What about SABA

[HussainGQ]

Would you ppl not consider SABA among the top school ins in the Carribean?? It's like 1/2 the tuition of an SGU or ROSS, but they do have an excellent reputation in the US of A from what I hear..............does everybody else agree??

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[Baditude]

The reasons I avoided Saba were not due to the education but the lack of Stafford loans and the lack of decent living conditions for my family. The living conditions aren't bad just nothing to do!

 

[awdc]

I didn't consider SABA because I wouldn't be able to practice in California if I graduated from there. Didn't know about the lack of Stafford loans there but that would have definitely prevented me from going to SABA also. I was also more comfortable with larger, more established institutions and that's why I chose Ross.

 

[rimon7381]

Would you ppl not consider SABA among the top school ins in the Carribean?? It's like 1/2 the tuition of an SGU or ROSS, but they do have an excellent reputation in the US of A from what I hear..............does everybody else agree??

Different people choose different schools for different reasons. As for me, I chose Saba over SGU and Ross. Although everyone told me to go to either Ross or SGU over Saba but I declined. I've made up my mind to go to saba in Sept. 2004 for the fall semester. To reach this final decision, I've done a lot of research about the big 3 schools and Saba. And for me saba was the most favorable of the 4. I don't care about CA...so it wasn't a big deal for me that saba grads can't practice in CA as of yet. But it will be a good thing if they get the approval, hopefully, in November of 2004.....and looking forward to that...since this will make saba more well known school. I am from NY and speaking from personal experience, recently I saw a physician at a hospital for my immunitions to go to saba and he looked at the saba immunization form and he was asking me questions regarding the school, island...etc. etc.....and finally he said there were some saba students/grads doing rotations/residencies at that hospital and he was praising them for their knowledge and the school for providing them with good education. Long story short, his good comments regarding the school made me feel really good and am confident that I am making a right decision by going there. I think saba has the potential to be on top with the big 3. I suggest everyone to do their own research regarding each school they want to attend nd find the one that is best suited for them. For me, It was SABA.

 

[wolfvgang22]

Different people choose different schools for different reasons. As for me, I chose Saba over SGU and Ross. Although everyone told me to go to either Ross or SGU over Saba but I declined. I've made up my mind to go to saba in Sept. 2004 for the fall semester. To reach this final decision, I've done a lot of research about the big 3 schools and Saba. And for me saba was the most favorable of the 4. I don't care about CA...so it wasn't a big deal for me that saba grads can't practice in CA as of yet. But it will be a good thing if they get the approval, hopefully, in November of 2004.....and looking forward to that...since this will make saba more well known school. I am from NY and speaking from personal experience, recently I saw a physician at a hospital for my immunitions to go to saba and he looked at the saba immunization form and he was asking me questions regarding the school, island...etc. etc.....and finally he said there were some saba students/grads doing rotations/residencies at that hospital and he was praising them for their knowledge and the school for providing them with good education. Long story short, his good comments regarding the school made me feel really good and am confident that I am making a right decision by going there. I think saba has the potential to be on top with the big 3. I suggest everyone to do their own research regarding each school they want to attend nd find the one that is best suited for them. For me, It was SABA.

Ditto to all that.
Also, when I was researching med schools Saba administration, students and alumni were the most helpful to me. I like the kind of open, helpful atmosphere they try to promote.
"Weeding out" of students doesn't occur at Saba as it might at other, larger caribbean schools, which is a relief to me.

 

[cohen4545]

I say Saba is better than Ross. Saba started the right way, but Ross Univ. committed a lot of frauds, and made it hard for schools like SGU, and Saba.

 

[Leukocyte]

I say Saba is better than Ross. Saba started the right way, but Ross Univ. committed a lot of frauds.

What "frauds" did Ross commit in the past? Please elaborate.

 

[awdc]

I say Saba is better than Ross. Saba started the right way, but Ross Univ. committed a lot of frauds, and made it hard for schools like SGU, and Saba.

