What are Pros/Cons of Applying for a Prospective Student? - Page 3

nyphys1 · #21 (**permalink**) 08-31-2005, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldfish85

what about opening up your own practice as a IMG?? is there any cons on that?

Also is there a salary difference for IMGs?

No.. there is no problem with that.For patients it makes no difference to 99% of them where you went to med school,only that you take good care of them.IMGS are not paid less.Any income differential is due to the fact that IMGs are less represented in the higher paying specialties such as rads,surgical subspecialties etc.

UnImpressed30 · #22 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentAUC.

Lets see...Pros:
- Caribbean schools in general are much easier to get into than US schools
- AUC has a beautiful campus
- St. Martin is nice as well, lots to see and do
- There's a much wider variety of hospitals (in many different states in the US) to do clinicals in (now if those slots are actually open when you want them is a different story....). Most US schools only allow you to choose from about 1-3 hospitals.

Cons:
- There definately is a stigma associated with Caribbean schools so when you get to clinicals/residency you have to work twice as hard as US students in order to "prove" that you're not inferior
- AUC likes to change the school policies quite often (insurance policy, class scheduling, etc). In my opinion it needs more structure in these areas, but there's a new dean coming so hopefully things will get ironed out
- Just as a warning, many students take 6-7 ( currently there are a few (very few) taking 8) semeters to finish here so don't be in a hurry to get out in exactly 5 because there's a high chance that it won't happen.
- AUC also likes to "hide" the truth from students at times. I've seen this in the areas of getting correct info about how many students pass Step I, amounts of US clinical slots (how hard it actually is to get the slots you want), how we really stand (the IMG stigma) compared to US students, etc. I understand they don't want to scare us, but this whole utopian view will only hurt students the end.
- Basically, this school is here to make money, and teaching/academics comes in second.....I'll just leave that one alone...take it as you may.

All in all, compared to the other caribbean schools, AUC is the best choice in my opinion. It gets the job done....you will become a doctor. BUT, if you can get into a US school, BY ALL MEANS go to a US school!

"StudentAUC" hit it RIGHT on the head about AUC... I am a very open-minded person who chose to come here because I love to throw myself into new & different situations, I love to travel, and, like a lot of students down here, did not appreciate being Waitlisted, offered PostBac programs, etc. in the U.S.

That said, AUC definitely has MORE CONS than Pros. And I hate to say this because this is THE last card I'd ever play, but being here 1.5 yrs already, ESPECIALLY if you are Black / African-American, WATCH YOUR BACK and as I was told on my Orientation day, "Look out for one another 'cause no one else will" !!! These people who run the school are NOT here to help you - they are condescending, they lie to your face while maintaining a smile, and they maintain their OWN rumor mill just like the students.

The stigma of going to a Caribbean medical school PALES in comparison to this school being completely FOR-PROFIT, and academics/teaching comes second to the fact that most of these professors & administration are retired & on vacation... teaching is what they do in their spare time to earn money to "keep up their habits." They will keep you here longer than necessary, change the policies "semester-ly", distort the truth for statistical purposes... all to maintain the reputation/title of being the best med school in the Caribbean.

No matter what kind of student you are, studious, slacker, intelligent, hard-working, whatever - Be VERY careful at this school... professors and deans who actually WANT to help students have left the island & are no longer here. Our SGA apparently thinks they're doing something to rectify this situation, but all they do is litter our school and e-mails with what they're TRYING to do.... If you don't have to go to AUC, don't.

Skipper · #23 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 02:23 PM

so saying it once in your orginial thread isnt enough--u have to repeat urself--

god i love these people--lol

skipper

YODA · #24 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 04:43 PM

anyway this guy can be baned for spaming.

Later
YODA

StudentAUC. · #25 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 10:32 PM

Updated....

Pros:
AUC can give you that second chance to become an MD

The facilities are nice

The island is very nice and very Americanized in comparison to most other Caribbean islands

The cafeteria food is good.

Cons:

There is still a stigma about Caribbeans schools (but with the increasing popularity of offshore schools, it isn't as bad as it used to be). If you are looking for a competitive residency you have to work harder and do better on USMLE than US students to secure your competitiveness.

AUC is a somewhat "hostile" environment right now. The school is VERY disorganized at the moment and has been for a while now. A lot of the good professors have left (2nd semester students, I'll keep you in my prayers...I heard Dr. Menon is gone and the other teacher is teaching Histo solo.....), a lot of policies are being modified and the new policies are not necessarily in favor or the students.

Some of the professors are beyond bad.......I won't name names.

The clinical situation is still not fixed for the next wave of students(by next year there could potentially be a serious problem with students being able to get US clinical slots). Yes, recently 5 new hospitals in New York were added, but still...I hear the entering class is very large, and the one before it was large as well.....as is the current 3rd semester class.....

Yes, there are a lot of Cons, BUT the most important thing is in my Pros where it says AUC CAN GIVE YOU THE SECOND CHANCE TO BECOME AN MD. That's what matters the most

anencephalic · #26 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentAUC.

The clinical situation is still not fixed for the next wave of students(by next year there could potentially be a serious problem with students being able to get US clinical slots). Yes, recently 5 new hospitals in New York were added, but still...I hear the entering class is very large, and the one before it was large as well.....as is the current 3rd semester class.....

This is a bit alarmist, don't you think? What you are overlooking is the fact that there is a constant turnover in clinical students. People actually go on to get their MDs while vacating their clincal spots for those coming out of basic sciences.

Aloha,

UnImpressed30 · #27 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YODA

anyway this guy can be baned for spaming.

Later
YODA

"baned from spaming" or "banned from spamming"..... It's hard to read posts when people (medical students) can't spell.... J/K

DrShikima · #28 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentAUC.

Updated....

Pros:

The cafeteria food is good.

What?? You gotta be joking.... didn't I see prarie oysters on the menu once, seasoned caribbean style?

levator · #29 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnImpressed30

"baned from spaming" or "banned from spamming"..... It's hard to read posts when people (medical students) can't spell.... J/K

do people discriminate against you if you cant spell???

Scott1981 · #30 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 07:16 PM

shakima, that was clearly a racist comment.......... stop being racist towards the food.....

and speros............ what do you have against the yellow smileys. you shouldnt stigmatize them by hinting that they all group together like this and jump up and down to music. some dont like that kind of thing. i think you are racist.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The complete WELCOME PACKET	Infiri	Ross University School of Medicine	13	08-30-2007 08:04 AM
Will the CA board decide on SMU's application this week?	rowdymon	St. Matthews University School of Medicine	194	02-25-2005 12:18 PM
NEWS FLASH SMU doesn't win approval at Ca Board meeting	azskeptic	The Relaxing Lounge	26	02-20-2005 08:11 PM
Canadian student in 2nd year university applying to 3rd year	Michael W.W.	St. Georges University School of Medicine	9	03-17-2004 08:11 PM
Ross student responding to prospective student questions	gassan	Ross University School of Medicine	2	03-10-2004 02:32 PM