How to study at Caribbean medical school?

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davidxavi

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Hello all,
I will be starting at a Caribbean medical school in the fall. I have heard all the stories about the Carib, and I want to give myself the best shot at succeeding. Obviously I can't really depend on my school to prepare me for step1 with all the material I need. What kind of comprehensive, readable materials can I use to learn next year? For example, if I'm trying to learn biochemistry to a sufficient level and need to self study, how would you guys recommend doing that? Thanks!
 
libertyyne said:
Step 1. Withdraw from Caribbean.
Step 2. Apply DO.
Step 3. ?????
Step 4. Profit.
Click to expand...

At least wait until you go through white coat ceremony before you start acting like a pretentious medical student.

I think part of the rigors of any medical school is understanding the pace of academics. As far as materials go, I would ask your classmates what resources they used - chances are they will have BRS, Class Specific Study Guides, and other electronic materials they have accumulated throughout the year.

With regards to learning, I really can't emphasize time management enough. For me, it took multiple passes throughout the material. Ideally, the first two passes is understanding for comprehension, with the third and fourth for memorization. The thing is, you will change your study methods quite a bit with various results. Some people wrote notes and basically transcribed notes (for me, that was too time consuming and my worse unit). When I tried anki for a day, I realized i spent an hour on one page (I quickly gave that up).

TLDR: Initially study for comprehension, followed by memorization. Practice time management.
 
Tabiyou said:
At least wait until you go through white coat ceremony before you start acting like a pretentious medical student.

I think part of the rigors of any medical school is understanding the pace of academics. As far as materials go, I would ask your classmates what resources they used - chances are they will have BRS, Class Specific Study Guides, and other electronic materials they have accumulated throughout the year.

With regards to learning, I really can't emphasize time management enough. For me, it took multiple passes throughout the material. Ideally, the first two passes is understanding for comprehension, with the third and fourth for memorization. The thing is, you will change your study methods quite a bit with various results. Some people wrote notes and basically transcribed notes (for me, that was too time consuming and my worse unit). When I tried anki for a day, I realized i spent an hour on one page (I quickly gave that up).

TLDR: Initially study for comprehension, followed by memorization. Practice time management.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry, how is suggesting a more reasonable path pretentious ? Pretention is thinking DO is not good enough so a person wants to go to the carribean.
 
Tabiyou said:
At least wait until you go through white coat ceremony before you start acting like a pretentious medical student.

I think part of the rigors of any medical school is understanding the pace of academics. As far as materials go, I would ask your classmates what resources they used - chances are they will have BRS, Class Specific Study Guides, and other electronic materials they have accumulated throughout the year.

With regards to learning, I really can't emphasize time management enough. For me, it took multiple passes throughout the material. Ideally, the first two passes is understanding for comprehension, with the third and fourth for memorization. The thing is, you will change your study methods quite a bit with various results. Some people wrote notes and basically transcribed notes (for me, that was too time consuming and my worse unit). When I tried anki for a day, I realized i spent an hour on one page (I quickly gave that up).

TLDR: Initially study for comprehension, followed by memorization. Practice time management.
Click to expand...
libertyyne said:
I'm sorry, how is suggesting a more reasonable path pretentious ? Pretention is thinking DO is not good enough so a person wants to go to the carribean.
Click to expand...

I don't see anything pretentious in libertyyne's post. I think somehow it got assumed libertyyne was demeaning Caribbean which isn't the case. Better to avoid Caribbean at all costs, apply/get accepted into DO school, and work your end off with good study habits.
 
Thank you all for your responses. I applied to a number of DO schools but was not admitted, unfortunately.
I was more asking for good materials like textbooks or videos that are conducive to self-learning to a deep level for medical school. Would anybody have any suggestions on such materials for some of the foundational units e.g. biochemistry, molecular biology?
 
davidxavi said:
Thank you all for your responses. I applied to a number of DO schools but was not admitted, unfortunately.
I was more asking for good materials like textbooks or videos that are conducive to self-learning to a deep level for medical school. Would anybody have any suggestions on such materials for some of the foundational units e.g. biochemistry, molecular biology?
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that. Best idea as suggested above might be to pick the brains of the upper classmen. Good luck.
 
