Misc Stuff?

[brownsuga]

Does anyone need book or cell phone advice?

[IAUStudent006]

In terms of books - it really depends on the classes and the student. Some students have found that the required textbooks are sufficient for them, others find the need to use review books such as BRS to help supplement the material that they are learning. There are also other textbooks that are available that students prefer over the required ones. I'd suggest contacting students directly and asking them what works best for what courses.

In terms of cell phones - there are two services that are recommended. Most students use Digicel and others use Cable and Wireless. Those are the two providers on the island - Cingular can also be used (as far as I can tell, but its much more expensive to use them).

[wildbillcoyote]

I have plenty of questions now that I have decided to attend IAU based on New York Accredidation. What should I bring in terms of things such as clothes and other items such as bug sprays or anything thing like that? Can a student, give us a list of what is an essential thing to bring to the island. Thanks

[IAUStudent006]

Glad to hear that you have decided on attending IAU. For information about contacting a student - you can go to the SGA website for the school. The link can be found below. There, we have a New Student Committee (NSC) that will help facilitate interaction with students already on the island. Like I said before, it really depends on a student-to-student basis as to what you need and what you don't need. Feel free to contact the NSC and they'll help you find out what you need to bring.

IAU Student Government Association (http://www.iau.edu.lc/sga/sgahome.html)

If that doesn't work, just go to IAU's website and click on the "SGA" link.

[iaustudent06]

I have plenty of questions now that I have decided to attend IAU based on New York Accredidation. What should I bring in terms of things such as clothes and other items such as bug sprays or anything thing like that? Can a student, give us a list of what is an essential thing to bring to the island. Thanks

First, please note we are still awaiting NY approval, but our meeting did go very well here on the island. The accreditation team still needs to visit other locations.

I personally would recommend bring light clothing and all the regular stuff you would on a long trip. It would also be cost effective in my opinion to even pay extra if the bags are overweight up to the 75lbs mark since most things are overpriced here for "american" brands like for electronics, restroom stuff, etc...

For the cell phone problems... First you need an UNLOCKED gsm, sim card, phone. Digicell is the cheaper prepaid company to go with here. You do have to buy a SIM card through them and load minutes periodically. We are setting up a program with the New Student Committee soon in which senior students leaving will leave behind their sim cards, and maybe even cell phones, for the upcoming freshmans.

We have already set up where to rent cars and housing through the new student committee. Please check out the pics I uploaded on the album.

Books - you don't really need to bring much because our library has plenty of books, unless you prefer to write and highlight everything...

Here's is my own recommendations...

Anatomy - "Baby" Moore and High Yeild
Histo - High Yeild
Embryo - High Yield and Persaud & Moore
Behavior Science - sorry i didn't read anything!
Biochem - Lippincott's review
Pysio - Boron and Costanza

Pharm - BRS
Path - Robbins and BRS
Micro - Micro made easy
Immuno - High Yield

Hope this helps!

[wildbillcoyote]

Thanks for all the help,

I have a couple of questions. When does IAU actually find out that New York has approved them in their state. Also, how is the housing? If im willing to pay $400-$500 a month, will the housing be good quality. Another thing, how much to rent, lease or buy a car here? The last question I have is, are you saying that I should buy my books in the U.S. and then bring them to St. Lucia, or should I buy them through the book buying service on the IAU website. Thanks for all the help.

[iaustudent06]

Thanks for all the help,

I have a couple of questions. When does IAU actually find out that New York has approved them in their state. Also, how is the housing? If im willing to pay $400-$500 a month, will the housing be good quality. Another thing, how much to rent, lease or buy a car here? The last question I have is, are you saying that I should buy my books in the U.S. and then bring them to St. Lucia, or should I buy them through the book buying service on the IAU website. Thanks for all the help.


NY has to visit a few offices and hospital sites over the next month or so, and then give a report, which takes another few weeks...

You will find very nice places to live for around $400-500US a month, most students pay less... For example, the house with the car underneath it is a 3 bedroom running around $600US, divided by 3 people...

It is better to buy books and bring them with you, because the shipping takes forever...

[wildbillcoyote]

Thanks for all the help and answering our questions so quickly. I wanted to know how hard IAU is compared to undergrad and how much time you guys spent studying. Also, how much time spent on case studies. The last thing I was hoping for was, that if one you guys could post the isbn numbers or something for the books that I should buy. One of you guys posted the names, but I was not sure exactly if I was looking to buy the right books. Thanks

[IAUStudent006]

Thanks for all the help and answering our questions so quickly. I wanted to know how hard IAU is compared to undergrad and how much time you guys spent studying. Also, how much time spent on case studies. The last thing I was hoping for was, that if one you guys could post the isbn numbers or something for the books that I should buy. One of you guys posted the names, but I was not sure exactly if I was looking to buy the right books. Thanks

Glad to hear that we have been of some help.

In terms of the studying - I think that most students have to work pretty hard. The material is not the easiest stuff in the world (probably an understatement) and being that you're going to a Caribbean school, doing especially well is your goal. Most students stay after school and study most of the night and go home late in the evening - probably studying when they get home as well.
Case studies are an integral part of the education here, so I'd have to say on average (for myself) I put in at least 5-6 hrs per week into case studies, sometimes more. This is obviously aside from class time.
I went to the A&M program down in Texas for a year to complete the necessary med school requirements and my experiences from there and from my previous undergrad courses, I'd have to say that the amount of work is more than what I have dealt with before. I say this because I believe the material is just that much more, not that its that much harder.

Hope that helps...

[iaustudent06]

I can look up the numbers over this weekend for you... But any medical book store will know what you are talking about very quickly...

I went to the second best nursing school in Texas and I can assure you I've studied more in the past 14 months than my first 4 years of college... don't worry though, we still get to party here also...

[Scriveners Palsy]

My advice on what to bring with you to St Lucia?

Pack as though you were departing for Pluto.

[niyeklin]

In response to a previous request, here are the ISBN numbers for books that seem to be recommended by a lot of valuemd members for USMLE Step 1. I'm also including the links to Amazon because frequently you can get used books online from them.

BRS B-Sci (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781757274/theinternetmedic) 0781757274

BRS Physiology (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781773113/theinternetmedic) 0781773113

BRS Pathology (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781760224/theinternetmedic) 0781760224

BRS Microbiology (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781727707/theinternetmedic) 0781727707

First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071475311/theinternetmedic) 0071475311

Plus, here are some books for the wards that are highly recommended, get the newest version.

Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1882742494/theinternetmedic) 1882742494 (get the classic version, NOT the shirt pocket edition; a shirt pocket edition would be helpful as well, as long as you have the more complete classic version)

The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1930808380/theinternetmedic) 1930808380 - a must

Washington U Manual of Medical Therapuetics (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781781256/theinternetmedic) 0781781256 - can't go wrong with this one

Plus, these series of books are just fantastic for quick reference:

Current Clinical Strategies - Family Medicine (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1934323047/theinternetmedic) 1934323047 - I like this one since it has most of the CCS Medicine and CCS OB/GYN content as well.

CCS - History & Physical Exam (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1929622287/theinternetmedic) 1929622287 - very useful to make sure you don't leave something important out.

CCS - Outpatient Medicine (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1881528898/theinternetmedic) 1881528898 - great for the clinic.

Hope this helps. These are my personal Amazon links, if you want to go elsewhere, the ISBN numbers are listed by every book.