Caribbean med student to derm resident.

[Sardinia]

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This is like a conversation with an anti-vaxxer:
Rational person: multiple studies have shown vaccines don't cause autism.
AV: I don't care, my kid got worse after getting their shots.

Tbh he's making a clear and concise point that most people understand when they enroll in the program. If you know that it's an uphill battle and you can accept not getting your specialty of choice despite getting a solid Step I and good LORs then you have to accept that you're SOL and accept whatever is on the table. There are many students that shouldn't be in the program (e.g. me), for me personally I shouldn't have done it and would have benefited from doing a post-bac or an SMP to get back into the swing of studying. That was a poor judgment on my end and I don't throw any shade on the school for my own academic failure. However, you should note that if you go through Ross and you end up getting into a competitive specialty then you pretty much did everything on your own merit (with the opportunity given by Ross). I don't understand why someone would serve as an advocate for the school when pretty much any gunner would be able to make any Caribbean school work for them especially when schools like SGU appear to be more proactive in opening residency spots in competitive areas for their students. However, I suppose I would be much more supportive if I felt that Ross got me the derm residency if I observed practicing derm for everything but the actual practice of derm itself.

 

[Dr.LX]

The opinions are justifiably one sided, but the discussion remains open to all. There is nothing "unfortunate" about any of this.

Your opinion is that it isn't unfortunate, and that's fine for you to believe that.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

The ones that were unfamiliar with the Caribbean were concerned about me moving. Once they learned about it they were for it. My dad, who is also a physician, told me that I should do whatever I felt was right for me. We only have one life.

Is your dad a dermatologist at the program you supposedly matched at? Does he work at the hospital system you matched at?

 

[jerfer]

On Studentdoc the Caribbean poses a "risk". In real life, it doesn't. I was actually accepted to 2 M.D schools, but because money wasn't a factor for me, and I wanted a different experience, I chose Ross. It wasn't a "second choice" for me. I studied hard like all med students, and most of my close friends got into competitive residencies. I lived in paradise for 2 years, and had a world class education for 4. I would advise premeds to do what they feel like they should.

lololol. wow. easily the dumbest thing I've ever heard on SDN yet. no one, in their right mind would ever turn down TWO acceptances to a US MD schools and the opportunities that opens to you as a future physician, calling into question your judgement. and the fact that you're sitting on a high horse about this is even more disturbing. you clearly don't understand the statistics from your own institution which invariably causes me to question how you will ever successfully treat patients.

There is no record on how many fail out.

there absolutely is. I would be willing to bet that the 95% match rate only includes the people who made it through your program, at the 52% attrition rate mentioned above, thats only half of the people you started out with. not much to be proud of there

Good thing I didn't need to "have you". The prevailing attitude that turning down an MD acceptance to go abroad is wrong is outdated.

lolllllzzzzzzzz. this guy has for sure got to be a troll

 

[TheZaLord]

This is like a conversation with an anti-vaxxer:
Rational person: multiple studies have shown vaccines don't cause autism.
AV: I don't care, my kid got worse after getting their shots.

I was thinking the same thing!

Or the march against Monsanto people. They insist they "did their research", demand to see yours, call it a sham, ignore actual data, and go on about their way, pretending they've somehow been validated or won the argument with their anecdotes.



Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Dr. Death]

On the one hand, I could go to an established US MD school on the mainland, stay in my home country where I know the culture and language, or I could move to another country and try my luck with a game of Russian roulette with my career. Yeah makes sense.

 

[Dr.LX]

Is your dad a dermatologist at the program you supposedly matched at? Does he work at the hospital system you matched at?

Nope to both. I managed to get a position on my own merit.

 

[Sardinia]

Nope to both. I managed to get a position on my own merit.

Did you do a sub-I at the location you ended up practicing in?

 

[Dr.LX]

Did you do a sub-I at the location you ended up practicing in?

No.

 

[sharpstickie]

How did you end up paying for med school without loans?

