Ross vs. other Caribbean schools

[gingerkid]

I was inquiring about Ross and someone said it's the Harvard of the Caribbean, is that true??? I applied in April for the September class. I also applied to SGU. Thanks everyone!

[Daniel]

I was inquiring about Ross and someone said it's the Harvard of the Caribbean, is that true??? I applied in April for the September class. I also applied to SGU. Thanks everyone!

Nope. Lets not insult Harvard.

Take it from a Ross alum...goto SGU if you can.

[gingerkid]

Why is that?

[Daniel]

Why is that?

My opinion of course...but SGU is a great option for those who couldnt get into US schools.

Ross is a great option for those who couldnt get into SGU.

All can grant the MD, but many people here have strong opinions with a myriad of reasonings. Do a search.

[RossMD2006]

There are like a hundred posts like this...do a search and READ. Geez, I think Ive read a hundred posts like this in the past four years!

This is another thread that is going to have like 50 posts just like the other hundred threads.

Someones got to make a post about Ross vs. other carribean schools and sticky it.

This thread is just going to get ugly like all te other threads on this topic. That's why im asking you do a search.

[Dru]

I have considered that, but the problem becomes when everyone gets their undies in a bundle and starts flaming each other.

[liqu0rleadstocha0s]

i hear SMU is the Yale of the caribbean...go to their forum they will all tell you that ;)

[ol' man]

Actually, Harvard is known as the "ROSS of the United States."

[onmyway]

I call Ross the "McDonalds" of medical schools. It is fast-food education...mass produced with bad, or marginally indifferent, service. But it will get the job done in a pinch.

[brob311]

I call Ross the "McDonalds" of medical schools. It is fast-food education...mass produced with bad, or marginally indifferent, service. But it will get the job done in a pinch.

-It will also send some home early from food poisoning

[swimguy23]

finally a ross versus every other caribbean school thread

I've never read one of these before :twisted:

[cavalletti]

I can understand your frustration over the frequency of these threads but they are very helpful to the newbie trying to make a choice. Researching older threads, although useful, won't necessarily give you the full picture due to changes in staff, policies, ownership, safety issues/concerns ect.

[liqu0rleadstocha0s]

...............................i hate editing

[cavalletti]

......and the sky is falling;)

[liqu0rleadstocha0s]

Omg Did You Know The World Is Round?!?!?

[swimguy23]

I can understand your frustration over the frequency of these threads but they are very helpful to the newbie trying to make a choice. Researching older threads, although useful, won't necessarily give you the full picture due to changes in staff, policies, ownership, safety issues/concerns ect.

and yet it still stands fact that

1.) people can not compare schools unless they have been to several
2.) the people who have been to several, the vast majority failed out of the first one thereby making them bitter
3.) its all opinion
4.) all responses you will receive are biased
5.) it would be better if people asked for strengths and weaknessed of schools, not comparing them
6.) these threads turn into pissing contests and whose daddy can beat up whose.

[bkpride]

and yet it still stands fact that

1.) people can not compare schools unless they have been to several
2.) the people who have been to several, the vast majority failed out of the first one thereby making them bitter
3.) its all opinion
4.) all responses you will receive are biased
5.) it would be better if people asked for strengths and weaknessed of schools, not comparing them
6.) these threads turn into pissing contests and whose daddy can beat up whose.


yo-if I could be doin Ross-anybody can.ANYONE.Just steer clear of the drama.Find a place to live away from lizard/babananana trail or pbh and when class be over-go home and away from it.MPS this and 99%failin dat-it all be nonsense.Dont let nobody fool you.If you doin bad-look at what you is doin and change it and not focus on what everyone else is doin.The above poster is right-the island is nothin compared to the fusterashun of clinicals and waitin 2 years fo ob/peds.

[don1]

I believe Ross, as well as other Caribbean medical schools, have the capacity to allow to to study to become a physician. I really only considered Ross, SABA, MUA, and SGU. I'm sure there are other that are just as good.

The one thing about Ross is the cost of education, it seems a bit high (similar to SGU), I'm just not sure that Ross is better than SABA, for example, to warrent the extra money. I would not say that Ross is worse than SABA; my opinion.

[phisigman03]

what is there to compare. Ross is not the same. Maybe the Old Ross is comparable but the new one since 2003 has been horrible. People can't see that until it is too late and they are already failing classes that they have worked their butts off. Going to class at Ross is like going to the zoo so many different kinds of exotic mammals. If you reallly want to go to med school and no one else in the world is accepting you then you can apply to Ross because they will take anyone for the right price.

[Neuro3]

is SGU accepted in all 50 states for residency and for liscensing?

