Hello! from a New upcoming Caribbean Med student!

[raine_whispers]

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Hello!

A little about me personally: I grew up in Texas. My favorite hobbies are painting, writing poetry, baking, and traveling. I have been working in a Primary Care clinic since I was 15 and working as a scribe for the past 2.5 years!

I am a medical student who has applied to multiple Caribbean medical schools for the Sept 2025 semester. I have applied to SGU, Avalon, SABA, AUC, and Ross. Right now, I am in the process of trying to make a decision about which school to go to. It has not been an easy decision to make, and I would love to have insights from students who went there or are currently attending any of the schools I applied to!

I would like to know:

• What the first semester is like? What adaptations need to be made?
• How does the staff help you succeed? How do they help with subjects you are struggling with? What resources do they offer?
• Are there pre-recorded lectures? If not, how do you prepare for class?
• How many hours a day are spent in lecture on a normal day?
• How many hours do you spend studying per day?
• How is the housing situation for first-year students?
• What resources do they offer for stress management?
• Did you like going to that institution?

Please be honest and thorough. I am well aware that in any institution I go to, I will need to work hard to succeed. Very hard. I just want insight from the pov of a student, rather than an admissions advisor. I would really really REALLY appreciate it!

 

[Lee]

Hi raine_whispers-
Welcome to SDN. Great to have you as a fellow member!

 

[8jsi37]

Please be honest and thorough. I am well aware that in any institution I go to, I will need to work hard to succeed. Very hard. I just want insight from the pov of a student, rather than an admissions advisor. I would really really REALLY appreciate it!

A lot of the day to day differs among each school you have listed. I'll always recommend premeds to fix the underlying problem(s) on their application and apply to US MD/DO programs prior to go to the caribbeans. If GPA is the issue, then do a post-bacc with a linkage to a medical school. If mcat is the issue, then gather your resources and figure out what works best for you. These are MILES cheaper than going to the caribbean for med school. The average debt of carib med school is probably higher than most US schools. Anywhere in the US is much better than life in the caribbeans.

Matching from the caribbean will never be the same as matching from a US school. In the carib, you'll likely be subjected to lower competitive specialties such as IM, FM, Peds, EM, etc. There are those who match into competitive specialties, but it's not the norm. Even matching at IM, FM, peds, etc, you'll likely be at a lower quality community program vs if you had gone to a US school, academic and even higher quality residency programs are likely compared to going to a carib school. Don't say you want to do primary care because everyone's interests changes as they go through medical school. You might like it now, but what if you don't in the future?

However, the biggest hurdle is actually to GET to the match/graduate. For reference, I went to Ross and during your first two years (basic sciences/preclinicals), I had many classmates repeating the semester in a different cohort. Some eventually failed out. This was pretty normal. If I had to guess the attrition of any carib school, it's prob at least 30% if not higher. Basic sciences is basically like the hunger games. The admins try some sneaky tactics. Even if you were to get out of basic sciences, the next obstacle is COMP/CBSE for Step 1 where many students get stuck at and they were often dismissed if they couldn't pass it in time.

With you asking those questions, I cannot recommend any of the carib school to you. Carib schools DO NOT offer any support to you whatsoever. It's a big risk. Majority of your questions aren't useful for caribbean schools or they're dependent on the person (like how many hours do you study a day). There are resources but it's limited and very low quality. I don't think anyone in their right mind likes their caribbean med school. If you actually want high quality support, go to a US MD/DO school. I would recommend you decline your acceptances to any of those and work on your application and go to a US school. Why gamble 400k+ in debt when the areas in your applications are very fixable. They'll always accept you again if you choose to go down that route but i still cannot recommend this path to anyone.

 

[Fluidity of Movement]

Carib schools DO NOT offer any support to you whatsoever.

Hmmm....

Student Support Services - Saba University School of Medicine

At Saba we are dedicated to empowering students on their academic journey. Our mission is to provide comprehensive support services that foster personal and academic growth, ensuring students thrive during their time at Saba.

www.saba.edu

Academic Support​

Faculty Advisors

We understand that transitioning to a new place and starting medical school can be overwhelming. That’s why our dedicated team of Faculty Advisors at Saba is here to provide support at every step.

