Learning the Game of Ross MD

[Xorthos]

Because people see the numbers today and they're like, "Oh, match rate is 82%!" and assume that's the match they'll be dealing with in four years. I like to look for worst-case scenario data in any situation, and would like to be provided with such in the event of my spending 300-400k on an education.

The US first time match percentage is 94% By your worst case scenario, US graduates shouldn't bother either since they have a whopping 6% chance of throwing all of their money away.

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[Mad Jack]

The US first time match percentage is 94% By your worst case scenario, US graduates shouldn't bother either since they have a whopping 6% chance of throwing all of their money away.

There's a big difference between a 1 in 6 chance of failure and a 1 in 17 chance of failure. If I gave you a lottery ticket and told you there was a 1 in six chance it would completely ruin your life, but a 5 in 6 chance you'd win big, would you take it? That's nearly a three times increase in total failure rate compared to the game next door, and this is a best case scenario- there's been well over a dozen new schools and branch campuses opened since these kids matriculated, so those odds are going to keep getting tighter...

 

[Xorthos]

So Harvard Medical School's match percentage last year was 97.5%. Similar to John Hopkins.

There is a big difference between a 1 in 17 chance of failure and a 1 in 40 chance of failure. By your logic, US graduates should only accept going to Top tier schools, since there is such a disparity in match percentages. You wouldn't want to throw your entire life away on a slim 1 in 17 chance would you?

 

[hmania]

wow, I didn't see this thread for "learning" becoming a battle of Caribbean schools and matching prospects. Interesting.
@Xorthos @Mad Jack any recommendations for study tactics for Ross... since you guys have made it through the tough times on the rock.


Updated the OP with Genetics.

 

[Mad Jack]

wow, I didn't see this thread for "learning" becoming a battle of Caribbean schools and matching prospects. Interesting.
@Xorthos @Mad Jack any recommendations for study tactics for Ross... since you guys have made it through the tough times on the rock.


Updated the OP with Genetics.

I'm not from Ross, sorry. I'm a bone wizard. Wish I could help

 

[Xorthos]

Shoot me a PM hmania and I will answer any questions you might have.

I'm afraid if we do it on this forum, it'll continue to be hijacked with US-grad trolls who have nothing better to do than sit on caribbean forums putting people down.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Maybe I'm just doing it to grind your gears

Really though, I just skimmed the data. Fine, 82ish% placement rate, totally fantastic

ftfy

This is probably most representative of how matching is at the top caribbean schools (Ross and SGU are somewhat higher). The NRMP does a really bad job of mapping out the data considering it consolidates IMGs who have graduated several years with the ones that are currently graduating. This pushes down the match rate. It would be like combining the graphs of US senior stats with the US graduate stats. Interestingly enough this may even be true for osteopathic graduates who are using the match. They might be pushing down the numbers in this case, but only by a few percentage points. I am hoping with the merger they would start listing osteopathic seniors differently from osteopathic graduates.

EDIT: On a side note, I have to work on my reading comprehension, since students/graduates is also noted on the match rate page for osteopathic matching.

 

[IslandStyle808]

wow, I didn't see this thread for "learning" becoming a battle of Caribbean schools and matching prospects. Interesting.
@Xorthos @Mad Jack any recommendations for study tactics for Ross... since you guys have made it through the tough times on the rock.


Updated the OP with Genetics.

Do you have a learning center with a learning specialist or learning counselor. They maybe able to help you with learning strategies.

 

[hmania]

Do you have a learning center with a learning specialist or learning counselor. They maybe able to help you with learning strategies.

yep... totally missed the point of this thread. I'm starting this thread to pass on tips on how to study for future Rossies.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

Hopefully... when this thread is over... there will be no future Rossies as more students learn you can always use grade forgiveness and take an extra year to improve your app for a DO school rather than going to a third world country and dealing with all the extra BS and extra hoop jumping that my fellow Rossies have endured over the past years to get much less and settle for Internal medicine, family medicine, or psych in a location that is not their choice.

