HELP! AUC in Sept. or wait for SGU in Jan?

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vett9d1

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As I expected when I was placed on the SGU waitlist for August, I have been accepted to the AUC for this fall. I know SGU is slightly better as far as residency matches but wouldn't going there in January put me 1 year behind going to AUC in the fall? I hear that St. Martin is a much better island although there would be less students due to smaller classes, no vet school etc. What would you do if your goal was a reasonably competitive residency such as general surgery, anesthesiology and similar? TIA
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vett9d1 said:
As I expected when I was placed on the SGU waitlist for August, I have been accepted to the AUC for this fall. I know SGU is slightly better as far as residency matches but wouldn't going there in January put me 1 year behind going to AUC in the fall? I hear that St. Martin is a much better island although there would be less students due to smaller classes, no vet school etc. What would you do if your goal was a reasonably competitive residency such as general surgery, anesthesiology and similar? TIA
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You could still probably get a spot in one of those specialties if you went to AUC and rocked Step 1 and Step 2, although SGU has a better match rate of getting into more competitive specialties. The other factor is that you were placed on the SGU waitlist, so you don't really know for sure if you'll have a spot there come January. If you had a definite acceptance to SGU, I would say wait till January. But since you've already been accepted to AUC, and its uncertain whether you'll have a spot in the January class at SGU, you should probably consider taking the spot at AUC.
 
Give SGU admissions a call and ask where you are on the waitlist, tell them the last day you are available (the latest you can respond back to the acceptance at AUC), and let them know that you would much rather attend SGU if at all possible. Sincerity, kindness, politeness, possible acceptance.
 
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Thanks for the quick replies guys I would like some more opinions. While I am only on the waitlist for August for SGU they told me outright that if I did not get in off of the waitlist I would be guaranteed for the January class. I'm a little confused as to how SGU does their waitlist because the class has been "full" for over a month now and just on July 3rd I saw someone on here who was interviewed a month after me get in, completely bypassing the waitlist. This person had a 29 MCAT as do I don't know if he beat my Q on the writing part but I have a higher GPA by .35 :confused: Would it be OK for me to call and ask SGU about their waitlist and bring up the fact that I know some people are still getting in without being on the waitlist despite having stats that are no better than mine?
 
vett9d1 said:
Thanks for the quick replies guys I would like some more opinions. While I am only on the waitlist for August for SGU they told me outright that if I did not get in off of the waitlist I would be guaranteed for the January class. I'm a little confused as to how SGU does their waitlist because the class has been "full" for over a month now and just on July 3rd I saw someone on here who was interviewed a month after me get in, completely bypassing the waitlist. This person had a 29 MCAT as do I don't know if he beat my Q on the writing part but I have a higher GPA by .35 :confused: Would it be OK for me to call and ask SGU about their waitlist and bring up the fact that I know some people are still getting in without being on the waitlist despite having stats that are no better than mine?
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Like lobelsteve suggested, find out how high up you are on the waitlist. Since they told you that you were guaranteed for January, I retract what I said about considering the AUC acceptance. At the time, I didn't realize you were guaranteed for January. If you don't get in for August, then wait till January. SGU will give you an advantage in applying to more competitive specialties.
 
If you start SGU in January 2008, you will only qualify for the 2012 match. With AUC, you would be able to sit for the 2011 match. If you are older, this should be a significant factor.
 
vett9d1 said:
Thanks for the quick replies guys I would like some more opinions. While I am only on the waitlist for August for SGU they told me outright that if I did not get in off of the waitlist I would be guaranteed for the January class. I'm a little confused as to how SGU does their waitlist because the class has been "full" for over a month now and just on July 3rd I saw someone on here who was interviewed a month after me get in, completely bypassing the waitlist. This person had a 29 MCAT as do I don't know if he beat my Q on the writing part but I have a higher GPA by .35 :confused: Would it be OK for me to call and ask SGU about their waitlist and bring up the fact that I know some people are still getting in without being on the waitlist despite having stats that are no better than mine?
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With a 29 MCAT you could be competitive at many US MD programs in the South. Why not just move to the South somewhere you like, establish residency, then apply for admissions. What is your GPA? If it is 3.5 or higher, then I would do that instead of limiting yourself in the Caribbean for speciality residency. Something to think about if you are young.
 
There is not much of a difference between the two schools in terms of residencies, although SGU grads in the top 5 percent of their classes have matched into some prestigious programs.
 
