Most of the post here are talking about SGU and Ross. Does anybody know any info on AUC? Island life, student profile, class size, etc. I went to the website, but I'd like some honest opinion about the school too from present and former students, if any. Thanks.
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Scout1113 said:
Hi Scout, I'm a second semester at AUC. I'll give you as much info as I can w/o overwhelming you.
Island life: It's different but very nice. weather is great, a little hot at times, but I am in the AC most of the day so it doesn't matter. There are plenty of things to do (snorkel, scuba, surf, dance, party, eat, gamble, fish, sail, hike, bike). The traffic is bad, but I don't have to worry about it that much b/c my wife does all the running around. Also, I come from a very small town so any traffic is bad for me. Lot's of the other students from big cities say the traffic is nothing.
Student Profile: Well, in my class lots from Michigan and Cali, plus a few from Canada. I started in August w/ 160 but the number has been decreasing (120?). I think we are split about even for the sexes. Other classes are different. The January and May classea are usually smaller due to lower appliation numbers and logistics.
Education: The most important. Well, unfortunately I can't say until I take the STEP, which will be in a year so I can't help you much there. I did meet a few fifth semesters when I got here and I know a few who have scored over 200 so that's a good sign. Class here is hard, don't get me wrong. Not so bad first semester, but this semester is much harder. My personal opinion, I am getting what I need. Sometimes too much, and sometimes too less. It's all what you make of it after that. Anyway, I wish I could help you out more there. Srry.
AUC vs Ross. and St. Matthews: Couldn't tell you b/c I haven't been there. I have been told by friends that this is one of the best places to live in the Caribbean and I would tend to agree. Beautiful beaches. Great food. Cheap beer. (beer cost the same as water). So why would you go live in a less developed island when you can live on St. Martin and get the same education? I'm not regreting my decision at all.
Got any more questions let me know.
What about the amount of time you spend on and off the island. The length of education recieved is 4 or 3 years? And what about after you write the USLMEs? What happnes after that? My cousin was telling me that Ross students spend 18 months on the island, then the remainder in Miami (please correct me if I am wrong on this part)? What happens for AUC students? Thanks.
If everything goes as planned - meaning that you don't have to repeat classes - you should only be on the island for 20 months - that's 5 semesters. Semesters 6 -10 are spent in different clinical rotations around the US and England and Ireland. You only start on the 6th semester AFTER you take and pass your Step I USMLE. So the sooner you take and pass Step 1 after your 5th semester, the faster you can finish depending on rotations, of course. That's all I know about that... Sorry!sunny123 said: