St. Matthew's University

[Teee]

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Hi. Does anyone attend this school? I am interested in it becuase of the option of doing clinicals in the UK.

Would doing clinicals in the UK help in getting a position there eventually? I know about the current international restrictions but is attending st. mattews an advantage enough as opposed to Ross or SABA or st. george?

Also, in general, are there any advantages over Ross and SABA or st. george's in getting a US residency?

There doesn't seem to be many St mattew's students here ( or i missed them?) and i checked the interview feedback and it appears shady. One feedback is exactly the same, word for word, but different times of the year and the other interviewee got accepted on the phone, as in during the interview, is this common for carribean schools or does anyone get rejected?

Sorry for the numerous questions, any comment would be appreciated.

 

[premed84]

Try Value MD, its another website and its is more tailored to Caribbean Schools. Good luck🙂

 

[Skip Intro]

There are other options you should consider before attending this school, especially if you ever want to practice in California. Were I in your shoes, I would only consider St. Matthew's as a back-up.

-Skip Intro

 

[oldpro]

Hi. Does anyone attend this school? I am interested in it becuase of the option of doing clinicals in the UK.

Would doing clinicals in the UK help in getting a position there eventually? I know about the current international restrictions but is attending st. mattews an advantage enough as opposed to Ross or SABA or st. george?

Also, in general, are there any advantages over Ross and SABA or st. george's in getting a US residency?

There doesn't seem to be many St mattew's students here ( or i missed them?) and i checked the interview feedback and it appears shady. One feedback is exactly the same, word for word, but different times of the year and the other interviewee got accepted on the phone, as in during the interview, is this common for carribean schools or does anyone get rejected?

Sorry for the numerous questions, any comment would be appreciated.

I do not go to SMU but Yes telephone interviews are common all Caribbean schools, since the faculty do not expect everyone to fly down. No not everyone but yes most will get accepted, it's more fitting a profile than competition for seats.
BTW agree with other Poster go to one of the Big 4 if you can much better as far as life time of choices.

 

[anomorato]

Well there are many things to consider prior to even thinking about the big 3 not 4 carribean schools. SGU , ROSS and AUC will cost you a fortune, but the time ur done ull be in about 250 K i debt. SABA is also a good school to consider, but living condition are not that great. SMU is on a great island, costs are relatively acceptable, and the school is gaining excellent reputation and expanding very quickly.

 

[oldpro]

Well there are many things to consider prior to even thinking about the big 3 not 4 carribean schools. SGU , ROSS and AUC will cost you a fortune, but the time ur done ull be in about 250 K i debt. SABA is also a good school to consider, but living condition are not that great. SMU is on a great island, costs are relatively acceptable, and the school is gaining excellent reputation and expanding very quickly.

Okay SMU, you still go into 200k debt, still a caribbean Island and not all 50 states approved, why go there? spend the 50k more ( may not have to?) and be able to practice anywhere in the US for a lifetime.

 

[billydoc]

Well there are many things to consider prior to even thinking about the big 3 not 4 carribean schools. SGU , ROSS and AUC will cost you a fortune, but the time ur done ull be in about 250 K i debt. SABA is also a good school to consider, but living condition are not that great. SMU is on a great island, costs are relatively acceptable, and the school is gaining excellent reputation and expanding very quickly.

Your travel and living expences on Grand Cayman will probably match your tuition each semester. Other than that it's a fine school moving in the right direction.

 

[Teee]

There are other options you should consider before attending this school, especially if you ever want to practice in California. Were I in your shoes, I would only consider St. Matthew's as a back-up.

-Skip Intro

Thanks for your replies, I guess I'll look into Ross and st. george. Thanks again.

 

[oldpro]

Your travel and living expences on Grand Cayman will probably match your tuition each semester. Other than that it's a fine school moving in the right direction.

Hey BillyDOC! We just had a transfer from SMU and they said it cost them 2200 a month to live there Ouch!!!! It cost me about 850 a month here! Big difference!

 

[anomorato]

What school are you attending Oldpro?