The types of board scores some of you Ross folks achieve on the boards are amazing. I personally know a few people who hit 250s..260s.. one even hit 267... Jeez... and all they are applying to 100-plus programs while only getting a few interviews for Internal medicine because of that IMG status.

IF a US grad, MD or DO, had those scores... yeah... IM would probably be the last thing they are going for.

This is no rip on IM, FM, or Psych programs. They are amazing specialties but it's a shame to work so hard to have to settle on one of those three areas in a location that is not your top choice and those three areas being some of the limited routes you can take.

 

[cassis_Cake]

I don't know where you get the ideas that those with 250s and above only get a few interviews after applying to 100 programs.. Exaggerations like this are over the top and stretching the truth...

 

[UBC2014]

I don't know where you get the ideas that those with 250s and above only get a few interviews after applying to 100 programs.. Exaggerations like this are over the top and stretching the truth...

Depends on speciality.

Know a current SGU 4th year who had a 252, and only 4 obgyn interviews at mid tier and quality programs then an additional 3 interviews at IMG mills/less desirable programs. Applied to a lot of programs 120+.


Facts are if he was an AMG he would have gotten more interviews AND not have had to apply to that many programs.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

I don't know where you get the ideas that those with 250s and above only get a few interviews after applying to 100 programs.. Exaggerations like this are over the top and stretching the truth...

These aren't ideas buddy. These are actual people I know (family, family friends, relatives, etc.).

I also ask if they would go to the Caribbean if they could do it again... they all wish they would have gone DO instead of flocking to a third world country.

To put things in perspective, many US grads apply to maybe 20-30... hell... probably max of 50 programs.. depending on the strength of their app and what field they want. I have never seen not have I heard of a US MD or DO student apply to over 100 programs to get only 4-5 interviews. This happens every year.

Like I said, if you want IM, Psych, or FM in a location that may not be your top choice, then Carib is still a good option.

Just know that you will be working MUCH harder to get a residency in those 3 specialties compared to a US student, MD or DO.

 

[Xorthos]

These aren't ideas buddy. These are actual people I know (family, family friends, relatives, etc.).

I also ask if they would go to the Caribbean if they could do it again... they all wish they would have gone DO instead of flocking to a third world country.

To put things in perspective, many US grads apply to maybe 20-30... hell... probably max of 50 programs.. depending on the strength of their app and what field they want. I have never seen not have I heard of a US MD or DO student apply to over 100 programs to get only 4-5 interviews. This happens every year.

Like I said, if you want IM, Psych, or FM in a location that may not be your top choice, then Carib is still a good option.

Just know that you will be working MUCH harder to get a residency in those 3 specialties compared to a US student, MD or DO.

Ross Graduate
219 step 1
250+ step 2

Applied at 61 family medicine programs
Got 37 interview offers
Accepted/ranked 18 programs

Fm was the only specialty i applied to, because its what i want to do. Not because I "settled".

The anti-caribbean bias on this forum is out of control.

 

[deleted731525]

Ross Graduate
219 step 1
250+ step 2

Applied at 61 family medicine programs
Got 37 interview offers
Accepted/ranked 18 programs

Fm was the only specialty i applied to, because its what i want to do. Not because I "settled".

The anti-caribbean bias on this forum is out of control.

TBF that doesnt contradict what he said. He said it is still a good option if you want IM/FM/Psych. And I agree with him(and you). If you want something more competitive it will be harder.

 

[Xorthos]

TBF that doesnt contradict what he said. He said it is still a good option if you want IM/FM/Psych. And I agree with him(and you). If you want something more competitive it will be harder.

It was mostly in response to this:

The types of board scores some of you Ross folks achieve on the boards are amazing. I personally know a few people who hit 250s..260s.. one even hit 267... Jeez... and all they are applying to 100-plus programs while only getting a few interviews for Internal medicine because of that IMG status.

If someone applied to 100 IM programs with 260 scores, and only got a few interviews...then they have something else going on that's a big red flag for programs....It's not being from Ross.