 

[jaxon]

The ones that were unfamiliar with the Caribbean were concerned about me moving. Once they learned about it they were for it. My dad, who is also a physician, told me that I should do whatever I felt was right for me. We only have one life.

I love vague melodramatics

 

[Germanicus89]

Through money?

That clears it right up thanks

 

[Dr.LX]

That clears it right up thanks

Where I come from it's impolite to discuss money 😉

 

[Germanicus89]

Where I come from it's impolite to discuss money 😉

I thought you made a thread on the internet where we could ask you questions

 

[jaxon]

Where I come from it's impolite to discuss money 😉

impolite to discuss money anonymously? when it's directly relevant to the topic?

 

[eteshoe]

I thought you made a thread on the internet where we could ask you questions

Got him/her

 

[sharpstickie]

Where I come from it's impolite to discuss money 😉

The way you answer makes it obvious it was not, as you said, "on my own merit".

 

[tantacles]

Just a reminder to the slightly incensed members I see in this thread: If you're not thrilled with the content that a particular user posts, feel free to liberally use the ignore button. You will subsequently never again see that person's posts. Magic!

In addition, if everyone were to follow this method, this thread would fall off the front page of SDN.

 

[Dr.LX]

I thought you made a thread on the internet where we could ask you questions

Questions about the quality of medical school education at Ross.🙂

 

[Dr.LX]

The way you answer makes it obvious it was not, as you said, "on my own merit".

I got into residency by my own merit. The way my education was paid for has nothing to do with merit.

 

[Dr.LX]

impolite to discuss money anonymously? when it's directly relevant to the topic?

I started this thread to discuss how Ross enabled me to get a quality education and get an excellent residency. Money has nothing to do with it, simply because regardless of if I had a loan or not, that wouldn't have affected my ability to do well.

 

[Dr.LX]

So I think this thread is about done! Thanks everyone for your opinions and thoughts. Again: if any pre-meds have any questions feel free to message me.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

Sadly, there will be that one person who truly believe they can pull such a feat. as well going to Ross, after following this thread.

 

[Mad Jack]

And if any premeds that have common sense rather than misplaced hopes and dreams want to talk about this, contact myself or @gonnif as I'm sure either of us would be more than happy to discuss whether Ross is objectively the right decision for you, as well as how you might be able to gain admission to the school that best fits your plans for your future!

 

[gonnif]

As I've said often, before considering any offshore school applicant must go through at least two application cycles for both MD and DO with at least a year break in between (ie skip a cycle) for application repair and/or enhancement. the break is necessary to analyze and understand the weaknesses in an application. Repair may be as simple as reorganizing rewriting application or it may require postbacc, SMP, MCAT, or additional extracurricular such as clinical volunteering and other items. I strongly advise that no student should consider off shore schools until the above has been done.

 

[Mad Jack]

Sadly, there will be that one person who truly believe they can pull such a feat. as well going to Ross, after following this thread.

The thing is, Ross isn't, objectively, a terrible school to attend, but it is a worse option than any US school. The statistics really speak for themselves in that regard.

 

[WedgeDawg]

And if any premeds that have common sense rather than misplaced hopes and dreams want to talk about this, contact myself or @gonnif as I'm sure either of us would be more than happy to discuss whether Ross is objectively the right decision for you, as well as how you might be able to gain admission to the school that best fits your plans for your future!

I'll throw myself in this hat too.

 

[Dr.LX]

Absolutely!! If any pre-meds have questions make sure to get ALL the information. 🙂 Glad other members agree with me on this!

 

[WedgeDawg]

One thing I'm curious about that I don't think was actually addressed here is why is it a better decision to go to Ross than to go to a USMD school, assuming an applicant who 1) gets into both, 2) will have to take out loans to pay for school and 3) wants to practice medicine in the US?

What are the advantages?

I'm 100% serious because presently, I don't see any in this instance, so perhaps you can enlighten me.