[cavalletti]

is SGU accepted in all 50 states for residency and for liscensing?

Yes, SGU is accepted in all 50 states for residency and for liscensing?

[paligirl2001]

If you people think Ross is so horrible and is like a "zoo" why stay there? it's real annoying and discouraging reading negative things going into Ross from people who think that its nothing but a doctor producing factory therefore make it their mission to get the word out resulting in nothing but discouragment of future students. I appreciate your comments about the school and I do understand not everyone has had a smooth ride when it comes to clinicals (100% Ross's fault) but Jesus people comon......enough is enough. We have 4 years to go (newbies to the school) and seriously we'll deal with things as time goes by.

And I know not everyone thinks ROssU is deserving of reccomandations from previous alums/present alums but wow how can you hate something so much but remain in it for 4 years?

[cavalletti]

If you people think Ross is so horrible and is like a "zoo" why stay there? it's real annoying and discouraging reading negative things going into Ross from people who think that its nothing but a doctor producing factory therefore make it their mission to get the word out resulting in nothing but discouragment of future students. I appreciate your comments about the school and I do understand not everyone has had a smooth ride when it comes to clinicals (100% Ross's fault) but Jesus people comon......enough is enough. We have 4 years to go (newbies to the school) and seriously we'll deal with things as time goes by.

And I know not everyone thinks ROssU is deserving of reccomandations from previous alums/present alums but wow how can you hate something so much but remain in it for 4 years?

While I understand your discouragement, I believe that communicating the problem is the first step in finding a solution.

[paligirl2001]

I agree communication is a vital step in this career choice. And I'm hoping things don't get any worse in 2 years when I hit clinicals. I don't understand how Ross is doing nothing about providing more sites. I have emailed some recent alums, and current admin and they both said that the issue is being blown out of proportion. I am not stupid to just believe half of the story and I do believe that there is some if not lots of truth in what some people say about Ross, but as a newbie to the school I guess I would have loved to see more positive comments than negative ones.

[phisigman03]

are you even on the island? have you attended one class at Ross? Enjoy your first semester and then tell me if you come out all happy and positive like you are now. Take a look around NO ONE from Ross is happy and NO ONE graduated from Ross will tell you to go Ross instead of SGU or SABA. So do the math.

[jackbnimble]

and yet it still stands fact that
3.) its all opinion
4.) all responses you will receive are biased


If one were to limit posts on this board to those that could be objectively proven....the entire board could fit on one page.

My opinion---but then I am biased and apriori think my opinion has merit.

I do agree that were one to make a decision about school x vs. y based on responses to this list, then he/she is not really making an informed decision.

Jack

[liqu0rleadstocha0s]

there are a lot of thugs at Ross
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7123/thuglifenf2.th.jpg (http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=thuglifenf2.jpg)

thug life yo

[jwhiteys]

are you even on the island? have you attended one class at Ross? Enjoy your first semester and then tell me if you come out all happy and positive like you are now. Take a look around NO ONE from Ross is happy and NO ONE graduated from Ross will tell you to go Ross instead of SGU or SABA. So do the math.


I am new to this board, but I had to make a UserID just to comment on this thread.

Most of the people you will find here talking bad about ross are crybabies. This is because they allow more people in so more crybabies get in. I AM A FIRST SEMESTER STUDENT ON THE ISLAND and I satisfied with the education at ross so far. I'm not saying it's perfect here, but it is not this awful place that the above people are trying to make it out to be. The classes are a bit big, but it's not like you can't hear or see. The professors have always answered my questions.

The fact of the matter is that most people just want everything handed to them. "Throw this question out" and "they can't ask that" and "maybe they will curve" are common. Oh, and my favorite --> "What do we have to know???" You should have seen how popular the grievance rep was.

Truthfully, its not Harvard, but the education is fine, at least in 1st semester. That said, you will still constantly hear crying from people who want to blame everyone but themselves.

J

[phisigman03]

there are a lot of thugs at Ross
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7123/thuglifenf2.th.jpg (http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=thuglifenf2.jpg)

thug life yo


That is right yo enjoy failing biochem with yo hommies YO.

[phisigman03]

I am new to this board, but I had to make a UserID just to comment on this thread.

Most of the people you will find here talking bad about ross are crybabies. This is because they allow more people in so more crybabies get in. I AM A FIRST SEMESTER STUDENT ON THE ISLAND and I satisfied with the education at ross so far. I'm not saying it's perfect here, but it is not this awful place that the above people are trying to make it out to be. The classes are a bit big, but it's not like you can't hear or see. The professors have always answered my questions.

