Caribbean Medical University?

[californiamd]

Anyone know the real deal with this school?
Is it accredited?

[rokshana]

Anyone know the real deal with this school?
Is it accredited?

define accrediation? the truth of the matter is - for the accrediation we all want (LCME) - none of us are. The questions to ask, esp. with a new school, are

is there a charter issued from the country the school is located to be able to establish and operate a medical school (this has happened before and can lead to dire consequenses- look over to the st chris's forum for more enlightenment)?

are they listed with IMED, WHO, FAIMER? all of these are minimal and quite easy to get for a school properly chartered(and even those tht aren't) and won't tell you too much, but this will at least allow you to be certified by ECFMG to sit for your Steps. Without the ability to sit for the steps- you CANNOT practice in the US, period.

what does the curriculum look like- does it follow a flow similar to US schools? Do they emphasize USMLE relevant material? Who s doing the teaching? Those educators trained to teach or just someone with an MD. For basic sciences, esp 1st year, Ph.Ds or MDs involved in academic teaching are muc better teachers than just someone who has an MD(just cause you take a class, doesn't mean you can teach it).Without a strong background in the basics, getting a good score (or even passing) on the USMLE will be difficult at best.

how are clinical rotations set up? where are they set up? are they in hospitals with ACGME accrediated residency programs? or are you at a AOA (DO) program or just following a physican around in his office or hospital? There are many states where not having ACGME clinical cores will keep you from EVER being licensed in that state (Pa is the strictest about this- I have heard anywhere from 72 weeks to ALL rotations- core and electives- having to be ACGME rotations.

there are other things that you can look at- class size, island location, amenities, teaching facilities, education support systems (such as tutors, and so forth), but these things (or the lack thereof) will not IMPEDE you ability to get a residency or being able to practice in the US- lacking any of the above could keep you from doing so.

[stephew]

rok provides the salient points. nice post.

[stephew]

id add can you get licensed in the state of your choosing from the school
.

[gawtti]

Anyone know the real deal with this school?
Is it accredited?

apparently classes barely started early this month. i think the school admin brought this on themselves. they should've done a better job of dotting their i's and crossing their t's. it seems that, whether intentionally or not, they are misleading their students quite a bit (ie. the PA issue). hopefully, a competent school official can clear the air. it seems the facilities are much more advanced than MOST of the other established schools in the carribean. i personally think that the school has potential but ONLY if the school admin are honest and up front!

the accreditation issue is still not clear.:cool:

[MYMD]

There is only one Body that Accredits Foreign schools, ACCM.
The rest is Charter and listing. That is why medical students here commenting on these things are misleading many times. ACCM is the only body who accredits SGU, AUC, SABA, and ROSS as far as I know, NO US BODY ACCREDITS THESE SCHOOLS.

The school has the charter per the paperwork I saw, Has the WHO letter for listing per what I saw, as far as I MED I did not see anything as f yet.

I like facts not assumptions and I have had to read many assumptions on this forum. SInce the school has 0 in clinicals then I would wait to see what clinicals will be set up, this is the 1st semester for this school.

[rokshana]

NO US BODY ACCREDITS THESE SCHOOLSl.

funny isn't that what i just said?

define accrediation? the truth of the matter is - for the accrediation we all want (LCME) - none of us are.
.

[rlewkowski]

Very good point.

[stephew]

the issue of accrediation is still important. you cant dismiss it by saying no one offshore is lcme approved. there is still the issue of what states you can practice in. of who and famir standing. its bad faith to rely on the ignorence of theapplicants on these issues.

[handsomeroses100]

this school has come to stay.no one can stop it.guys go read and leave this school to survive.what is all this bad things you guys keep saying.this school is only 1 month old.common guys

[MYMD]

funny isn't that what i just said?
So........ If they have a charter and the listings then why beat this horse to death?........ I fail to see the point except to harass.

But people want want want, what? Something the school can't do in 30 or 90 days? SHould you not give them time to get the approvals?
I'm not defending this school just wondering why it is so important to make the school "Jump"

[AUCMD2006]

So........ If they have a charter and the listings then why beat this horse to death?........ I fail to see the point except to harass.

But people want want want, what? Something the school can't do in 30 or 90 days? SHould you not give them time to get the approvals?
I'm not defending this school just wondering why it is so important to make the school "Jump"


what is funny is that i often wonder why don't these schools just wait to be listed officially before taking students in? before taking in students is the perfect time to get the bare bones essentials of getting listed in what is no more than the phone book that is imed

[MYMD]

what is funny is that i often wonder why don't these schools just wait to be listed officially before taking students in? before taking in students is the perfect time to get the bare bones essentials of getting listed in what is no more than the phone book that is imed

of course you have a point, but if the school is legit and has the listing paperwork submitted then what does it matter if they start admitting students today or 2 months from now? I'm not sure the school thinks it's a big deal and should the school have to wait for IMED to get around to the internet update? If IMED has the paperwork then it is only time if the school is legit that is.

IMED does not update the list everyday

Lord knows WHO has done everything it can to stall updates to the all important list.

[stephew]

this school has come to stay.no one can stop it.guys go read and leave this school to survive.what is all this bad things you guys keep saying.this school is only 1 month old.common guys

boy are you missing the point

[stephew]

you may not "advertise" for another thread. ONE post per topic. thank you.

[rokshana]

So........ If they have a charter and the listings then why beat this horse to death?........ I fail to see the point except to harass.

But people want want want, what? Something the school can't do in 30 or 90 days? SHould you not give them time to get the approvals?
I'm not defending this school just wondering why it is so important to make the school "Jump"


that's just IT!!! they DON"T - or at least haven't shown any evidence of it.

And they have started classes!!! Do you NOT get it???? These people, who have put their trust in this school -WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SIT FOR THE USMLEs-EVER!!! because they started before the school got the necessary recognition from the appropriate bodies. It is NOT retroactive. So,yes, the school needs to jump!

[MYMD]

that's just IT!!! they DON"T - or at least haven't shown any evidence of it.

And they have started classes!!! Do you NOT get it???? These people, who have put their trust in this school -WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SIT FOR THE USMLEs-EVER!!! because they started before the school got the necessary recognition from the appropriate bodies. It is NOT retroactive. So,yes, the school needs to jump!

look I do not go to CMU but I did see the charter on Bonaire before Dr. JP left. So as far as that goes I know something like that exist ( I'm not an expert in these things) , once the IMED is updated we will see, I have to ask this though, does every school have to post the charter on the schools web site to satisfy everyone? Just Curious.

As far as concern yes there should be some but how do you verify all these things? Call IMED and ask if CMU has the paperwork in?

[rokshana]

look I do not go to CMU but I did see the charter on Bonaire before Dr. JP left. So as far as that goes I know something like that exist ( I'm not an expert in these things) , once the IMED is updated we will see, I have to ask this though, does every school have to post the charter on the schools web site to satisfy everyone? Just Curious.

well, when the school posts on their website that they already HAVE WHO, IMED, FAIMER listing, then turn around and say that well, the paperwork is fiiled and we should have it by the end of may...uh, no by the end of june, uhhhh, well they are updating the database... i take what they say with a grain of salt (ok, a lump of salt...) and need to see proof....

and YES you do- in fact - believe it was asked by someone and FAIMER (and therefore IMED) had no knowledge of any paperwork, so.....(boulder of salt...)

[rlewkowski]

that's just IT!!! they DON"T - or at least haven't shown any evidence of it.

And they have started classes!!! Do you NOT get it???? These people, who have put their trust in this school -WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SIT FOR THE USMLEs-EVER!!! because they started before the school got the necessary recognition from the appropriate bodies. It is NOT retroactive. So,yes, the school needs to jump!

Ms. Rokshana
Please stop posting incorrect information and do more research on the topic, you are commenting.
IMED and WHO are just DIRECTORIES OF MEDICAL SCHOOLS and licensing or taking USMLE requires a school to be listed in them and doesn’t matter when the school was added. THE DATE WHEN A SCHOOL WAS ESTABLISHED MATTERS and CMU WAS ESTABLISHED IN MARCH 20007!!!!!