I agree with you in that regard Clegane. If I wanted to do anesthesiology or dermatology, I wouldn't have gone to Ross. But I knew from the start I wanted to do Family Medicine. And despite people on this forum telling me 4 years ago what a terrible idea it was to go to Ross, and how by 2016 NO IMG's would ever match, I went anyways...and it worked out.

It's just really offensive to me how much people look down on my school. It wasn't perfect, but the constant slamming of my school gets ridiculous. IMG's serve a purpose, and it's to fill the ridiculous shortage of primary care doctors there is. That way all you US graduates can go into "prestigious" fields.

 

[deleted731525]

It was mostly in response to this:



If someone applied to 100 IM programs with 260 scores, and only got a few interviews...then they have something else going on that's a big red flag for programs....It's not being from Ross.

I agree with you in that regard Clegane. If I wanted to do anesthesiology or dermatology, I wouldn't have gone to Ross. But I knew from the start I wanted to do Family Medicine. And despite people on this forum telling me 4 years ago what a terrible idea it was to go to Ross, and how by 2016 NO IMG's would ever match, I went anyways...and it worked out.

It's just really offensive to me how much people look down on my school. It wasn't perfect, but the constant slamming of my school gets ridiculous. IMG's serve a purpose, and it's to fill the ridiculous shortage of primary care doctors there is. That way all you US graduates can go into "prestigious" fields.

As someone interested in FM or IM myself, I hear you.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

Ross Graduate
219 step 1
250+ step 2

Applied at 61 family medicine programs
Got 37 interview offers
Accepted/ranked 18 programs

Fm was the only specialty i applied to, because its what i want to do. Not because I "settled".

The anti-caribbean bias on this forum is out of control.

I hear you. Some of the folks with the high scores are shooting for intense residencies I should add.. Gen surg... Anesthesiology.. Ophtho.. etc.

Like I said, IF you WANT only IM, FM, or Psych... and want to work harder to get it, Carib is still a good option.

Bud... nobody said you settled... You WANTED to do FM. Therefore, you went to the Carib. It all worked out for you which is absolutely awesome. Congrats.

But I should ask how much harder did you work than a US grad who wanted to do FM or IM? How many more hurdles did you have to jump to get to FM than an applicant here in the states?

I'm glad it worked out for you.. I really am. But this SDN bashing against IMGs is mainly because of how naive some new students are and how the actual school preys upon students. There is a reason why some terms start with 600-700 kids to pick them off slowly and decel them and end up with only 150-200 that make it out by the end of the 4 years (maybe... that is a rough estimation).

I believe Ross and ALL Carib schools should advertise that their placement in IM, FM, and PSYCH programs are the highest. It just paints a bad picture for students who DON'T KNOW what they actually want to do until rotations. What if you liked EM, or Anesthesia, or something else during rotations but HAD to settle for something else? That is reality for many students whether they admit it or not. I'm glad you got out and got exactly what you wanted.

You loyal. You smart.

 

[Xorthos]

I hear you. Some of the folks with the high scores are shooting for intense residencies I should add.. Gen surg... Anesthesiology.. Ophtho.. etc.

Like I said, IF you WANT only IM, FM, or Psych... and want to work harder to get it, Carib is still a good option.

Bud... nobody said you settled... You WANTED to do FM. Therefore, you went to the Carib. It all worked out for you which is absolutely awesome. Congrats.

But I should ask how much harder did you work than a US grad who wanted to do FM or IM? How many more hurdles did you have to jump to get to FM than an applicant here in the states?

I'm glad it worked out for you.. I really am. But this SDN bashing against IMGs is mainly because of how naive some new students are and how the actual school preys upon students. There is a reason why some terms start with 600-700 kids to pick them off slowly and decel them and end up with only 150-200 that make it out by the end of the 4 years (maybe... that is a rough estimation).