Faculty Advisors help you adjust to island life and navigate the demands of medical education. Whether you have questions about the local community, need academic guidance, or seek support for personal development, your Faculty Advisor is your dependable resource.

Creating a sense of belonging and connection among students is also one of the primary responsibilities of Faculty Advisors. Your Advisor will serve as a trustworthy confidant, offering a safe space for you to explore your personal and professional aspirations.

At Saba, we emphasize the significance of the student-faculty Advisor relationship in shaping your learning experience. Your journey with your Faculty Advisor starts on Orientation Day, where you are matched with a dedicated advisor, your dependable point of contact for any questions or concerns throughout the program.

Teaching Assistants

Our dedicated Teaching Assistants (TAs) focus on enriching your learning experience and supporting academic success. They collaborate closely with professors during lectures and provide valuable insights in recitation sessions to enhance your understanding. TAs offer regular office hours outside class, ensuring an accessible space for questions and discussions. Beyond that, they foster collaborative learning experiences, promoting teamwork and critical thinking. Together with our professors, our exceptional TAs are committed to providing the support and resources needed for you to thrive academically.

Learning Center

At the Learning Center, we’re here to unlock your full potential and help you achieve exceptional study results. Whether grappling with challenging concepts or aiming to enhance your study habits, our services are customized to meet your needs.

Discover our key offerings:

1. One-on-One Consultations: Experience personalized attention as we closely collaborate with you to create customized learning plans. By understanding your learning style and academic goals, we design a roadmap for your success.
2. Active Learning Strategies: Dive into the learning process with our innovative strategies designed to enhance your understanding and engagement.
3. Time Management Support: Juggling academics, extracurriculars, and personal life can be challenging. Our time management support offers practical techniques to optimize your productivity.
4. Goal-Setting Assistance: We help you set realistic and achievable milestones to drive your academic progress.
5. Effective Exam Preparation: Collaborate with us to develop exam preparation strategies and gain valuable test-taking tips, ensuring you perform at your best.

Academic Coaching

Our Academic Coaching program is designed to empower you with skills and confidence for academic excellence.

Our experienced coaches collaborate closely with you to identify strengths, growth areas, and aspirations, crafting personalized plans to suit your needs and learning style. With ongoing support, we ensure you stay on track to reach your full potential.

Our Academic Coaching program reflects our commitment to your growth and well-being, showcasing that there’s no limit to your achievements with the right support. We’re excited to embark on this academic journey with you and anticipate witnessing your extraordinary accomplishments.

Student Counseling​

We provide both group activities and one-on-one support to assist students facing challenges. Students can schedule in-person or virtual meetings with the school counselor for assistance with anything hindering their optimal performance as medical students. This may include:

• Managing performance/test anxiety
• Addressing life/situational difficulties
• Resolving interpersonal conflicts
• Navigating concerns related to transitioning to medical school or island life

Life can bring unforeseen challenges, and we aim to help you navigate these situations. We offer support and guidance when adjusting to medical school, managing relationships, or coping with personal crises.

Student Support Programming (Wellness)​

Our wellness activities at Saba are intricately designed to elevate physical, emotional, and social well-being, for we believe that a healthy mind and body are essential for personal and academic success.

Community Building Efforts

We foster a strong community among students through diverse events, creating a memorable medical school experience.

Integrating the philosophy that a healthy mind and body are foundational for success, our wellness activities promote holistic well-being, empowering you to thrive in every aspect of your life.

Role of Dean of Students

The Dean of Students is pivotal in championing student welfare and fostering a positive campus culture. They address student concerns and actively collaborate with departments to create an inclusive learning environment.

Career Advising​

The Road to Residency Program​

Specialty Spotlight Series​

Residency Application Preparation​

Mock Interviews​

 

[8jsi37]

Hmmm....

Student Support Services - Saba University School of Medicine

At Saba we are dedicated to empowering students on their academic journey. Our mission is to provide comprehensive support services that foster personal and academic growth, ensuring students thrive during their time at Saba.

www.saba.edu

Are you a current student/alumni of SABA?