 

[Mad Jack]

One thing I'm curious about that I don't think was actually addressed here is why is it a better decision to go to Ross than to go to a USMD school, assuming an applicant who 1) gets into both, 2) will have to take out loans to pay for school and 3) wants to practice medicine in the US?

What are the advantages?

I'm 100% serious because presently, I don't see any in this instance, so perhaps you can enlighten me.

Living in a developing country for two years? Paying more money for literally everything, including your education? The options are endless, really.

 

[DoctorInVivo]

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[Traveler2016]

Wow, great read. Based on OP's arguing style I was surprised he/she never resorted to the classic "I know you are but what am I?!" line. It would have been right in line with the rest of his/her responses.. 10/10 troll post!

 

[Dr.LX]

One thing I'm curious about that I don't think was actually addressed here is why is it a better decision to go to Ross than to go to a USMD school, assuming an applicant who 1) gets into both, 2) will have to take out loans to pay for school and 3) wants to practice medicine in the US?

What are the advantages?

I'm 100% serious because presently, I don't see any in this instance, so perhaps you can enlighten me.

Personally I feel that I got a more well rounded education. Obviously I can't say it was more well rounded that a US school since I never went there. But US med students also couldn't make that assumption. Ross itself was a nice campus, and it was a sort of paradise beach place , but when it came down to the first 2 years, we managed to see cases that I could only dream of in America. People presented with much different illnesses in our free clinic. Also, the students came from so many backgrounds and countries. I think it's vital to learn about different cultures since most likely when you practice in the US, you will have different patients with different backgrounds. If I went to Ross and I hated it, I probably wouldn't have come on here. Because I, and so many other students had such an incredible experience I posted. These are only some of the upsides.

Really, there are advantages and disadvantages to all schools.

 

[Leo Aquarius]

Thank you for being sweet and polite! My step score was good, but not the best like what you would expect for derm. My class was very competitive, so even though I wasn't at the top, I still had a good academic record. I actually talked a lot about my decision to decline to go to a US medical school in my interviews. They were impressed that I enjoyed my time abroad, and I think that opened a lot of their minds to the fact that the Caribbean isn't a bad choice🙂

Sorry, late to the party here. But I call this bull sheet. Having an interesting story does not land you a derm residency without stellar scores, or else a large number of US MDs would have used that angle to get in. You insult dermatology programs.

You're doing a great disservice to future med students. Trying to land a residency spot in the USA as an IMG is hell, and several I know SOAPed into specialties they didn't want! Why encourage that, unless you have something to gain by encouraging premeds to Ross? You're either woefully uninformed, or hired to be here.

You sound delusional when you say your class was very competitive. You've never seen a competitive class. Try Johns Hopkins med school. That's a competitive class. Try UCSF. That's competitive. Ross? Give me a break. Do you work for marketing at Ross?

 

[LuluLovesMe]

Really, there are advantages and disadvantages to all schools.

I agree.

The disadvantage of attending Ross is just the greatly increased chance of not getting a residency. I'm sure the nice campus and diverse experiences people have there make up for it though.

 

[Dr.LX]

Sorry, late to the party here. But I call this bull sheet. Having an interesting story does not land you a derm residency without stellar scores, or else a large number of US MDs would have used that angle to get in.

You're doing a great disservice to future med students. Trying to land a residency spot is the USA as an IMG is hell, and several I know SOAPed into specialties they didn't want! Why encourage that, unless you have something to gain by encouraging premeds to Ross?

You sound delusional when you say your class was very competitive. You've never seen a competitive class. Try Johns Hopkins med school. That's a competitive class. Try UCSF. That's competitive. Ross? Give me a break. Do you work for marketing at Ross?

I'm too happy at my accomplishments to let someone bring me down🙂 Best of luck to you!

 

[Mcatbot]

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[Dr.LX]

I agree.

The disadvantage of attending Ross is just the greatly increased chance of not getting a residency. I'm sure the nice campus and diverse experiences people have there make up for it though.