Hey BillyDOC! We just had a transfer from SMU and they said it cost them 2200 a month to live there Ouch!!!! It cost me about 850 a month here! Big difference!

 

[oldpro]

What school are you attending Oldpro?

I attend St. James on Bonaire

Look Don't get me wrong I think SMU is a good school, for me I could never afford it there, the loans would be too high for me.

If I was younger and had more time for pay back then the money would matter way less but I'll be 45 when I graduate.

 

[billydoc]

Hey BillyDOC! We just had a transfer from SMU and they said it cost them 2200 a month to live there Ouch!!!! It cost me about 850 a month here! Big difference!

Absolutely! Some major debt with SMU comes from living expences, not the school itself. But on the other hand, living on GC is a worthwhile experience, and for those who are so shamelessly young 😛 and will live forever SMU is a great option.

 

[anomorato]

Well I dont think the living expenses are that major of a deal at SMU, cuz your only their on the island for 4 semesters - 1.3 yrs max. To go along with that, your actually attending class rooms that look like a real post-secondary or med school institution rather than a regular house looking building.

 

[oldpro]

Well I dont think the living expenses are that major of a deal at SMU, cuz your only their on the island for 4 semesters - 1.3 yrs max. To go along with that, your actually attending class rooms that look like a real post-secondary or med school institution rather than a regular house looking building.

So 2000 to 2300 a month, 27,600 for a year there for living, vrs 10,800 living where I am (900 a month but I pay less) plus my tution is 14,600 a year, and SMU is not a big deal on the $$? Glad you think so. I borrowed 25k this year and that was just enough. Oh and My medschool is in a School building, and in the end a building is a building, what, matters is the USLME anyway. Glad you happy, I will borrow much less.😍

 

[kwill]

So 2000 to 2300 a month, 27,600 for a year there for living, vrs 10,800 living where I am (900 a month but I pay less) plus my tution is 14,600 a year, and SMU is not a big deal on the $$? Glad you think so. I borrowed 25k this year and that was just enough. Oh and My medschool is in a School building, and in the end a building is a building, what, matters is the USLME anyway. Glad you happy, I will borrow much less.😍

i don't know what kind of life that person wants to live because they do have 4 bds apartment for 3000/ month. 4 people can share it. Maybe the person wants to life a luxury life.

 

[anomorato]

I'd like to know what school your in?

 

[SabaMed]

Well there are many things to consider prior to even thinking about the big 3 not 4 carribean schools. SGU , ROSS and AUC will cost you a fortune, but the time ur done ull be in about 250 K i debt. SABA is also a good school to consider, but living condition are not that great. SMU is on a great island, costs are relatively acceptable, and the school is gaining excellent reputation and expanding very quickly.

I've visited Ross and SGU and I can tell you Saba has better living conditions. AUC is nice but has alot of distractions and not very safe. Ross, do I even need to say anything about Dominica?

 

[Shah_Patel_PT]

Hi. Does anyone attend this school? I am interested in it becuase of the option of doing clinicals in the UK.

Would doing clinicals in the UK help in getting a position there eventually? I know about the current international restrictions but is attending st. mattews an advantage enough as opposed to Ross or SABA or st. george?

Also, in general, are there any advantages over Ross and SABA or st. george's in getting a US residency?

There doesn't seem to be many St mattew's students here ( or i missed them?) and i checked the interview feedback and it appears shady. One feedback is exactly the same, word for word, but different times of the year and the other interviewee got accepted on the phone, as in during the interview, is this common for carribean schools or does anyone get rejected?

Sorry for the numerous questions, any comment would be appreciated.

IT IS ONE OF THE BANNED SCHOOLS IN CA!!!!

http://www.medbd.ca.gov/Site_Visits.htm

 

[flighterdoc]

IT IS ONE OF THE BANNED SCHOOLS IN CA!!!!

http://www.medbd.ca.gov/Site_Visits.htm

Yes indeed, they are....not just not evaluated, actually BANNED. Too bad they screwed the pooch during their evaluation by the medical board, and rather than try and fix their problems, decided to fight the medical board and deny that the problems exist. So, the chances of EVER being accepted are somewhat less than winning the lotto.

