Caribbean Med Schools Details in a nutshell

[rosethorn_14]

For everyone interested in the Caribbean Med schools, this website gives great surface details. I counted 19 schools it gives a snapshot off including the Big 3: Saba, SGU, and Ross.

Caribbean Medical School Details (http://www.studentdoc.com/caribbean-medical-schools.php)

The general info page on each school has annual tuition, estimated annual expenses, MCAT requirement, if it's W.H.O listed,application info, etc...

If your really interested in a school, all of them have links to the school website, which gives further info on curriculum for basic sciences, pre-clinical, clinical, research stuff, and the bachelors degrees. I don't know if all of them have all of the above info cause i only browsed through like 4 of them.

Out of the ones i saw, Saba had the best school website.

Here's an example:

Saba University School of MedicineLocation:SabaLanguage:English
Founded:1986
MCAT requirement:strongly recommended
Annual Tuition:$18,700
Estimated Annual Expenses (Airfare not included):$4,100 W.H.O. listed?:yes
School Website:Saba University School of Medicine (http://www.saba.edu/)
Application:Saba University School of Medicine Application (http://www.saba.edu/utility_applyonline.php)
Application Fee:$50

Contact Information:
U.S. Information/Admissions Office Educational International Consultants, LLC
P.O. Box 386
Gardner, MA 01440, US

Phone: 800-825-7754
Fax: (978) 632-2168
e-mail: saba@valuemd.com

[emt036]

Not really all that informative, appears to be cut and pasted from VMD, and completely wrong on Saba's founding date: IMED - FAIMER International Medical Education Directory - School Details (http://imed.ecfmg.org/details.asp?country=665&school=&currpage=1&cname=NETHERLANDS+ANTILLES&city=&region=CA&rname=Central+America%2FCaribbean&mcode=665010&psize=25)

[rosethorn_14]

really? it is cut and paste, but it's from the school's website.

[emt036]

Well, the tings that gave it away was saba@valuemd.com.... I don't think that is their main email address. :-)

[stephew]

that's pretty funny.


Well, the tings that gave it away was saba@valuemd.com.... I don't think that is their main email address. :-)

[slevit1]

For everyone interested in the Caribbean Med schools, this website gives great surface details. I counted 19 schools it gives a snapshot off including the Big 3: Saba, SGU, and Ross.


The Big 3 is SGU, AUC, and Ross, not Saba. Saba is not eligible for US federal financial aid. People sometimes reference the Big 4 - SGU, AUC, Ross, and Saba, which are the 4 that have 50 state approval.

[stateofequilibrium]

The Big 3 is SGU, AUC, and Ross, not Saba. Saba is not eligible for US federal financial aid. People sometimes reference the Big 4 - SGU, AUC, Ross, and Saba, which are the 4 that have 50 state approval.

Regardless though, Saba should be a perfectly viable school for anyone looking for a Caribbean education. It is cheaper, small class sizes, and has all 50 states and is a stone throw away (literally) from the luxuries of St. Maarten.

[rosethorn_14]

Apart from financial issues, what other benefits are there to having a caribbean education?
Sorry about the wrong info, what is the protocol on posting threads with wrong info? Do I erase mine?
The world is coming to an end when google cannot be relied upon!!! =(

[AUCMD2006]

Apart from financial issues, what other benefits are there to having a caribbean education?
Sorry about the wrong info, what is the protocol on posting threads with wrong info? Do I erase mine?
The world is coming to an end when google cannot be relied upon!!! =(

are you saying that it is cheaper to study in the caribbean?

the absolute ONLY 'benefit' to studying in any carib school regardless of when it was founded or what loans it has or how many students it has graduated is that you got in it when stateside schools turned you down that is it. there are no other benefits to studying abroad, none, zero.

people will say that they studied in the carib because it was cheaper---that is total **.

people will say that it was their first choice--total **

[rosethorn_14]

the tuition's on average 15-20,000, so ya it is cheaper. I agree i wouldn't choose a carib school, when it's possible to go to more competitive schools here, but you don't have to be so deragatory about it.

[AUCMD2006]

the tuition's on average 15-20,000, so ya it is cheaper. I agree i wouldn't choose a carib school, when it's possible to go to more competitive schools here, but you don't have to be so deragatory about it.


$15,000-$20000 FOR TUITION WHERE? most of the decent carib med schools are 10k-12k per semester making it 30-36k per year. stateside state schools are about 4-8k per semester (free if you are in california), the private schools are more at maybe 17k per sem though. but also figure in the following to your cost analysis:

-flying to and from our banana republics runs an extra $600-1000 per semester you wanna get the hell out of those rocks
-you are automatically gouged and raped for anything and everything anywhere and everywhere you go from groceries to cars to a halfway decent place to live...not to mention laundry, maid, insuurance, getting pulled over by local cops money, and anything else they can come up with.
-when you are in clinicals you will probably have to move, sometimes its only once but many students move 2-4+ times to get rotations they want or try to finish on time and avoid sitting out a year. ever moved from one place to another? it ain't cheap
-extra testing fees. you have to pay hundreds and huindreds of dollars more every time you take a test than your US counterparts
-interviews, if you are trying for anything semi competitive you will have to go on 10 times as many interviews as a US student with lower scores

this list can keep growing i just hope you see that even if you go to the cheapest, newest poorest excuse for a medical school on some delapitated 800 year old shack were you pay tuition in trade for work in the cane fields it is not really any cheaper if any than going to a stateside school

not being derrogatory in any way..just brief since i don't usually have much time anymore, my trademark verbose responses have been drastically cut down. i don't post here for my health just to try and inform people who are as lost as i once was. so it doesn't matter if i come accross as derrogatory, rude or a complete a hole take the info use it don't use it check up on it or forget you ever saw it and attend one of these 'schools' with rose colored glasses.

if you do attend not knowing what you are getting into though i guarantee that the feeling you get the morning after drunk calling your ex, or picking up that 'hot' girl after 10 shots of jager will be repeated each and evey day for the 16-20 months you are there...hehehe

[rosethorn_14]

i meant 15-20 just tuition, without books,food,transport,etc...; just to attend the school per year. Also, read the rest of the thread before responding. I was talking about not being deragatory (this is how it's spelled) about carib schools because they have turned out plenty of good docs...

