Hello Everyone

I was just wondering why it seems as if so many students are transfering from AUC to St. Matthew's School of Medicine? I don't quit understand it because I was under the impression that AUC was a head of SMU in varies areas; am I wrong? What is really going on at AUC?

People who have troubles academically are generally the one's that transfer, both from AUC and/or other Caribbean medical schools. It isn't always the case, but it usually is. There are some other reasons for it, but it usually is that a person thinks it may be greener somewhere else or easier, etc. But this is med school, and it is going to be hard. There are some bad teachers everywhere, but some transfer to somewhere else hoping for better professors or more help getting through med school (some call it spoon feeding, but I think that is harsh though somewhat true). Anyhow, AUC does have many things up on St. Matthew's in my opinion because it is more established, but I have heard that it is more student friendly there. Look around, this has been discussed a lot. But check things out for yourself as best as you can. . . don't listen to cheerleaders or whatever for any school (there are always those pushing their school and putting down all the others). Just try to find out all the facts you can find for any and all schools, and make the best decision for you. Also, everyone is different. What is best for one, may not be so for others, however, that is hard to gage often, so try to go by the facts.

because theyre failing out plain and simple and smu accepts them.....i think i knew of 1 student that transferred to another caribbean school that wasnt failing out

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some swimmer from Ct
the problem with the gene pool is that there are no lifeguards.....and we have been offering swimmies

I agree with what wass stated above. I'll just add that also with the new dean, there have been a lot of changes made that are making it harder on students. Some things are to students' benefit and others are not. So, some students just transfer out. In my opinion, AUC has a better reputation than SMU mostly because SMU accepts a lot of the students who transfer out from other schools which is giving them a stereotype of being a "backup school". No school is perfect, especially not the Caribbean schools, but one thing to keep in mind is that first and formost these schools are money makers, BUT also keep in mind that these schools have given students who couldn't get into the US schools a second chance, and for that I am grateful. As far as transferring.....you can transfer out of AUC to another school, but chances are you will encounter the same issues. I was just talking to a friend of mine from Ross and basically, they have the same problems we do. Also as stated above don't listen to the cheerleaders of any school including this one. No school is perfect so just do your research, take advantage of valuemd and talk to students from the different schools and then make your decision.

people fail so they transfer to one of the few places that will accept them like SMU---

people rarely transfer if they arent failing---

skipper

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If you fail at AUC, SGU, or Ross why not transfer to SMU, if you fail at SMU, why not try another SMU.

oh, wait according to SBTURNER only the best transfer though---

skipper

__________________
My ID says MD....wow!

Formerly known as "AssyrianSkipper"

PGY-1 Internal Medicine
Goal, not to kill anyone during my first month of residency.

No, I cannot help you get a residency.

President and Dean of--
Skipper's Medical Univeristy of the Dutch West Indies--SMU-DWI
Apply Now.....Get an MD in 6 Weeks....

If you fail at AUC, SGU, or Ross why not transfer to SMU, if you fail at SMU, why not try another SMU.

Most people who have transfered to SMU from other schools did so because they were failing out. There are a few of us who did it for reasons other than failure. Like the above posters said not every school is for everyone and not everyone is willing to put up with all the ** some schools dish out.
I attended AUC and it was okay just not for me. I am very happy at SMU! It is just a better fit for me. The administration is very student friendly and understands the pressures of trying to attend medical school while dealing with a family too. In the long run you have to do what is right for you and only research can lead you in the right direction. If it doesn't feel right then change if you aren't close to being done. What matters at the end is a good step 1 score and to get a good score you need a good education and to be in an atmosphere conducive to learning.

Good luck

in addition to what was already said, some people are also forced out, kicked ou and claim they transfered on thier own merit. during my semester 2 were kicked out for alleged cheating, one for sexual harrasment, and one a semester or so back for honor code violations and is now a very prominent cheerleader at another foreign school that takes any shot they can at auc. so while these people techically didn't fail out you can see the resentment.

also transfering to smu is not a bad thing. you can't match up with every teacher's style and if you are unlucky enough to get those in 1st semester anatomy you are halfway to getting let go so you can either go to another school or give up. i think these people who transfer and succeed will probably appreciate the end result even more than we do.

so if you are in a position that are close to failing out many choose smu because they have VERY student friendly policies that as someone there put it, make it nearly impossible to fail. you also have to balance that with your ability to pass step 1...will transfer students succeed at passing step 1? i think most will b/c transferring will make them double their efforts. the people that i keep in touch with at smu have been sucessful thus far so i think the discipline and knock downs they got at auc served them well and maybe that is why sbturner thinks they are so brilliant...auc toughened them up

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OBGYN PGY II
I see light at the end of the tunnel!!!...wait a minute its just another freakin tunnel!

relate transfering med schools to lung cancer.....>90% lung cancers are due to smoking but <10% are due to other reasons.....the analogy fits to failing and med school transfers

__________________
Med-Peds PGY1

official member of the VMD useless crew

currently the most useful "useless member" on vmd

best quote ever - stephew "and no, you may NOT exchange porn or other sexual content in the classifieds."

some swimmer from Ct
the problem with the gene pool is that there are no lifeguards.....and we have been offering swimmies

"The administration is very student friendly and understands the pressures of trying to attend medical school while dealing with a family too."

good point. i think auc seriously lacks in the family support dept bc it is dependant on the spouses club and who runs it. i left my family home because i knew i would have a hard time with them there and i am validated with what happens now. i am in clinicals and could not imagine how much more difficult ** would be with family there...i don't know how some of you do it. all i have to say is go there without family at least for first 2 semesters to get your groove going.....the sooner you come to grips with the fact that your family is now number 2 for a little while the easier it will be

__________________
OBGYN PGY II
I see light at the end of the tunnel!!!...wait a minute its just another freakin tunnel!