New School or Old School?

[DocKao]

I've been looking at the school, but it is very new. This fact concerns me. I don't want to start and get going only for the school to fold and leave me hanging without credits, money, and no chance to take USMLE and licensing. Any thoughts?

[drs2009]

That was one of my concerns when I came to IAU. In time I have been here I have seen the school go through a few minor growing pains. But it is my belief that the school will succed dependant on the success of the students here, and the dedication of the administration. The administration here is very open and honest with us about the status of the school. And while there is still the little uncertainty that would go with attending any carribbean school, the success and progress of the students before me make me believe that this school wil be here for a long time

[DocKao]

How many students are attending the school presently? Living conditions? Who are the Administrators? Are there many Profs? Sorry about the questions. Thanks!

[iaustudent06]

there's only around 30 something students, 10 or so professors (all MD's or higher), living conditions are as good as you can afford it, and i would not worry about the school closing when one of the top administrator has a kid who went through the school and is working very hard to make sure the school stays not only the approved side, but on the top of the list. Within two years, they have not only expaned the school, they have been only one school on the island to have their students work at local clinics and recieve approval to break new ground for construction of a bigger building to own, not lease.

[DocKao]

I appreciate the help! There are so many other people on this site trashing one another. It's like an "I'm better than you" contest. Losers! Are there any other tips or ideas you can give me, like costs, cell phones etc.? It would really help. Thanks again. It's people like you who this site was designed for, not the trash talkers.

[iaustudent06]

well for cell phones, it is best to go with an unlocked gsm phone (like the cingular razor or slvr), check out gsmarena.com or something like that to check out every country and what they offer. IAU is a new school, with an experienced dean, and great staff. Unfortunately, most of the staff consist of Indians with accents, so you have to that to consider. Most kids would prefer a more established school like St. George, but they are so expensive and have very competive students. Over at IAU, we have mini exams every other week with the U.S. NBME finals for each class, and we have to be in the 8th percentile or higher to pass. We use lecture and case study, where we research and present to each other, with teacher supervision. So you do have to do alot of research and speaking. There is a dorm, but most of us rent houses. And we use Chicago, Baton Rouge, and soon New York for clinicals... Make sure you check what hospitals are offered and that ALL rotations are ECFMG approved, not just the hospital alone.

[Dr.Speed]

we have to be in the 8th percentile or higher to pass

That seems VERY low... or did you mean 92nd percentile?

[iaustudent06]

you're correct, I meant top 8th I believe.

[what up doc]

what states approve IAU.

[Wizard17.]

None............

[iaustudent06]

IAU is not on any list of banned medical schools on different state's medical board, nor has any articles (easily googled) about being substandard, like some other schools.

I believe most students are doing their rotations at chicago or baton rouge currently.

[Wizard17.]

IAU is not on any list of banned medical schools on different state's medical board, nor has any articles (easily googled) about being substandard, like some other schools.

I believe most students are doing their rotations at chicago or baton rouge currently.

not on any lists because no one has ever applied. once they apply, they will be on the list... cheers.

[iaustudent06]

Every hospital has been approved so far and we have 100% pass rate so far on USMLE. Within two years, this has been the only school on the island approved to do work at local clinics. And New York is coming soon for inspection. Wish us good luck.

[Wizard17.]

Every hospital has been approved so far and we have 100% pass rate so far on USMLE. Within two years, this has been the only school on the island approved to do work at local clinics. And New York is coming soon for inspection. Wish us good luck.

every hospital in the world? in the usa?? hmm... i doubt every hospital in iowa...

100% pass was discussed earlier... 5 of 6 ppl took it, the 5 that took it passed..... one transfer student took it... whatever that is worth...

spartan grads can, as per the prime minister, work on st lucia.

there have been a number of other schools on st lucia come and go, but only spartan has remained....

[iaustudent06]

Every hospital applied for... I don't believe school wastes time and money on places students would not like to work at... Besides, don't most states take applications on case by case instead on banning an entire school like in this case...
Medical Board of California - International Medical Schools Disapproved by the State of California (http://www.medbd.ca.gov/Applicant_Schools_Unapproved.htm)

Looks like schools come and go, and spartan did remain... on the banned list for over a decade, when alot of other schools improved...
Medical Board of California - Medical Schools Recognized by the Medical Board of California (http://www.medbd.ca.gov/Applicant_Schools_Recognized.htm)

IAU has around 30 kids within 2 years, Spartan has around 80 for 30 years. I believe we have 2 teachers from spartan also.

