The hard truth...

[onelifetolive]

I dont understand why people talk trash and complain so much. We all did something wrong and therefore we couldn't get into a US or Canadian medical school. And therefore we have to choose an alternative route which is obviously more DIFFICULT. I mean no one is gonna turn down a US or Canadian medical school acceptance to go to a med school in the carrib. Come on...its pretty obvious that we have to work our buns off here and that life is gonna be tough for sure. Stop assuming that all is good when you come here to the carrib...straight up...LIFE IS GONNA BE TOUGH IN THE CARRIB...but if you're really passionate about medicine and truly have set your heart to pursue it, then you will come out successful. Otherwise, do yourself a favor and do something else.

Don't come here if your gonna complain...dont come here if you expect the perfect education...dont come here if you aint ready to sacrifice and dont come here if you aint ready to be independent. You are given a second chance, but this second chance requires you to take a challenging journey.

[wilcomp6]

you are 100 % right

[LDMD2B]

"aint" lol yeah i see your point about being a doctor, lol just kidding. Good luck on your finals. Its ok to complain with the school changes things, you pick a school you want to go to after you do your DD. If you don't work hard and your lazy, don't complain. But if you work hard and the school does not do its part then you SHOULD complain.

[Junito]

Everyone is free to express their opinion as long as it falls within the TOS. This is a forum where we exchange ideas and opinions. Not everyone is going to agree and not everyone will be happy. Just show respect for one another and don't violate the TOS and all will be fine.

[IMG2006]

Thank you Onelife! So what needs to happen? What do we do to force the school to a higher standard? I swear that I believe that if SMU had started out thinking in terms of the long term, then by now they would already be the premire foreign school. The island is wonderful. The gov't and school are stable... we have a very nice campus compared to many.... all the pieces are there but a percentage of the student body just seems intent on mucking it up for everyone.

Ideas? I'm not talking about, "the school needs to..." I'm thinking more along the lines of "WE need to...."

[onelifetolive]

Ideas:

1. Research. You want a school to grow then we need research activities.

2. Establish cohesion between Maine and SMU (assuming the Maine program is ressurected). Ie. Standardize the medical school classes such that both schools are on parallel grounds with respect to education (minus the master's courses).

3. Estabish volunteer opportunities so SMU students can get more involved with the community and demonstrate to the community that we are going to be legitimate doctors. (NOT EMPLOYMENT; STUDENTS CAN NOT WORK SINCE WE HAVE A STUDENT VISA NOT A WORK VISA).

4. Perhaps a functioning cafeteria will help in the school.

{edited because some SMU students are complaining about what I said which I never intended to be offensive}

[MD999]

Ideas:

1. Assist SMU in selecting quality students. (Lots in Canada for sure that I know of)

2. Setting up a student body with a certain amount of power.

3. More strict policies eg. 1 DUI and your kicked out, no more than 2 repeats of a course, quiet times in dorms at 9:00 PM (this may be already established not sure).

4. Research. You want a school to grow then we need research activities.

5. Establish cohesion between Maine and SMU (assuming the Maine program is ressurected). Ie. Standardize the medical school classes such that both schools are on parallel grounds with respect to education (minus the master's courses).

6. Estabish volunteer opportunities so SMU students can get more involved with the community and demonstrate to the community that we are going to be legitimate doctors. (NOT EMPLOYMENT; STUDENTS CAN NOT WORK SINCE WE HAVE A STUDENT VISA NOT A WORK VISA).

7. Perhaps a functioning cafeteria will help in the school.

8. Perhaps establishing a connection with local restaurants and supermarkets so that SMU Students can get discounts on certain food items.

Those are good ideas, but you should direct those comments to the administration, not the small percentage of SMU students who come onto ValueMd.
The administration checks these forums all the time, and selectively comments when they want to. If you direct these comments specifically AT THEM, then you'll probably get a response. None of us (except Juni :p )can get SMU to change things unless there's a barrage of requests by current and potential students, as we're going to be paying their salaries for 4 years.
So great ideas, but they need addressed to the administration mainly, as they have the ultimate say in these matters.

[Jeep23Guy]

Ideas:

1. Assist SMU in selecting quality students. (Lots in Canada for sure that I know of)

2. Setting up a student body with a certain amount of power.

3. More strict policies eg. 1 DUI and your kicked out, no more than 2 repeats of a course, quiet times in dorms at 9:00 PM (this may be already established not sure).

4. Research. You want a school to grow then we need research activities.

5. Establish cohesion between Maine and SMU (assuming the Maine program is ressurected). Ie. Standardize the medical school classes such that both schools are on parallel grounds with respect to education (minus the master's courses).

6. Estabish volunteer opportunities so SMU students can get more involved with the community and demonstrate to the community that we are going to be legitimate doctors. (NOT EMPLOYMENT; STUDENTS CAN NOT WORK SINCE WE HAVE A STUDENT VISA NOT A WORK VISA).

7. Perhaps a functioning cafeteria will help in the school.

8. Perhaps establishing a connection with local restaurants and supermarkets so that SMU Students can get discounts on certain food items.

I've never heard of any student getting a DUI...I have heard of people getting pulled over after drinking, but problems with the government will get you deported and the school won't have to do a thing. Also, there are quiet hours in the dorm.

There are research opportunities beginning to pop up within the last 3 months, so that's started.

SMU Maine is gone soon, so that wouldn't help out a whole lot. Would help to ensure that the campuses are equal if and when SMU starts a 5th semester in MI (or somewhere else).

There are volunteer opportunities, but it's difficult to get students out for them. In order to set them up, we need a certain number of students to agree to show up. We are in med school, so most people are studying most of the time and like to have some time to themselves as well. I'm not condoning this, but I know that I personally don't have much time for volunteer work (some time, but not much) being married and in med school.

The cafeteria thing isn't going to happen...At least not any time in the near future. When you're in Cayman, it will be a little easier to understand why.

We do get discounts at many local restaurants (Pizza Hut, Papa John's, Lonestar, etc), but the grocery stores would never do such a thing. They know that we have to buy groceries there anyway...so why would they need to give us a discount?

[AmericanIMG]

Ideas:

1. Assist SMU in selecting quality students. (Lots in Canada for sure that I know of) why should students be given the power to choose who their peers are? students should never govern/make decisions on other students in school...

2. Setting up a student body with a certain amount of power. in the last few terms the students have caused a physio prof to be forced not to teach, caused a whole mess of things in ICM and various other actions by petition...seems like they have power


3. More strict policies eg. 1 DUI and your kicked out, no more than 2 repeats of a course, quiet times in dorms at 9:00 PM (this may be already established not sure). i believe there are rules with regards to both of these in the handbook (the dorms might be 10, which i also think is reasonable. if a student wants to study the library is open until 12 or later, and students at the res hall have the right to play around as well)

4. Research. You want a school to grow then we need research activities. there was a big research presentation this term, and there apparently is some research going on with indigenous Cayman plants and diabetes therapeutics being run by SMU profs/students

5. Establish cohesion between Maine and SMU (assuming the Maine program is ressurected). Ie. Standardize the medical school classes such that both schools are on parallel grounds with respect to education (minus the master's courses). Maine is ending i doubt the school will even bother with this one...a lot of people have been fighting over it for a long long time

6. Estabish volunteer opportunities so SMU students can get more involved with the community and demonstrate to the community that we are going to be legitimate doctors. (NOT EMPLOYMENT; STUDENTS CAN NOT WORK SINCE WE HAVE A STUDENT VISA NOT A WORK VISA). if a student wants to volunteer there are a lot of options (Red Cross, GTown hosp, CTomlinson, Cayman Clinic etc) and all they have to do is call up the place they are interested in

7. Perhaps a functioning cafeteria will help in the school. the school is not allowed to have a cafe due to their contract with Safehaven (the complex where the school is located)

8. Perhaps establishing a connection with local restaurants and supermarkets so that SMU Students can get discounts on certain food items. the chamber of commerce card gives us many discounts around the island, and every Wed at Hurley's is 10% off...plus dude a lot of businesses give discounts if u show them u are locals... hope this helps :D

[Nawaab]

Yeah, what AmericanIMG said. We've been trying to do (and have done) a lot of this stuff already.

