Carribean Reputation

[HowIMetYourPet]

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Hello All!!

I did a forum search for this, but the results I found were out of date and not applicable to my precise questions....

I'm applying this summer and right nos SGU is on my short list. I have mediocre grades (3.4) and low-ish vet hours (~250 by app time). No GRE yet. I'm applying to my IS OhioSU, and others, but SGU is my "back up plan" (I would LOVE to live there, but I have some concerns......)

1) how much is the REAL monetary difference between SGU and US schools? Is it enough of a difference to deter one from Vet school entirely if its the only school one is accepted to?

2) How are SGU graduates perceived by the Veterinary community?

3) How has accreditation sculpted their perceived persona?

4) Any pros/cons from anyone who is there?

5) LOANS....Their packet said that you can now get some federal loans (are these the FAFSA loans?) but many students still take out private loans..I know very little about this....can anyone shed some light on it?

6) How safe is it?

I LOVE the idea of the weather, the campus looks beautiful, and after talking briefly to a grad I was super excited about some of the experiences that can be had there....I would really appreciate any input!!!

Thanks!!

 

[wildcatj]

Can't answer the rest, but here's a great google doc comparing cost of attendance at different schools: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuDAmocjP-XddEZFZ096NkxsMkdKVmJsUHZ3MmRqUFE&output=html

 

[HowIMetYourPet]

Can't answer the rest, but here's a great google doc comparing cost of attendance at different schools: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuDAmocjP-XddEZFZ096NkxsMkdKVmJsUHZ3MmRqUFE&output=html

Thanks!! That's very helpful!!.....Even though I knew the numbers, it still makes me cringe, regardless of the school!! haha

 

[DjIL]

Hello All!!

I did a forum search for this, but the results I found were out of date and not applicable to my precise questions....

I'm applying this summer and right nos SGU is on my short list. I have mediocre grades (3.4) and low-ish vet hours (~250 by app time). No GRE yet. I'm applying to my IS OhioSU, and others, but SGU is my "back up plan" (I would LOVE to live there, but I have some concerns......)

1) how much is the REAL monetary difference between SGU and US schools? Is it enough of a difference to deter one from Vet school entirely if its the only school one is accepted to?

2) How are SGU graduates perceived by the Veterinary community?

3) How has accreditation sculpted their perceived persona?

4) Any pros/cons from anyone who is there?

5) LOANS....Their packet said that you can now get some federal loans (are these the FAFSA loans?) but many students still take out private loans..I know very little about this....can anyone shed some light on it?

6) How safe is it?

I LOVE the idea of the weather, the campus looks beautiful, and after talking briefly to a grad I was super excited about some of the experiences that can be had there....I would really appreciate any input!!!

Thanks!!

I just was accepted to SGU, so I am not an expert but I will try to answer your concerns with what I know so far:

1. That list is super helpful. Basically SGU is not cheaper than most in-state tuitions but is more reasonable than most out-of-state tuitions. For students who don't have an in-state or can't get into their in-state b/c it's UPenn (me haha) then I think it's a pretty "reasonable" number. Reasonable as in comparatively speaking (vet school is expensive!!). You do have to consider cost of living which can depend on where your flying from.

2/3. I can't really say for sure. But I do think there is a stigma that comes with schools (Med or vetmed) in the Carib among professionals and in academia. I think at the end of the day, your work ethic speaks for itself and that's what most professionals will judge you on.

5. Still going through this process, but yes FAFSA loans

6. Seems pretty safe. I live in Philly and it is way less safe here (there are so many armed robberies and gun violent crimes here). I think you just have to be a little "street smart" and be careful who you trust, there's always someone waiting to rip you off in less wealthy countries that depend on tourism. After talking to a few grads, safety is no longer a concern for me.

Hope that helps a little! I'm interested to see other people's answers bc I am sure it will help me as well!!

P.S. YouTube search Grenada - there's a woman named Atiya who made a video about things like grocery shopping in Grenada and I found it very informative. There are also other videos geared towards tourism that are amazing

 

[jmo1012]

1) how much is the REAL monetary difference between SGU and US schools? Is it enough of a difference to deter one from Vet school entirely if its the only school one is accepted to?

Honestly this is going to vary based on where your IS is and what OOS schools you're looking at, what your life style is like, etc. you need to compare what it will cost you at the schools you are interested in

2) How are SGU graduates perceived by the Veterinary community?

can't say i've ever encountered anyone who looks down on us, but i'm sure they do exist.

3) How has accreditation sculpted their perceived persona?

no clue other than the group of vets that are particularly frustrated with foreign accreditation

4) Any pros/cons from anyone who is there?

i LOVE it here. i wouldn't trade it for anything. everything i've had the opportunity to participate in has been simply incredible and extremely unique. i'm already feeling sad that i only have a year left to enjoy this beautiful country.