The fact of the matter is that most people just want everything handed to them. "Throw this question out" and "they can't ask that" and "maybe they will curve" are common. Oh, and my favorite --> "What do we have to know???" You should have seen how popular the grievance rep was.

Truthfully, its not Harvard, but the education is fine, at least in 1st semester. That said, you will still constantly hear crying from people who want to blame everyone but themselves.

J


Now I remember why I hate that school it is because none of the questions i got wrong were thrown out and maybe because all of my grieved questions were thrown out. A bit large for class size? 430 students for your semester compared to 130 or below in US is not what I considered a bit larger that is more than 3x the US class sizes. The professors answered your questions but were they able to tends to other students. There is nothing more I can say since we are all cry babies so enjoy having Dr. B as your anatomy prof. next semester. Come back and tell me how good they are to you and especially when shelf time hits and you found out that you know more about racoons and monkeys than you do about humans. The only class that had things handed to them is your class everyone else worked their behinds off to get straight As and yet they are considered cry babies by your standards. Smart people DUmb people they all hate Ross and hated the way they are being treated there. And before anyone jump to conclusion yes all of us are trying to transfer the heck out of there. trying and still trying.

[liqu0rleadstocha0s]

That is right yo enjoy failing biochem with yo hommies YO.

even bush has gone ghetto "yo"

YouTube - George Bush Vs. Kanye West (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIjAwTYRsYU)

[got milk?]

classroom education is not the problem.
it's the last 2 years where you'll see the doodoo.
unfortunately, many people don't inquire about the school's clinical phase.

sgu is the most organized school. however, it's more expensive. but you get what you pay for.

[gawtti]

im new to the Ross forum. so, by the previous posts, i take it that clinicals through Ross isnt worth the tuition fee? i'm trying to decide whether to transfer to Ross, SMU, or AUA for my clinicals. Currently, finishing up my basic sciences in Hungary.

I am a California resident. I do hope someday i can practice there. but, it is not a necessity. however, i do would like to attend a reputable school with a proven track record (minus SGU, too expensive for me).

[cavalletti]

classroom education is not the problem.
it's the last 2 years where you'll see the doodoo.
unfortunately, many people don't inquire about the school's clinical phase.

sgu is the most organized school. however, it's more expensive. but you get what you pay for.

Will the expected changes to the clinical department help?

I'm sorry to hear about the inadequacy of the clinical department. This must be very stressful.

[onmyway]

I had a long talk (after a long time on hold) with my clinical advisor recently about the clinical dep't. I have a good rapport with her and she spoke quite frankly about acknowledging the problems. Apparently they are working to overhaul how the whole process is done, add staff, and move toward the SGU model of regional clinical "centers" so that students do not have to do so much moving around. If that is to be believed, then I imagine things will get better in future.

Another thing that you don't often hear, but my advisor told me straight up, is that the better your Step 1 score, the more options for clinical placement you have and thus the easier it will be to get the schedule you want. Some clinical sites aren't keen on taking students with scores/grades below a certain level.

[DRJJ1]

harvard? bahahahahahahahaaaaa

[Daniel]

im new to the Ross forum. so, by the previous posts, i take it that clinicals through Ross isnt worth the tuition fee? i'm trying to decide whether to transfer to Ross, SMU, or AUA for my clinicals. Currently, finishing up my basic sciences in Hungary.

I am a California resident. I do hope someday i can practice there. but, it is not a necessity. however, i do would like to attend a reputable school with a proven track record (minus SGU, too expensive for me).

1) Yes, Ross clinical tuition is not worth it. Ross students often rotate alongside SABA and SMU students who are paying a fraction of Ross' cost. It is not like Ross offers superior customer service to warrant such drastic price differences.

2) SGU is NOT much more expensive than Ross in the clinical sciences. Ross tuition is currently $13,250 while SGU's is $17237....about $5,000 difference per semester. This may INITIALLY seem like a big difference but the gap DRASTICALLY narrows with incidentals. SGU students are able to do back-to-back cores and then apply for away rotations...often times living at/near home or places with free housing (esp. in the South). Meanwhile, Ross students end up paying extra for rent here and there...for weeks/months in which they have to sit out because Ross could not provide needed rotations. Rent in NYC is especially tough when you are paying $1000+/month and you have multiple 3 week schedule gaps waiting for Peds/Ob. Many students also had to move around to get things done in a timely manner and that too...costs money. New apartment, new security, moving expenses. When you know you are at a clinical center (like SGU), you can sign a years lease and have a break in the rent. Many of the month-to-month leases that many Ross students sign really adds up.

Over 4 years, my SGU colleagues are only in debt $28K more than me....which translates to about 1-2 months of an attending's paycheck.

