Thread: Facts about AUC from someone who is actually attending

I haven't used this before but i heard people talking about it so I thought I would come here and check what people were saying, and some people that have clearly never been to St. Maarten were just blatantly lying so I thought I would make some comments:

1. AUC does not accept everyone, a friend of mine from college got a 28 on his MCAT and had a 2.9 GPA and he was not accepted here, but he did get into Ross. So while AUC might be easier than American Schools it certainly isn't a gimme. I sat in on several lectures at two US schools, I was accepted to a US School, but still decided to come here instead because this seemed like a place of higher learning. I was absolutely right.

2. The faculty here are pretty incredible. Dr. Colburn, the former dean of the school, is known as one of the best anatomists in the world and all of the other older professors have made huge contributions to medical around the world before teaching here. There are a few young professors, but they are not newcomers, our anatomy professor is already is in the final stages of his own anatomy text and he is one of the best lecturers that i have ever had, and i went to Boston College where we had some pretty good people.

3. While the island is extremely laid back, there isnt much crime. I don't know if the people saying there is a lot of crime are just really sheltered kids from suburbs, but everyone is extremely friendly here and even people i know that, by their own choice, decided to live in really poor neighborhoods haven't had any problems at all. If you have ever lived in a major city anywhere in the United States you will immediately notice that this is safer. And if you live on campus there is a private set of guards who watch the place at all times to the point that i think any crime on campus would be physically impossible.

4. AUC doesn't really accept "hundreds of kids each year." I am party of the largest class ever and its only 140. And saying that 80% of the students go to England and Ireland is just an ignorant comment. There are more clinical sites in the US every year and so much more than 1/2 of the students go to the US. Some, however, want to go to England and Ireland. AUC students are very diverse but share two main characteristics: they are very determined to become physicians and they are open minded. Therefore, some would rather go to another country for clinicals in order to broaden their perspective, which in all actuality, will probably result in them becoming better doctors. Franky, I wish that the US would adopt a lot of medical and social practices from the rest of the world, especially England and Australia (and probably others that i just dont know enough about), so the more time people spend learning outside of the states before returning, the better our own American system will become.

5. If anybody has any questions feel free to let me know, I doubt I will be checking these boards often, but you can email me at BCTitan04@aol.com and i promise to give you an honest perspective on anything you want to know.

Originally Posted by BCTitan04

I haven't used this before but i heard people talking about it so I thought I would come here and check what people were saying, and some people that have clearly never been to St. Maarten were just blatantly lying so I thought I would make some comments:

1. AUC does not accept everyone, a friend of mine from college got a 28 on his MCAT and had a 2.9 GPA and he was not accepted here, but he did get into Ross. So while AUC might be easier than American Schools it certainly isn't a gimme. I sat in on several lectures at two US schools, I was accepted to a US School, but still decided to come here instead because this seemed like a place of higher learning. I was absolutely right.

I HAVE NEVER HEARD AUC BEING REFERRED TO AS EASIER THAN U.S. MED SCHOOLS.

2. The faculty here are pretty incredible. Dr. Colburn, the former dean of the school, is known as one of the best anatomists in the world and all of the other older professors have made huge contributions to medical around the world before teaching here. There are a few young professors, but they are not newcomers, our anatomy professor is already is in the final stages of his own anatomy text and he is one of the best lecturers that i have ever had, and i went to Boston College where we had some pretty good people.

DR COLBORN WAS NEVER DEAN OF THE SCHOOL. HE WAS THE HEAD OF THE ANATOMY AND EMBRYOLOGY DEPARTMENT.

3. While the island is extremely laid back, there isnt much crime. I don't know if the people saying there is a lot of crime are just really sheltered kids from suburbs, but everyone is extremely friendly here and even people i know that, by their own choice, decided to live in really poor neighborhoods haven't had any problems at all. If you have ever lived in a major city anywhere in the United States you will immediately notice that this is safer. And if you live on campus there is a private set of guards who watch the place at all times to the point that i think any crime on campus would be physically impossible.

