I applied to St. James because it provided me an opportunity. I did the research and chose St. James on my own.

I have several comments to make regarding St. James Med.

1. St. James is a new school. Those of you who cannot bear the initial rough waters, for a sturdy ship that's readying its sails to take flight, really need to get out of medicine. Self explanatory: you're not mature and not cut-out for what lies ahead. This is your weeding out process; your departure helps make our school, St. James Med, stronger.

2. Those of you maiden students who are bearing it and not going overboard, you'll be rewarded for your persistence and hard-work. You have learned that when you set a goal, you go for it. You go straight for it until you get it. You've proven that you are strong like an ox and when it comes to the challenges that lay ahead, against other IMGs and U.S. grads, you'll beat them down and sweep them under the rug. You have the right stuff and you know it.

3. Let me tell you why I chose St. James.
a. Opportunity
b. Opportunity
c. Opportunity

4. Agreed, St. James is in its infancy. Understood, when it admitted you, the student, made an implied contract that you were committed to graduate with an MD, in exchange for opportunity and tuition. It's not cheap, but nothing worthy is. Yet, it's tens of thousands cheaper than U.S. private schools. Many of these U.S. or Canadian schools denied you this opportunity, fair or not. Be thankful for St. James.

5. Young students need to understand the opportunity to earn an M.D. to become a licensed physician comes at self-sacrifice, with dedication and tons of work. Be thankful.

6. St. James is accredited. Be thankful. St. James has clinical rotations in many states (Illinois, W. Va, NY, MA, GA, TN, MD, and KY) and Oh Canada! This is opportunity! This is diversity in patient population and presentation.

7. St. James has a short name for an IMG and it's easy to say, with a brevity of alliteration off the tongue. That's prestige, ultimately. Be thankful!

If you cannot make it at St. James, you won't make it anywhere and will have trouble being a doctor. You are the problem, not the school. Take opportunity when it comes and as it comes. Stop comparing. Stop complaining.

Or get off our ship as the rest of us are going to fly high in pursuit of our calling and mission. We will build our school's reputation in the quality of who we are and our strength against what comes before us.

Be thankful; shut-up; get busy; study hard; graduate! Enuff said.