Thread: Comparison

Just wondering if any of you know what advantages or disadvantages this school has over St. James. What are the differences good or bad? Thanks

someone on the st. james forum just posted a comparison:

http://www.valuemd.com/st-james-medi...ay-school.html

this person is currently a student of neither school, so it's pretty fair and objective

One of the posters said the SJSM campus is ~130 years old! While I agree with a lot of people in the thread that it's the education that counts, there are several points that I disagreed with and have this to say:

1. Campus looks do mean something to a degree because like someone in that thread pointed out, it shows you that the administration is actively investing in the future of that school and thus have a bigger stake in seeing it succeed.

2. NY approval is also important because that means the school has met certain American standards which is a huge plus. Having more than 12 weeks for clinicals is just icing on the cake.

3. Some students (myself included) have a tough time understanding people with really thick accents and it can be a hindrance to learning even if the person teaching you is brilliant. I'm sure AUA has its share of professors with thick accents but having less rather than more is important in my opinion, especially if the school is geared towards Americans and Canadians.

4. Quality of life on the island is also important. From the sounds of it, Bonnaire is even worse than Antigua. Its hard enough to cope with leaving your home for 16 months and living in a hell hole makes it that much more difficult.


The fact that AUA is investing millions of dollars in a new campus proves they are serious about keeping the med school around a long time. The last thing all of us as students want is for it to close up shop and create problems for students like some schools in the past have done.

Originally Posted by NWS

The fact that AUA is investing millions of dollars in a new campus proves they are serious about keeping the med school around a long time. The last thing all of us as students want is for it to close up shop and create problems for students like some schools in the past have done.

it's too bad that I and other incoming students in May and probably September as well won't be around to see this new campus

Originally Posted by DOCplucinski

it's too bad that I and other incoming students in May and probably September as well won't be around to see this new campus

Neither will I but at least I can take comfort in the fact that they're investing a lot of money into infrastructure rather than relying on a 130 yr old building. I'd be hesitant to go to any Caribbean school that wasn't investing money towards improving its facilities.

Originally Posted by NWS

Neither will I but at least I can take comfort in the fact that they're investing a lot of money into infrastructure rather than relying on a 130 yr old building. I'd be hesitant to go to any Caribbean school that wasn't investing money towards improving its facilities.

yes it is a good sign, but we'll never know until the thing is actually built

Originally Posted by DOCplucinski

yes it is a good sign, but we'll never know until the thing is actually built

Haha yeah, lets just hope it isn't like the typical Caribbean school that takes 20 years to construct a single building. I wonder if they've actually started construction yet or just bought the land?

From what I hear they have not even broken ground yet.

Originally Posted by hrfan

From what I hear they have not even broken ground yet.

you are correct