UCD or SGU?

[indiegirl]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi I have accepted to both schools and would just to hear your opinions and/or experiences on which school to attend and the reasons why? Both are not AVMA-accred at the moment. Does anyone know when this will happen for SGU? Thanks! 🙂

 

[laurafinn]

From nothing more than a gut reaction: University College Dublin, since they are at least somewhere in the AVMA accreditation process. And the locals will be more pleasant to vet students.

 

[birdvet2006]

Hi I have accepted to both schools and would just to hear your opinions and/or experiences on which school to attend and the reasons why? Both are not AVMA-accred at the moment. Does anyone know when this will happen for SGU? Thanks! 🙂

I agree with Laura - UCD is the better choice over SGU. I get the feeling that the island schools (like SGU) don't have their professors doing any research (I know this is at least true of Ross). Without the research, they can't become AVMA accredited. Dublin is a well-established school. They will likely become AVMA accredited soon.

Although, I have heard good things about SGU too.

 

[indiegirl]

I would very much like to hear from someone (from the U.S.) who has gone to or is going to University College Dublin - how is the program, tuition, cost of living, city life, etc? Thanks for your help!

 

[indiegirl]

Does anyone know when St. George's University will become AVMA accredited? Is it a possibility? Are they in the process? How many graduating DVM class so far? Thanks!

 

[indiegirl]

Help! I need to accept by July 1st. Any advice would help!

 

[JMD]

indiegirl,

You might want to take a look in the "Europe" international medicine forum for info on cost of living, etc in Ireland as it has been discussed extensively.

As there are many people attending med school in Ireland in that forum, you may even come across someone who knows a vet student or two who they can put you in touch with.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[indiegirl]

Just wondering if you were from the U.S.? Where do you plan on practicing?

I agree with Laura - UCD is the better choice over SGU. I get the feeling that the island schools (like SGU) don't have their professors doing any research (I know this is at least true of Ross). Without the research, they can't become AVMA accredited. Dublin is a well-established school. They will likely become AVMA accredited soon.

Although, I have heard good things about SGU too.

 

[muppertx]

I was told SGU was in the process of becoming accredited. They just had their first class graduate in 2001. The facilities are new and most of the professors are retired US professors and professionals. Either way you will have to take the foreign service exam. SGU makes you do clinical years with US school partners and the schools are some of the best ie Auburn, LSU, etc.

 

[laurafinn]

I would very much like to hear from someone (from the U.S.) who has gone to or is going to University College Dublin - how is the program, tuition, cost of living, city life, etc? Thanks for your help!

Indiegirl,

Have you tried contacting the University College Dublin vet school directly and asking if you could speak with (or email) a current US student about his/her experiences? I think that will get you the results you need -- there are very few US UCD vet students to begin with, chances they are reading this forum this month are pretty slim.

Laura

 

[birdvet2006]

Just wondering if you were from the U.S.? Where do you plan on practicing?

Yes, I'm from the US. I'm a southern Californian. I plan on practicing in the US, but haven't decided on a state yet (southwest is likely, and I do love CA). I'm applying for the NAVLE through California, but I plan on doing an internship outside of CA (and then a residency, who knows where I'll be accepted).

 

[CoffeeCrazy]

I thought SGU had to rebuild due to a hurricane... they sent their vet students to US schools for a little while, but I can't imagine dealing with that kind of stressful situation. Just for that reason, I think I'd choose UCD. It's also in a country with more people and more resources.

 

[UKYWildcat]

I thought SGU had to rebuild due to a hurricane... they sent their vet students to US schools for a little while, but I can't imagine dealing with that kind of stressful situation. Just for that reason, I think I'd choose UCD. It's also in a country with more people and more resources.

They actually only had damage to a few buildings at SGU. I had a student in clinics last trimester that is doing her clinical rotations with us and that's what she said. The rumors about the damage seem to be much worse than they actually were 🙂

 

[UKYWildcat]

Help! I need to accept by July 1st. Any advice would help!

Which school did you choose?

 

[lawrencepena]

I attended half a semester of med school at SGU and while their academics I think are great and the professors and staff really want to see you succeed and do well in their classes; living conditions are definitely third world. yeah, you can say,"I have an adventurous spirit." But, if quality of life and when you are not studying you would want to do something other than get drunk or tan then go to Ireland. You will be there for a long time, 3 years atleast I think and all the students that I spoke to are always dying to get back to the states or UK as soon as possible. It may be more expensive but, if I had to do it again I would go to Ireland in a heartbeat.

I left SGU because of island fever. Life down there is rough, plain and simple.