I believe Ross and ALL Carib schools should advertise that their placement in IM, FM, and PSYCH programs are the highest. It just paints a bad picture for students who DON'T KNOW what they actually want to do until rotations. What if you liked EM, or Anesthesia, or something else during rotations but HAD to settle for something else? That is reality for many students whether they admit it or not. I'm glad you got out and got exactly what you wanted.

You loyal. You smart.

I knew I would succeed in medical school wherever I ended up, but unfortunately I was turned down from US schools because of my GPA. I had two BS degrees, one in business management when I was 18, and scraped by partying with a very low GPA. Then straight A's in a chemistry degree when I decided to try to go to med school in my late 20's. Unfortunately, with as competitive as US med schools are, I got immediately filtered out and never got a fair shot.

Ross gave me that shot, and I went down there dedicated and determined. They didn't hold my hand, and no, administration doesn't care one way or another if you fail out or not. But the professors do. They're all US-educated PhD's in their specialized fields, and wanted a change of pace.

I got through my time in medical school, watched several friends fail out. Not because they weren't smart enough, but because they were entitled 23 year olds who had never been away from home, suddenly thrown onto a caribbean island by themselves and partied, slept around, and didn't take it seriously. Those type of people are viewed as dollar signs in Ross administration's eyes...and I can't blame them, they are for profit after all.

But to answer your question...there weren't a tremendous amount of hurdles, I don't think. We had to pay more to take all the USMLE exams, and fill out the ECFMG stuff. Aside from that, I filled out the same ERAS application, got the same LOR's, and wrote the same personal statement as everyone else. Sure, I probably wouldn't have applied at 61 places with my score if I were a US graduate...but at the end of the day any hurdles I had to go through were worth it. Residency is Residency, regardless of where you went to school.


PS: At what point did FM, IM, and Psych become if you "only" want them fields? The only reason they are less competitive is that the pay is less. If FM doctors were bringing in 400-500k a year, I guarantee it would jump up to "competitive" specialty. Just like if dermatology paid 150k a year, nobody would want to do it. When did medicine become about who can make the most amount of money for the least amount of work, and less about following your passion?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Please keep this thread on topic (study tips); there are plenty of other places to argue to merits of DO vs Caribbean MD.

 

[IslandStyle808]

yep... totally missed the point of this thread. I'm starting this thread to pass on tips on how to study for future Rossies.

Tell them to see a learning specialist or learning counselor... (okay okay trying to salvage my comment based on not remembering the point of the thread, however, there are a lot of people who don't see one or don't even know they exist).

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

I knew I would succeed in medical school wherever I ended up, but unfortunately I was turned down from US schools because of my GPA. I had two BS degrees, one in business management when I was 18, and scraped by partying with a very low GPA. Then straight A's in a chemistry degree when I decided to try to go to med school in my late 20's. Unfortunately, with as competitive as US med schools are, I got immediately filtered out and never got a fair shot.

Ross gave me that shot, and I went down there dedicated and determined. They didn't hold my hand, and no, administration doesn't care one way or another if you fail out or not. But the professors do. They're all US-educated PhD's in their specialized fields, and wanted a change of pace.

I got through my time in medical school, watched several friends fail out. Not because they weren't smart enough, but because they were entitled 23 year olds who had never been away from home, suddenly thrown onto a caribbean island by themselves and partied, slept around, and didn't take it seriously. Those type of people are viewed as dollar signs in Ross administration's eyes...and I can't blame them, they are for profit after all.

But to answer your question...there weren't a tremendous amount of hurdles, I don't think. We had to pay more to take all the USMLE exams, and fill out the ECFMG stuff. Aside from that, I filled out the same ERAS application, got the same LOR's, and wrote the same personal statement as everyone else. Sure, I probably wouldn't have applied at 61 places with my score if I were a US graduate...but at the end of the day any hurdles I had to go through were worth it. Residency is Residency, regardless of where you went to school.


PS: At what point did FM, IM, and Psych become if you "only" want them fields? The only reason they are less competitive is that the pay is less. If FM doctors were bringing in 400-500k a year, I guarantee it would jump up to "competitive" specialty. Just like if dermatology paid 150k a year, nobody would want to do it. When did medicine become about who can make the most amount of money for the least amount of work, and less about following your passion?