So it begs the question, would you be willing to give up 1 paycheck if you could be guaranteed better/faster/timely clinical placement and education with better service? I think it is worth it.

3) Unfortunately, I dont think SGU takes many transfers...if any at all...into clinicals. Since you are a California resident...I hate to say it, but of your 3 choices...Ross, with all its faults, is still the best choice in your case.

[rokshana]

.

2) ..often times living at/near home or places with free housing (esp. in the South).

PLEASE tell me where!! because, unless you consider Baltimore South, we do not have any affliated hospitals there.

3) Unfortunately, I dont think SGU takes many transfers...if any at all...into clinicals. Since you are a California resident...I hate to say it, but of your 3 choices...Ross, with all its faults, is still the best choice in your case.

you would be correct- sgu takes NO transfers - you would have to start over. One of the reasons sgu takes no transfers is becasue of cali- you need to have ALL medical school credits from a cali approved school to get licensed in cali- so transferring from a non cali approved school to graduate from acali approved school will not get you the chance too get licensed in cali.

[gawtti]

thanks so much to everyone who replied to my post! ive read that ross is trying to change their system to what sgu uses (ie having regional centres). is this in the near future?

[Daniel]

PLEASE tell me where!! because, unless you consider Baltimore South, we do not have any affliated hospitals there.



you would be correct- sgu takes NO transfers - you would have to start over. One of the reasons sgu takes no transfers is becasue of cali- you need to have ALL medical school credits from a cali approved school to get licensed in cali- so transferring from a non cali approved school to graduate from acali approved school will not get you the chance too get licensed in cali.

I believe SGU students can do something like 12 weeks outside affiliated hospitals? Look into AHEC in Georgia. It is currently a Ross site with FM and SM. 8 weeks of free housing and food...7 days a week, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Doesnt SGU affiliated sites in MI also have some hospitals with student housing? There are sites in NC.

[rokshana]

I believe SGU students can do something like 12 weeks outside affiliated hospitals? Look into AHEC in Georgia. It is currently a Ross site with FM and SM. 8 weeks of free housing and food...7 days a week, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Doesnt SGU affiliated sites in MI also have some hospitals with student housing? There are sites in NC.

LOL! not often someone stumps me but what is SM(no comments from the peanut gallery)? Nice that there is free housing...will check into that- thanks!!

I wish!! Trying to get some unaffliated rotations in NC, but as far as i know- no NC affliates.

Yes there is St. John's and St. Joesph's in mich, but -not south!! St. Johns is new fro us, but heard its good for teaching. Nice for all the midwesterners though!

[scorpion4lif]

Hi,
I need some help in deciding between SMU and Ross. I am originally from California, so this is why its tough. Practicing in Cali would be nice, family lives there, and would be convenient, but def. not a necessity. Ross has great clinical rotation and residency spots in California. SMU has an amazing campus on a thrivingly bueatiful island and makes the whole educational journey enjoyable and comfortbale. However, Ross is the opposite. Ross is very 3rd world and the facility is not nearly as nice! Also another thing about Ross is, if you have difficulty adapting to the different living style and cant keep up with the intense course load you pretty much get dropped. I know ultimately its up to the students hard work and discipline, but doesnt educational environment matter at all? Please let me know if theres any other important deciding information, and any input. Thanks

[Pokerslut]

I will be starting at SMU this May, but will have many friends that will start at Ross also in May. They can give me an honest opinion (hopefully) and I can do the same thing. Just drop me a line a month or so into the semester.

I can vouch with personal experiences with Ross administration-- that they can be unprofessional and downright lie to your face. Just the honest truth based on facts and not interpretations.

[timmy123]

oh gingerkid,

you crack me up...

[Daniel]

LOL! not often someone stumps me but what is SM(no comments from the peanut gallery)? Nice that there is free housing...will check into that- thanks!!

I wish!! Trying to get some unaffliated rotations in NC, but as far as i know- no NC affliates.

Yes there is St. John's and St. Joesph's in mich, but -not south!! St. Johns is new fro us, but heard its good for teaching. Nice for all the midwesterners though!

FM=Family Medicine
SM=Sports Medicine

[jackbnimble]

Doesnt SGU affiliated sites in MI also have some hospitals with student housing?

Rokshana is usually my geography "go to" person, but I don't think Michigan is in the south?

Jack

[LMS400]

Timmy...are you at ROSS or SGU????

[summerwind]

classroom education is not the problem.
it's the last 2 years where you'll see the doodoo.
unfortunately, many people don't inquire about the school's clinical phase.

sgu is the most organized school. however, it's more expensive. but you get what you pay for.

Scorpion41, consider got milk's post. There are some good threads that discuss the success or failure of different clinical programs.