Is this a scam?

BU Medical Sciences
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ab_10_28 said:
I attended a few of the classes and was convinced that this was a better school as I was learning nothing at my previous one. As for everyone else that has commented about what I said I could careless about what you people think. Go do some proper research instead of trolling the form because you have nothing better to do.
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I did. I found no evidence of accreditation or NRMP matches.
 
No, not in the United States. The shortest way to get an MD(also one of the toughest due to the fact it has the highest requirements) are 7 year medical programs at schools like BU and Northwestern, some ivies have 8 year direct programs like Brown Pubmed.
 
Maybe this school is Hogwarts in disguise. She might not be a doctor, but being a witch would be way cooler IMO.
 
ab_10_28 said:
I attended a few of the classes and was convinced that this was a better school as I was learning nothing at my previous one. As for everyone else that has commented about what I said I could careless about what you people think. Go do some proper research instead of trolling the form because you have nothing better to do.
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ummm...aren't you the one trolling. The website alone is sketchy as heck. People are asking you for "research" or data/any evidence this isn't some BS thing. I mean, come on, under faculty the "dean" of the school is just M.D.
 
ab_10_28 said:
I transferred to Avicina from another Caribbean school and I can assure you that it is not a scam nor is it a diploma mill. Instead of trying to talk your cousin out of it based on your thoughts/perceptions of the website and the form. I suggest you sit in a class in the pre-med center or a USMLE review class and talk to some of the students and if you still think this is the wrong school or if it's still a scam then you'll be able to give your cousins facts such as they don't teach you anything or that no one has actually passed any of the USMLE exams, etc...

But if you'd like to continue to listen to the people on this form saying it is not accredited or that the website looks sketchy or whatever then by all means do that. Unfortunately that is not research.
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ab_10_28 = Avicina's Bullcrap*10^28
 
gyngyn said:
I did. I found no evidence of accreditation or NRMP matches.
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"Go do research" is a common line for paid internet shills (or just people who don't know what they're talking about) to divert conversation away from their inability to provide concrete evidence. If this doesn't work, start bringing up tin-foil hat conspiracy theory accusations.
 
Ischemia1032 said:
No, not in the United States. The shortest way to get an MD(also one of the toughest due to the fact it has the highest requirements) are 7 year medical programs at schools like BU and Northwestern, some ivies have 8 year direct programs like Brown Pubmed.
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Completely unrelated to the troll posting about this scam, but those 7 years are technically 8-9 years b/c they have built in gap year(s) after the undergrad portion (first 3 years usually). It is difficult to convince people to let you go straight through (I tried after getting into one, and decided to go to a traditional UG instead).

Also for reference the program you're referring to is Brown PLME.

Pubmed is a scientific research database.
 
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As for accreditation here you go:
http://search.wdoms.org//home/schooldetail/F0002691

The school was founded in 2012 so the students are planning to apply to match in 2016, as that is the first graduating class. If you guys want to knock it for being young, than go for it. However, I assure you if it was not recognized I, along with my fellow classmates, would not have been able to sit for boards, unless it's new practice and anyone can sit for the boards. I must have missed the memo.
 
^This website has an absolute boner for Hofstra. This has nothing to do with being "young" and everything to do with lack of accreditation.
 
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ab_10_28 said:
As for accreditation here you go:
http://search.wdoms.org//home/schooldetail/F0002691

The school was founded in 2012 so the students are planning to apply to match in 2016, as that is the first graduating class. If you guys want to knock it for being young, than go for it. However, I assure you if it was not recognized I, along with my fellow classmates, would not have been able to sit for boards, unless it's new practice and anyone can sit for the boards. I must have missed the memo.
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As previously mentioned, under accreditation there is...nothing.
 
tumblr_l7sf2pwfob1qagy5w.gif
 
md-2020 said:
Completely unrelated to the troll posting about this scam, but those 7 years are technically 8-9 years b/c they have built in gap year(s) after the undergrad portion (first 3 years usually). It is difficult to convince people to let you go straight through (I tried after getting into one, and decided to go to a traditional UG instead).

Also for reference the program you're referring to is Brown PLME.

Pubmed is a scientific research database.
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Haha, thanks for the clarification about Brown. My friend is attending the progarm and I knew it had a P and an ME in it lol, kinda assumed the name. Besides that fact, I do not know that they have gap years. I have tons of friends at BU's, no gap year, I know people at northwestern where the gap year is optional, so must just steam through. The main point of those programs besides early med school acceptance is to get through the whole schooling a bit faster so you are a full doctor at a younger age. That 150-300k you are making as a first year attending I am sure is worth skipping a year in the long run.
 