I thought spartan grads were not allowed to work in st lucia, because of these articles...
Caribbean Net News: St Lucia medical school under fire (http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2003/12/31/spartan.htm)
spartan medical school, st. lucia (http://www.newmediamedicine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2036)

And in most states, according to their medical board rules, if a country does not approve its own graduates to work, the state won't approve either, like in this case...
Physician Licensure Eligibility (http://www.tmb.state.tx.us/apps/physician_eligibility.php)

I don't know if Kenny Anthony, prime minister, changed it, I thought he would be more worried about the sudden increase of murder rate under his administration...
Forums - Crime in St.Lucia:Epidemic or Pandemic (http://www.thenewstlucian.com/community/archive/index.php/t-2277.html)

And why does it matter if a student is a transfer? Our final exams are NMBE and we are judged nationally against US medical students instead of "in house" to ensure high quality...
The National Board of Medical Examiners (http://www.nbme.org/programs/SrvSubjectExams.asp)

I don't know if more people took boards yet, should be more than 6 very soon since recent graduates are finishing up kaplan review, provided and by the school and required before clinical placement, like most US med school, unlike some off-shore med schools.

[Wizard17.]

Every hospital applied for... I don't believe school wastes time and money on places students would not like to work at...

Or even able to get in at, you mean. Right?
[/URL]
Looks like schools come and go, and spartan did remain... on the banned list for over a decade

Yeh, Spartan is still there, for many years, and is still doing well. Must say something for Spartan then, that it didnt need to have Cali approval to stay above water? I guess being the cheapest medical school in the carribean has its perks.
(http://www.medbd.ca.gov/Applicant_Schools_Unapproved.htm)
IAU has around 30 kids within 2 years, Spartan has around 80 for 30 years. I believe we have 2 teachers from spartan also.

Am I supposed to be impressed? Spartan has always had that much, on purpose, and has recently let some teachers go because of the new american teachers they just got. I guess if you hate america and only want Indian teachers, then IAU is a good place to go, though it wont make any state boards happy when you actually ever apply to them.



I thought spartan grads were not allowed to work in st lucia, because of these articles...

Well lets see what the actual authority says, instead of listening to your heresay articles that dont really mean anything:

"The Prime Minister called on Spartan University to do even more to help its island base by not only preparing to assist in the delivery of universal health care for St. Lucians"
PM Addresses Spartan University Extension Ceremony (http://stlucia.gov.lc/pr2004/june/pm_addresses_spartan_university_extension_ceremony .htm)

"Montrope said it would not be out of the question to license Spartan graduates in the future, presuming they successfully complete residencies in the U.S. or Great Britain and won licensure abroad first.

And lack of adequate staff to supervise the students at the island's hospitals -- not distrust of their competence -- is the only reason Spartan students can't be invited to do clinical rotations on St. Lucia, Montrope said."
http://www.dailypress.com/broadband/hc-medschools-stlucia-1215,0,3022858.story?page=4 (http://www.newmediamedicine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2036)


And in most states, according to their medical board rules, if a country does not approve its own graduates to work, the state won't approve either, like in this case...

thats nice. maybe that is something you should worry about since your school has no grads working in st lucia. Spartan DOES have grads there. At least a surgeon who did residency in the UK.

[URL="http://www.thenewstlucian.com/community/archive/index.php/t-2277.html"]

And why does it matter if a student is a transfer? Our final exams are NMBE and we are judged nationally against US medical students instead of "in house" to ensure high quality...

i realize that. that statement would go for ALL OF THE MEDICAL SCHOOLS. same could be said for basic PHD students who never had any clinical training and will never get licensed.


I don't know if more people took boards yet, should be more than 6 very soon since recent graduates are finishing up kaplan review, provided and by the school and required before clinical placement, like most US med school, unlike some off-shore med schools.

you dont know because they havent, or else it would have been posted and talked about everywhere, that is, unless they did and MANY failed it, and the school is keeping quiet about it.

cheers :)

[ontheway]

Thanks iaustudent06-some very helpful sites!

[Wizard17.]

Thanks iaustudent06-some very helpful sites!

very useful post "iaustudent06", uh, i mean "ontheway"...

[iaustudent06]

banned supporter for banned school?

[jackychan]

IAUCOM is new but very progressive and dynamic. Professors are good, very approachable and will ensure that you will be in great shape for the USMLE. The faculty is solid. The administration is very supportive of scholastic activities. The student body is great. Everybody is concerned about their education and making sure that the money and time put in are well spent.