It's not worth it!!!

[caribbeanschoolsuck]

For those of you that are city folks...don't come to the caribbean for school! Study hard for the MCAT and try to get into a North American or European school! I'm at Saba and regret it very much. I hate it here. There in NOTHING here for people who like city-life. You get depressed. The school just wants money and really doesn't do anything for their students. at least open up a coffee cart or something. Come on...we're in medical school and we need to study!!!!!

Go and study for the MCAT. Even a DO school would be better. Just my 2 cents.

peace.

[islandhopper]

Staying in U.S. is what most of us want, but sometimes life doesn't turn out the way we plan.

Thank God that there are Caribbean schools for those who are unable to get in U.S. I don't know about you, but I am very grateful for the opportunity we are given here.

[stephew]

perhaps you didnt pick a school right for you. but more likely you'll adjust after a bit of time. good luck.

[lekker]

Staying in U.S. is what most of us want, but sometimes life doesn't turn out the way we plan.

Thank God that there are Caribbean schools for those who are unable to get in U.S. I don't know about you, but I am very grateful for the opportunity we are given here.

I concur. (Yup, I know you live for my approval :p!)
I think that most, if not all, of us have already tried for North American schools (or wherever we are from) but, for one reason or another (which may or may not be related to MCAT or GPA, since there are several people at SABA with MCAT scores that would make most American schools blush), did not get in where we wanted. If you want out, then leave - it's as simple as that. Just please don't make it any more difficult than it already is for the rest of us here. None of us are used to life on Saba, so we all have to adapt. It just depends on what your dream(s) is and how badly you want it. Additionally, many of us want to go back to North America with decent placements - another challenge in itself.

Also, in the interviews, they really want to make sure that you know what you are getting into; a good portion of most interviews involves the adcom asking you what you know about the island and then discussing it with you!

Ultimately, it is your responsibility (not to mention just plain old common sense) to find out about a school and the surrounding area before you attend or even apply. (Would you ever move to a new country that you knew absolutely nothing about?) No one makes the island out to be a party place, so I really don't know how you got that idea.

In general, people do not choose to attend SUSoM for its nightlife:bored:...Personally, I find that to be about as logical as choosing a medical school based on the existence of (alleged?:twisted:) sex tapes or on the number of goats around :roll:...Unlike undergrad, (most) people go to medical school (1) to work their a$$ off and (2) to get a good education so that they have a chance to do what they want to do.

Deciding to go to medical school was the easy choice...deciding to stay in and following through is the challenge we face every day. I wish you the best of luck in making your decision.

[teratos]

It was well worth it for me.....

[stephew]

me as well.

[darkmansaad]

dude i lived in new york city for like 8 years.......saba is not that bad...if anything its boring but ur only here for a year and a half which is nothing. believe it or not worse things have happened than someone getting into medical school in a quiet place they dont like......

[stephew]

im a ny'er too and i was on grenada. i think this is just a matter of someone not adequately prepared for what it means to do this offshore med school things. it happens; with these boards, less now than in the past.

[Queensstudent]

for some people its the only way to fulfill a dream. If your greatest complain is lack of social life and partying, then I suggest you get your priorities straight. I've heard Saba a) does a good job teaching the material to students b) has an exceptional USMLE pass rate and c) has a great residency matches. For me thats all I need to hear.

[billydoc]

O.P, I hate to rain on your parade, but Thank G-d for the Carib schools. Older ppl like me even with quite a few years under the belt in other health care career are also "step children" for the North American schools. So it's not only MCAT. But what's really more interesting that you've made one post, and your user name pretty much says it all. But we've seen a lot of "displacement" on these fora for some time. Ppl who are doing alright academically rarely come here to complain. Thus the question for you, not for this forum....Have you failed any classes at SABA? Be honest with yourself. You don't have to answer it in publc, T.G. I know SABA island is not what you would call your premier vacation spot, but it's agreat school, no doubt. They've turned some excellent graduates in the past few years, and are only setting the bar ever higher. Look, I hope it works out for you, but I find it hard to believe that anyone considering SABA, or any other Carib island for that matter would not inquire before hand about the island life. And even if's it bad, it's only for 20 months....(again) if you're passing all of your classes.

Good Luck

[finishingfifth]

When I was initially rejected from US schools and making the tough DO vs. IMG decision I was really scared. Then I went to AUC, had a great time on a fantastic island while learning a lot. Now after a year of clinicals, I am rotating side by side with students from the very same american med schools that rejected me. I honestly feel that I am up to par with these guys. The islands have their drawbacks, but I would trade my old place on the beach in SXM for my studio in brooklyn any day! My advice, man up, study hard, become an M.D.