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ab_10_28 said:
As for accreditation here you go:
http://search.wdoms.org//home/schooldetail/F0002691

The school was founded in 2012 so the students are planning to apply to match in 2016, as that is the first graduating class. If you guys want to knock it for being young, than go for it. However, I assure you if it was not recognized I, along with my fellow classmates, would not have been able to sit for boards, unless it's new practice and anyone can sit for the boards. I must have missed the memo.
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HOW exactly do you know that "Avicina" gives a student a "better chance at getting a residency" if your students will not be applying to match until 2016?
 
Oh god what a gem. This was a hilarious read, thanks for sharing lol
 
I like that their requirements page lists "Physics and/or Physiology". Makes me think that someone doesn't really know what either class entails and just thinks that everything starting with "physi" is equivalent.
 
Generally, the more something is promoted, the less you really want it. Consider the Kardashians, or rent to own furniture, etc. Most everything worth having doesn't come looking for you, you have to chase after it. If any real medical school promoted itself this much, that would make it seem sketchier to me. Some do send out information or publish PR ads, but none tart themselves up and work the streets like this "school" does.

If it were real and had the value it claims, you wouldn't be able to fight your way in through the crowds.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
 
Pusheen said:
Our campus is located in Belmopan, the capital city of Belize, next to the largest American embassy in the whole of south-central America. It is the safest place in all of the Caribbean. Also we have the lowest hurricanes in the whole of Caribbean..
.
But they're next to the largest embassy! And they have the lowest hurricanes!
Sign me up!
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Sadly, the school relies on it being bombed for their shock trauma rotation.
 
Might be the only medical school I've ever seen that registered their domain name through Godaddy... But hey, they're using a $99 Wordpress theme (http://www.pagelines.com/shop/club/pinspro/) and they dropped money on private domain registration so they must be legit.

They actually link to SDN in one of their blog posts too:

"For more information on how get great letters of recommendations here are some useful websites that you may find helpful.
Student Doctor "
 
It seems more legit now folks. They have a banner, and...a Phone Number! So legitimate even The Army's West Point is set up next to them!
11083647_10153176042696774_1582254537805923318_n.jpg
 
genericpremedstudent said:
10999879_857574460951366_6090342157740095319_n.jpg


I cant trust a medical school who thinks $50,000 is more than $60,000 on a bar graph...
Also, LENGHT up above...
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Didn't know "see it for yourself why wait" was a single sentence.

This whole business makes me really uncomfortable.
 
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Vespasian said:
Might be the only medical school I've ever seen that registered their domain name through Godaddy... But hey, they're using a $99 Wordpress theme (http://www.pagelines.com/shop/club/pinspro/) and they dropped money on private domain registration so they must be legit.

They actually link to SDN in one of their blog posts too:

"For more information on how get great letters of recommendations here are some useful websites that you may find helpful.
Student Doctor "
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I was skeptical until I read this!

I laughed so hard at the bar graph where 50,000 in greater than 60,000. I couldn't make this stuff up.
 
I called them. First time, no one picked up, but the second time some really shady, low voiced, and rude guy picked up. He answered the phone with "Avicina"-- which by the way is pronounced "aviseena"-- and led me to the school's accreditation: https://imed.faimer.org/details.asp?country=166&school=&currpage=1&cname=BELIZE&city=&region=CA&rname=Central+America/Caribbean&mcode=166080&psize=25 .

Maybe my questions came across as hostile, but he seemed defensive rather than informative. I mean we all already know this is a blatant scam, but just wanted to share my experience.
 
genericpremedstudent said:
backstory please
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http://www.grahamazon.com/over/2008/03/stewart-university-sketchy-new-medical-school/

http://www.residencynotes.com/2008/03/stewart-university-deserves-mockery/

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2010/04/sdn-community-in-action-exposing-fraud/

Cliffnotes: Stewart University New Scotland School of Medicine "opened" in Cali, super-shady but they claimed to be the #1 leader in med education, blamed their shadiness on Al-Qaeda, had no accreditation, ended up closing.

Edit: Added emphasis to opened.
 
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Vespasian said:
http://www.grahamazon.com/over/2008/03/stewart-university-sketchy-new-medical-school/

http://www.residencynotes.com/2008/03/stewart-university-deserves-mockery/

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2010/04/sdn-community-in-action-exposing-fraud/

Cliffnotes: Stewart University New Scotland School of Medicine opened in Cali, super-shady but they claimed to be the #1 leader in med education, blamed their shadiness on Al-Qaeda, had no accreditation, ended up closing.
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Umm, I really don't think they ever actually "existed" in the first place. Though the guy(s) behind it did have enough free time on his hands to do things like take out ads in the Stanford University school paper, make some youtube videos, register the school as eligible to receive MCAT scores (probably his most impressive accomplishment). SDNers called "the school" and again got some guy's cell phone in Fremont, IIRC.