[IMG2006]

I've never heard of any student getting a DUI...I have heard of people getting pulled over after drinking, but problems with the government will get you deported

Well... you just haven't heard about it or you weren't there yet.

[/quote]
There are research opportunities beginning to pop up within the last 3 months, so that's started.[/quote]

Mmmm... do you know anyone who is deeply involved?

[2cents]

Mmmm... do you know anyone who is deeply involved?


All this comming from some one who no longer attends the school!? If you were around recently you might have seen those who were involved, rather than Mmmmm... recent efforts.

[Jeep23Guy]

Well... you just haven't heard about it or you weren't there yet.

There are research opportunities beginning to pop up within the last 3 months, so that's started.[/quote]

Mmmm... do you know anyone who is deeply involved?[/quote]

Would have heard about it if it happened in the last year, and yes I do...

[onelifetolive]

Listen guys...All the ideas I gave out are just IDEAS...I am not assuming anything...these are just things that poped into my mind and I just put them down...I am a new student and I just posed some ideas and I am not assuming anything I just got a disturbing PM from an SMU student who said that I was assuming some things...

I did not mean any harm or anything...I want the best for the school and for the good quality students who attend SMU...I dont want to see any students who dont study and mess up to affect the good students who are striving forward...again I have no doubt that SMU has quality students and obviously there are many, but like in every school there are ppl who put down the school, sometimes for very bad reasons which is not fair for the students and for the school...Listen I have demonstrated that I want the best for you guys and the school from my posts...I am truly sorry for anything that may have hurt anyone...if you guys blindly want to still believe in your assumptions then go ahead and I feel sorry for you guys who aren't willing to accept forgiveness...

[IMG2006]

All this comming from some one who no longer attends the school!? If you were around recently you might have seen those who were involved, rather than Mmmmm... recent efforts.

You're getting a little big for your britches there... I'm one of the people who has made it out of there with boards passed and a residency on track. You might want to listen up.

4 years ago, when I started, there was a guy from Crete on the campus who was spearheading the research program. It had something to do with heavy metals in the water and carib children.... a few months later, he was no where to be seen and that was that. I haven't seen it in any journals.

Two deans and 3 semesters later:

Then there was a prof there writing a book about medical statistics... students were to be involved.... we weren't. He didn't.

Later, it was something about local plants and medicinal value... plop plop fizz fizzz

Then... you know who was designing a new way to teach students... it was to be a study in medical education... <crickets>

Since I started clinicals, there has been some buzz about hyperbaric medicine... again... I'm not seeing it... neither did the CA crew.

As for students getting into trouble.... In the last 4 years, I can attest that there have been numerous scuffs with the local law. I'm not going to shame anyone in public, but don't get high and mighty on us here. I bailed one roommate out of jail there, and one was "poured" into my apt one night by the local PD. There were other worse things that happened. But maybe this isn't the place to air dirty laundry. People read this, you know?

The point being made was that conduct needs to be enforced MUCH more rigorously. If you can walk into a room and pick out the smart....s, then there is a problem with admissions and discipline. All anyone is saying is that the efforts to toe the line need to be redoubled. I'm glad to see that you take pride in the school and take this all to heart. Make sure to spread your cheer... My reputation as a doctor will hinge on what you guys do down there (to some degree) forever more.

[pruritis_ani]

I like this IMG2006 guy. No **, hard work, if it's broke fix it kinda attitude. That is the kind of attitude that gets things done. Not the "SMU is the best" attitude, nor the "this place sucks" attitude.

I think every school as at least 100,000,000 things that could be better, along with a host of retards that we call classmates. Better or worse, we are stuck with the school and the students, do the best idea is to get an honest assessment first, then roll up the sleves and fix what needs fixing, no apologies.

Strong work, IMG2006. From what little I can tell about you from this forum, your residency program is lucky to have you.

[2cents]

You're getting a little big for your britches there... I'm one of the people who has made it out of there with boards passed and a residency on track. You might want to listen up.


I am supposed to be in awe of some one a couple semesters ahead of me? I offer my congrats for finishing and finding a residency spot in Florida; but your credentials do not impress. Unless you matched into ortho, rad, or derm there is nothing to get excited about. There are so many FP, PEDS, and psych spots open after the match that anyone with passing scores should be able to get in some where.