[DRDRWMD]

It is a really good idea to visit Saba prior to attending. I think of it like living in a tiny town surrounded by water where one can not get away too often. If one wants a place with minimal distraction, Saba is a great choice. If one needs a daily dose of McDonalds, Dominoes Pizza or KFC, then a larger island (AUC) might be a better fit. Both schools are good; however, they are on very different islands.

[dt]

perhaps you didnt pick a school right for you. but more likely you'll adjust after a bit of time. good luck.

maybe try CMU. I hear their water is good.

[DRDRWMD]

maybe try CMU. I hear their water is good.Can water get any better than a Saban cistern placed strategically next to the buried ancestral Sabans in the backyard? Maybe that is the secret behind the CMU water, grandma had high doses of radiation before finally expiring from cancer.

[JeebusLives]

yea the school does nothing for the students....except giving you the chance to be a doctor after being rejected from every other school. lolz!

but seriously if you have depression issues you should probably seek out the school psychologist.

turn that frown upside down. :D

[Schiffbase]

Directions for feeling better about being at Saba:
-Enter the Freddy M Johnson Library building.
-Turn left.
-To your left is a door leading to a staircase.
-Turn left as you enter the second floor [I think, not completely sure].

It'll take you to the offices of two people who want to help you feel better about being here.

[gianefiasco]

Can water get any better than a Saban cistern placed strategically next to the buried ancestral Sabans in the backyard? Maybe that is the secret behind the CMU water, grandma had high doses of radiation before finally expiring from cancer.

AHHAHAHAHAH


Saba is a second chance. OBVIOUSLY you should try to go North American first ( I ho e this is obvious). BUT for those of us who have tried and failed that route , thank god paces like SABA are around to give us second chance.

PS If your depressed its not the island, its you.

[krust3]

man i get such a kick outta these threads. Good thing it's written cause all i'm hearin' is "blah, blah, blah, blah".
listen dude, every single person here is used to the conveniences of urban living- or at least the north american lifestyle. Everyone makes the transition- hell I came here from LA. If the saba lifestyle is really that big of an issue then i guess that's your bad since you didn't seem to think you needed to check the caribbean Starbucks locations before coming here. Embrace the experience of it all dude. get outside, take advantage of the chance you have to be here- not to mention your chance to be in a good medical school. w
save these types of complaints and the "it's too much information in too short a period of time to learn it"

[JeebusLives]

your momma.

O Snap! He Said Your Momma!

[gianefiasco]

O Snap! He Said Your Momma!


haha nicer use of quotes. How/why did krust3 get an infraction?

[stephew]

stay on topic please.

[stephew]

stay on topic of the original poster please.

[Botox]

Don't worry, I will stay on topic.

Original poster is a bot. Poorly programmed as well. No validity to what it says. No reasoning. No feelings. Can't cry either.

I'm spent.

post scriptum: lekker is a bad boy. Thank you.

[stateofequilibrium]

It's understandable. If you were raised in a big city all your life, going to a place like Saba to LIVE and STUDY (not vacation) is a drastic lifestyle change and not for everyone, so I can't judge the person and say they're failing or whatnot. It CAN be difficult. Even those of us that were on St. Martin had a hard time of it.

[warmfront]

Anatomy is set up to scare people off. It separates the people who really want to be MDs from those who don't. I am no longer on the island, because I was accepted into a US school. However, I am grateful for the opportunity that SABA gave me. Make the most of it. Continue to study hard and become a great doctor.

[stephew]

It's understandable. If you were raised in a big city all your life, going to a place like Saba to LIVE and STUDY (not vacation) is a drastic lifestyle change and not for everyone, so I can't judge the person and say they're failing or whatnot. It CAN be difficult. Even those of us that were on St. Martin had a hard time of it.

SOC is correct. i go back o greanda to teach and its much more enjoyable than being there to live to study.

[morefunmd]

Don't worry, I will stay on topic.

Original poster is a bot. Poorly programmed as well. No validity to what it says. No reasoning. No feelings. Can't cry either.

I'm spent.

post scriptum: lekker is a bad boy. Thank you.

I agrree with the original poster...SABA sucks and there is nothing else to do. Is it worthed?

Depends on you buddy. Some came all the way from Canada :cry: and some came from even farther away like Nevis to attend this school. It must have been important to be in med school for them. Nobody is forced to be here...we all make mistakes in our choices, but eventually look at what you want in life..everybody is not cut to be a doctor. may be you are not, i personally have second guessed my decision many times...write me back to talk about.

Botox, i know you are a girl, but how do you know lekker is a boy?

[Botox]

How do I know lekker is a "boy" asks "caribbeanschoolsuck"

I know him personally "buddy".

I'm sure future medical doctors of the world take comments like its with less then a grain of salt.

Neither reasons nor presents concrete consolidated valid cases in points.

I'm spent.