Basically it was some guy with a website and a lot of time on his hands.
 
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Axes said:
I called them. First time, no one picked up, but the second time some really shady, low voiced, and rude guy picked up. He answered the phone with "Avicina"-- which by the way is pronounced "aviseena"-- and led me to the school's accreditation: https://imed.faimer.org/details.asp?country=166&school=&currpage=1&cname=BELIZE&city=&region=CA&rname=Central+America/Caribbean&mcode=166080&psize=25 .

Maybe my questions came across as hostile, but he seemed defensive rather than informative. I mean we all already know this is a blatant scam, but just wanted to share my experience.
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That's because the PDF is blank where accreditation should be.
 
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WingedOx said:
Umm, I really don't think they ever actually "existed" in the first place. Though the guy(s) behind it did have enough free time on his hands to do things like take out ads in the Stanford University school paper, make some youtube videos, register the school as eligible to receive MCAT scores (probably his most impressive accomplishment). SDNers called "the school" and again got some guy's cell phone in Fremont, IIRC.

Basically it was some guy with a website and a lot of time on his hands.
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Ah, I was a bit confused. I knew they were never a real medical school, but had cobbled together enough a scam-business to try to buy a HS and get registered to receive MCAT scores.
 
Just a reminder that despite concerns about a scam, users should not attempt to out other users' identities, pictures, or contact information.
 
dyachei said:
Just a reminder that despite concerns about a scam, users should not attempt to out other users' identities, pictures, or contact information.
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edited: I could easily figure out the campus where they shot the "current students" in white coats. I can't imagine said campus would be all that thrilled about it.
 
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WingedOx said:
edited: I could easily figure out the campus where they shot the "current students" in white coats. I can't imagine said campus would be all that thrilled about it.
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I encourage you to report it to that institution so they can take appropriate measures.
 
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dyachei said:
I encourage you to report it to that institution so they can take appropriate measures.
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Ironically I only noticed it because a friend of mine took her wedding photos in the exact same spot last month.
 
Vespasian said:
http://www.grahamazon.com/over/2008/03/stewart-university-sketchy-new-medical-school/

http://www.residencynotes.com/2008/03/stewart-university-deserves-mockery/

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2010/04/sdn-community-in-action-exposing-fraud/

Cliffnotes: Stewart University New Scotland School of Medicine "opened" in Cali, super-shady but they claimed to be the #1 leader in med education, blamed their shadiness on Al-Qaeda, had no accreditation, ended up closing.

Edit: Added emphasis to opened.
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thank you, this is amazing
 
Here's my favorite from the website:
"The mission of Avicina Medical Academy, Doctor of Medicine Degree Program, is to educate and inspire scholars and future leaders who will advance, create, and disseminate the practice of medicine; sustain and improve health to alleviate suffering caused by illness and disease; and to provide outstanding care and service for patients in a compassionate and respectful manner, especially in the undeserved parts of the world."

Coloration is mine.
 
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gyngyn said:
Here's my favorite from the website:
"The mission of Avicina Medical Academy, Doctor of Medicine Degree Program, is to educate and inspire scholars and future leaders who will advance, create, and disseminate the practice of medicine; sustain and improve health to alleviate suffering caused by illness and disease; and to provide outstanding care and service for patients in a compassionate and respectful manner, especially in the undeserved parts of the world."
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Very noble to provide care and service to the undeserving.
 
gyngyn said:
Here's my favorite from the website:
"The mission of Avicina Medical Academy, Doctor of Medicine Degree Program, is to educate and inspire scholars and future leaders who will advance, create, and disseminate the practice of medicine; sustain and improve health to alleviate suffering caused by illness and disease; and to provide outstanding care and service for patients in a compassionate and respectful manner, especially in the undeserved parts of the world."

Coloration is mine.
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Wow. smh
That, plus the adorable little graph where 50k > 60k (and pretty much everything else about them) obliterates any chance they have at appearing legitimate.



As an aside, the first time I read your post I didn't see that you colored that word and I read it as "underserved". Looked around and found this:

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghi t pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.​
 
J Senpai said:
As an aside, the first time I read your post I didn't see that you colored that word and I read it as "underserved". Looked around and found this:

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghi t pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.​
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That is absolutely better written than the Avicina website!
 
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dyachei said:
Just a reminder that despite concerns about a scam, users should not attempt to out other users' identities, pictures, or contact information.
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FYI though, I never meant to imply that said social media campaigner was an SDN user... I'm not interested in connecting those dots. But for anyone who saw my original deleted post, the whole school appears to be the work of one guy +/- his friends.
 
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