Congratulations to all you guys who are in medical school and those that have graduated. I would like to apply to medical school in Caribbeans for the class of 2007, any suggestions or recommendations, THANKS ALOT!!!

Congradulations on passing everyone,

Its fantastic to see that all of you who have been using this site are gonna go off and become doctors. Its rather amazing to see that the dreams and aspirations, along with the information given on this site, can be tools that get us to our goals in life.

Im thinking about transferring to Antigua for their 6 year program. If any of u guys have the time, would you kindly fill me in about what the school is like? As far as teaching styles and exam methods, as well as how well they prepare u for the USMLE's? It would help alot, thanks!

Hey htowdoc,
When I interviewed two weeks ago at AUA - when the interviewer heard I had taken the MCAT - he wanted to see them. Same with St James on Wednesday of this week. I have already sent my MCAT to Saba. Everybody said they don't need them - but if you took them them it could be a deal maker for you. Am a nontraditional - mean older - student. If you are over 30, you need a 4.0+ GPA in your sciences LOR from the highest sources and close to a 45 on the MCAT. Then you are in line with the 2000 older student rejected.
AUA first wanted me to retake undergrad science again because I had been out of school too long. The interviewer had also not read my application that well either and did not see I had an MS in 96'. In the interview, I said no way, I had taken the MCAT. Yes, it is a pain to do the MCAT test. 8 hours, four radically hard tests.
With more people attempting to get into the few slots in US medical schools - I would expect even the lesser island schools to start using the MCAT to weed down the field along with higher GPA's. I think in a year or two you will see a flood of 3.2 to 3.5 gpa students with 30+ MCAT's knocking on the doors with top drawer resumes and LOR's. That was how SGU and the other schools in mexico got there start back in the early 70's. Its a demand and supply thing. In the US I think 25% of the MD's are now FMG's. The need for MD's is higher now with the baby boomer hitting retirement. So as I see it you have several choices. Apply to the lesser schools now, take the chance they will give you the path to take the Step tests and clinical rotations or take the MCAT and study your buns off preping, take the Kaplin MCAT review and work tons of problems and try for the the bigger island schools later.

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In Grad school in Biology

OK - I know it's another school - I am not plugging Saba - what I am doing is adding to my previous post. Just got off the Saba school website. They have posted their 2006 matches. Their grad's got some plum sites and matches in Surgery, Anathe. and even Rads. What this means is they came south to the islands worked there glu. Max's off, got really good step scores and worked hard in clinicals. RRod and others would say yea so what! You had bunches in family meds also. However, I saw one OB/Gyn at medical college of Ga. same place my cousin went way back in the 70's.
- Medical college of Ga is a very conservative - use to be an island FMG unfriendly place. Yet a Saba grad matched there!!!! So I would say there is a tipping point happening. Come south to the islands work really hard. You got a better chance at match site...

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In Grad school in Biology

Quote:

Originally Posted by htowndoc tyson,

Did you try Saba they recommend the MCAT, but they don't require it. If I were you I would try Saba first.

If I had to choose between AUA and MUA-Nevis, I think AUA.

MUA-Nevis has had a few classes graduate and has students in residency right now. AUA will have students in residency soon. They are really close to the same. In the long run I think AUA will pass MUA for reputation. Right now MUA has a few year head start.

I hope that helps.

One more time.... Try for Saba.

Don't limit yourself to one school - do at least 3 or 4. AUA is an up and comer no question - staff and money and location behind them. Saba has it - but having the MCAT will be an application plus there also. Many Canadans in the pipe line there and that's a good thing! St Matt is good also PM RROD - he can give you the 411 about that school. Realize when yo go to the islands you are not on autopilot - you will have to work harder and longer than a US school. Why??? not because the info is different - human ant. has not changed since Galen drew the first pictures. The teachers will be the same , the books are the same.
- What is different is the attitude towards island grads - you have taken your life path away from powers that be in the US - you are a maverick - they will hate you for it. So you will spend extra time proving your worth - showing that you are a team player. Just my .02, you are either a part of the problem, part of the solution or part of the landscape - the choice is yours.
Best wishes.

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In Grad school in Biology

I agree. Try AUA since they have selves exam.

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God Bless You.

H. MD

true say james...u need to give, to get. so here, you give your time & efforts to get a fruitful medical career in the US. you would be treated like an alien amongst them, until & unless you reform like them. you need to take chances in life....so really big ones! if you do not play along, then where is the fun?

hello everyone

I did some research on aua, but I would like to speak with an AUA grad or even current student. basically I am thinking of coming for May 2006 semester and I needed the low down on the university. Please get back to me ASAP.

htowndoc

Best advice anyone can give you is take the MCAT and open up your possibilities more. Don't fall into "I-need-to-get-into-medical-school-now-so-any-school-would-do" mentality. A year or two of preperation now will save you headaches for the rest of your career. Offshore IMG's will be faced with an uphill battle come licensure time in the next 5 to 10 years -- precisely when you will be applying for licensure. Graduates from schools without any external approval (NY, and especially CA) will have a hard time with licensure in the near future.

P

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