Your dismissive attitude towards student efforts smacks of bitterness towards the school. Give credit where it is due. These people put on a research day, and students made posters. That is a real measurable step in the right direction. At Synergy posters is the only research many of the residence ever complete. No one should expect Nobel winning work coming from cayman.

The hard truth is SMU will never be a research school, but the efforts of the students do amount to more than Plop & fizz.

As for the issue of students unable to act appropriately on the islands: Anyone wishing to expell, and deport these idiots has my full support. The school should both raise the admission standards (incude a face to face interview), and get rid of those unable to act responsibly.

[solideliquid]

I am supposed to be in awe of some one a couple semesters ahead of me? I offer my congrats for finishing and finding a residency spot in Florida; but your credentials do not impress. Unless you matched into ortho, rad, or derm there is nothing to get excited about. There are so many FP, PEDS, and psych spots open after the match that anyone with passing scores should be able to get in some where.

Your dismissive attitude towards student efforts smacks of bitterness towards the school. Give credit where it is due. These people put on a research day, and students made posters. That is a real measurable step in the right direction. At Synergy posters is the only research many of the residence ever complete. No one should expect Nobel winning work coming from cayman.

The hard truth is SMU will never be a research school, but the efforts of the students do amount to more than Plop & fizz.

As for the issue of students unable to act appropriately on the islands: Anyone wishing to expell, and deport these idiots has my full support. The school should both raise the admission standards (incude a face to face interview), and get rid of those unable to act responsibly.
You should be in awe. When a graduate of SMU or any other caribbean school makes it so far as to pass the USMLE exams AND get a residency is a great and wonderful thing. Do not mock a person for going into something less competitive than derm or rads. Those are next to impossible for IMGs to match into. The rate of US IMGs matching (before scramble) this year was only 50%, a drop from 54% the previous year.

Don't talk down the "less cometitive" specialties as when a person is smart enough to go into peds because he/she loves the field that person has done themselves a favor.

Have you passed any boards? Did you participate in the match? When you do come back with your negative comments, if you still have them.

[2cents]

Have you passed any boards? Did you participate in the match? When you do come back with your negative comments, if you still have them.

Would you like to try again? this does not make sense.

Why should I be in awe of a person attaining a residency. That is the expectation upon graduation. For an SMU grad to suppose a lofty achievment just because they have done the expected intonates we are inferior; which is a supposition I reject. If IMG2006 want to use his achievments as some sort of pedestal on which to preach they had better find a more impressive pedestal.

[Junito]

I disagree. I found upperclassmen to provide great help when it comes to offer advice on their experiences. Obtaining a residency especially during this competive season is a big deal. Getting a residency in FL (especially at a place where there are no SMU grads) is a big deal for me too. There weren't that many psych positions available, I heard it was competitive this year, and will only get more competitive as more US schools open (two in FL) and more foreign schools start opening up. Mi dos chavos.

[solideliquid]

Would you like to try again? this does not make sense.

Why should I be in awe of a person attaining a residency. That is the expectation upon graduation. For an SMU grad to suppose a lofty achievment just because they have done the expected intonates we are inferior; which is a supposition I reject. If IMG2006 want to use his achievments as some sort of pedestal on which to preach they had better find a more impressive pedestal.
The match was very competitive this year. Ob/Gyn filled 98% of its spots before scramble. Psychiatry filled 95% of its spots before scramble. These specialties had been in the past deemed uncompetitive. Yes getting residency is the expected result after graduation. While that is great on paper it is very difficult to match into a spot for an IMG. It is also difficult to pass the USMLE exams. Talk to me when you've done some of these things.

I didn't say you are inferior for not yet getting to where your upperclassmen are at now. If you feel that way that is your issue, don't put people down and don't try to negate other's achievements.

EDIT: Don't you just love how people come back with "this makes no sense" instead of something substantial? I've started noticing that a lot, especially from pruritis.

[2cents]

The match was very competitive this year. Ob/Gyn filled 98% of its spots before scramble. Psychiatry filled 95% of its spots before scramble. These specialties had been in the past deemed uncompetitive. Yes getting residency is the expected result after graduation. While that is great on paper it is very difficult to match into a spot for an IMG. It is also difficult to pass the USMLE exams. Talk to me when you've done some of these things.