Idk what you mean by the last part of your statement but it is clear you are assuming a lot of things. I never said anything about money or pursuit of passion. Some folks don't know what they want before going into med school. You did. You got into the field you wanted to. Good job.

I don't want to get banned so I will respect @Winged Scapula and let this thread get back on topic.

 

[soccermac42]

MD~DO depending on the school. Good DO schools get great matches with 50 percent specialty and 50 percent primary care, at least where I am going. We also have had 100% match rate for years running. Some top tier MD schools will definitely produce more specialists going into top programs, but that does not mean a great DO cannot at least get an interview to one of them. Extrapolating into the future the top MD programs will have the best residency spots, while mid tier and great DO programs (Ones established longer than a few years, at the least) will compete for good speciality residencies and primary care. I think from the data and common sense that FMG are done for, USFMG may have a slight chance, but once the DO and MD residencies combine, the US students are going to outcompete the Caribbean. US students have the connections (via alumni as well) and the name of a good MD or DO program. Meaning they had the original scores to get in to these competitive schools. The Caribbean students will have to literally score almost perfect on boards to get through these hurdles and not many people going into medical school with a 20 MCAT are qualified test takers. We shall see. If you are in the Caribbean right now I would think you are fine and will match. If you decide to go there and start now or in the future. Good luck. I am at a good DO school, average MCAT this year around 28 with a deviation of 3 right now, (Well that is what they told me) and I am worried about a good match when I was on the higher end of the average MCAT and a really high GPA. Good luck to all.

 

[Sardinia]

There's a free pdf available for BRS Biochemistry. Very easy to access, just a google search away.

 

[hmania]

updated with a few more subjects!

 

[Skip Intro]

Are you doing your clinicals yet, @hmania? You should give us an update on how things are going for you! Maybe a separate thread.

I'm sure it would be much appreciated. (And I hope you're doing well!)

-Skip

 

[HopefulCanadian]

I also don't like how this thread has devolved into the typical bashing of Caribbean schools. If you don't like or believe in the schools then why are you posting on this side of the forum. Sorry not trying to sound salty I just don't understand how that is logical. There are people posting in this part of the forum who are trying to get honest advise and the only thing you can tell them is well don't do it its a bad idea. Obviously this has been said a million times before. An offshore MD degree is obviously not the desired pathway BUT it is a pathway never the less. Some of us don't honestly have a choice. I don't think these schools lie and tell you that its given. In fact the schools themselves say, "If you can get into a domestic school then go."

On a side note I would love to see a thread from a MD from Ross talking about their experience or even current Ross students (Skip not included).

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

I also don't like how this thread has devolved into the typical bashing of Caribbean schools. If you don't like or believe in the schools then why are you posting on this side of the forum. Sorry not trying to sound salty I just don't understand how that is logical. There are people posting in this part of the forum who are trying to get honest advise and the only thing you can tell them is well don't do it its a bad idea. Obviously this has been said a million times before. An offshore MD degree is obviously not the desired pathway BUT it is a pathway never the less. Some of us don't honestly have a choice. I don't think these schools lie and tell you that its given. In fact the schools themselves say, "If you can get into a domestic school then go."

On a side note I would love to see a thread from a MD from Ross talking about their experience or even current Ross students (Skip not included).

Uhh... the bolded kinda contradicts itself. Honest advice is to NOT DO IT.

Problem is people are still gonna do what they wanna do. They just want other opinions that will confirm and strengthen their own already-made decision.

You always have a choice. That involves retaking the MCAT or retaking classes to get your GPA up and securing a DO lor and applying to DO programs.

With that said... Carib is not a super terrible option IF you know the risks and know ahead of time you will either be in FM, IM, psych, or a prelim surgery program after 4 years of working much harder and trying to A) prevent being weeded out and B) scoring astronomically high on your USMLE.

 

[the argus]

Uhh... the bolded kinda contradicts itself. Honest advice is to NOT DO IT.