WHILE COMPARING ST. MAARTEN TO A BIG CITY IS NOT FAIR, IN THE CURRENT SEMESTER WE ARE IN NOW, THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE STUDENTS WERE INVOLVED. A ROBBERY AT GUN POINT, A MUGGING WHILE A STUDENT WAS WALKING HOME ONE NIGHT, A CAR BEING BROKEN INTO AND A BOOKBAG BEING STOLEN, AN AREA OF THE SCHOOL THAT WAS BROKEN INTO AND VANDALIZED.... FOR THE MOST PART THE ISLAND IS SAFE IF YOU USE COMMON SENSE BUT THE INCIDENCE RATE OF CRIME TO STUDENTS IS NOT ZERO. THE GUARDS ON CAMPUS ARE GREAT BUT THE CAMPUS IS NOT IMPENETRABLE BY NO MEANS.

4. AUC doesn't really accept "hundreds of kids each year." I am party of the largest class ever and its only 140. And saying that 80% of the students go to England and Ireland is just an ignorant comment. There are more clinical sites in the US every year and so much more than 1/2 of the students go to the US. Some, however, want to go to England and Ireland. AUC students are very diverse but share two main characteristics: they are very determined to become physicians and they are open minded. Therefore, some would rather go to another country for clinicals in order to broaden their perspective, which in all actuality, will probably result in them becoming better doctors. Franky, I wish that the US would adopt a lot of medical and social practices from the rest of the world, especially England and Australia (and probably others that i just dont know enough about), so the more time people spend learning outside of the states before returning, the better our own American system will become.

YOUR CLASS THIS SEMESTER IS NOT THE BIGGEST CLASS EVER. THE CLASS THAT LEFT BACK IN APRIL OF 2004 HAD 180 WHEN THEY STARTED. AS FAR AS YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT ENGLAND, I AGREE 100%

5. If anybody has any questions feel free to let me know, I doubt I will be checking these boards often, but you can email me at BCTitan04@aol.com and i promise to give you an honest perspective on anything you want to know.

1. I didn't mean that AUC was easier academically, so excuse that mistake. I meant that it is generally easier to be accepted at AUC than a US school. Judging from conversations with friends back in the states, the work load and general difficulty at good US schools is the same as here at AUC.

2. Sorry about the Dr. Colborn mistake, thats my bad.

3. About the crime, i don't think i said crime was zero, just that there isnt much of it. Also, these posts always refer to people with common sense. Don't leave your bookbags laying around, don't walk in bad areas by yourself late at night (not saying that was the case, just general advice). All I'm saying that is if you have a good head on your shoulders, the crime rate is low enough that it should not be a factor in a decision to attend this university.

Thanks for the corrections though, Speros, its important to get the facts out there, sorry that i mangled a few.

Originally Posted by BCTitan04

1. I didn't mean that AUC was easier academically, so excuse that mistake. I meant that it is generally easier to be accepted at AUC than a US school. Judging from conversations with friends back in the states, the work load and general difficulty at good US schools is the same as here at AUC.

2. Sorry about the Dr. <a target=new href=http://www.Amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1850705224/valuetheplace-20>Colborn</a> mistake, thats my bad.

3. About the crime, i don't think i said crime was zero, just that there isnt much of it. Also, these posts always refer to people with common sense. Don't leave your bookbags laying around, don't walk in bad areas by yourself late at night (not saying that was the case, just general advice). All I'm saying that is if you have a good head on your shoulders, the crime rate is low enough that it should not be a factor in a decision to attend this university.

Thanks for the corrections though, Speros, its important to get the facts out there, sorry that i mangled a few.

no problem. i think its great that you took the time to do that. just wanted to make sure others on this forum did not mangle you for the small details. i agree with a lot you said. auc is a good school. a lot of people that complain about this school dont understand that in order to succeed, both here and other med schools, you must put alot in it.

later,

[quote="BCTitan04"]I haven't used this before but i heard people talking about it so I thought I would come here and check what people were saying, and some people that have clearly never been to St. Maarten were just blatantly lying so I thought I would make some comments:

I sat in on several lectures at two US schools, I was accepted to a US School, but still decided to come here instead because this seemed like a place of higher learning. I was absolutely right.

