Feb '05 SGU Class

[UT_OC]

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Anyone else going in Feb with me? Ready to live the Caribbean life? I've heard a lot of positive things about the student life at this med school. 👍

 

[blackbeard505]

Anyone else going in Feb with me? Ready to live the Caribbean life? I've heard a lot of positive things about the student life at this med school. 👍

Really? Tell us more on what you've heard....I'll be starting there in feb as well. Definitely excited. I hope things will get a little closer to normal post-ivan...

 

[PUPinRED]

I will be a part of the Feb '05 entering class as well. I'm excited to get away from the cold Michigan winter!

Does anyone know where the SGU matchlist is located? I'd appreciate your help! ;-)

 

[UT_OC]

I will be a part of the Feb '05 entering class as well. I'm excited to get away from the cold Michigan winter!

Does anyone know where the SGU matchlist is located? I'd appreciate your help! ;-)

if you are talking about the residency matchlist:

http://www.sgu.edu/nhome.nsf/webcontent/B9065C6B72B621ED85256B68007047FE?OpenDocument

 

[shivalrous]

I have a friend from UT-Austin who will also be starting at SGU this February. I'll PM you if you're interested in meeting him. Hope SGU is a lot of fun.

 

[jenjas]

Hey guys,
I am a MS IV from SGU. 12 weeks left of rotations and I'm officially done. You guys are going to have a blast down there. It is hard, and the material comes at a pace your not used to. You work hard, and play even harder. I was married, my wife came down and got a job.....but my friends that were single, had a blast. You get a good education too. Honestly, I have rotated with US med students, and I was not impressed. I thought I knew more. But you will have the scarlet letter of being a US-FMG. But as long as you do well on boards........you'll be fine. I applied anesthesia this year, with good board scores....mid 90's.....and got over 20 interviews. Just nail your steps and you'll write your own ticket.

good, luck and have fun............

jas

 

[blackbeard505]

Hey guys,
I am a MS IV from SGU. 12 weeks left of rotations and I'm officially done. You guys are going to have a blast down there. It is hard, and the material comes at a pace your not used to. You work hard, and play even harder. I was married, my wife came down and got a job.....but my friends that were single, had a blast. You get a good education too. Honestly, I have rotated with US med students, and I was not impressed. I thought I knew more. But you will have the scarlet letter of being a US-FMG. But as long as you do well on boards........you'll be fine. I applied anesthesia this year, with good board scores....mid 90's.....and got over 20 interviews. Just nail your steps and you'll write your own ticket.

good, luck and have fun............

jas

Thanks! That is very reassuring. I hope I can do what you've done. I would also like to go into anesthesia down the road. 4 years from now, when you're an attending, I'll call on you.....lol.

Just a few quick questions:

1. how many hours a day of quality study time did you put in? I know this varies for people; but I'm just trying to get an idea.

2. any tips for biochem or anatomy class for us first termers?

3. what kind of effort would it take to be in the top 10% of your class during the first term and beyond?

thanks!

 

[jenjas]

Thanks! That is very reassuring. I hope I can do what you've done. I would also like to go into anesthesia down the road. 4 years from now, when you're an attending, I'll call on you.....lol.

Just a few quick questions:

1. how many hours a day of quality study time did you put in? I know this varies for people; but I'm just trying to get an idea.

2. any tips for biochem or anatomy class for us first termers?

3. what kind of effort would it take to be in the top 10% of your class during the first term and beyond?

thanks!

Ok, I will do my best but remember I have been off the rock for almost 2 years. Lets see, for me I studied a ton. You are in the afternoon first term, except for anatomy lab which is too crowded. My advice buy a color disection book to help identify parts for your lab tests. Buy chung for anatomy review...BRS series. But your study time will depend on how quickly you retain topics.

I was over whelmed first term, but after our first quiz, I figured it out and you just adapt. I never went to class first ter, except Biochem and when I had to. So I had alot more time to study. Also, I was married, so I really didn't need to go out and look for a weekend fling at the local bars and parties. Just be prepared to work your butt of. Think about it, you one strike against you going to SGU. There will be plenty of time to screw around and party later in life. You have to do things better than the next guy. If I was a US student with my scores, I would have gotten interviews to all the top gass programs. But thats the breaks.