 

[oldpro]

IT IS ONE OF THE BANNED SCHOOLS IN CA!!!!

http://www.medbd.ca.gov/Site_Visits.htm

Really they were banned? So this "good school" stuff is just run of the mill propaganda St. Christopher style?

 

[Shah_Patel_PT]

Really they were banned? So this "good school" stuff is just run of the mill propaganda St. Christopher style?

As the california medical board have explained in their report....YES the school is banned!

 

[oldpro]

As the california medical board have explained in their report....YES the school is banned!

That makes two states that school is banned in right now Cali, Texas and Indiana 😱

Thats not good! Going to a school that a state has taken time to put on a dissaproval list means something!

Texas has listed them as Banned too: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/fraudnotx.cfm

CORRESPONDENCE TO BUREAU

Address all correspondence regarding your application to the MEDICAL LICENSING BOARD OF INDIANA.



GRADUATES OF FOREIGN MEDICAL SCHOOLS

In accordance with the provisions of IC 25-22.5-3-1(c) the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana has disapproved the following foreign medical schools:

1. CIFAS School of Medicine

2. Saint Lucia Health Sciences University

3. Universidad Mexico Americano Del Norte

(Northern University School of Medicine)

4. Spartan Health Sciences University
5. St. Matthews
6. Antigua
7. International University of Health Sciences (IUHS)
8. Grace/St. Kitts
9. All schools of medicine whose curriculum and primary requirements are internet based and /or distance learning.

The following schools are questionable and are reviewed on a case by case basis:

1. Saba University
2. Myanmaar Burma
3. Manyula
4. Guadalajara

And the following osteopathic school:

1. Clayton University (formerly: American International Open University)

WOW are there more to follow? There was so much on Value MD about this school being good the 5th caribbean doesn't seem so.

 

[mig26x]

WOW, guadalajara and Saba are been review on a case by case basis!! WOW!!

 

[anomorato]

Well I dont think if its "banned" or disapproved , SMU will not be eligible to reapply again. Infact, I will be attending SMU in Jan 07 and have been told that they will be applying within the next yr.

 

[oldpro]

Well I dont think if its "banned" or disapproved , SMU will not be eligible to reapply again. Infact, I will be attending SMU in Jan 07 and have been told that they will be applying within the next yr.

Yea the Proganda machine with SMU is intact, funny but they say the same exact things the St. Christophers people posted before "Excellent teaching" "We are going to get approved" stuff, really sad.
RIght now there are like up to 8 US states you cannot practice in if you go to St. Matts.

TX,NM,ID,VT,IN.TN, Kansas,California

Is this really okay? Seems to me a lot of wishful thinking.

Why would someone go to St. Matts and risk so much when they could go to SABA or Ross?

 

[Shah_Patel_PT]

Well I dont think if its "banned" or disapproved , SMU will not be eligible to reapply again. Infact, I will be attending SMU in Jan 07 and have been told that they will be applying within the next yr.

I would be extremely cautious if i were you. I have not seen any banned school status change to approved in the last 5 years I have been monitoring this.

By they way...I know numerous students from St. Chris who are trying/or have transferred to Ross and St. George.

 

[SabaMed]

I believe Indiana is "not up to date" about Saba. California approved Saba and most states are following the Cali list. I just don't think Indiana has updated their list.

 

[oldpro]

I believe Indiana is "not up to date" about Saba. California approved Saba and most states are following the Cali list. I just don't think Indiana has updated their list.

Doesn't matter they are not banned.🙄

 

[kwill]

Yea the Proganda machine with SMU is intact, funny but they say the same exact things the St. Christophers people posted before "Excellent teaching" "We are going to get approved" stuff, really sad.
RIght now there are like up to 15 US states you cannot practice in if you go to St. Matts.

