Auc

[DD214_DOC]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I've been looking at the caribbean schools lately as a backup for this cycle. I'm pretty interested in AUC, as the island looks to be the most developed and most hospitable to live on. I compared the GDP of the nations where SGU, Ross, and AUC reside, to judge what type of quality of life I could expect living there.

Ross and SGU both had a GDP of less than $500 million.
AUC's country had a GDP of $2.45 billion.

I'm guessing that St. Martin is a much, much nicer place to live. Can anyone confirm this? I don't give a crap about the quality of the schools as it really doesn't matter to me; I wanna do primary care anyways.

 

[Megalofyia]

AUC from my understanding does have the best island, but I thought you were die hard DO?

Anyways.. you should check out Brandon's blog.. He's a first year at AUC this year. Its VERY informative ! http://www.blackpeople.us/minority/index.php/caribbean_medical_school

 

[DD214_DOC]

AUC from my understanding does have the best island, but I thought you were die hard DO?

I am, but the love doesn't appear to be mutual.

 

[Megalofyia]

🙁 You dont want to delay a year and try again? I got into a school I didn't even think would interview me.. you might be suprised...

 

[DD214_DOC]

Well, I am reapplying to DO this year and retaking the MCAT in August. My science GPA went up, my cumulative went down a little, and I have been working full-time and stuff this semester. So, who knows what will happen this cycle?

I'm just trying to cover my own arse by applying to Caribbean schools simultaneously so I at least will be going somewhere in 2006. I still wonder what would have happened had I gone to the WVSOM interview. I'll be reapplying there this year. Hopefully I'll get in, as the combined residency program I want is only offered in a handful of areas, WV being one of them.

 

[Megalofyia]

That's what I did this year.. luckily things paned out. Hopefully things will work in your favor next year then!

 

[Skip Intro]

AUC definitely does have the nicest island, and you will be happiest lifestyle-wise if you go there to school. But, it's also the most expensive island to live on as well.

Good luck, JKDMed. I hope things work out the best for you, whatever you decide and wherever you end up.

🙂

-Skip

 

[tRmedic21]

No way in hell I'd wait another year on the 'possibility' that I might get accepted next year. Especially if you're dead-set on primary care. Sounds like you might be interested in a combined program? Something in a post above, I'm too lazy to go back and look.... lol

I know a guy from AUC who is starting med/peds in July, and one who started med/pm&r last july.

Obviously, it depends alot on your personality and specific situation, etc., but you could be starting clinicals at AUC (or another Carib school) by the time you start med school if you wait another year. You're talking about getting in to start Fall 2006, right? Heck, I'd go Carib in a heartbeat... heck, I did! 😉

Good luck, whatever you decide!

 

[DD214_DOC]

I'm talking about starting in 2006, yeah. My fiancee (wife on June 4!) won't graduate from nursing school until May 2006, so I have the time to kill reapplying to the DO schools.

I'd actually like to do the combined fp/psych program. If I go combined or singular in either, I guess it doesn't matter much where I go to school. I still like GS, and I imagine it wouldn't be a stretch to match surg from a caribbean school, but I wouldn't cry if it didn't happen. I enjoy having a life outside of work.

Is AUC "couples friendly"? Will she have a place to work as a nurse? Her being with me is one of the reasons I gave a large consideration to the environment of each school. AUC may not have the reputation of SGU, but it sure looks a lot nicer to attend there.

By the way, how long would one spend on the island if he went year round like they claim? Supposedly you could finish the entire program in 38 mos. Is that about a year in basic science?

 

[Megalofyia]

Apparenlty the website is outdated with saying that you can do it in 38 months. From what I understand this isn't practical or realistic. On Valuemd.com they talk about it more.

I dont know about employment opportunities on islands but being a nurse is a very useful degree that is needed world wide.

 

[tRmedic21]

I don't think working as an RN in Sint Maarten would be worth the time/hassle:money ratio. The medical system there is pretty basic and limited. A couple of folks had wives/gfs who worked in some of the clinics, but.... I dunno, I just wouldn't bother. There have been some posts on ValueMD discussing it if you want to go search there.

38 months isn't really achievable anymore except in extreme circumstances. It can be done if you plan thing meticulously, but you're still going to probably end up taking some time off to study for Step I, II, etc., as well as interviewing and matching, etc.

I started Jan '03, and I will graddyate (I hope!) Dec '06. This is with plenty of time off to study and a month or two here and there for various alcohol-related stupors.

At times I am frustrated enough to say I wouldn't do it again, but as of today, I think I probably would. My wife is also a med student, and we began together at AUC. the 38 months means 20 months of Basic Sciences (5 trimesters) and 72 weeks (about 17 months) of Clinical Sciences. But getting all of your clinicals scheduled like that will be darn near impossible, heck, it IS impossible now. You have to pass Step I to go to clinicals, and they will no longer give you a clinical assigment without a passing score, I believe, so add 2 months at least to that, then another couple of weeks or months to get your clinical assignment, etc. You see where I'm going with this?

Anyways, good luck. And if you want to see some pics of island life, I have a ton (prolly 500-600) on my website @ www.beachdocs.com

 

[DoogieHowser]

I don't think working as an RN in Sint Maarten would be worth the time/hassle:money ratio. The medical system there is pretty basic and limited. A couple of folks had wives/gfs who worked in some of the clinics, but.... I dunno, I just wouldn't bother. There have been some posts on ValueMD discussing it if you want to go search there.

38 months isn't really achievable anymore except in extreme circumstances. It can be done if you plan thing meticulously, but you're still going to probably end up taking some time off to study for Step I, II, etc., as well as interviewing and matching, etc.

I started Jan '03, and I will graddyate (I hope!) Dec '06. This is with plenty of time off to study and a month or two here and there for various alcohol-related stupors.

At times I am frustrated enough to say I wouldn't do it again, but as of today, I think I probably would. My wife is also a med student, and we began together at AUC. the 38 months means 20 months of Basic Sciences (5 trimesters) and 72 weeks (about 17 months) of Clinical Sciences. But getting all of your clinicals scheduled like that will be darn near impossible, heck, it IS impossible now. You have to pass Step I to go to clinicals, and they will no longer give you a clinical assigment without a passing score, I believe, so add 2 months at least to that, then another couple of weeks or months to get your clinical assignment, etc. You see where I'm going with this?

Anyways, good luck. And if you want to see some pics of island life, I have a ton (prolly 500-600) on my website @ www.beachdocs.com

Hey wanted to know if AUC is well respected? Also are you able to choose where you want to do your clinicals? How is the financial aid program... Please give me any kind of information it would all be useful at this point....

Thanks!

 

[Kennysdn]

Hey wanted to know if AUC is well respected? Also are you able to choose where you want to do your clinicals? How is the financial aid program... Please give me any kind of information it would all be useful at this point....

Thanks!

All of your questions are answered on valuemd.com - it's a great source for international med school info.

 

[Skoundrel]

Well, I am reapplying to DO this year and retaking the MCAT in August. My science GPA went up, my cumulative went down a little, and I have been working full-time and stuff this semester. So, who knows what will happen this cycle?

I'm just trying to cover my own arse by applying to Caribbean schools simultaneously so I at least will be going somewhere in 2006. I still wonder what would have happened had I gone to the WVSOM interview. I'll be reapplying there this year. Hopefully I'll get in, as the combined residency program I want is only offered in a handful of areas, WV being one of them.

Get in where you fit in! Waiting a year is wasting a year of potential income!