Unless I get into SGU from the waitlist for August I have decided to go to the AUC. I don't want to wait another year for the residency match and am eager to start school again. I live in the South (Texas) and it has gotten significantly more competitive in our state over the last 5 years. Not CA competitive but I have friends with a 30 and 31 MCAT, both with research that did not get in. With this new pre-match offer system they have, if it continues, I would suspect the average MCAT for accepted students will go from a 29 to a 31+ in the next 5 years.
 
vett9d1 said:
Unless I get into SGU from the waitlist for August I have decided to go to the AUC. I don't want to wait another year for the residency match and am eager to start school again. I live in the South (Texas) and it has gotten significantly more competitive in our state over the last 5 years. Not CA competitive but I have friends with a 30 and 31 MCAT, both with research that did not get in. With this new pre-match offer system they have, if it continues, I would suspect the average MCAT for accepted students will go from a 29 to a 31+ in the next 5 years.
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Look SGU is at least 10X better than AUC and your gonna throw that away? Also sorry to say look at the name AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF THE CARIBBEAN! I also don't wanna go to a school with Caribbean in the name. SGU has the best clinical rotations from outside the US. SGU has the best reputation when you start looking for a match. I mean come on, whats one sememster wait? Nothing.
 
SabaMed said:
Look SGU is at least 10X better than AUC and your gonna throw that away? Also sorry to say look at the name AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF THE CARIBBEAN! I also don't wanna go to a school with Caribbean in the name. SGU has the best clinical rotations from outside the US. SGU has the best reputation when you start looking for a match. I mean come on, whats one sememster wait? Nothing.
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That's interesting. A person from Saba knows the difference between two schools he has never attended. You are smart enough to have gotten into US schools. Why did they ever let you leave without begging you to stay in America and using your clairvoyant powers to know everything without any knowledge?
 
SabaMed said:
Look SGU is at least 10X better than AUC and your gonna throw that away? Also sorry to say look at the name AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF THE CARIBBEAN! I also don't wanna go to a school with Caribbean in the name. SGU has the best clinical rotations from outside the US. SGU has the best reputation when you start looking for a match. I mean come on, whats one sememster wait? Nothing.
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I really think you are wrong here most people seem to agree that the two are comparable. Now I do know that SGU does get some better residencies; I looked at both websites for 2006 and SGU has ~28% that aren't in primary care while the AUC has ~20%. I realize that if you put that into a ratio that SGU is almost 50% better in this respect but that comes as no surprise given that the students they accept have a 3pt higher MCAT and several tenths higher GPA. I would expect their students to perform better on Step tests and consequently get better residencies given that the education quality is equal. Perhaps it's not equal and SGU is slightly better but I don't think there is anyone on here that can reliably tell us from firsthand experience. Help me out here guys I still haven't made a decision in stone is my logic reasonable? I think with my solid GPA and 29 MCAT I will be able to do quite well on the Step tests and should be ok, right?
 
vett9d1 said:
I really think you are wrong here most people seem to agree that the two are comparable. Now I do know that SGU does get some better residencies; I looked at both websites for 2006 and SGU has ~28% that aren't in primary care while the AUC has ~20%. I realize that if you put that into a ratio that SGU is almost 50% better in this respect but that comes as no surprise given that the students they accept have a 3pt higher MCAT and several tenths higher GPA. I would expect their students to perform better on Step tests and consequently get better residencies given that the education quality is equal. Perhaps it's not equal and SGU is slightly better but I don't think there is anyone on here that can reliably tell us from firsthand experience. Help me out here guys I still haven't made a decision in stone is my logic reasonable? I think with my solid GPA and 29 MCAT I will be able to do quite well on the Step tests and should be ok, right?
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Well we've got similar scores so, FWIW, your logic is very close to my logic. And I'm probably the guy you were talking about in an earlier post re: being wait-listed and then somebody interviewing after you getting in w/out being wait-listed. That sucks for you, and, though I obviously didn't do anything wrong, I'm sorry all the same.

If it helps at all, I knew a guy that scored a 23, 27 on his MCAT, had a science GPA around 3.3, cheated on some of his papers/lab work, etc, and he got into one of our state schools and I couldn't even secure an interview. Bummer...
 
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One of my friends goes to AUC and he scored a 230 on his Step 1, but he worked very hard. Expect to study your butt off while you are there, he locked himself up in a room reading for 8 to 12 hours a day. That is the kind of dedication you need to succeed. People could say SGU is all that, or Australia is all that, or this is all that but the bottom line is for you to buckle down and study very hard.
 
