirement now is so that they can do a statistical analysis, it doesnt go under scrutiny in the admissions office...if you dont believe me you can call their michigan pseudo-office). I know this because when i was applying to med schools, i did look into it. this ross admissions interview (which I could have done on the phone, was practically a sales pitch and the lady was telling me how great the island, etc).

Next, you will always have a stigma of going to a carib med school. You think that's whatever, however, that stigma will stick! it'll stick with you and you will be the butt of residency director jokes...i know this because I have talked/shadowed a few residency directors.

Bottom line is....if you can DO an AMERICAN DO school over the caribbean. Of course the best choice of all is going to ANY AMERICAN MD school. Anyone that thinks otherwise is A)out of their mind B) is a caribbean med schooler who is trying to hail the rescue the name of their diploma generating institution.

I hope this helps...I just wanted to make sure that this gets out to all those kids that are even thinking of applying to Carib schools without really knowing the facts. Ok well I gotta study, i figured the one post i've made in a looooooooong time should help/benefit some of you.

later

US med schooler


p.s. I cant wait to hear what Skip has to say. He already showed his immaturity once by bringing up the past after almost a year. This 35 y.o. immature individual who thinks he is going to graduate from the immaculate ROSS U of the Caribbean and doesnt have an inkling of idea how miscalculated his decision was to attend a caribbean school will argue against this post. keep it coming oh wise one :

 

[soopa]

You can go to residencies that have been caribbean friendly. There have been tons of these. After residency the stigma surely doesn't matter. The D.O. will stick to you forever.

 

[Bevo]

actually, the only time you'll hit a stigma is come residency time when you are applying. Once in no one cares at all. Do your job and they'll do theres. Its a non issue at this point in your life.

No one asks where you went to medical school afterwards. A recent Ross grad is doing a harvard fellowship in radiology now.
Also writes some USMLE prep books, step 2?
My father is a UAG grad and has been practicing for over 30 years. He's never been asked where he went to medical school and he's never asked where anyone else went.

the MCAT thing at Ross is true, but supposdly they will be requiring scores for admissions now, as of sep 04 I believe.

diploma mill = paying money for a worthless piece of paper? Ross wouldn't fail as many people as they do if they were a diploma mill. Your ignorance on the subject shows.

Most interviews from what I experienced are a way for them to learn about you and for them to sell themselves to you. But considering what this island is like, they got a lot selling to do.

Id rather be at a DO school as well, but my interviewing ability sucks. So here I am. There are people here who turned down DO schools because they wanted the MD.

Basically, everyone knows what they're getting into and what they're going to get out of this place. Its an MD degree and a chance to do what they want in life.

The only time we'll get any grief for our decisions are from people like you. Leave people to make their own decisions and formulate their own opnions on the matter.

If you believe his noise to be true, go and ask a doctor at your local hospital or a residency director. Ask what they think about caribbean medical schools like Ross and SGU. Hear it wirh your own ears.

 

[chesspro_md]

I normally don't get involved when it comes to rumors about caribbean schools because its not worth it, but I have to say that it absolutely amazes me how people get on these message boards and bad-mouth schools that they know nothing about. As a 4th year student from Ross, I feel that I made the best decision of my life in attending Ross. Everyone that I know from Ross believes that they received a great education but I'm sure that there are some that don't. My original class had 127 people. I think only 111 went to miami for 5th semester. Some failed out and some didn't like it in dominica because there wasn't a good coffee shop. I would guess that less than 10% fail and have to leave the island because of grades. If you are looking for a medical school that isn't hard, then I wish you the best of luck when you have to take Step 1 because you will not pass it. I personally know 8 people in my class (of 111) that made over 250 and two made over 260. When it comes to matching into residencies your board scores are EVERYTHING. If you go to a school because it is easier then you are hurting yourself in the long run. When it comes to getting a medical education, don't take the easy way out.

I am obviously very proud of where I go to school but I will give an unbiased opinion on how to determine which caribbean school to choose.
1. do your own research on the programs
2. do not listen to rumors
3. Board Pass Rate is the most important factor
4. find out the exact hospitals that you will do your rotations in
5. look at where the previous students have Matched
6. make completly sure that all of your rotations are in the US

This is the exact method that I used to select which caribbean school to attend. AUC told me that there pass rate was 80%, so I took them off my list immediately. Ross and SGU were the only schools that had pass rates over 90%. The reason that I selected Ross was because of they have the best clinical sites of the two. I have rotated with other medical students from: Johns Hopkins, Mt Sinai, Howard Univ, and Boston Univ.

I hope this helps someone. If anyone has any questions about Ross or medical school in general, I would be glad to answer them. I don't check these boards often so just PM me.

 

[smf]

AUC and Ross advantage may not be so much academic as political. Their success is in no way unrelated to legal presence maintained in the USA. Yes indeed, it is not enough to have a medical college with hard working altruistic students.
Without lawsuits and the threat thereof, all those grads would not likely have been able to rotate in the US or place so well.
It is not bad that those schools tailor the curriculum to the US boards. They are not cheap though.

on the other side of the token, if you go somewhere else you can better afford tuition, but you will need precise disicipline to prepare for the boards(whichever country you will return to)

If I had these forums 23 years ago I would have gone crazy listening to rumours and LOSING study time in doing so.