Problem is people are still gonna do what they wanna do. They just want other opinions that will confirm and strengthen their own already-made decision.

You always have a choice. That involves retaking the MCAT or retaking classes to get your GPA up and securing a DO lor and applying to DO programs.

With that said... Carib is not a super terrible option IF you know the risks and know ahead of time you will either be in FM, IM, psych, or a prelim surgery program after 4 years of working much harder and trying to A) prevent being weeded out and B) scoring astronomically high on your USMLE.

As has been mentioned multiple times, the average usmle scores for matched US-IMGs are lower in a basically every specialty than matched USMDs. The idea that US-IMGs need to have "astronomical" USMLE scores to match is a SDN fallacy that has no basis in reality.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

As has been mentioned multiple times, the average usmle scores for matched US-IMGs are lower in a basically every specialty than matched USMDs. The idea that US-IMGs need to have "astronomical" USMLE scores to match is a SDN fallacy that has no basis in reality.

Doubt it. Know a lot of people with >240 step 1 scores that barely matched into IM.
Caribbean is a ****ty option. It shouldn't be an option at all. You made it through but I can bet my last dollar you would have gone DO knowing what you know now.

 

[Sardinia]

@DetectiveAlonzo You have no tact. There are hundreds of threads you could post your opinion on about Caribbean schools and you choose the one where there's a very bright student who is sharing useful information about how to manage the Ross course load which is no joke. This is literally the worst thread to pontificate your opinion about Caribbean schools, this thread is specifically about Ross coursework and I imagine you know nothing about the content in the classes which is why you repeat over and over again what you know about Caribbean schools in general. Please stop.

 

[the argus]

Doubt it. Know a lot of people with >240 step 1 scores that barely matched into IM.
Caribbean is a ****ty option. It shouldn't be an option at all. You made it through but I can bet my last dollar you would have gone DO knowing what you know now.

The great thing about facts is that they are true, whether someone chooses to believe them or not. The data is freely available from the NRMP.

 

[Skip Intro]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Truthiness_comic.jpg

 

[HopefulCanadian]

Uhh... the bolded kinda contradicts itself. Honest advice is to NOT DO IT.

Problem is people are still gonna do what they wanna do. They just want other opinions that will confirm and strengthen their own already-made decision.

You always have a choice. That involves retaking the MCAT or retaking classes to get your GPA up and securing a DO lor and applying to DO programs.

With that said... Carib is not a super terrible option IF you know the risks and know ahead of time you will either be in FM, IM, psych, or a prelim surgery program after 4 years of working much harder and trying to A) prevent being weeded out and B) scoring astronomically high on your USMLE.

So again you agree with me. I specifically said it isn't the best choice but it is A CHOICE. The thread wasn't even about whether or not its a good choice or not but rather how to succeed in the given situation. This isn't the best analogy but lets say you are trying to get a law degree. You currently have a a high school degree from a long time ago on account of whatever circumstances have come up. If the only option that you have to get your university degree is to go to a college transfer program first then you have to play the cards that you are dealt or you could give up. Some people don't want to give up because this is what they want to do. Some people SHOULDN'T.

For the people who are in the situation they already know it isn't the best. Saying oh your situation isn't SUPER TERRIBLE is very condescending and isn't helpful. There is a good portion of people who go to the Caribbean who do their research. I myself may end up going (trying to stay domestically first) and if I have to go to achieve my dreams then so be it. I don't want to mope and be depressed the entire time because that isn't going to help me to achieve my goal.


As for the quality of education. Obviously I can't compare between all schools. I will say this. You have to pass the same test as everyone else in order to become an MD. I can't say if this is the case but if the scores are on par with the American equivalent student and the IMG/Caribbean student completed their rotations in the US ...what is honestly the huge difference in terms of that person's ability to be a professional. They may be looked down upon but they have the same ability as seen by gaining the same if not BETTER scores out of necessity to be taken remotely seriously.