davidxavi said:
Hello all,
I will be starting at a Caribbean medical school in the fall. I have heard all the stories about the Carib, and I want to give myself the best shot at succeeding. Obviously I can't really depend on my school to prepare me for step1 with all the material I need. What kind of comprehensive, readable materials can I use to learn next year? For example, if I'm trying to learn biochemistry to a sufficient level and need to self study, how would you guys recommend doing that? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Get uworld early and use it throughout the semesters. Avoid shortcuts I.e. review books until you understand the material thoroughly. Take things one semester at a time, don't obsess about step 1 until you have to. Be careful who you take studying advice from. It's more efficient to study alone than with your friends if you know they're chatty. At the beginning of each semester try and settle on the textbook that helps you best with each subject. Do questions with each chapter covered, it helps you assess your knowledge.
 
watermelon master said:
n=1

truth is, vast majority of IA will tank your app.
Click to expand...
Didn't notice that OP's IA apparently is more notable than what I initially thought, but you're right ---IAs aren't doing you any favors but I've seen applicants both personally in real life and here on SDN overcome some pretty major ones--all i'm saying is that IAs are possible to overcome but yes for most people it torpedoes your application.
 
davidxavi said:
Hello all,
I will be starting at a Caribbean medical school in the fall. I have heard all the stories about the Carib, and I want to give myself the best shot at succeeding. Obviously I can't really depend on my school to prepare me for step1 with all the material I need. What kind of comprehensive, readable materials can I use to learn next year? For example, if I'm trying to learn biochemistry to a sufficient level and need to self study, how would you guys recommend doing that? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Nice try troll.
If a student going to the Caribbean cared this much about their education they obviously wouldn't be asking these kinds of questions.

Pics of studying on the beach or gtfu troll.
 
I'll try to provide some useful advice. I go to a DO school, but I doubt the curriculum is dramatically different. My School provided us with excellent lecture material that I used for classes and felt like I retained well for step 1. With that said, I used First Aid for Step 1, but kinda wish I had started sooner. For specific classes, I would recommend getting a good Histology picture book, obviously an Anatomy Atlas, and I highly highly recommend Rohen's Color Atlas of Anatomy (either book or flash cards). This book kept me from having to spend much time at all in the Anatomy lab with the Gunners before practicals. For Biochem, I used the Lecture slides, and never used the textbook, so results may vary. That may be a good place for First Aid.

For second year, I used Microbiology Made ridiculously simple and thought it was great. I liked Pathoma for Pathology (for step 1). Definitely get U world. Consider using it throughout 2nd year (get a year or more subscription). It isn't much use during 1st year, but I did questions during the second half of second year and I felt like it was very helpful to get used to the question style.

Try to find out in advance of how lectures are put out for students. If they do Powerpoints, consider getting an iPad. If you are a lecture person, go to the lectures and take notes. I found it was useful before exams to go back to high yield slides and screenshot them. Then go through photos before the exam to make sure I review those parts.
 
Anicetus said:
Nice try troll.
If a student going to the Caribbean cared this much about their education they obviously wouldn't be asking these kinds of questions.

Pics of studying on the beach or gtfu troll.
Click to expand...
Action: Inappropriate/insulting comment

Please remain civil and professional in your commentary.
 
Winged Scapula said:
Action: Inappropriate/insulting comment

Please remain civil and professional in your commentary.
Click to expand...
Oh wow is this a thing now, where mods tell us why people are put on probation?

OP, while the advice here is good, you still have a chance to NOT go to the Caribbean for medical school. Please re-evaluate if this is really the best course of action for you. Some of my friends applied MD three times before finally getting accepted.
 
sazerac said:
Oh wow is this a thing now, where mods tell us why people are put on probation?
Click to expand...

Yes.

While it won't happen all the time, we are trying to be more transparent within the guidelines of user privacy as requested.

But for obvious (at least to me) things like this, it seemed appropriate.
 