You actually chose AUC over a US school? Wow, that's interesting. Believe it or not, I am considering the same. What made you do that?

[quote="claudette737"]

Originally Posted by BCTitan04

I haven't used this before but i heard people talking about it so I thought I would come here and check what people were saying, and some people that have clearly never been to St. Maarten were just blatantly lying so I thought I would make some comments:

I sat in on several lectures at two US schools, I was accepted to a US School, but still decided to come here instead because this seemed like a place of higher learning. I was absolutely right.

You actually chose AUC over a US school? Wow, that's interesting. Believe it or not, I am considering the same. What made you do that?

ok, i am just wondering did you choose AUC over a DO school or an US MD school....

as much as i think that AUC is a great school which it is and i personally would pick this school if i had to start over.....but if you have a chance at a US MD school i would go ahead with it....it just gives you less of a headache later on and most likely rotations in one place....

however if the acceptance to the US MD school is conditional...such as a friend of mine that had to enter the masters program if had earned a B or higher GPA they would roll him into the MD program the following semster....on that point i could see choosing AUC over a situtation as such...

the skipper

[quote="claudette737"]

Originally Posted by BCTitan04

I haven't used this before but i heard people talking about it so I thought I would come here and check what people were saying, and some people that have clearly never been to St. Maarten were just blatantly lying so I thought I would make some comments:

I sat in on several lectures at two US schools, I was accepted to a US School, but still decided to come here instead because this seemed like a place of higher learning. I was absolutely right.

You actually chose AUC over a US school? Wow, that's interesting. Believe it or not, I am considering the same. What made you do that?

ok, i am just wondering did you choose AUC over a DO school or an US MD school....

as much as i think that AUC is a great school which it is and i personally would pick this school if i had to start over.....but if you have a chance at a US MD school i would go ahead with it....it just gives you less of a headache later on and most likely rotations in one place....

however if the acceptance to the US MD school is conditional...such as a friend of mine that had to enter the masters program if had earned a B or higher GPA they would roll him into the MD program the following semster....on that point i could see choosing AUC over a situtation as such...

the skipper

however if the acceptance to the US MD school is conditional...such as a friend of mine that had to enter the masters program if had earned a B or higher GPA they would roll him into the MD program the following semster....on that point i could see choosing AUC over a situtation as such...

the skipper

skipper, why wouldn't you think a conditional program at a US MD school is allright? I'm curious to hear your opinion b/c that's exactly the situation I'll be in soon-if I maintain a B average for 1 semester (not in a master's program, but a program for minorities where you actually take medical school classes), then I'd get accepted to the MD program the following year. However, I am not getting any younger, and I keep thinking I should just go to the caribbean. I m not after a competetive reisdency (medical oncology).

[/quote]

Originally Posted by claudette737

however if the acceptance to the US MD school is conditional...such as a friend of mine that had to enter the masters program if had earned a B or higher GPA they would roll him into the MD program the following semster....on that point i could see choosing AUC over a situtation as such...

the skipper

skipper, why wouldn't you think a conditional program at a US MD school is allright? I'm curious to hear your opinion b/c that's exactly the situation I'll be in soon-if I maintain a B average for 1 semester (not in a master's program, but a program for minorities where you actually take medical school classes), then I'd get accepted to the MD program the following year. However, I am not getting any younger, and I keep thinking I should just go to the caribbean. I m not after a competetive reisdency (medical oncology).

[/quote]

well because it depends....how about if you go in the program dont maintain a B average and dont get into med school the following semster...what then....wait a semster for applying end up starting a year after you should have....at that point you would techinically been starting your 3rd semster in the caribbean instead of your 1st.....now if you think you can maintain the B average then go for it....

it just depends...on the situtation...i usually like to take what is a sure shot on something instead of a gamble...but a bit of risky might work out great....

also, if you do the semster get a B average...do you start your 2nd semster in med school or just start in the 1st semster....cause if they will make u go into the 1st semster...i dont know...seems like a waste of a semster....

the skipper

After mainintaining the B average, I'd start as a first year student, not second. The class load would just be much lighter.