PLEASE BE CAREFUL to what you read here!
As an incoming student to SJSM, i was VERY skeptical of caribbean schools (because i've never heard of them really) since my parents (who are US trained doctors) kept pushing US medical schools on me.

when i decided i was going to apply here (SJSM) and then was accepted, i began reading what was on here. I became VERY concerned by what i was reading and began to second guess my decision. I was initially supposed to begin January 2008, but i just needed to see what the REAL story was about St JAmes. So i planned a trip here.

What i found in connection to the posts that were here on VAlue MD, was that the people that were writing all the negatives...were the ones that came to SJSM with the expectations of it being like MTV Spring Break because it was on an island in the caribbean. These same students wanted to party and drink and not come to class...therefore...failed out. thus the bitter postings.

I found the total opposite here.

One post i read said that the Dean of Schools was very un-accepting and uninviting when she/he went to visit. I was embraced by the dean...welcomed into his office ...UNANNOUNCED...and was even welcomed to sit in on not only HIS class...but the Gross anatomy class as well.

The students there were super friendly...from the newly graduated Pre-meds to the MD4s. EVERY SINGLE PERSON I MET was nothing but friendly and helpful.

The one bit of advice i will give to you about the school though....

DO NOT EXPECT A HARVARD/PRINCETON TYPE FACILITY BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT GET IT. DO NOT EXPECT ANY US TYPE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT GET IT.
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO COME HERE TO EXPERIENCE MEDICAL SCHOOL FROM A UNITED STATES PERSPECTIVE...YOU MAY AS WELL JUST STAY IN THE STATES BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT GET IT ON BONAIRE..AT SAINT JAMES.

WHAT YOU WILL GET the foundation of medicine and the precise tools you need to PASS THE USMLE Step1...which is the most important thing anyway.

MY ADVICE TO ANY AND EVERY NEW STUDENT...OR PROSPECTIVE STUDENT IS TO TAKE SOME TIME TO ACTUALLY VISIT THE ISLAND...VISIT THE SCHOOL.

Ask the students that are there the questions you need to ask. See what it is you need to see. AND AT THAT POINT....make your decision.

if you make your decision about St James based on someone elses experience..you are experiencing St James through them...and not through your own.

Dude...its kinda like buying a car. If someone tells you THEY hate Hondas and you've wanted a Honda since you were 6...but decide NOT to get the Honda because someone said it wasnt Sh!?...are you going to NOT get the Honda?

make sense?

Oh...and one more thing.....PLEASE READ THE POSTS FULLY IF YOU ARE GOING TO SPEND SOME TIME ON HERE.

Some of the questions many of you are asking are explained in full detail.
YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK FOR IT AND READ IT!
good luck to you all and maybe i will see you on the island.

Mikel