Putting off the match a year will cost you roughly about $100,000 for the year that you could have been an attending, but will still be in residency. $200,000 if you want gas. You have to factor this into the equation, which is significant. People will tell you it's not, but it is. SGU has a marginally better match rate. Whooptie-doo... Make good enough grades, boards, don't be a dick and you'll match. In whatever you want, provided you get the grades/boards. Go to AUC, study like a champ and get a good residency. I went to AUC, had decent grades and decent boards and matched EM at my top choice. This year we had a neurosurgery, rads and a bunch of EM, surg and gas.

The problem is, most people have their own opinions because they went to their particular school. Honestly, I don't know how good SGU, Ross or Saba are. I never went to those schools for medical school.

There is no secret way of teaching that one school bogarts over the other. You are now in the realm of adult higher education. You teach yourself. period. No excuses. Save yourself the 100K and go to AUC. Don't miss the match. Keep your nose clean, take your lumps, don't bitch about the schools, study really hard and you'll be fine. just fine.

Anyway, I do know that St Maarten kicks Grenada's ass as far as where to live.
 
ditch doctor said:
Putting off the match a year will cost you roughly about $100,000 for the year that you could have been an attending, but will still be in residency. $200,000 if you want gas. You have to factor this into the equation, which is significant. People will tell you it's not, but it is. SGU has a marginally better match rate. Whooptie-doo... Make good enough grades, boards, don't be a dick and you'll match. In whatever you want, provided you get the grades/boards. Go to AUC, study like a champ and get a good residency. I went to AUC, had decent grades and decent boards and matched EM at my top choice. This year we had a neurosurgery, rads and a bunch of EM, surg and gas.

The problem is, most people have their own opinions because they went to their particular school. Honestly, I don't know how good SGU, Ross or Saba are. I never went to those schools for medical school.

There is no secret way of teaching that one school bogarts over the other. You are now in the realm of adult higher education. You teach yourself. period. No excuses. Save yourself the 100K and go to AUC. Don't miss the match. Keep your nose clean, take your lumps, don't bitch about the schools, study really hard and you'll be fine. just fine.

Anyway, I do know that St Maarten kicks Grenada's ass as far as where to live.
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Your right you can become a MD from AUC but SGU is so much better in all regards why not wait one term to go? Is one term going to make that big of a difference? Wouldn't you rather have the best education to trade off waiting a few months? There you go. Think about it. SGU is basically a US school. Consider it a US school in Grenada because it is. Case closed.
 
SabaMed said:
Your right you can become a MD from AUC but SGU is so much better in all regards why not wait one term to go? Is one term going to make that big of a difference? Wouldn't you rather have the best education to trade off waiting a few months? There you go. Think about it. SGU is basically a US school. Consider it a US school in Grenada because it is. Case closed.
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LOL... I have no idea why you are pushing SGU so much? I could understand if you went to SGU but you go to Saba, which is a fine school, but does not give you any inside info on SGU.
 
SabaMed said:
SGU is basically a US school. Consider it a US school in Grenada because it is. Case closed.
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Ummm, what?

SGU might have offices in the US, and might have a similar curriculum to US med schools, but that alone does not make it a US school. For one thing, its not approved by the LCME, which accredits all US and Canadian med schools. SGU is approved by the government of Grenada and WHO. Sorry to burst your bubble, but as far as residency directors are concerned, an SGU grad is still an IMG.

By the way, I'm not knocking SGU. I graduated from there and it is a fine school.
 
Actually, a better word might have been SGU is accredited by the government of Grenada. And SGU is not accredited by the LCME.
Because SGU is not accredited by the LCME, it can't be considered a US school, even though its grads are approved for licensure in all 50 states.
 
SabaMed said:
Your right you can become a MD from AUC but SGU is so much better in all regards why not wait one term to go? Is one term going to make that big of a difference? Wouldn't you rather have the best education to trade off waiting a few months? There you go. Think about it. SGU is basically a US school. Consider it a US school in Grenada because it is. Case closed.
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It's not just waiting a few months. You miss the match, putting that off for a year. That equals about $200K in lost wages as an attending since you will be putting that off another year. SGU is not *that* much better than AUC. It's not worth $200K.
 
ditch doctor said:
It's not just waiting a few months. You miss the match, putting that off for a year. That equals about $200K in lost wages as an attending since you will be putting that off another year. SGU is not *that* much better than AUC. It's not worth $200K.
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Unless the education and reputation of SGU allow you to pursue a specialty that is more likely to be achieved from attending SGI over AUC.

200k is a quarter for some specialists who graduate from SGU.
 
lobelsteve said:
Unless the education and reputation of SGU allow you to pursue a specialty that is more likely to be achieved from attending SGI over AUC.