I would like to know what are those 15 states St. Matts. graduates cannot practice.

 

[oldpro]

Yea the Proganda machine with SMU is intact, funny but they say the same exact things the St. Christophers people posted before "Excellent teaching" "We are going to get approved" stuff, really sad.
RIght now there are like up to 15 US states you cannot practice in if you go to St. Matts.

I would like to know what are those 15 states St. Matts. graduates cannot practice.

Your right it's only 8 states so far. DO you work for the school? You seem to Cheerlead for them. I have nothing personal just shocked at how so many go to a school that has managed to be banned in 3 states outright on a list while other schools have not.

I think there are much better choices until St. Matts gets it together.😉

 

[kwill]

Your right it's only 7 states so far. DO you work for the school? You seem to Cheerlead for them. I have nothing personal just shocked at how so many go to a school that has managed to be banned in 3 states outright on a list while other schools have not.

Do i have to be a cheerleader or work for the school for that? This is a forum, if you said something i just want you to bring fact. It seems like you are in state of being upset

 

[oldpro]

Your right it's only 7 states so far. DO you work for the school? You seem to Cheerlead for them. I have nothing personal just shocked at how so many go to a school that has managed to be banned in 3 states outright on a list while other schools have not.

Do i have to be a cheerleader or work for the school for that? This is a forum, if you said something i just want you to bring fact. It seems like you are in state of being upset

Your posts make me suspicious, St. Matts has a lot of students, I'm sorry for the troubles of the school but posting "It will be alright" Just doesn't work. When more than one state Bans a school history has shown more follow, Look at Spartan. 😱

 

[DasN]

Your right it's only 7 states so far. DO you work for the school? You seem to Cheerlead for them. I have nothing personal just shocked at how so many go to a school that has managed to be banned in 3 states outright on a list while other schools have not.

I think there are much better choices until St. Matts gets it together.😉

Ive got a friend who went there, he says good things about the school and ended up in an impressive residency program. He told me they had troubles in 3 states Cali, texas, and indiana. He said it was due to the schools young age and even in the cali report they said good things about the school and possible eventual acceptance (aparently many of the carib schools were on that list at once and with time and maturity got taken off). I didnt know about 2 more states black listing them I dont think he does either can you tell me what they are?

 

[Willow]

AUC is nice but has alot of distractions

Yes, there are restaurants, bars, beaches, casinos, etc. Lots of med students live near such things and manage just fine -- it's called discipline.

and not very safe.

This is a pretty irresponsible and sweeping statement. There is crime here just as there is in cities all over the world. I'm a single woman living off-campus and feel perfectly safe here. I conduct myself as I would at home -- I don't walk alone late at night and I lock my doors.

To the OP: AUC also has the option of doing clinicals in the UK, but I have no clue how this would affect your ability to work there. I would not personally apply to any school outside of AUC, Ross, Saba, or SGU, since these schools will allow you to practise in every state.

 

[oldpro]

Ive got a friend who went there, he says good things about the school and ended up in an impressive residency program. He told me they had troubles in 3 states Cali, texas, and indiana. He said it was due to the schools young age and even in the cali report they said good things about the school and possible eventual acceptance (aparently many of the carib schools were on that list at once and with time and maturity got taken off). I didnt know about 2 more states black listing them I dont think he does either can you tell me what they are?

Yea your friend is trying to be positive, in black and white no denial there are 8 states you cannot get a medical License in if you graduate from St. Matts,
this is on each states Med board site not my list it's thiers:

TX,NM,ID,VT,IN.TN, Kansas,California

These are the states. Period

If this is okay when there are 4 good Caribbean schools that all 50 states are open too and no banning then I guess it's your choice. 😕

 

[flighterdoc]

Ive got a friend who went there, he says good things about the school and ended up in an impressive residency program. He told me they had troubles in 3 states Cali, texas, and indiana. He said it was due to the schools young age and even in the cali report they said good things about the school and possible eventual acceptance (aparently many of the carib schools were on that list at once and with time and maturity got taken off). I didnt know about 2 more states black listing them I dont think he does either can you tell me what they are?