My point is and was people ask questions in this section of the forum to further the discussion. Rehashing old talking points is just turning it into a loop conversation which is pointless, boring, and useless.

Don't say that I said IMG students are better by the way... that would be a gross misrepresentation of my words. I am merely saying you agree with my statement. My statement is not a contradiction. You didn't really add anything to the point other then to say DONT DO IT. A lot of people say that.

Doubt it. Know a lot of people with >240 step 1 scores that barely matched into IM.

Caribbean is a ****ty option. It shouldn't be an option at all. You made it through but I can bet my last dollar you would have gone DO knowing what you know now.

Sorry to rag on you, but again this isn't exactly adding to the conversation. You are just trying to act superior to someone else. I hope I don't get in trouble for saying this, but if you honestly have nothing positive to add to the conversation other then the comments you have made then why are you here on this part of the forum? It would seem as though you are just trying to troll.

 

[Sardinia]

@hmania Sent you a link to a pediatric program where 10 out of 13 accepted students were from Caribbean schools and 4 of those were from Ross University.

 

[hmania]

Wow, so much conversations on IMG and matching rates...etc. This is probably the only time I'll address this matter in my thread.

Yes, I agree that going to Ross was and still is a gamble with money,time,emotions, and energy. However, I came here as a back up since I could not get into US MD/DO schools on several repeated attempts.

But, all I can do is make sure I do the best that I can do on exams and Steps to ensure that I have a chance to match. I don't have time to worry about how the schools reputation or the merger. I put that time into studying or something more fulfilling. Merger/ reputation will happen regardless and I can't do anything to stop it.

For those trolling, I am happy that you take interest in something that probably won't ever apply to you because you have made it in the states, but there are other places. In fact, make your own thread. For those like @Skip Intro whom have made it through... I would like for study advice's and inputs. I'm going to probably post somethings about rotations soon... So I might need help choosing there . ttyl

 

[HopefulCanadian]

@hmania Sent you a link to a pediatric program where 10 out of 13 accepted students were from Caribbean schools and 4 of those were from Ross University.

Would you care to send me that as well I am very curious

 

[UBC2014]

@hmania Sent you a link to a pediatric program where 10 out of 13 accepted students were from Caribbean schools and 4 of those were from Ross University.

And its probably a program most AMGs wouldn't put high on their rank list.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

And its probably a program most AMGs wouldn't put high on their rank list.

You got THAT right..

 

[Sardinia]

And its probably a program most AMGs wouldn't put high on their rank list.

Newly opened program. There are Caribbean friendly residencies. Sharing the information is important.

 

[hallowmann]

Ross Graduate
219 step 1
250+ step 2

Applied at 61 family medicine programs
Got 37 interview offers
Accepted/ranked 18 programs

Fm was the only specialty i applied to, because its what i want to do. Not because I "settled".

The anti-caribbean bias on this forum is out of control.

Just out of curiosity, what regions were you mostly applying to? I'm interested in FM, and was planning on applying to 30-60 programs (primarily out West and in Northeast/Midwest), but it seems like that might be overkill if you got >50% interview invites.

I really have no idea how to gauge competitiveness for certain FM programs in terms of numbers.

 

[deleted731525]

Just out of curiosity, what regions were you mostly applying to? I'm interested in FM, and was planning on applying to 30-60 programs (primarily out West and in Northeast/Midwest), but it seems like that might be overkill if you got >50% interview invites.

I really have no idea how to gauge competitiveness for certain FM programs in terms of numbers.

Another question for anyone who may know the answer. Are unopposed FM programs generally more or less competitive?

 

[hallowmann]

Another question for anyone who may know the answer. Are unopposed FM programs generally more or less competitive?

From what I've gathered it really depends. Most of the best FM programs are unopposed or only slightly opposed (like in house IM or GenSurg) because they provide the most breadth of training. Those programs seem to be more competitive. Then you have the unopposed ones in 100-bed hospitals filled with non-US IMGs that use the residents to off-set paying for extra hospitalists.