To be in the top 10%....I don't know how the school ranks you. But they make you take a test at the end of the year called the BSC 1 & 2. Its a horrible exam and I wish we took shelf exams but they use this to rank you and also your GPA. But remember, program directors have commented on my USMLE scores, not my GPA which was like 3.7 basic science and now is 3.8 after clinicals. Ya, its great. But they don't care about your grades, they want to see your steps. I was ranked like 22 out of 212 on my deans letter, and I have no idea how they did it. Just work hard and you'll be fine.

Hope this helps.......

latter,

jas

 

[NU2SGU]

Wow, Jas, that was really motivating... thanks so much! I'm starting SGU this coming Feb as well and I'll keep what you said in mind. 🙂
p.s.- I didn't realize that they keep you in the dark about your class rank till much later.

 

[aggiegirl]

I am also starting in February and I can't wait! I am just trying to make my lists and figure out what I need to bring and what I don't need. I am from Dallas and, obviously, went to Texas A&M (Gig 'Em). PM me if you want to chat.

Also, does anyone know if my parents need any special documents (ex: a Visa) to get into the country. They are coming down for a few days.

Aggiegirl

 

[rokshana]

I am also starting in February and I can't wait! I am just trying to make my lists and figure out what I need to bring and what I don't need. I am from Dallas and, obviously, went to Texas A&M (Gig 'Em). PM me if you want to chat.

Also, does anyone know if my parents need any special documents (ex: a Visa) to get into the country. They are coming down for a few days.

Aggiegirl

Do a thread search on Valuemd, there are some good list on there.
Your parents won't need anything except their passports and a return ticket- tourist visas are issued at the airport.

 

[dmitrinyr]

Good luck to all of you who are starting in Feb.'05. I started in the fall '04. I enjoyed the month that we first-termers spent on the rock before Ivan hit and I am sure you guys will enjoy yourself too. All that jenjas said is true and in general, if you guys have any problems or questions, the best place to go are your upper-classmen. These people went through the same things as you will be going through and will have good advice for you. The main thing is not to fall behind on your studies. Good luck.

 

[NU2SGU]

Hey all you 1st termers, have you gotten the new housing forms in the mail yet? I haven't gotten mine but I've been told we need to choose between hotels and Grand Anse. Just wanted to know what you guys think.

 

[MD Dreams]

I'm currently a 5th terms SGU student. Congradulations to all who have been accepted to SGU. When I read your posts, I recall the excitement I had when I was to first go down to SGU. It is an exciting time.

I'll give you my 2 cents.

1. In terms of the number of hours of studying that you have to put in. All I can say is it depends on how fast you can retain information. Personally it takes me a while to master new information so I studied most of the time. However, I have friends who can obtain new information very fast and only needed to study half the time. Other friends were good crammers, so they took it fairly easy and crammed near exam time. Overall first term is fairly tough because it is a lot of info in a very short amount of time. I would recommend that you study as much as you need to master the material, really learn it as well as possible so that when the boards come around it will all be review. At the same time, manage your time well so that you can exercise a couple of times a week and sleep anywhere from 6-8 hours a night.

2. In terms of biochem and anatomy, they will both be much easier if you have had them before. My suggestion would be not to focus on the enourmous minusea (sp?) that they spill out but focus on the main ideas and the high yield points. Chung's anatomy, other review books, DES sessions with tutors who have had the classes already, etc. can all help you find out what the big topics are. For example, with anatomy I don't think it's important to learn every origin, insertion, nerve, artery, etc. It is important to know the major muscles, what they do, the major arteries, the pathologies associated with anatomy, etc. I regret having spent all that time learning all the little details, because I promise you will forget them later. Plus you'll be too busy to focus on the details.

3. Top 10%: That depends on a lot of things, like your class. Usually one class every year is more competitive than the other, can't remember which. In my humble opinion (don't mean to sound like you Mom) I don't think grades, nor class ranking are of any importance, especially as a FMG. Apart from a few instances ( and I don't know which those are) the only thing that matters are your board scores, because that is what allows programs to compare you with the rest of the US students. You'll soon realize that they will teach you so much crap in med school that after a while you'll care less if you know it or not (example: Does it really matter that a certain protein has a fusiform appearance under an electrom microscope in terms of being a good doctor, probably not). Also some people are naturally smart or have medical background which puts them at an advantage. Having said all that, if you work hard, are willing to learn all the little details, then you will rank near the top of your class. If not, it really doesn't mean much, as long as you know what's important for CLINICAL practice your on your way to being a good Doc.