St. Matts doesn't have a small problem with California....they're terminal, GSC 3-, circling the drain, asystole.

Since they decided to fight the Ca Med Bd instead of FIXING their problems, just how long do you think it will take to get CA approval?

BTW, graduate from St. Matts (only) and you will NEVER get a license in California...which requires 100% of all medical education to be done at a school APPROVED by the Ca Med Bd. And when they approve a school, it's usually only retroactive a couple of years: I think Saba got approval for grads from 2 years previous to the date of the approval (but I could be wrong: At any rate it wasn't everyone forever).

 

[SabaMed]

This is a pretty irresponsible and sweeping statement. There is crime here just as there is in cities all over the world. I'm a single woman living off-campus and feel perfectly safe here. I conduct myself as I would at home -- I don't walk alone late at night and I lock my doors.QUOTE]

The question was raised about the saftey of the top caribbean medical schools (SGU, Ross, AUC and Saba), I wasn't comparing them to cities all over the world. That being said I have vistied each school and my humble opinion is that Saba is the safest followed by SGU, Ross and AUC. As you said there is alot more to do on St. Maarten but that comes with a price.

 

[Willow]

The question was raised about the saftey of the top caribbean medical schools (SGU, Ross, AUC and Saba), I wasn't comparing them to cities all over the world. That being said I have vistied each school and my humble opinion is that Saba is the safest followed by SGU, Ross and AUC. As you said there is alot more to do on St. Maarten but that comes with a price.

Hey, that's a fair statement and one I'll gladly agree with. But to say that AUC is "not very safe" is not the same as saying it's the least safe of the 4 islands. The fact is that there is far less commercialism or tourism on the other 3, so of course there is less of the crime inherent to these. Still, that doesn't equal unsafe.

 

[oldpro]

Look go to St. Matts if you want, I just wanted to point out the truth, there are 8 States that will not License MD's that attend the School. While the Big 4 doesn't have that problem, But St. Matts students have this thing about how GREAT the school is and it is the 5th after the 4, I think not since the school i go to has not been unapproved in any state.

 

[petergoesinya]

I attend St. James on Bonaire

Look Don't get me wrong I think SMU is a good school, for me I could never afford it there, the loans would be too high for me.

If I was younger and had more time for pay back then the money would matter way less but I'll be 45 when I graduate.

I saw this on the california state board site
"If a school is not on either the recognized or disapproved list, it may be a school that has not requested recognition by the Medical Board of California. Please be aware education obtained at a school is not acceptable for licensure in California"

I didnt see St. James on either of the lists. Alot of the problem they had with St.Matts is that the school was too young and didnt have alot of graduates who finished residency yet (that they were able to contact). Does this hold true for St. James as well? Or will they carry the same stigma until approval has been given. I checked out the St. James site and they dont have nearly as many residency placements as St. Matts. Im not saying that that means anything but if I decide to go to St. James I woulnt be able to practice in cali either (due to the young age of the school not the quaility) Old Pro do you know otherwise since you are a student there. Has anyone from St.James gotten a license to practice medicine yet? Just want to know so I can make an informed decision. Thanks

 

[kwill]

I have a question to oldPro. I would like to know if St James' students can do rotations and residency in NY or FL.

 

[flighterdoc]

I saw this on the california state board site
"If a school is not on either the recognized or disapproved list, it may be a school that has not requested recognition by the Medical Board of California. Please be aware education obtained at a school is not acceptable for licensure in California"

I didnt see St. James on either of the lists. Alot of the problem they had with St.Matts is that the school was too young and didnt have alot of graduates who finished residency yet (that they were able to contact). Does this hold true for St. James as well? Or will they carry the same stigma until approval has been given. I checked out the St. James site and they dont have nearly as many residency placements as St. Matts. Im not saying that that means anything but if I decide to go to St. James I woulnt be able to practice in cali either (due to the young age of the school not the quaility) Old Pro do you know otherwise since you are a student there. Has anyone from St.James gotten a license to practice medicine yet? Just want to know so I can make an informed decision. Thanks

Thats not the problem St. Matts had, as a cursory review of the Med Board report will indicate. If thats the 'official propaganda' from St. Matts, they should be ashamed.