[morefunmd]

How do I know lekker is a "boy" asks "caribbeanschoolsuck"

I know him personally "buddy".

You are officially a waste of much needed computer parts morefunmd.

Intangible objects such as caribbeanschoolsuck and morefunmd truly taint this forum.
I'm sure future medical doctors of the world take comments like its with less then a grain of salt. Once again proof that we have a bot problem.

Neither reasons nor presents concrete consolidated valid cases in points.

I'm spent.
Sugar coated messages how the Caribbean schools are this good or that great or whatever...the truth is there. Otherwise, if anybody really scored >32-34 on your MCATs, with a great GPA i.e. 3.95-4.00, and if s/he had nothing bad in the past i.e. failing, being expelled from another med school etc, they would not be here…they wouldn’t be denied chances in non-Caribbean schools. PERIOD.

Does that mean, we all pack and go? NO! again…we all make choices…if you don’t want to hear others’ opinion and vents, don’t log on VMD obsessively and read all the ** written by others.

On the other hand I understand botox’s defense mechanism….thank you very much, I go to med school and I’ve taken Psych 101…
--------------------------------------------------

yes, if I were in a better medical school, I would have attended a journal club probably right now to expand my knowledge in science and medicine in a more productive way, or may attend a clinic to interact with some patients to get used to the people so that I’d learn to relate to them in more sensitive ways, that we, humans have differences in our needs, wishes, wants, or attend an event, meet some people, eat a fine dinner, see a film in a movie theater….instead of answering botox.

Also if somebody asks you an innocent question such as "how do you know such and such is a boy?" , and if you failed to get the joke, sarcasm, or silliness of it,--------so be it…...

I still agree that if people don’t like SABA, either the Island or the school or both, they should be able to state it in this forum, and even Dr. F would agree on this one… If that rubs you the wrong way, may be you need to change your thinking...

If you don’t cry, nobody hears you.

Now, I will stop whining about it like a little girl. But do I have to really put on man pants? Can it be a mini skirt?;)

[stephew]

ok children. go reread the terms of service that you agreed to. once done edit your posts to comply. warnings will be given out to users who dont. no further heads up on the matter. if you cant post like a professional, dont post.

[Tellingitlikeitis]

my advice is, if this is your last chance to become a doctor, than saba is right for you. Dont let people sugar coat reality here for you though. Life here is hard, the school unfriendly, the locals nasty, and the teachers ( many of them), incompetent. sorry, but thats my opinion. I wish that there had been more people before I came to this island who would have said things llike they really are, and not its so pretty, blah blah its wonderful nothing wrong. And please, nobody else say if you dont like it than you should leave. Everybody is entitiled to express their take on life here.
Aint cognitive dissonance grand?

[Botox]

I am sorry to all.
I was prudish.
You are all great people.

I will not interfere with the evolution of our school and the great mature people who matriculate here.

[darkmansaad]

my advice is, if this is your last chance to become a doctor, than saba is right for you.

dude you are HILARIOUS. i dont think a single person thought "man i need to study hard in undergrad so i can ace my mcats.....AND COME TO SABA!" im sure some people didnt apply anywhere else and are overall happy they came here, but i really dont think Saba was the first thing in anyones mind when they decided to become doctors. so yes, i think once you factor that genius fact in you realize that saba is right for everyone here who couldnt get into a us/canadian/country of origin medical school.

and if you really did want to come saba all along no offense but i really dont think theres anyone out there that did that

[JeebusLives]

and if you really did want to come saba all along no offense but i really dont think theres anyone out there that did that

That is what i did and i am offended. :evil:

:)

Seriously tho i really have no idea what people are complaining about. If you really cant live without your fancy disco clubs, fast food, bright lights and movie theaters for just 18 months while trying to fullfill your "dream" then i think theres more wrong with you than the island.

Life here is hard, the school unfriendly, the locals nasty, and the teachers ( many of them), incompetent. sorry, but thats my opinion.

School has been nothing but friendly to me in my limited experience interacting with it.

If you think the locals here are nasty please come meet the locals back where im from in NY.

While i might not like the teaching style of some of the professors i do think they are all competent. They know their fields well enough to teach it to us. But a few (not many) do act like.... well words i cant say here without a warning from steph. :)

[morefunmd]

[quote=Botox;618661]I am sorry to all.
I was prudish.
You are all great people.

I will not interfere with the evolution of our school and the great mature people who matriculate here.


No, No, No...it is not you, butox...it is me, belive me...no need to feel sorry at all for the things that you wrote, really... you are right. I'd have done exactly what you did...I am really sorry...

<<<I will not interfere with the evolution of our school and the great mature people who matriculate here.>>>>

But, I have to commend on this one: Dude! What puts you on that position not to interfere with the evolution of the school? and who said that we are all mature? I can give you at least dozen names that we are not, btox....