[teratos]

Ms. Rokshana
Please stop posting incorrect information and do more research on the topic, you are commenting.
IMED and WHO are just DIRECTORIES OF MEDICAL SCHOOLS and licensing or taking USMLE requires a school to be listed in them and doesn’t matter when the school was added. THE DATE WHEN A SCHOOL WAS ESTABLISHED MATTERS and CMU WAS ESTABLISHED IN MARCH 20007!!!!!

No, that isn't correct. I would dredge up the St. Christopher's name again. I the school was established about a year or so before it was listed. There was a big controversy about this, you can probably look it up here if you are so inclined. If you attend a school for a time before it is listed, then that time will not count. Of course, if the charter stuff is all taken care of, and it is just taking time for WHO or IMED to put it on their websites, that is another matter entirely. G

[rokshana]

Ms. Rokshana
Please stop posting incorrect information and do more research on the topic, you are commenting.
IMED and WHO are just DIRECTORIES OF MEDICAL SCHOOLS and licensing or taking USMLE requires a school to be listed in them and doesn’t matter when the school was added. THE DATE WHEN A SCHOOL WAS ESTABLISHED MATTERS and CMU WAS ESTABLISHED IN MARCH 20007!!!!!

I would ask the same as you. Yes there is always the chance that I am incorrect- special circumstances can always happen- i mean Saba got retroactive Cali approval and there was a sgu acceptee that sucessfully deferred entrance for a term (both things which as far as I know are not the norm), but both are examples of EXCEPTIONS to the rule- not the norm.

I however am NOT an offical of a school - people will automatically take what i say with a grain of salt.

YOU however are an offical of CMU- what you say will be taken with authority as truth. But you have repeatedly shown that this should not be the case. You have been at best evasive and political with many of your answers to at worst blantantly untruthful.

As I said before - your own (abeit pirated) website states that your school HAS WHO, IMED, FAIMER recognition- but you have stated here that you don't - that you are in the PROCESS of filing- though an email from FAIMER that a poster showed here that they have received NO such paperwork and I have posted FAIMERs listings of schols recognized in the Netherland Antillies- yours is NOT one of them.

Time will obviously show who is correct- I hope, for the sake of those few souls at your school that you are...(but i'm not holding my breath...)

[footdoc]

Why do you dislike this school so much? If you are a student at another medical school then why do you care what another school does. I would think you would be studying.

[Scott1981]

why is it when people (not only the above post) dont like what a poster says on vmd, they tell him/her to "go study."? :roll:

i was told to do so in the past as well.

how much time it takes during my day to make the few posts that i do? well maybe about 2-5 minutes to read the thread and another few minutes to reply. then just a few more minutes to read responses. not really a deal breaker for "studying" throughout the day.

[footdoc]

I feel as many others do that we are tired of people constantly ranting about schools that they dont attend.
I said go study because I feel that you probably have more important things to do than attacking new schools.
If anyone is interested in any new school they should see the school in person, talk to students and faculty .

[shayloure]

Speaking of which, where are the students from this school? Are none of them on here?

[stephew]

I feel as many others do that we are tired of people constantly ranting about schools that they dont attend.
I said go study because I feel that you probably have more important things to do than attacking new schools.
If anyone is interested in any new school they should see the school in person, talk to students and faculty .
i think vmd shows why talking to people invested in the school may not be sufficient.

[MYMD]

well, when the school posts on their website that they already HAVE WHO, IMED, FAIMER listing, then turn around and say that well, the paperwork is fiiled and we should have it by the end of may...uh, no by the end of june, uhhhh, well they are updating the database... i take what they say with a grain of salt (ok, a lump of salt...) and need to see proof....

and YES you do- in fact - believe it was asked by someone and FAIMER (and therefore IMED) had no knowledge of any paperwork, so.....(boulder of salt...)

OK so IMED said there was no paperwork filed for the listing? Thats interesting

I understand the big question here is the truth being told.