 

[oldpro]

I have a question to oldPro. I would like to know if St James' students can do rotations and residency in NY or FL.

Ny yes for 12 weeks ( until the site visit to be done within the next year)

The school is not on the FL list as of today, why does that matter? I think a state listing a school as dissaproved is a bigger deal. I think a school not being on such a list is way better.

 

[oldpro]

I saw this on the california state board site
"If a school is not on either the recognized or disapproved list, it may be a school that has not requested recognition by the Medical Board of California. Please be aware education obtained at a school is not acceptable for licensure in California"

I didnt see St. James on either of the lists. Alot of the problem they had with St.Matts is that the school was too young and didnt have alot of graduates who finished residency yet (that they were able to contact). Does this hold true for St. James as well? Or will they carry the same stigma until approval has been given. I checked out the St. James site and they dont have nearly as many residency placements as St. Matts. Im not saying that that means anything but if I decide to go to St. James I woulnt be able to practice in cali either (due to the young age of the school not the quaility) Old Pro do you know otherwise since you are a student there. Has anyone from St.James gotten a license to practice medicine yet? Just want to know so I can make an informed decision. Thanks

As far as the school I go to, St. James. The school started the forst class in 2001 and has just graduated the first people in 2004, they are in residency and doing well, those of us in school are waiting to hear about the first Licensed Docs. As far as the school goes, The Big 4 are much better but if you cannot gain admission to one of them I think St. James is fine otherwise.

 

[kwill]

Ny yes for 12 weeks ( until the site visit to be done within the next year)

The school is not on the FL list as of today, why does that matter? I think a state listing a school as dissaproved is a bigger deal. I think a school not being on such a list is way better.

I asked because my friend wanted to know about it. You meant you can only spend 12 weeks there for rotation, but what about residency.

 

[petergoesinya]

As far as the school I go to, St. James. The school started the forst class in 2001 and has just graduated the first people in 2004, they are in residency and doing well, those of us in school are waiting to hear about the first Licensed Docs. As far as the school goes, The Big 4 are much better but if you cannot gain admission to one of them I think St. James is fine otherwise.

Cool, do you guys have all ACGME accredited rotations? And if so can you do them in the same city?

 

[oldpro]

I asked because my friend wanted to know about it. You meant you can only spend 12 weeks there for rotation, but what about residency.

As far as I know Yes, there is a St. James Grad in residency in NY right now.

 

[oldpro]

Cool, do you guys have all ACGME accredited rotations? And if so can you do them in the same city?

Yes all green book, yes all in the same city, the ones by the school, the ones you set up, I understand you have to do all the hard work to do it, get th contracts and get them to the school, but the schools allows this where other schools do not. The school is about to add two new affiliated hospitals per a friend's email, he has worked on the contracts for the school with the hospitals.

 

[mylifeatdominic]

Try Value MD, its another website and its is more tailored to Caribbean Schools. Good luck🙂

don't use that site they are nazi moderators. they ban people, they delete messages, they have pissed off lots of outspoken people. that site is lame.

 

[Skip Intro]

don't use that site they are nazi moderators. they ban people, they delete messages, they have pissed off lots of outspoken people. that site is lame.

THANK YOU FOR SAYING THIS!



I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. This forum is a much better place to get non-inane information, in general, about everything to do with medical school, residency, etc. ValueMD is simply full of juveniles looking to vent. It is a poor reflection on those who actually attend a Caribbean school, work hard, and then get into a good residency and try to "assimilate" into the broader medical world here in the U.S. In other words, you should start here and stay here and use this place to exchange information.

-Skip

Honors Grad, Ross University
CA-1, Anesthesiology in a University program in the NE
Repeated "Warnings" by overzealous mods on ValueMD for daring to speak up