This weekend in Atlanta, Trinity U SOM held a meeting for prospective students. Your roving VMD reporter was there. Here are the facts I got from the meeting - about prospective 15+ students were there.

Right now this is what I got out of the meeting including conversations with the three school officials there. Per VMD TOS no names will be mentioned.

1. They are not sticking with the normal island medical schools teaching formula. They are moving to the integrated systems method used at most of the top fifty schools in the US. Their class schedule is very different than any I have seen.

2. The are going for quality not quantity in the students accepted. So far the fall class is about 1/2 full.

3. All applicants have to take the MCAT!

4. They are aiming to have all core clinical rotations Green book from the start!

5. They are very well funded for a startup! . They have a experienced admissions and admin staff already on site and prep'ing the campus.

6. They have two loan sources and are working on three for students.

7. They plan to limit class size - again their quality not quantity approach.

8. All faculty is being recruited from US schools. Again quality instruction!

9. They are going aggressively after state certifications with NY and FL being the first setup for site visits this fall. More to come later in the year.

10. They are not cheap for a start up school. Their program is going to be integrated with the 200+ bed hospital in St V. for five semesters.

My impressions - I was surprised by the amount of work and preparation done - they are not working the normal formula for island start up schools. (Low budget start up - same type classes as other schools). They also are aware and have learned the lessons other start up schools have had as issues.

Several things said at the presentation , I have not independently verified. However, if true will quickly put this school on par with the other more established schools quickly.

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