Now unfortunately knowing this information does nothing for me in terms of knowing what stats are average at those sites. The ranges in Freida are like 10-15 Step points, so they're not a huge help. Plus, I honestly can't tell if they are up to date, because some better programs have lower averages than worse programs, so I really can't tell if that's just the nature of FM or the info's outdated. That's why I'd rather get feedback from Xorthos (or others) if they applied to the regions I'm applying to.

 

[bedevilled ben]

I really have no idea how to gauge competitiveness for certain FM programs in terms of numbers.

FM programs vary wildly in level of competitiveness based on their perceived prestige and geographical location. It's hard to get a bead on them. For IMGs the best advice remains to nail the Steps, and apply broadly: Slam dunk programs, reach programs, safety programs, and backups. The good news that you probably already know is that there are tons of FM programs available and a lot them are friendly to FMGs and IMGs even in traditionally unfriendly states like Texas and California.

Also, don't live and die by Freida. It's helpful but it's not holy writ. Look for programs that your school has matched into previously.

 

[673441]

It's a legit question. I have various friends and family at the Carib that tell me they regret it. I appreciate other people's views on this topic, especially ones who are going through it and can offer their own experience.

Get your head out of your ass.

You are such an utter douche it makes me cringe. It makes me wonder if you're an actual person or a computer program that's preset to egotistical ass****.


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[DetectiveAlonzo]

You are such an utter douche it makes me cringe. It makes me wonder if you're an actual person or a computer program that's preset to egotistical ass****.


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Careful... You're letting your emotions get the best of you. Sounds exactly like one of the symptoms @Goro constantly mentions about the crazy IMG folk.

 

[673441]

Careful... You're letting your emotions get the best of you. Sounds exactly like one of the symptoms @Goro constantly mentions about the crazy IMG folk.

No I'm fine. I just can't help to call out how completely full of yourself you are. Probably rank 1 on this forum for sure.


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[DetectiveAlonzo]

No I'm fine. I just can't help to call out how completely full of yourself you are. Probably rank 1 on this forum for sure.


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How am I full of myself? I have explicitly stated the same stuff over and over. Read the first few posts... Even OP says that he would have done everything to get into a US program. It worked out for him and props to him.

You seem to be butt hurt because YOU are a Carib student and think I have something against all Carib students... Which I do not. But the truth is what it is... If you are getting butt hurt over an Internet forum about my opinion that has been formed through the much advisable advice from MANY other folks who were in similar shoes as you.. At the SAME programs... then it points out to your insecurity.

I have stated a few times that I have many family members AND friends at various Carib programs and 100% of them said to try to stay in the US. These are from folks who MATCHED as well.

I genuinely hope that you DO make it out. It's gonna be tough and you have a HUGE uphill battle but I am simply not in favor of how the school weeds it's students out and WILL NEVER advise ANY student to entertain the Caribbean as an option UNLESS... And for the gazillionth time... They are good with FM, IM, Peds, or prelims in shiesty areas at shiesty programs.

If I may have offended you, I sincerely do apologize cause I know you must be under a lot of stress and I do not mean any harm to you. You have no choice to turn back now and it is what it is.

Go get 'em tiger.

For any folks reading this that may be thinking of the Caribbean...

PLEASE do not go through it and PLEASE do NOT go to the Caribbean. Take the time to RETAKE your MCAT... RETAKE any classes... strengthen your clinical and nonclinical involvement and APPLY EARLY and BROADLY to both DO and MD programs.

Instant gratification is not the right way to go about this...

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

This generation is full of sensitive, immature little children. It's scary to see how many of the same ones calling ME cruel just cause I ask the questions that NEED to be asked will be dealing with death and the reality that comes with sickness. Jeez louise!

On that note, I DO appreciate the honest replies from OP and others and wish y'all nothing but the best. I appreciate the solid advice. Will be sharing it to others.. Cause in order to make a WISE decision... You need the positives AND the negatives to get the whole picture.

Back to your regular programming...

 

[Winged Scapula]

Please refrain from the name calling and keep this thread civil.