Actually Carib schools do a great job of teaching you to pass Step 1. The problem is that's all they do. They don't care about making you into a good doctor. Which schools is it? (tl dr) If it's big 4, even then it's a gamble. FWIW I always thought AUC wasn't all that bad in terms of how many ppl entering actually go on to practice, but seriously it's harder today than ever to be a Carib med student. Don't do it. Go do podiatry or something. It's a pretty great field imo.
 
davidxavi said:
Hello all,
I will be starting at a Caribbean medical school in the fall. I have heard all the stories about the Carib, and I want to give myself the best shot at succeeding. Obviously I can't really depend on my school to prepare me for step1 with all the material I need. What kind of comprehensive, readable materials can I use to learn next year? For example, if I'm trying to learn biochemistry to a sufficient level and need to self study, how would you guys recommend doing that? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I was going to reply to your question with an earnest attempt at helping you. With that said I found the following:

You stated your IA was:

"I was caught during an exam with my notes out after the exam was handed out, and I was referred to the academic integrity office."

You had a chance to learn from your mistake. You could have returned to school a new man, driven to crush the premed courses and come out smelling like a rose. You failed to get into an MD or DO US schools because of your academic performance post cheating. Your IA commet is telling: "I was caught". Yeah you also lost integrity. That doesnt get mentioned. However we all make mistakes, all of us have a past, none of us are saints. Im all about second chances and giving people a break followed up by action.

You did not reform your academic habits and here you are asking for shortcuts to medical school. Gee wiz.

I have met a few physicians who graduated from Ross University, schools in the Dominican Republic, and a few other Caribbean schools. They were driven, they beat the odds, they did the hard work.

If you really want "to give yourself the best shot at succeeding", as you stated, dont even think about short cuts, dont even think about board review books, avoid students and SDN comments that suggest FA, Kaplan, BRS or USMLERx at this point. Succeeding is about doing the work others choose not to do. So, put yourself at the feet of your instructors, buy the textbooks, take class notes feverishly, get to know your instructors, follow the course syllabi, and crush the medical material. You do not know the material until you can teach it to others - let this be your standard as to content comprehension.

You can not review material for a board exam you never learned

You have a golden opportunity to redirect your path and away from your poor habits. Will you do the right thing? The statistics are against you. However you do have the opportunity to be a success story as opposed to being another medical student who cheated in undergrad, and slithered their way to "passing" med school all while being an abject failure in the end.

Cmon dude: do the right thing. This isn't rocket science material. If it were easy everyone would be earning a 260+ on their board exams

Your move.
 
Last edited:
One more thing. You will need to take a lot of initiative for you to end up with a good score, if you still plan on taking this route.
 
Thank you @Aonyx for your advice. I will definitely look into Rohen's and Microbiology Made ridiculously simple as good texts to learn from.

I'm not sure where cellsaver is getting the idea that I am trying to take a shortcut through medical school...I'm asking about what good textbooks, video series, or other supplementary materials people would recommend using alongside lecture material. I'm not thinking about BRS, FA, or these board review books, but rather actual textbooks that can help me understand the material. I've always been somebody who learns best from reading the textbook myself.
 
With regards to my previous IA, I spoke with the premed advisor at my school and she advised that I should strongly consider attending a Caribbean medical school because gap years would not significantly mitigate the impact of the IA on my application. Otherwise, I really wanted to spend a few years teaching pre-college students or serving with Americorps. However, my premed adviser said while both of these activities would show a commitment to service, neither would directly contradict my character flaws demonstrated in my previous actions.
 
davidxavi said:
...neither would directly contradict my character flaws demonstrated in my previous actions.
Click to expand...

and your current disposition as well. You have not changed one bit. Your character flaw is still blinding you.

at least others on SDN will profit from this exchange.

Some (most) people never learn
 
davidxavi said:
With regards to my previous IA, I spoke with the premed advisor at my school and she advised that I should strongly consider attending a Caribbean medical school because gap years would not significantly mitigate the impact of the IA on my application. Otherwise, I really wanted to spend a few years teaching pre-college students or serving with Americorps. However, my premed adviser said while both of these activities would show a commitment to service, neither would directly contradict my character flaws demonstrated in my previous actions.
Click to expand...
Frankly, premed advisors are not very good. I do feel like if you only have one IA, a few years of service would be a good Mia culpa. People are not perfect and nor are applicants. Taking a few gap years and distancing yourself from the incident showing growth would open up some doors. I know many people who have less than steller records both academic and criminal who have gone on to attend medical school. People change and aren't the same person they were when they made that mistake or poor decision.