200k is a quarter for some specialists who graduate from SGU.
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Ok. If you are going to get that residency from SGU, you are going to get it from Saba, Ross or AUC. You're talking about residencies that you have to be 1st or 2nd in your class and beat 2 SD's on the USMLE's in order to get it. Maybe SGU has some magical way of teaching, but you can't get a "better" education in the exact same material from two different places. Guess what? Harvard teaches the same gross anatomy that "University Taco Di Mar Azure Medical School in West Dutch East Azores of South Teneriffe Islands" teaches. There isn't a 'secret' azygos vein that they teach at Harvard that you can't find in other medical schools. No matter where you go, you are going to have to teach yourself. And it's the same material.

And if you'd match something at one school, odds are you'd do the same at another school. So, by your example you'd lose 800K by waiting a year.

And St Maarten is *still* a better island.
 
I have a lot of friends who went offshore for their medical studies, SGU, Ross, and AUC, Irish Schools, Australian schools, are all roughly equal in the eyes of Residency PDs. After that point its up to you how well you do. I have a few friends who have gone and currently go to AUC. The one who graduated is completing a GI fellowship, the one currently there aced the Step 1. You have to work hard and put in the maximum effort anywhere you go.
 
Thanks for the replies guys I am planning on going to AUC and studying hard/managing my time well. It is good to hear that some AUC grads scored very high on their STEP tests and are doing quite well for themselves.
 
McGillGrad said:
That's interesting. A person from Saba knows the difference between two schools he has never attended. You are smart enough to have gotten into US schools. Why did they ever let you leave without begging you to stay in America and using your clairvoyant powers to know everything without any knowledge?
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Maybe his clairvoyance is beyond your comprehension
 
spartanwarrior said:
Maybe his clairvoyance is beyond your comprehension
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That almost makes sense. That is the most heart-breaking part your cute little quips. They have flashes of brilliance but just fall short. Then you end up looking like you're trying too hard.

At least you are using words properly now. That is a huge improvement. :thumbup:
 
From every conversation I've ever had with physicians who sit on residency admissions committees, including one who is "charged" with new hires for pediatrics in a large california hospital chain, IMG is a really large barrier to entry into competitive fields, and residency in general.

I would say that if you can't live with the possibility of ending up in Family Practice, offshore options are not for you.

In my case (first year med student, Cebu Institute of Medicine), I have a strong desire to specialize in Urology, Oncology, or Neurology (in that particular order), but I also know that by choosing an offshore path, I have raised the barrier to entry into these already competitive fields. I made the choice based upon financial and time investment considerations. But consequence of that is realizing that without a phenomenally high USMLE score, Family Practice might be my predestined future.

I dont believe SGU is the best choice for an offshore school for a number of reasons that are personal to me. Others might find it to be the perfect school to obtain their education. All I am saying here is that NO OFFSHORE SCHOOL is "less IMG" than another. Like it or not you are still an FMG, and you will have a harder time applying for residency regardless of where you attended school abroad. So decide on factors like quality of education and cost of education, when choosing between SGU and AUC. But as far as reputation goes, it's all a pissing contest really. If you score well on USMLEs, you will overcome the IMG barrier. If you don't, being an SGU graduate won't help you as compared to graduating from any other WHO accredited school in any other part of the world. And the difference between SGU and AUC is even less in that regard.
 
LocutusofBorg said:
But as far as reputation goes, it's all a pissing contest really. If you score well on USMLEs, you will overcome the IMG barrier. If you don't, being an SGU graduate won't help you as compared to graduating from any other WHO accredited school in any other part of the world. And the difference between SGU and AUC is even less in that regard.
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:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
McGillGrad said:
That almost makes sense. That is the most heart-breaking part your cute little quips. They have flashes of brilliance but just fall short. Then you end up looking like you're trying too hard.

At least you are using words properly now. That is a huge improvement. :thumbup:
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Well, at least I have flashes of brilliance. All you have is your cynicism and caustic remarks. :laugh:
 
McGillGrad said:
Too late for that. You already bent over for me.
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I'm always amused that, for someone apparently as intelligent and thoughtful as you are, McGillGrad, many of your convo's eventually go straight down the toilet. Something you enjoy?.
 
AngryBaby said:
I'm always amused that, for someone apparently as intelligent and thoughtful as you are, McGillGrad, many of your convo's eventually go straight down the toilet. Something you enjoy?.
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Not really the toilet...more like the bedroom.:D

Sometimes you have to use a language that people understand.
 
