Second thoughts?

[Locuscoeruleus22]

Hey everyone, I was just wondering if any of the incoming students, or anyone already on the island have second thoughts about their decision to be an IMG. I understand it's not necessarily by choice, but does anyone have those second thoughts, (e.g. re-taking the mcat, doing a masters program, re-applying to US schools (including DOs schools)?). I was thinking today if I want to do research at some university somewhere in addition to seeing patients, it might be more difficult perhaps not even possible being an IMG.

[miasma]

i am at saba, not ross. but i have no regrets so far. because i know that i don't have an opportunity otherwise. this is the route i will have to take, and i am fine with that. no regrets no second thoughts. it will get me to where i want to go, and that is all that matters to me.

[phisigman03]

I am happy at Ross. People here only complain abt island life not being a IMG.

[AxlFoley]

Well..there are lots of Ross students that actaully did masters programs/research. And they still ended up coming to Ross. Not to say that you wont get into an U.S. school if you try. But you have to examine yourself to see if you do have a chance of getting in. A lot of the Ross students that did graduate coursework, wished they had started sooner at Ross, because they feel like they wasted time doing a masters program. Of course, I also know a couple students that did a research/grad program and they did get in to an American med school..but it doesnt seem like its very common.
However, after leaving the island, I dont regret at all goin to Ross, and I know my freinds dont either. Its your board scores that matter...and your grades in clinicals.

[Shah_Patel_PT]

Hey everyone, I was just wondering if any of the incoming students, or anyone already on the island have second thoughts about their decision to be an IMG. I understand it's not necessarily by choice, but does anyone have those second thoughts, (e.g. re-taking the mcat, doing a masters program, re-applying to US schools (including DOs schools)?). I was thinking today if I want to do research at some university somewhere in addition to seeing patients, it might be more difficult perhaps not even possible being an IMG.

No regrets at all. And very happy I did not go the DO route to become a doc.

[jim]

i am a grad, currently working as an attending. i definetly do not regret it at all. double the garbage you have to deal with, and it is still worth it.

[homerbrave]

No regrets at all. And very happy I did not go the DO route to become a doc.


I agree with you 100%. After working with numerous uncouth DOs during my years in Medical school and now in residency, I'm very very happy I chose the MD route. Amen....

[MylifeatDominica]

what is so bad do students now?

[Sam84]

Can some of you explain why Ross is better than DO route? I personally want an MD next to my name not DO. But it will be good to hear any other reasons too ....:rolleyes:...
And eventhough I have not started at Ross yet, I am very happy that I am not wasting my time doing some masters or other things. I love the Ross faculty now!! I bother them soo much over the phone, and they are still very nice...:eek:

[Shah_Patel_PT]

Can some of you explain why Ross is better than DO route? I personally want an MD next to my name not DO. But it will be good to hear any other reasons too ....:rolleyes:...
And eventhough I have not started at Ross yet, I am very happy that I am not wasting my time doing some masters or other things. I love the Ross faculty now!! I bother them soo much over the phone, and they are still very nice...:eek:

The bottom line: If you are going to apply to MD (allopathic) residencies....you need to satisfy all the MD requirements.

Some PDs that I have talked to in NY, have personally told me that they favor Ross/St.George grads over DOs.

[Locuscoeruleus22]

SGU seems to have had a better matching list then Ross in terms of where grads are doing their residencies for 2006. Does SGU have a better education? Is it the connections the school have?

[Shah_Patel_PT]

SGU seems to have had a better matching list then Ross in terms of where grads are doing their residencies for 2006. Does SGU have a better education? Is it the connections the school have?

I disagree. Ross's list is always incomplete.

And what do you mean by "better matching list?" I think it balances out.

Some schools have more students in more competitive specialties and some schools have more students in better programs in less competetive specialties. You can argue both ways....In the end I think both schools can get you where you want to go.....

[utorontograd]

i am a grad, currently working as an attending. i definetly do not regret it at all. double the garbage you have to deal with, and it is still worth it.

Hi Jim,

can you fill us in what double the garbage means?

[popozao]

SGU seems to have had a better matching list then Ross in terms of where grads are doing their residencies for 2006. Does SGU have a better education? Is it the connections the school have?

you've got quite a few Ross fanboys here......


SGU generally has better placements because their students are overall better. they enter with better stats, whereas ross admits just about everyone and their dog. A lot just scrape by, hence the 'crappier' placements at ross.

it's the quality of the student, not the connections sgu has, whatever they may be.

many people say that sgu is more supportive of their students. ross' philosophy is "we don't give a crap if you sink or swim".

[popozao]

Hi Jim,

can you fill us in what double the garbage means?


he'd still do it even if you gave him twice the crap typical carib students have to endure.

[jim]

double the tuition, double your rent, double the crime rate on dominica dn in the citys in the US where you do clinicals, double the temperature on the rock, double the hurricanes, double the number of semesters you need. it is well worth it. i love my job more then i ever imagined i would when i first started med school.

[queenofspades11]

i dont think being on the island is that bad, actually. Everything you need to study is here, i personally dont have time to pay attention to anything else and it has worked out fine for me so far. The food is not that great, but hey, at least theres Subway, the power goes out frequently, but i study at school most of the time anyway.
They even drive us home at night, i really dont see what these major problems are that people keep talking about.

[jim]

i never thought there were any major problems. i am just saying that if there were, and they were bad, it would still be well worth it.

[utorontograd]

double the tuition, double your rent, double the crime rate on dominica dn in the citys in the US where you do clinicals, double the temperature on the rock, double the hurricanes, double the number of semesters you need. it is well worth it. i love my job more then i ever imagined i would when i first started med school.

Okay I get what you're saying. I can definitely deal with all that. Thanks Jim.

[Gator98MD]

I think what alot of people need is perspective. For alot of people, when they are down on the rock, it seems like the end of the world and that it will never end. But in reality, its only 16 months!!! I am now 1.5 years removed from that school and I still feel overall it was a great experience. Its just hard sometimes to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you are immersed in it. If you take care of your business, Ross will just about get you anywhere you want. Yes, I do remember some tough times, but I am in my second year of residency now and none of that matters now. All that matters is what lies ahead of me and you all!!

[supafly]

do everything in your power to stay in the US. ross should be your very last resort. try post baccalaureate programs if your GPA is low, and retake the mcat if you've taken it less than 3 times. when you absolutely run out of options is when you settle for ross.