I will now stay out of it I have posted what I know, now it is for others to tell what they know is true.:rolleyes:

[AUCMD2006]

No, that isn't correct. I would dredge up the St. Christopher's name again. I the school was established about a year or so before it was listed. There was a big controversy about this, you can probably look it up here if you are so inclined. If you attend a school for a time before it is listed, then that time will not count. Of course, if the charter stuff is all taken care of, and it is just taking time for WHO or IMED to put it on their websites, that is another matter entirely. G


you forgot to mention that even before st christopher's college of medicinewent without listingt for a year and left those studends screwed it operaded for almost 2 years as st christopher's school of medicine without a listing and finally went bankrupt and re-opened as "school" of medicine while it shopped for a charter....

so you see mr RL there is ample precendent for schools opening and having students attend with no viable way to take the usmle. that is why there are so many questions around new schools

and footdoc,

ever wonder that many of us that waste alot of time on VMD the last few months are actually done with med school and waiting for july 1st? i am sure that after that time many users vmd time will be cut shorter and schools can be once again free to lie as much as they want

[Genossa maximillian]

While everyone is distracted tearing this school like tissue paper another one went under the radar and opened in another Island. St. Kitts.



Medical International Learning Institute at st. Kitts - Helping those who are in need (http://www.milikmed.org/)

[Sree Cheruku]

Medical International Learning Institute at St. Kitts (MILIK), is a school founded by Dr. Milik, my DPS professor at AUA. He's a great clinician but I doubt he has the experience to run a medical school. The school started in April 2005 actually but I thought it had closed down by now. He lists AUA's faculty as his own including our president as his "Professor of Jurisprudence." At least the website doesn't plagiarize..

[rokshana]

Why do you dislike this school so much? If you are a student at another medical school then why do you care what another school does. I would think you would be studying.


1st i don't dislike the school- never been there so can't say that i like or dislike.

I however am very wary of this school, not just cause its new- there are plenty of new schools- can't throw a dead cat in the caribbean without hitting a new school- but because they have not been up front and truthful.

as for me studying, i am for one, a 4th year on an elective, so the amount of studying has drastically dropped, and another am a capable enough student that I can actually post on vmd, pass my steps with scores above the US mean (on the 1st try), and go through sgu without decelling- its called multitasking (and its a good ability to have as a doc).

so stop telling me how i should be managing my medical school career...

[Genossa maximillian]

Thanks for the info, it seems they got their IMED listing recently though.


Medical International Learning Institute at St. Kitts (MILIK), is a school founded by Dr. Milik, my DPS professor at AUA. He's a great clinician but I doubt he has the experience to run a medical school. The school started in April 2005 actually but I thought it had closed down by now. He lists AUA's faculty as his own including our president as his "Professor of Jurisprudence." At least the website doesn't plagiarize..

[Silenthunder]

Thanks for the info, it seems they got their IMED listing recently though.

when I ilooked at the webpage the first time I honestly thought it said 'milk university' :)

[teratos]

While everyone is distracted tearing this school like tissue paper another one went under the radar and opened in another Island. St. Kitts.



Medical International Learning Institute at st. Kitts - Helping those who are in need (http://www.milikmed.org/)

They didn't attack the forum with publicity......in fact, I haven't seen any posts about this school that I remember.

When you suddenly have an onslaught of sunny posts, flashy videos, raving reviews, you have to expect attention. Unfortunately, that attention turned up a plagiarized website, and no evidence if IMED/WHO listing (meaning students can't take the boards). Sure, IMED may be slow in updating their website, but it is still concerning. I, for one, and interested in seeing that no prospective students get screwed. I have seen a lot of it over the years, and it annoys me.

[Silenthunder]

They didn't attack the forum with publicity......in fact, I haven't seen any posts about this school that I remember.

When you suddenly have an onslaught of sunny posts, flashy videos, raving reviews, you have to expect attention. Unfortunately, that attention turned up a plagiarized website, and no evidence if IMED/WHO listing (meaning students can't take the boards). Sure, IMED may be slow in updating their website, but it is still concerning. I, for one, and interested in seeing that no prospective students get screwed. I have seen a lot of it over the years, and it annoys me.