I didn't say you are inferior for not yet getting to where your upperclassmen are at now. If you feel that way that is your issue, don't put people down and don't try to negate other's achievements.

EDIT: Don't you just love how people come back with "this makes no sense" instead of something substantial? I've started noticing that a lot, especially from pruritis.

If you keep hearing "this makes no sense" perhaps it is because you lack basic english language skills.

Do you have anymore excuse as to why it is a "great accomplishment" to achieve a residency...It is hard to pass the USMLE. Are you serious?! If this is the case no wonder it is hard to get a residency position. Over 90% of LCME students pass first time. If you wish to be taken seriously for a residency position lines like that have to go.

Try the SGU and Ross forum and ask if they get excited if some lands any type of residency position. (point of interest i never said it had to be in the match)


Why are you supporting some one who was bashing recent student efforts (without ever seeing the results)? As a recent grad are you that sensitive about your residency position?

[IMG2006]

Would you like to try again? this does not make sense.

Why should I be in awe of a person attaining a residency. That is the expectation upon graduation. For an SMU grad to suppose a lofty achievment just because they have done the expected intonates we are inferior; which is a supposition I reject. If IMG2006 want to use his achievments as some sort of pedestal on which to preach they had better find a more impressive pedestal.

Best of luck on your classes and step 1. Best of luck on getting all green book rotations, and passing steps 2CK and CS. Above all, best of luck with your residency and getting a license. You're right to expect these things, but I don't think you'd like the odds. Give it some time, I think you'll see what I'm talking about. Mark this day and keep a little list in your head of names and faces. One March morning, you're going to start celebrating and wondering where did they all go. In the meantime... try and spread your attitude that this is why you're there. Be outspoken. Make sure that everyone there is taking things as seriously as you are.

I'm not holding myself up as some lofty example. What I'm saying is that roughly 20% or fewer of the 100 or so people who showed up with me on day one are where I am. All I want to do is make sure I've done everything to get that number up. I didn't have very many people who had actually made it through to consult with, not from our school. It was just too young then.

If you don't want any advice from me, by all means... don't feel obligated to wrestle it out with me on this forum. I would just like to see you and your peers go through this with all the facts and with the best plan to a favorable outcome. I hope with some solid advice you won't have to feel your way through the dark the way we did. Do me a favor though, don't tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about. All I want is a fair shake for you (us) and a liittle leadership from the school. If that has to come from students, then so be it.

[solideliquid]

If you keep hearing "this makes no sense" perhaps it is because you lack basic english language skills.

You are the one who said it. And nice, another insult.

Do you have anymore excuse as to why it is a "great accomplishment" to achieve a residency...It is hard to pass the USMLE. Are you serious?! If this is the case no wonder it is hard to get a residency position. Over 90% of LCME students pass first time. If you wish to be taken seriously for a residency position lines like that have to go.

I'm matched into psych, starting in July.

Try the SGU and Ross forum and ask if they get excited if some lands any type of residency position. (point of interest i never said it had to be in the match)


Why are you supporting some one who was bashing recent student efforts (without ever seeing the results)? As a recent grad are you that sensitive about your residency position?

............................Let me add, I am sensing feelings of entitlement from you on this matter. You will be an IMG and you WILL have a tough time matching and getting interviews EVEN in Family Medicine. If you like using AMGs as examples OK...lets take general surgery. As an AMG if you want to go into GS you mostly have to "want" to go into the field. Most of the AMGs that simply WANT surgery get matched into GS. As an IMG you can WANT to get into surgery all day and all night until March 13th but it won't get you in. As an IMG there are simply more hurdles to jump through. And once one has made all the jumps and successfully matched (or scrambled) it is a fabulous acomplishment. On a personal note, I had to apply to 60 programs in psych, and I got 16 interviews. AMGs apply to 10 programs in psych and get all 10 interviews. That is just how it works.

When and if you match, you can come tell us "meh, no big deal didn't even check NRMP until Friday of Match week". I can't wait to read that.

