There will always be someone who thinks they are better no matter what. Medicine is a very "click-ish" proffession.
What I meant about the stats....
All caribbean schools will twist their USMLE pass rate stats. It isn't a straight up 83% of all who started here took the USMLE on their first time and passed after their first 2 years.
It may really be that 83% of those that finished the first 2 years eventually passed USMLE step 1.
I am just suggesting not to make a decision based on stuff like that. Most of these schools are the same so go to the one that is best in terms of island life, money, the California issue, etc. For example, people from Florida like to come to SMU because it is an hour flight into Miami, or they might go to Ross because you can do some course work in Florida.
SGU is the best in the carib because it has been around the longest with the best reputation. If attendings have heard of a carib school it is probably that one. Hey, a big part of that might have been because President Ragan had to evacuate the Americans that were down there way back when... but the point is that it has the most name recognition.
I have heard lots of stuff about SABA but it is all rumors and 2nd hand information. It is the same stuff I hear about all the med schools. We had some transfers from there but we had transfers from every single school except SGU so that doesn't mean anything.
Biggest piece of advice if you decide to go to the carib. Don't transfer schools!!! I think that is the stupidest thing ever. Programs reviewing your application will see that and hopping around carib med schools does NOT look good, responsible, etc. It makes it look like you have some problems and usually that was the case. So just do your research before hand and stick with your choice.
One thing that is good about SMU (I admit my bias here) is that because of the location it draws some teachers that would not otherwise come. For example, our pharmacology course was taught by the proffs from Rush in Chicago. Why? Because they were paid to come down to one of the greatest resort island getaways ever. The went diving on the weekends. So all 5 of them took turns coming down. We also had visiting proffs from Texas Tech and U of Florida and other places. Most of these guys came down once per semester so it was a regular thing. Granted they are not full time but it was some of the best teaching I have ever had.
However, just like the other carib schools a couple of the proffs are only down there because they like to get drunk and be a beach bum. That is their 1st job and teaching is the 2nd. They are in the minority but it does happen.