Hmmm... have to disagree there🙂

 

[Dr.LX]

Hey thanks for doing this. I'm interested in Ross, really glad I can talk to someone who went there. Here are my questions if you don't mind.

1) Can you tell me a little bit more about the different illnesses? Also you guys have a free clinic? How does that work?
2) How many people are there in each class? How many come from US? What about other countries?
3) How does application work?
4) How long is pre-clinical? Are there any options for US clinical rotations?

Most likely you are anti-Carib, as are most on this thread, but I'm supportive of everyone and would love to give you answers!

1) I'm not going to spell out all the illnesses that are common in Dominica, although we see a lot of TB, some malaria, untreated HIV, and complications with maternal women due to inadequate maternal care. Students run a free clinic under the supervision of an MD. We're divided into groups and normally rotate there once a week. If you care for a more in depth list, I'd be happy to have a conversation later.
2,3,4- All of this can be found on the Ross Website. There is an application section, a fact sheet section, and a guide for years 3 and 4 of clinical work. All rotations are in the US.

 

[Leo Aquarius]

I'm too happy at my accomplishments to let someone bring me down🙂 Best of luck to you!

Your strange grammar suggests you don't even have the writing skills to impress in an application process as demanding as that for dermatology.

Answer us this - where did you end up for residency? Hide this, and we know you're a fake.

 

[Dr.LX]

Your strange grammar suggests you don't even have the writing skills to impress in an application as demanding as dermatology.

Answer us this - where did you end up for residency? Hide this, and we know you're a fake.

I'm sorry but could you tell me how my grammar is strange? I would love to improve! And the match list is on Ross's website lmao. I'm one of 2 derm matches, and it's a bit creepy to tell someone I don't know online where i'll be working. Best!

 

[Leo Aquarius]

You seem to avoid the point that you are encouraging premeds to be IMGs, which greatly hinders their chances of landing a desired residency spot in the USA match process.

 

[Leo Aquarius]

I'm sorry but could you tell me how my grammar is strange? I would love to improve! And the match list is on Ross's website lmao. I'm one of 2 derm matches, and it's a bit creepy to tell someone I don't know online where i'll be working. Best!

I'll stop feeding the troll.

 

[Dr.LX]

You seem to avoid the point that you are encouraging premeds to be IMGs, which greatly hinders their chances of landing a desired residency spot in the USA match process.

And you didn't answer how my grammar was strange! lol
And I disagree. But since you don't have any valid points, I guess it's a good thing you're ending the conversation. 🙂

 

[NoTownPreMed]

Your strange grammar suggests you don't even have the writing skills to impress in an application process as demanding as that for dermatology.

Answer us this - where did you end up for residency? Hide this, and we know you're a fake.

I don't doubt OP may have indeed landed a residency spot in Derm. But what I do believe is that there may have been an influence by Ross themselves to have OP start an account and speak wonders about the program.

 

[Dr.LX]

I don't doubt OP may have indeed landed a residency spot in Derm. But what I do believe is that there may have been an influence by Ross themselves to have OP start an account and speak wonders about the program.

Ahhh i'm sorry you are wrong 🙂 Although you probably don't believe me, and that's fine too.

 

[Ioannes Paulus]

Their 2015 class had ~850 people who matched (http://medical.rossu.edu/medical-school/Facts-and-Figures.cfm). So it's actually even lower, about 0.24%. Of course that's also not taking into consideration of the people who didn't match successfully.

Dang! And I thought my school was large at 160 students.

 

[aalamruad]

One of the best qualities emphasized in my medical education is compassion and care. Some of those things are lacking in other programs I believe.

Looks like they also teach you how to be condescending.

 

[Dr.LX]

Looks like they also teach you how to be condescending.

No not really. I never pointed out any specific programs that were lacking. I pointed that out as I wanted to choose a school that taught doctors how to be more compassionate. I'm sorry you read that incorrectly .

 

[Mcatbot]

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