[2cents]

Don't think your own story of woe applies across the board. I am quite comfortable with my current situation. There is a sense of entitlement coming from me. I will get the residency position of my choice because I am relentless. Best of luck with psych.

You still have not explained why you were/are supporting the bashing of current SMU students

[pruritis_ani]

Don't think your own story of woe applies across the board. I am quite comfortable with my current situation. There is a sense of entitlement coming from me. I will get the residency position of my choice because I am relentless. Best of luck with psych.

You still have not explained why you were/are supporting the bashing of current SMU students

It is good to be confident, it will serve you well. But, you should be aware that these folks speak the truth. Getting a spot was HARD this year. It doesn't appear to be a simple matter of passing the boards and applying anymore. The tales of woe, while certainly not universal, are truly on the rise. One look at the SDN board around match time and you would have seen a fair number of US grads scrambling and having a very rough time of it.

And, pay attention to what IMG2006 says about odds. There are a LOT of people that fall by the wayside between day 1 of class and match day, in all of the schools.

[2cents]

50% USIMG match, and 50% USIMG first time USMLE pass rate. Is this random chance? Ofcourse not.

If you have excellent board scores, and good LOR's you will not have a problem finding a spot. That goes for IMGs, and LCME grads. Those that can not pass boards, or class should not be surprised they are left out in the cold on match day.

[pruritis_ani]

50% USIMG match, and 50% USIMG first time USMLE pass rate. Is this random chance? Ofcourse not.

If you have excellent board scores, and good LOR's you will not have a problem finding a spot. That goes for IMGs, and LCME grads. Those that can not pass boards, or class should not be surprised they are left out in the cold on match day.
Well, you are ignoring an awful lot of variables.

One thing to consider is the HUGE number of IMG's that take first year prelim positions. Not many of those folks progress, and thus are competing again for your first year spot. This bottleneck grows every year. These folks are experienced and desparate, and WILL take your spot.

If you want to think like this, I think you will be in for a big surprise. Just wait til your "safety net" programs don't even invite you for an interview. Just look at the folks I know that sent out LOTS of applications, and got only 3-5 interview invites. Just wait til you look at the scramble list and see almost NOTHING left over.

BTW, one of the guys I know left out in the cold...90's on the boards, father on staff at 2 hospitals, excellent grades from a very decent offshore school. Also, a good guy. Not a blemish on his application. What happened? Barely scrambled into prelim surg. Things are not that rosy for everyone, my freind.

But, enjoy the blissful ignorance of the undergrad medical education. Personally, I valued the experience of those before me, and it provided great insight into the reality of the situation (when compared to my dreamy imagination of how it ought to be, before I knew any better). Just rememer that preperation is the key to victory. If you are not aware of the real odds, you may just find yourself on the outside looking in.

[Junito]

Well, you are ignoring an awful lot of variables.

One thing to consider is the HUGE number of IMG's that take first year prelim positions. Not many of those folks progress, and thus are competing again for your first year spot. This bottleneck grows every year. These folks are experienced and desparate, and WILL take your spot.

If you want to think like this, I think you will be in for a big surprise. Just wait til your "safety net" programs don't even invite you for an interview. Just look at the folks I know that sent out LOTS of applications, and got only 3-5 interview invites. Just wait til you look at the scramble list and see almost NOTHING left over.

BTW, one of the guys I know left out in the cold...90's on the boards, father on staff at 2 hospitals, excellent grades from a very decent offshore school. Also, a good guy. Not a blemish on his application. What happened? Barely scrambled into prelim surg. Things are not that rosy for everyone, my freind.

But, enjoy the blissful ignorance of the undergrad medical education. Personally, I valued the experience of those before me, and it provided great insight into the reality of the situation (when compared to my dreamy imagination of how it ought to be, before I knew any better). Just rememer that preperation is the key to victory. If you are not aware of the real odds, you may just find yourself on the outside looking in.

Wow something we can both agree on. :cool:

[pruritis_ani]

Wow something we can both agree on. :cool:

Well, while sometimes I may seem to be an a-hole, sometimes I do make a little bit of sense.

Just an obnoxious, judemental guy that occasionally spits out a morsel of truth...:D All in a day's work!