Study!!!!!!!!! Make your own judgements and realizations.

Believe in yourself as much as you doubt


smf
emergency/internal medicine
1982 MD, Santo Domingo

 

[smf]

Hey dknykid, even your name is fashionable, reminiscent of some designer clothing store.

Originally posted by dknykid1980
hey--

here's my input.. guys like Skip Intro will try to sound unbiased and tell you that you have to do your own research. IF you do your own research you will find that caribbean schools are a risk! why? well look at the facts. at diploma mills like Ross (this will get Skippie really mad i bet) will accept people that have not taken the MCAT (or have unheard of scores....their only reason for MCAT requirement now is so that they can do a statistical analysis, it doesnt go under scrutiny in the admissions office...if you dont believe me you can call their michigan pseudo-office). I know this because when i was applying to med schools, i did look into it. this ross admissions interview (which I could have done on the phone, was practically a sales pitch and the lady was telling me how great the island, etc).

==============================================

Diploma mills; wow, use that term at morning rounds when your teaching attending is a Ross graduate or the likes.

I agree there is a risk when you study abroad, but many get a chance. It is then up to them to sink or swim. At the"diploma mill" I attended, probably 40% or less of those, who started, graduated. Some were homesick the first week, others missed their families and friends. Some simply decided it wasn't for them. Some got stressed from all the things they had to learn. After all, 3 semesters of classical anatomy with one of the multiple texts utilized being that of the French anatomist Rouviere, is a far cry from that infinitely detailed stuff taught in the US. If anatomy weren't enough, imagine we also had to deal with the "other" classes like micro, physio, biochem, histology, parasitology, need I say more. And, having to attend lectures in another language and take exams in that language. And wouldn't you know, many of the books are the same as those used in the US, and around the world.

Yes, you are right, only the intellectually inferior are capable of doing this.

And MCATS, where else in the world are MCATS used as criteria for admission. Canada? Do you mean to imply that medical students enrolled throughout the world are no good because they do not take MCATS?

Christian Barnard, the surgeon that did the worlds first heart transplant (there are many more examples) is no good by your criteria. He is but another IMG the subject of butt hole jokes. Sorry I do not know which diploma mill he attended.
==============================================




Next, you will always have a stigma of going to a carib med school.

==============================================
Stigmas are created by and live in the minds of those with insecurities, often hiding behind expressions of superiority.

The Third Reich had similar visions.

==============================================-




You think that's whatever, however, that stigma will stick! it'll stick with you and you will be the butt of residency director jokes...i know this because I have talked/shadowed a few residency directors.

==============================================

Really, "shadowed their butts" Is there some hidden meaning there?


You know those very same residency directors need to think up new jokes when they reunite with their ex- butt joke IMG's now more successful than their residency director.

Having supervised USMG's I would beg to differ as I have been acquainted with my fair share of *****s. No doubt they did well on standardized exams but just couldn't pull it together on the floors.

Comprendes?

==============================================








Bottom line is....if you can DO an AMERICAN DO school over the caribbean. Of course the best choice of all is going to ANY AMERICAN MD school.


============================================
You ARE stamped with a "politically correct" insignia upon acceptance at a US school, even at the likes of Creighton, though some residency directors would like to see that one closed. Sorry, this thread is not supposed to poke fun at US schools.
=============================================

Anyone that thinks otherwise is A)out of their mind B) is a caribbean med schooler who is trying to hail the rescue the name of their diploma generating institution.



==============================================
I'm not sure how to respond to your insightful, analytical, and intellectual a & b statements above. I say insightful, analytical, and intellectual pursuant to your own criteria as a US medschooler. You are so therefore you must be.

My ex-classmates and I are very succesful, perhaps even moreso than some of you'z



==============================================

I hope this helps...I just wanted to make sure that this gets out to all those kids that are even thinking of applying to Carib schools without really knowing the facts. Ok well I gotta study, i figured the one post i've made in a looooooooong time should help/benefit some of you.

later

US med schooler


p.s. I cant wait to hear what Skip has to say. He already showed his immaturity once by bringing up the past after almost a year. This 35 y.o. immature individual who thinks he is going to graduate from the immaculate ROSS U of the Caribbean and doesnt have an inkling of idea how miscalculated his decision was to attend a caribbean school will argue against this post. keep it coming oh wise one :

=============================================
PS; I have a friend that entered university in the Phillipines at age 36, started residency at 40, nice person, smart, competent. He may even be a future teaching attending of US medschooler.
==============================================




Dear US medschooler,


Contrary to your beliefs, it is not physiologically healthy for your
SH-T not to stink.


Un fuerte abrazo y saludos desde el mundo descivilizado



smf
Attending
Emergency Medicine
1982 Graduate, Santo Domingo

forgive my poor spelling I am an IMG from el Caribe

 

[redshifteffect]

I'm not attending the Caribbean, but I did get accepted to accelerated medical school programs in the Brown and Case Western Reserve....(out of highschool)

I didn't take them because of the expensive price tag....Have you ever thought that maybe people don't go to US schools not because they dont' want to but because they can't afford it?

Just a thought