May I ask where you are from? US or Canada
And, how are you paying for your tuition?
Do you feel that studying hard and not slacking off will surely prevent dropping out regardless of the 75% being the failing cut off?
Are the housing easy to find and worth the price on SABA island?
Are you having any internet issues or there is unlimitted internet usage at the school so you can do all your studying there if needed.
Groceries are hard to buy you say? Can you give me a general monthly cost of everything (total) for yourself?
Do you feel if you get sick, health care is accessible and not a big thing to worry about?
What semester are you and how satisfied are you so far?
1. US
2. Savings right now, I might do the MBA program later, I have several friends doing it. But the lower cost of tuition makes it possible for me to pay some of the tuition myself.
3. Absolutely, the key is working hard. I have seen those that worked hard and still did not make it. But the fact is that would not change whether it was saba or ross or sgu etc. I am not sure what the exact attrition rate is at ross, but I think it is fairly similar to here.
4. Absolutely, there are many spots to choose. Now you may have to do some waiting to find that ultimate spot, but there is definitely a good selection of nice places. All first semesters are assigned to dorms, choose hillside if you decide to come here.
5. Internet is not on at school from 8-4. Otherwise it is good there other times. The internet on the island is a bit of a drawback. It is expensive and not even close to broadband. But there are the few places where you can get relatively fast internet included with your rent. Many people do the local wifi, that is per hour charged. Some landlords will supply you with practically unlimited cards for the wifi while others have unlimited lines. As for me, my landlord has very fast internet included, but that is something i searched for when looking where to stay.
6. There is a decent selection of groceries from the 3 grocery stores, but one is really the only one that has all kinds of different items. The store is the size of say a large convenience store. There is fresh produce, milk, frozen items, and several lanes of dry goods. Really you can get all you need and things you want. Also anything they do not have, you can request they get it. But the prices are a bit higher. Many people's grocery costs differ here, but mine is a bit on the higher side, and i would say i spend around $300-350 per month on groceries.
7. The hospital here is more like a clinic. Any serious injuries that require more advanced treatment are evacuated to st maarten by helicopter. But when i had an infection, I went there and it was cheap($35) and was treated just as if i was back in the US. Several people have had broken bones and been treated there etc. The pharmacy has most of what you would need on island. And any medicines you need that they do not have, they will procure for you as long as you give them advanced notice.
8. I am a 3rd semester and I do not have any major complaints. You get use to the small island, especially when you are concentrating on school. There are a few minor things that annoy me, but nothing that would probably differ from other islands. The more I hear about the success of our graduates, the more I am confident on the choice I have made. We have an excellent match list and alumni fellowships etc.
I agree with PteFabulous, as long as your choice is one of the big 4, it comes down to how you perform.