[solideliquid]

Well, you are ignoring an awful lot of variables.

One thing to consider is the HUGE number of IMG's that take first year prelim positions. Not many of those folks progress, and thus are competing again for your first year spot. This bottleneck grows every year. These folks are experienced and desparate, and WILL take your spot.

If you want to think like this, I think you will be in for a big surprise. Just wait til your "safety net" programs don't even invite you for an interview. Just look at the folks I know that sent out LOTS of applications, and got only 3-5 interview invites. Just wait til you look at the scramble list and see almost NOTHING left over.

BTW, one of the guys I know left out in the cold...90's on the boards, father on staff at 2 hospitals, excellent grades from a very decent offshore school. Also, a good guy. Not a blemish on his application. What happened? Barely scrambled into prelim surg. Things are not that rosy for everyone, my freind.

But, enjoy the blissful ignorance of the undergrad medical education. Personally, I valued the experience of those before me, and it provided great insight into the reality of the situation (when compared to my dreamy imagination of how it ought to be, before I knew any better). Just rememer that preperation is the key to victory. If you are not aware of the real odds, you may just find yourself on the outside looking in.

A very accurate picture of what the match was like this year. Good form friend, truly.

[solideliquid]

Don't think your own story of woe applies across the board. I am quite comfortable with my current situation. There is a sense of entitlement coming from me. I will get the residency position of my choice because I am relentless. Best of luck with psych.

You still have not explained why you were/are supporting the bashing of current SMU students
Story of woe? That is standard for most of the IMGs I know. What specialty to you want? I can't wait to hear that you are going to match into neurosurgery. Best of luck with that.

Why on earth would you say I am bashing SMU students?

[loveocean]

Congrats to both solid and Img! I'm glad to hear your personal experiences and honest advices. I'm sure they will be very useful to each one of us. Just do not mind those that are soo arrogant and for sure they will taste their own medicine later on!

All I know is only the most modest, humble, smart, and of course working hard people will success!! My friend got 99% on his step 1 and got matched in to Surgery this year! He was one of the most modest, smartest, humblest, and work hardest people!! He'd never talk like that person who seems like got 90s% on his step 1!

he's just someone who had a diffult time figuring out how to make a double sided copy on a copy machine!! It took him like one hour!!
While someone there figured it out within minutes, BUT he wouldnt even take that person's advice. he insisted on his "smartness" and thought he was the ONLY one able to figure that "tough" thing out!
With all the arrogant attitude, SIGH................:rolleyes: I'm not surprised at all! Also why in the world did he think "relentless" will get him anywhere??

[desai29]

Agree With You.

[IMG2006]

50% USIMG match, and 50% USIMG first time USMLE pass rate. Is this random chance? Ofcourse not.



Wow... you're up to what.... 25%? That's 25% of the 50 - 70% that make it through all 4 years on time... Man... I mean... there must be, what... 9 people in your class who are in luck here.

[LqdPls]

You're getting a little big for your britches there... I'm one of the people who has made it out of there with boards passed and a residency on track. You might want to listen up..

Your self proclaimed right to dish out advice because you got a residency is not exactly a novelty. In fact a friend and I, exchanged e-mails with 3 SMU graduates, 2 currently in residency, and another guy a licensed physician on the west coast, before deciding to attend SMU.

Furthermore, in the last 8 months I have never heard of anyone being arrested, thrown in jail, expelled, or deported off the island due to disciplinary reasons. Maybe the school is taking in students with more integrity, than the group that came in 4 years ago.

By the way, you mentioned that you bailed a friend out of jail. But actually according to Cayman law, any foreigner who is arrested can only be bailed by another Cayman resident. Not even a family member is exempt from this rule.

As far as research is concerned, there are students currently involved in different projects. But any research program is only as good as grant proposals subsequently rewarded by financial support. Some of the best research institutions in the US conduct scientific work using someone else’s money.

[IMG2006]

By the way, you mentioned that you bailed a friend out of jail. But actually according to Cayman law, any foreigner who is arrested can only be bailed by another Cayman resident. Not even a family member is exempt from this rule.


Well... all it took was 35 CI for them to let my roomie go.


See you in the funny papers