5) LOANS....Their packet said that you can now get some federal loans (are these the FAFSA loans?) but many students still take out private loans..I know very little about this....can anyone shed some light on it?

i wonder if the students on private loans are foreign students, because i can't imagine it making sense to take out private loans. the other thing that may have students taking out additional private loans is financial responsibilities in the US (such as owning a home). not sure. you are eligible for a very generous amount of federal aid through FAFSA that should be more than enough to cover your COA for SGU. you are eligible for the 2 graduate loan categories offered.

6) How safe is it?

its pretty safe here. don't get me wrong, crime does occur, but i don't think it occurs at a rate higher than you would find in your average city. its also almost always petty stuff like houses being broken into or small crimes of opportunity.

 

[Meatballerina]

There are definitely people who will look down their noses at a Carribbean education, but I think this stigma is mostly linked to the med schools. There was a thread several months ago about this, but I can't find it either! I do remember quite a few people saying both Ross and SGU are rapidly building really strong reputations and that their alumni are valued especially for their clinical skills. In my own experience, I know a bunch of doctors who have nothing but glowing opinions about other doctors who are Ross and SGU grads. I work with an SGU grad and he's still pretty young. He kicks ass and takes names. He already has a huge load of clients and he's in high demand for everything.
He also had said almost verbatim what you said, jmo1012. He said being at SGU was the most incredible experience he's ever had, and he would go back in heartbeat. Fell in love with the country and called it "the best years of my life thus far, hands down." He did say crime was an issue, but like you said, if you have street smarts and know how to protect yourself, you will be fine. I went to undergrad in a pretty crime-ridden town, so not that I'd push my luck, but I consider myself more aware of safety than most of my hometown suburban friends.

 

[KSU2015]

I thought I would just post on here instead of creating a new thread.. Does SGU and Ross have a GPA cut off? Do people get rejected? Just a question. I am definitely considering Carribbean schools more and more!

 

[KSU2015]

Just thought I'd ask on this thread already being discussed.. Do Ross and SGU have gpa cut offs where they will not consider someone under a certain gpa? I am definitely considering Carribbean schools more and more! Just wanted to know if they do reject people?

 

[jmo1012]

Just thought I'd ask on this thread already being discussed.. Do Ross and SGU have gpa cut offs where they will not consider someone under a certain gpa? I am definitely considering Carribbean schools more and more! Just wanted to know if they do reject people?

yes people definitely get rejected. the acceptance rate has decreased substantially over the last few years for SGU as the school has gained in popularity.



And as an aside, all ya'll may get a reputation if you don't learn to spell Caribbean correctly 😉

 

[cowgirla]

And as an aside, all ya'll may get a reputation if you don't learn to spell Caribbean correctly 😉

👍 I've been resisting the urge to say something

 

[HowIMetYourPet]

And as an aside, all ya'll may get a reputation if you don't learn to spell Caribbean correctly 😉

👍

My bad bahahahaha .....what can I say, I'm a child of the spell check generation, I'm not so great at spelling ANYTHING!!! hahaha

Its those double letters that get me, I have a friend named Corinne, but I always end up spelling it Corrine, even though I KNOW the difference!!!


p.s. Thanks everyone for the info!!! Originally SGU was going to be my "back up" school, but the more I hear, the more excited I get about it, it may not just be my back up plan anymore....

 

[2CatMatt]

jmo also has an awesome blog about her experiences there and vet school: http://doctorinthesand.blogspot.com/

I hope it's ok i'm posting the link jmo. Let me know if you want me to take it down, but reading it kept me excited for school while going through the dregs of the application process!

 

[jmo1012]

jmo also has an awesome blog about her experiences there and vet school: http://doctorinthesand.blogspot.com/

I hope it's ok i'm posting the link jmo. Let me know if you want me to take it down, but reading it kept me excited for school while going through the dregs of the application process!

haha yes it's fine 🙂 the more readers the better!

 

[RinTinTin]

I don't go to a Caribbean school, but I just wanted to give my two cents. I wanted to say that both of the interns that I worked with at my hospital last year were Ross grads and they were both AMAZING doctors. They were skilled, knowledgeable, professional, and very helpful when we (techs and assistants) needed extra hands. Also, we currently have a new ER doctor who went to SGU and she is really great as well. None of the specialists I work with/have worked with seemed to look down on any of them for attending Caribbean schools. In fact, they encouraged me to consider them because they were so pleased with how great our interns were. Just thought I'd put it out there that even though there may still be a stigma some places, there are plenty of places that you will be welcomed with open arms and respected. 🙂