Dude, you just can't be posting weird posts like these. Okay... maybe you can but if you've got something to say, please elaborate on it. And the one thread about Nancy Perri... what the heck was that about?! BTW, it seems like SGU is doing quite well, even better than Ross as many would say.

 

[HussainGQ]

Lets keep the discussions here on SABA, there are other threads where you can discuss ROSS and SGU, and Fantasy Island School of Medicine

 

[wolfvgang22]

Come now, the "fanasy island school of medicine" wasn't called for now, then, was it?

But regarding Saba, I think it is one of the more reputable caribbean schools. It's one of the 5 most reputable caribbean schools consisting of SGU, Ross, AUC, Saba, and St. Matts. It is nearly 18 years old now, has placed people in lots of good residencies, and CA just completed a site visit of the schools and told students they were happy with what they saw. CA approval will probably happen this coming Nov. or Dec., according to the team who visited Saba.

Also, Saba has a low attrition rate; around only 8% of students who start basic sciences drop out. Close to 90 percent of students taking the step 1 pass on the first attempt.

The downsides of Saba are that it's located on the tiny, tiny island of Saba, which restricts it's growth. So it only accepts about 40 students per semester. Water conservation is an issue that people who live there have to deal with daily.
There is a lack of stafford loans, but the tuition, at about $6500 per semester makes it actually less expensive to attend Saba than schools like Ross, who offer staffords but also offer much, much higher tuition, so students end up taking out Medachiever or Teri loans, anyway.
There is no nightlife, except to hang out with friends and attend local parties. No discotheques or clubs. No Burger King, McDonalds, Wal-Mart, Cost-U-Less, or KFC. But, by the same token many students like the small-town, family-like atmosphere, almost total lack of crime, lack of slums, bordellos, muggings, and casinos. Instead, unspoiled nature, friendly islanders, and lack of distractions allows students to focus on their studies. And last, but not least, you really have to look long and hard to find disgruntled Saba students that have bad things to say about the school as a whole. That is not the case at many other caribbean med schools.

 

[dbiddy808]

I'd say that wolfvgang said it well. I mainly chose Saba because I had to borrow money from my family to attend. I think I got an excellent education. I am currently an internal medicine residency and I'd say that my basic science knowledge is above average compared to most of my classmates (the majority of whom did PBL). The only drawback is that there is very little to do on Saba. Looking back, however, this was a good thing for me becuase I had absolutely horrible study habits before I went to Saba.

 

[HussainGQ]

SO BRING PLENTY OF BOTTLED WATER........AND A YEAR SUPPLY OF FILET-O-FISH, AND WHOPPERS (i AM KIDDING). dO THEY HAVE A GOOD GYM TO WORKOUT IN??IS THE BEACH NICE??IF I GO, WOULD I NEED TO BRING MY OWN COMPUTER(PC OR LAPTOP)??

DO THEY HAVE ANY SHOPPING MALLS AT ALL?? WILL ENGLISH FLOW WITH THE LOCALS THERE SINCE I HEAR THAT IT IS A DUTCH COLONY (I CAN SPEAK SPANISH, BUT CANNOT REALLY SPEAK GOLDMEMBERS NATIVE TONGUE). I HEAR THAT THEY HAVE SOME REALLY NICE MOUNTAINS THERE TO CLIMB?? PLUS I HEAR THAT ST. MAARTEN IS ONLY 45 MIN AWAY(IS THAT BY FERRY...AND IS IT EXPENSIVE) TO JUST BLOW OF SOME STEAM FORA DAY OR TWO,(LIKE AFTER FINALS OR SUMTHIN).

 

[dbiddy808]

The whole water thing depends upon where you live. At my place I had my own cistern (rain collecting system) and never had to worry about water. At some places you have small cisterns or have to share with others unfortunately.

Bottled water is cheap.

They had a decent gym when I was there. Since then they have built a new one which is supposed to be better (maybe some current students can elaborate).