I think this post was one of the most concise statements of WHY everyone is putting CMU under the microscope.

there will be arguments that 'every school' goes through these growing pains. but the plagiarised web page, followed by the IMED/WHO/MCC false claims, as well as the questionable green ACGME accredited clinicals all point to some ethical issues going on with admin at cmu.

Cheers,
Silenthunder

[MYMD]

They didn't attack the forum with publicity......in fact, I haven't seen any posts about this school that I remember.

When you suddenly have an onslaught of sunny posts, flashy videos, raving reviews, you have to expect attention. Unfortunately, that attention turned up a plagiarized website, and no evidence if IMED/WHO listing (meaning students can't take the boards). Sure, IMED may be slow in updating their website, but it is still concerning. I, for one, and interested in seeing that no prospective students get screwed. I have seen a lot of it over the years, and it annoys me.

I agree with you, I think everything should be questioned but there is a level of Harassment on these threads too IMO.

On the other hand prospective students should check out everything and make sure it passes the "Smell Test".:rolleyes:

[teratos]

I agree with you, I think everything should be questioned but there is a level of Harassment on these threads too IMO.

On the other hand prospective students should check out everything and make sure it passes the "Smell Test".:rolleyes:

I agree that it has been "too much" at times. We try not to censor the site, and if the posts don't violate the terms of use of the site, they are allowed to stand.

[MYMD]

I agree that it has been "too much" at times. We try not to censor the site, and if the posts don't violate the terms of use of the site, they are allowed to stand.
Yes censorship is the worse thing that could happen, it's hard to post at times in these threads though.

Too much emotion and not enough facts sometimes.
I think the bottom line is that most students who end up going to a school like this have one reason or another they cannot or will not attend one of the Big 4 in the Caribbean. The choices at this level are limited and all the schools have good and bad things.

I still see it as:
Charter
IMED
WHO
Students passed USMLE
and in residency or Licensed

at this level.

I personally could care less about
Facilities ( only there 1 to 2 years)
Promises
ect.....
What leads to practice is the most important:rolleyes:

[atlanticvioxx]

Seriously: When you slam one of these schools, what is the reason. If you HONESTLY think they are a scam and are doing a disservice to the students, OK. But many of the people dissing these schools are:

1) People who have failed out
2) Agents from other schools
3) People who are jealous of a new school.

[Sree Cheruku]

But many of the people dissing these schools are:
1) People who have failed out
2) Agents from other schools
3) People who are jealous of a new school.

I think there are very few people in these categories. They usually make it pretty obvious, and end up getting banned for trolling.

[Scott1981]

Seriously: When you slam one of these schools, what is the reason. If you HONESTLY think they are a scam and are doing a disservice to the students, OK. But many of the people dissing these schools are:

1) People who have failed out
2) Agents from other schools
3) People who are jealous of a new school.

1. no
2. i wish, then maybe my tuition would go down :cry:
3. :lol: :lol: :lol: i think im jealous of this school :lol: :lol: :lol:

i think there are quite a few people that fit in my category as well.

[rokshana]

I emailed IMED about the pending listing of cmu

this is the response i received today

FAIMER has not received any documentation from the government of Curacao concerning this medical school.


-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 8:43 PM
To: IMED
Subject:


Hello,

I wanted to get some information on a new school, Caribbean Medical University, based in Curacao, Netherland Antilles. THey are not listed with you- have they submitted paperwork to receive IMED recognition and listing? If so, when can this be expected to occur? Also will their recognition be retroactive to the date of their charter fro the Netherland Antillies or will it start form the day IMED actually lists them?

Thank you for your time and assistance



R T
MS-IV
SGUSOM

so....
friends...
let us ask.....

recognition pending????!!!! or not???????

[Sree Cheruku]

so....
friends...
let us ask.....

recognition pending????!!!! or not???????