Hi,
Anyone out there know what kind of questions to expect at SGU interviews?
 
AngryBaby said:
I'm always amused that, for someone apparently as intelligent and thoughtful as you are, McGillGrad, many of your convo's eventually go straight down the toilet. Something you enjoy?.
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Yes, McGillGrad enjoys it because the only way he can satisfy his overinflated ego is to either ridicule or use language that reflects his insecurity.:thumbdown:
 
spartanwarrior said:
Yes, McGillGrad enjoys it because the only way he can satisfy his overinflated ego is to either ridicule or use language that reflects his insecurity.:thumbdown:
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Sounds like I hurt your feelings.

Still want to start a fight with me, huh, tough guy? :laugh:

It would be in your best interest to put me on your ignore list or risk looking foolish every time you try to take me on.
 
spartanwarrior said:
Well, like they say, takes one to attract one. Apparently you have done this before many times!!:laugh:
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As long as you are comfortable with being the catcher...which I am sure you are.:cool:
 
spartanwarrior said:
Yes, McGillGrad enjoys it because the only way he can satisfy his overinflated ego is to either ridicule or use language that reflects his insecurity.:thumbdown:
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Just a hunch, but I would say he doesn't have many insecurities pertaining to anything that comes up on these boards.

I should sit this one out, however, lest I get some urea on my new suede shoes.

(And yes I'm aware urine's mostly water...just go with me on this one)
 
McGillGrad said:
Sounds like I hurt your feelings.

Still want to start a fight with me, huh, tough guy? :laugh:

It would be in your best interest to put me on your ignore list or risk looking foolish every time you try to take me on.
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McGillGrad, I think you should take some advice from the great Genghis Khan as I said before, "Only a fool fights a battle he knows he cannot win."

Quite the opposite will happen if I dont retort your "toilet convos" on this forum; instead of looking foolish like as you apparently say, I will stand up to a little boy who uses his sarcastic and bellicose remarks aimed at nothing else than to belittle and harangue others.
I hope besides learning how to survive in the Caribbean where you are apparently at for medical school, you will realize that it will take more than words and cheap comebacks to convince others that you actually are more than just a composition of "toilet remarks."

As far as myself, I have no need to proove that Im a tough guy since your Canadian and living under the blanket of the US military protection which Im apart of and have no idea of what really is reality in this world.

To everyone else out there, good luck in school and follow your dreams.
 
McGillGrad said:
As long as you are comfortable with being the catcher...which I am sure you are.:cool:
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no need to be a catcher with a guy who has problems throwing the ball!! Besides, Im not desperate for that kind of orientation since I am doing just fine with the ladies, unlike a guy who has to market himself on this forum for a "catcher.":laugh:
 
The mere fact that you are even taking anything I say seriously is a sad commentary on your fragile mental state.:banana::banana::banana:



spartanwarrior said:
no need to be a catcher with a guy who has problems throwing the ball!! Besides, Im not desperate for that kind of orientation since I am doing just fine with the ladies, unlike a guy who has to market himself on this forum for a "catcher.":laugh:
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Wow, I didn't read anything past the cheesy quote...lol...

What a waste of bandwidth.:idea:

spartanwarrior said:
McGillGrad, I think you should take some advice from the great Genghis Khan as I said before, "Only a fool fights a battle he knows he cannot win."

Quite the opposite will happen if I dont retort your "toilet convos" on this forum; instead of looking foolish like as you apparently say, I will stand up to a little boy who uses his sarcastic and bellicose remarks aimed at nothing else than to belittle and harangue others.
I hope besides learning how to survive in the Caribbean where you are apparently at for medical school, you will realize that it will take more than words and cheap comebacks to convince others that you actually are more than just a composition of "toilet remarks."

As far as myself, I have no need to proove that Im a tough guy since your Canadian and living under the blanket of the US military protection which Im apart of and have no idea of what really is reality in this world.

To everyone else out there, good luck in school and follow your dreams.
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McGillGrad said:
The mere fact that you are even taking anything I say seriously is a sad commentary on your fragile mental state.:banana::banana::banana:
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Well, if that's how you want to play it. Your a guy who likes to pretend alot.....kind of like saying, "Hey your a jerk" but then say, "I was only kidding" when you know your about to get into some serious problems.

Oh course, you would like to continue your witty and sarcastic statements to justify that you are master and king of this forum; almost as if you are trying to hard to impress everyone on SDN that you are omniscient or something about everything. Okay, you are way to cute to be messed with by anyone. I will allow you to remain in control on here. You have my permission to continue your "toilet ways":laugh:
 
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