I know you may not want to hear this but if I was in your shoes I would take a few gap years do something else and then reapply to usmd schools. Once you go carribean that is kinda done, there is no turning back then.
 
davidxavi said:
Thank you all for your responses. I applied to a number of DO schools but was not admitted, unfortunately.
I was more asking for good materials like textbooks or videos that are conducive to self-learning to a deep level for medical school. Would anybody have any suggestions on such materials for some of the foundational units e.g. biochemistry, molecular biology?
Click to expand...

You're f***ed then.
 
davidxavi said:
With regards to my previous IA, I spoke with the premed advisor at my school and she advised that I should strongly consider attending a Caribbean medical school because gap years would not significantly mitigate the impact of the IA on my application. Otherwise, I really wanted to spend a few years teaching pre-college students or serving with Americorps. However, my premed adviser said while both of these activities would show a commitment to service, neither would directly contradict my character flaws demonstrated in my previous actions.
Click to expand...
Mine told me research wasn't that big of a deal for an acceptance, and that it wouldn't keep me out of any schools. I ended up doing well on the mcat, and yes research was a big deal for the schools I was qualified for based on my stats (as I discovered after perusing sdn and purchasing an MSAR subscription, research was basically a pre-req for these schools...so I didn't even bother applying to them). This is just one example of many pieces of bad advice I received, as many others have. I hate to say an online forum that has a fair amount of pessimists/trolls/braggers is better for advice than a professional advisor, but all signs for me have pointed to that being the case (despite its many problems there is gold sprinkled on these forums). I would take a year and work hard on your application, focusing toward DO schools. Idk what your stats are but honestly I would be terrified of ending up hundreds of thousands in debt without a residency.
 
Study for Step 1 from Day 1. Destroying the boards is your only chance of matching from the Caribbean. It should be your #1 priority.
 
Its no different from any medical school. Focus on Step 1 material and begin studying early. Make sure you pass your other schoolwork. Will be fine.
 
Elijah James said:
The Caribbean medical schools are, for the most part, looking for smart people with the desire to help communities be healthier. Because getting into medical school in North America is so difficult, there are a lot of people who don’t make the cut but who would be great doctors. The Caribbean medical schools are experts at finding these people because the admission requirements are quite straightforward.
Click to expand...
If this is truly the case, then why do they have such high attrition rates? Not trolling, just conversing.
 
Elijah James said:
The Caribbean medical schools are, for the most part, looking for smart people with the desire to help communities be healthier. Because getting into medical school in North America is so difficult, there are a lot of people who don’t make the cut but who would be great doctors. The Caribbean medical schools are experts at finding these people because the admission requirements are quite straightforward.
Click to expand...
Gullibility, ignorance and desperation and/or having red flags that would deny people admission to US med schools doesn't make said candidates very smart, does it?

Quit shilling.
 
Study hard, have a plan, strategize from day 1, and remember it is never too early to study for step 1. PM me if you want some more detailed info. Best wishes to you!
 
And having one of these:

Why-do-business-need-a-philosophical-heartbeat.jpg





atomi said:
You tell the truth. Admission requirements are very straightforward:

Click to expand...
 
UFAP, Sketchy, Robbins for path, TeachMeAnatomy

Time management. Keep up with the material as much as possible, qbanks until your eyes bleed
 
Elijah James said:
The Caribbean medical schools are, for the most part, looking for smart people with the desire to help communities be healthier. Because getting into medical school in North America is so difficult, there are a lot of people who don’t make the cut but who would be great doctors. The Caribbean medical schools are experts at finding these people because the admission requirements are quite straightforward.
Click to expand...

Lol @ experts...are you bumping every Carib thread to shill or are you justifying your own choices?
 
I strongly recommend buying B&B and going through Zanki or Firecracker. Obviously, you should use Pathoma and Sketchy Medical if you like it.

Start Uworld during your final semester and go ham during dedicated.

Take my advice with a grain of salt since I haven’t started yet but this is what people have told me to do.
 
The Caribbean medical schools are, for the most part, looking for desperate people with the desire to deepen their board of trustees pockets. Because getting into medical school in North America is so difficult, there are a lot of people who don’t make the cut but are willing to spend their money for a 50/50 shot at becoming a practicing physician. The Caribbean medical schools are experts at finding money because the admission requirements ($$$$$$) are quite straightforward ($$$$$$$).

*I fixed that for you little buddy @Elijah James
 
There's a doctor on YouTube that took a whole year off to study for step 1. He's a surgeon now.
 
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