Accepted to Medical School

**ift** · 19.10.2009, 09:59

At Saba University, one of the 'top 4' Caribbean Medical Schools. I wouldn't have applied to any non-US schools if it weren't for the recommendation of a friend's brother who recently graduated from Saba, is currently doing a Radiology residency, and was able to couples match. I'm sure I'll hear some shit from someone about it being a 'less-than' school, but I have done enough research about the program to feel comfortable going there, especially if I don't get in anywhere else. I still have about a dozen applications open with US schools, and I'm waiting for the possibility of more interviews before I make a final decision. At least I know I have a seat somewhere, so woo-hoo

**R-MONEY$$$** · 19.10.2009, 10:02

top 4?

**fast eddie** · 19.10.2009, 10:02

it seems legit. congratulations

nb · 19.10.2009, 10:05

Originally Posted by R-MONEY$$$

top 4?

1 up on Ramelle.

**formerly galenaskater** · 19.10.2009, 10:09

congrats buddy. i'm debating on going back to schol and finishing my BA in business next year so i'm going to start applying for schools soon. most people finish college before they buy/payoff a house but i don't always do things the conventional way

**ift** · 19.10.2009, 10:17

Originally Posted by nb

Originally Posted by R-MONEY$$$

top 4?

1 up on Ramelle.

But yeah, there's over 50 'offshore' medical programs, and many are regarded as degree factories, unaccredited, or any other substandard situations.

American University of the Caribbean, Ross, St. Georges and Saba are considered to be the most legitimate amongst the Caribbean schools based upon residency placements, USMLE scores, pass/fail rates...

**scuba** · 19.10.2009, 10:20

nice man, you'll make bank and save money on school/time.
i have a friend who did the same thing to be a radiologist. he was a huge slacker in school and got a pretty low gpa, so as a last resort went to some international med school.. he now makes almost 400,000 a year

**formerly galenaskater** · 19.10.2009, 10:26

Originally Posted by jeff phang

nice man, you'll make bank and save money on school/time.
i have a friend who did the same thing to be a radiologist. he was a huge slacker in school and got a pretty low gpa, so as a last resort went to some international med school.. he now makes almost 400,000 a year

ballin
smashin
making my ends
smokin big killa gettin high in da benz

**ift** · 19.10.2009, 10:28

Yeah, for the first few years of college you could say I wasn't the most directed student, but I pulled up my grades toward the end, found a goal, did above average on my MCAT, and I'ma do this thang. I'm interested in physical medicine and rehabilitation, so I probably won't be banking 400 grand, but that isn't everything to me. I'd also like to teach at a medical school later in life.

**lim** · 19.10.2009, 10:31

Congrats Ian!

**Mr. T** · 19.10.2009, 10:35

So, Ian... Will this school be somewhere in the Caribbean? And if so, do you really feel the need to justify that shit? That sounds like a fucking dream come true, haha.

**Supernintendo Chalmers** · 19.10.2009, 10:54

Originally Posted by Mr. T

So, Ian... Will this school be somewhere in the Caribbean? And if so, do you really feel the need to justify that shit? That sounds like a fucking dream come true, haha.

yeah that would be pretty damn sweet.

ian how much is tuition at this school?

**ift** · 19.10.2009, 11:02

Bout $100,000 for all four years.

**Gonzalo** · 19.10.2009, 11:21

For some reason I got a brochure and a letter inviting me to consider one of those caribbean schools back when I was in college. The letter said something like "every year, hundreds of otherwise qualified applicants are rejected from US schools due to their strict admission requirements regarding grades and MCAT scores[...] Here at [name of the school that I don't remember goes here] we'll be happy to take you" Even in their own advertisements they give the impression that they're second rate schools. I'd think about going this route twice, because the people who seem to have great things to say about caribbean are either trying to rationalize why they ended up there instead of a US school or are the exception rather than the norm and were highly successful due mostly to hard work, not the school's help.

When the time to apply to residency comes, program directors will rate you lower for coming from a caribbean school, all other things being equal. So you're going to have to be an outstanding student just to be on the same footing as an average student who went to a US School. Also keep in mind that for every success story you hear, there's a large percentage of people who either ended up dropping out, had to scramble during residency application or couldn't make it into a residency at all.

There are a lot of threads about caribbean schools at studentdoctor.net from both sides of the fence, but most people seem to agree that going to a caribbean school should be your last resort.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/show...ribbean+school

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/show...ribbean+school

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/show...ribbean+school

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/show...ribbean+school

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/show...ribbean+school

Going to a caribbean school might sound like it's better than not getting into med school at all, but if it means you're going to be more likely to have trouble or even fail later in the process (residency application), after you've spent 4 years of your life studying your ass off and you have tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of dollars in debt, then perhaps considering a different career path might not be such a bad idea.

**Wolf Face** · 19.10.2009, 11:29

**ift** · 19.10.2009, 11:32

I knew you'd end up in this thread at some point, and I have considered everything you have mentioned and browsed multiple medical student forums, and I have come to the conclusion that I am comfortable going to Saba. The school that sent you a brochure was most definitely not Saba, because they do not recruit or advertise.

Originally Posted by Gonzalo

most people seem to agree that going to a caribbean school should be your last resort.

And I agree with this sentiment, which is why I am glad to be accepted somewhere, but I am also hoping for more interviews in the next few months.

Originally Posted by Gonzalo

perhaps considering a different career path might not be such a bad idea.

Not interested. I have considered quite a few career paths and have decided firmly on medicine.