You did it wrong. It's:

Hi
Friends!!
Let's spark a debate on-->
"Why has Curacao not sent in the paperwork yet?"
We welcome more debate. Regards


way2go

[Scott1981]

You did it wrong. It's:

Hi
Friends!!
Let's spark a debate on-->
"Why has Curacao not sent in the paperwork yet?"
We welcome more debate. Regards


way2go


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[DOCplucinski]

You did it wrong. It's:

Hi
Friends!!
Let's spark a debate on-->
"Why has Curacao not sent in the paperwork yet?"
We welcome more debate. Regards


way2go

you forgot, "Cheers" SC

[jtu]

Hi
Friends!!!
I am also asking the same question.Now CMU official may reply!!!
I received the response and I may or may be wrong!!!
Past Curacao Govt is handing over charge to the new elected members.Commissioners are changing and taking time to prepare the papers to forward to WHO,IMED etc.May I guess--How many more days will it take ? One week? One month?? one year??? People are getting impatient. Come on--- Hurry up--- Dear!!!
However,Govt officials mentioned that they are preparing papers for enlistment with effect from the day of starting the school that is 15th March'07.
You may correct me if I am wrong.Regards.

[stateofequilibrium]

I emailed IMED about the pending listing of cmu

this is the response i received today

FAIMER has not received any documentation from the government of Curacao concerning this medical school.


-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 8:43 PM
To: IMED
Subject:


Hello,

I wanted to get some information on a new school, Caribbean Medical University, based in Curacao, Netherland Antilles. THey are not listed with you- have they submitted paperwork to receive IMED recognition and listing? If so, when can this be expected to occur? Also will their recognition be retroactive to the date of their charter fro the Netherland Antillies or will it start form the day IMED actually lists them?

Thank you for your time and assistance



R T
MS-IV
SGUSOM

so....
friends...
let us ask.....

recognition pending????!!!! or not???????

So, if they don't have any recognition, and students are currently enrolled and taking courses. Doesn't this mean the students have to retake those courses in order to sit for the USMLE?

[MORM4LIFE]

So, if they don't have any recognition, and students are currently enrolled and taking courses. Doesn't this mean the students have to retake those courses in order to sit for the USMLE?

Hmmmmmmm, I see why Caribbean schools are not looked at so well. When you have Caribbean schools popping up all over the place just to make a buck from people that are NEVER meant to be doctors, it probably just doesn't sit well with the US medical boards

(this doesn't go for all the schools, just the ones that are popping up faster than rabbit babies)

[Sree Cheruku]

So, if they don't have any recognition, and students are currently enrolled and taking courses. Doesn't this mean the students have to retake those courses in order to sit for the USMLE?

Honestly, how hard is it to falsify transcripts to change the enroll dates and attendance dates? ECFMG isn't going to verify anything independently.

[rokshana]

Honestly, how hard is it to falsify transcripts to change the enroll dates and attendance dates? ECFMG isn't going to verify anything independently.

well but how long could t take- gonna look pretty fishy if it looks like you finished med school in 2 years flat and you were doing basics in curacao AND the US?

[teratos]

Hi
Friends!!!
I am also asking the same question.Now CMU official may reply!!!
I received the response and I may or may be wrong!!!
Past Curacao Govt is handing over charge to the new elected members.Commissioners are changing and taking time to prepare the papers to forward to WHO,IMED etc.May I guess--How many more days will it take ? One week? One month?? one year??? People are getting impatient. Come on--- Hurry up--- Dear!!!
However,Govt officials mentioned that they are preparing papers for enlistment with effect from the day of starting the school that is 15th March'07.
You may correct me if I am wrong.Regards.

So all you classes now are worth as much as the stuff you empty from a pencil sharpener....:rolleyes:

[superhumper]

So all you classes now are worth as much as the stuff you empty from a pencil sharpener....:rolleyes:
Not even that much.

[IMG SURVIVOR]

So all you classes now are worth as much as the stuff you empty from a pencil sharpener....:rolleyes:

Thats always good to know.

[stateofequilibrium]

So all you classes now are worth as much as the stuff you empty from a pencil sharpener....:rolleyes:

So that means current students will have to pay again for the same semester? If the paperwork is not even in yet?

[superhumper]

So that means current students will have to pay again for the same semester? If the paperwork is not even in yet?
I guess, big discount is in order. And new basket ball

[studentdoctobe]

Very Interesting to read.

[Dru]

Where is Azskeptic when you need him?