Some other advice I can give to all
-Some of the locals may seem mean at first, but if you treat them with respect, they'll warm up to you.
-There are some good teachers, others leave much to be desired. I believe in SGU, as with many of other med schools much is learned through self study
-Do the best you can so that as many doors will be open to you in the future.
-Some days are great, others are difficult, try to enjoy your time.
-Be prepared to have your luggage misplaced for a couple of days, they will arrive, just a little late.
-Things move at a snails pace in Grenada, its not the US, don't stress
-If you get lonely, call home
-If other people slack, don't follow their example
-Find a little cutie (guys) and you will find that life goes a lot smoother on the island
-Take air jamaica if you can because the chances of you luggage arriving are much better

That's all I can think of right now. Sorry if I wrote too much. Let me know if I can answer any other questions. Be exited, your going to be doctors!

 

[tiredofwaiting]

I'm currently a 5th terms SGU student. Congradulations to all who have been accepted to SGU. When I read your posts, I recall the excitement I had when I was to first go down to SGU. It is an exciting time.

I'll give you my 2 cents.

1. In terms of the number of hours of studying that you have to put in. All I can say is it depends on how fast you can retain information. Personally it takes me a while to master new information so I studied most of the time. However, I have friends who can obtain new information very fast and only needed to study half the time. Other friends were good crammers, so they took it fairly easy and crammed near exam time. Overall first term is fairly tough because it is a lot of info in a very short amount of time. I would recommend that you study as much as you need to master the material, really learn it as well as possible so that when the boards come around it will all be review. At the same time, manage your time well so that you can exercise a couple of times a week and sleep anywhere from 6-8 hours a night.

2. In terms of biochem and anatomy, they will both be much easier if you have had them before. My suggestion would be not to focus on the enourmous minusea (sp?) that they spill out but focus on the main ideas and the high yield points. Chung's anatomy, other review books, DES sessions with tutors who have had the classes already, etc. can all help you find out what the big topics are. For example, with anatomy I don't think it's important to learn every origin, insertion, nerve, artery, etc. It is important to know the major muscles, what they do, the major arteries, the pathologies associated with anatomy, etc. I regret having spent all that time learning all the little details, because I promise you will forget them later. Plus you'll be too busy to focus on the details.

3. Top 10%: That depends on a lot of things, like your class. Usually one class every year is more competitive than the other, can't remember which. In my humble opinion (don't mean to sound like you Mom) I don't think grades, nor class ranking are of any importance, especially as a FMG. Apart from a few instances ( and I don't know which those are) the only thing that matters are your board scores, because that is what allows programs to compare you with the rest of the US students. You'll soon realize that they will teach you so much crap in med school that after a while you'll care less if you know it or not (example: Does it really matter that a certain protein has a fusiform appearance under an electrom microscope in terms of being a good doctor, probably not). Also some people are naturally smart or have medical background which puts them at an advantage. Having said all that, if you work hard, are willing to learn all the little details, then you will rank near the top of your class. If not, it really doesn't mean much, as long as you know what's important for CLINICAL practice your on your way to being a good Doc.

Some other advice I can give to all
-Some of the locals may seem mean at first, but if you treat them with respect, they'll warm up to you.
-There are some good teachers, others leave much to be desired. I believe in SGU, as with many of other med schools much is learned through self study
-Do the best you can so that as many doors will be open to you in the future.
-Some days are great, others are difficult, try to enjoy your time.
-Be prepared to have your luggage misplaced for a couple of days, they will arrive, just a little late.
-Things move at a snails pace in Grenada, its not the US, don't stress
-If you get lonely, call home
-If other people slack, don't follow their example
-Find a little cutie (guys) and you will find that life goes a lot smoother on the island
-Take air jamaica if you can because the chances of you luggage arriving are much better

That's all I can think of right now. Sorry if I wrote too much. Let me know if I can answer any other questions. Be exited, your going to be doctors!

Right on, brother.