There is no real beach. There is a stretch of sand in the summer months which the locals refer to as a beach.

Bring your computer.

No shopping malls. No real shopping at all.

English is the language there. Not even all the locals speak dutch.

And yes, you will be dying to get off the island and go to St.Maarten or St.Barts. Lots of fun on those islands.

Good luck and don't forget that you are there to study!

D$

 

[HussainGQ]

If I f=go to SABA, bring my supply of toiletries??Deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, bring ALL of my clothes??

 

[flighterdoc]

Would you ppl not consider SABA among the top school ins in the Carribean?? It's like 1/2 the tuition of an SGU or ROSS, but they do have an excellent reputation in the US of A from what I hear..............does everybody else agree??

Saba (and St. Mathews) is most likely going to get California approval later this year / early next year (the Med Board gets the report in November, and if they approve it, thats it).

If that happens, the only thing wrong with SABA academically is the lack of Stafford loans. They've been working on that for years and years, promising that it will be fixed "soon".

If the schools get California approval (which is important for more than California) and stafford loans, that would move them up into the "Big-3" (Big-5?) catagory. The ranking would remain the same, SGU, Ross, AUC, SABA, St. Mathews.

The only other thing to consider is that Saba is a pretty small island, with not much to do. Probably good for a medical student, not too good for a family. But, Sint Maarten is a short ferry ride away

 

[deleted6669]

Primo Scuba Diving On Saba Though And Those Who Are Interested Can Get A Concurrent Masters In Hyperbaric Therapy While Attending Medschool.

 

[Aucdoctobe]

Sometimes, I wish that I would have applied to SABA. I would seriously consider them. You just can't beat that kind of price and their graduates are doing amazing things. I think that people who are 50K and above in debt should look at SABA as a first choice.

You just can't beat that price. This 240K or 250K debt stuff with a Caribbean education bothers me. I say that because I will be 240K in debt at the end of it all. And for what.. licensing in all 50 states? Saba and St. Matthews are well on their way to that goal at less price.

Consider the price and apply to SABA. Ignore the hype about the big 3 or whatever.

In the Caribbean, your licensing opportunities, USMLE score, grades, and residency are all that counts.

I wish someone would have told me this when I first started applying.

 

[djinbh]

Well, It is official, the state of California went to Saba earlier this year, checked out their clinical rotations in the states,and granted full accreditation! I have been accepted to Ross and Saba for Jan 05, was having a very difficult time deciding, especially because I have friends at Ross. But really for me, Saba is clearly the best for the following reasons. Safe island, friendly natives, excellent USMLE scores,helpful staff,helpful student body,small classes,nice new gym,proximity to San Martin yet not actually there,green book clinicals, 50,000? less than Ross, 5th term on the island Kaplan review.

 

[56551]

I have been accepted to Ross and Saba for Jan 05

Did you take the MCATs? Also, what do you think is the percent of attendees that take the MCAT? I just don't want to prep for it if it's unnecessary.

By the way, I just want to thank you and everyone else on this board, because I had SO many questions that were answered simply by reading the threads.

 

[scrubs69]

Lets keep the discussions here on SABA, there are other threads where you can discuss ROSS and SGU, and Fantasy Island School of Medicine

I agree

 

[youngman]

how come saba has a low drop out rate? it seems that at ross, they don't care about us, they just want more money. the professors sometimes write their notes in a way to force you to attend lectures. and i haven't seen lots of students from saba complaining about their own school. mmm.

Well, It is official, the state of California went to Saba earlier this year, checked out their clinical rotations in the states,and granted full accreditation! I have been accepted to Ross and Saba for Jan 05, was having a very difficult time deciding, especially because I have friends at Ross. But really for me, Saba is clearly the best for the following reasons. Safe island, friendly natives, excellent USMLE scores,helpful staff,helpful student body,small classes,nice new gym,proximity to San Martin yet not actually there,green book clinicals, 50,000? less than Ross, 5th term on the island Kaplan review.