The stateside schools have some sort of superiorty complex when talking about carib schools. I agree that the us schools are the better choice, but that doesn't mean you have to ** the others.

They might not be as competitive or in the top 10, but their curriculum is just as complete. It's not the school's fault if you are having a hard time getting in or keeping up, it's you own. At least there's still a WAY to become a doctor after all the stateside schools turned you down if you screwed up somehow. After all, beggers can't be choosers.

[AUCMD2006]

i meant 15-20 just tuition, without books,food,transport,etc...; just to attend the school per year. Also, read the rest of the thread before responding. I was talking about not being deragatory (this is how it's spelled) about carib schools because they have turned out plenty of good docs...

The stateside schools have some sort of superiorty complex when talking about carib schools. I agree that the us schools are the better choice, but that doesn't mean you have to ** the others.

They might not be as competitive or in the top 10, but their curriculum is just as complete. It's not the school's fault if you are having a hard time getting in or keeping up, it's you own. At least there's still a WAY to become a doctor after all the stateside schools turned you down if you screwed up somehow. After all, beggers can't be choosers.


what is your freakin point there spelling police? i said tuition only then listed all the extra crap we have to pay for that you may not think about when making your paper napkin calculations.....


and its not the stateside schools that have the complex that you need to worry about who gives a flying fudge what the schools think of you after you graduate...its the program directors who will not even look at your app no matter the score whose superiority complex will impact you

attend a few lectures in a few carib schools before you call any of them 'complete' a lot of the newer schools hire cheap new docs from any country that themselves have tried to pass the usmle time and time again

as for me, look at the sig i graduated am in residency. i didn't have a hard time getting in auc, ross, or sgu and i didn't have a hard time keeping up since i left the island with no failures and graduated i 41 months and passed my licensing exams on the first try. i did get waitlisted in the US but thats another story.

i am glad there is another way to become a MD beleive me and the only thing i am begging for is more sleep. even beggers can chose so jujst because you get in a POS carib school doesn't mean you have to attend...there are better carib schools

[AUCMD2006]

edited for no reason other than i was told it is a flame though asking someone to spell check my post shouldn't be...hehe

[stephew]

ok kids. read your terms of service.

[diogenes]

For the record, in pursuance of the greater glories of the English language, and without malice to anyone, neither spelling is correct. It isn't deragatory, nor is it derrogatory: it's derogatory.
Peace, love and sweet dreams to all.

[rosethorn_14]

ok ok, i'm sry about the stupid spelling comment. He was being semi-rude and that was my pathetic try at being mean back, except it went bad. Next time, I will do a better job and as to the other stuff I have to get a little more info before I can rebutt. Better safe than sry (again).

[rosethorn_14]

**********

[stephew]

its up to all users to be familiar with the terms of service that they agreed to when they signed up.

[stateofequilibrium]

Can you just save me the trouble of reading the long, boring, badly organized terms and just tell me what rules I have broken?

No, this is a site for people who are or wish to become professionals. It is up to the individual user to read the Terms of Service before agreeing to join the forum, and users are held accountable to them. ValueMD is not just a socializing network and behavior on the site actually does have reprecussions for individual users as many school and state officials read this site. If you are not familiar with the Terms of Service, I would recommend you read them immediately.

[teratos]

My 2 cents. Caribbean schools are WAY more expensive in the long run than most US schools. G

[stateofequilibrium]

My 2 cents. Caribbean schools are WAY more expensive in the long run than most US schools. G

But we do get a better tan and free survival training.

[rosethorn_14]

If everything is so expensive, then why doesn't anyone try thorough the military? They give you a close to full ride if you sign up a 5 year contract to work for them after you get your degree. Especially in the Air Force, they don't treat you like cannon fodder and you get a pension plan. And I remember someone saying they wanted private school education for their kids and the AF has great benefits/education plan for the kids.

[stateofequilibrium]

If everything is so expensive, then why doesn't anyone try thorough the military? They give you a close to full ride if you sign up a 5 year contract to work for them after you get your degree. Especially in the Air Force, they don't treat you like cannon fodder and you get a pension plan. And I remember someone saying they wanted private school education for their kids and the AF has great benefits/education plan for the kids.

a) Not everyone wants to give several years to the military afterwards. You may be stationed in some godforsaken nowhere base for all you know, or a warzone.
b) Military scholarships do not apply to Caribbean schools.

[rosethorn_14]

so better make a payment plan and stay a free man/woman?

[stateofequilibrium]

so better make a payment plan and stay a free man/woman?

Better not to go to a caribbean school, or nail down good student loans at low interest rates.

[teratos]

so better make a payment plan and stay a free man/woman?

Nobody should have any problems paying off their loans. You will make enough. G

[ericismyname]

If everything is so expensive, then why doesn't anyone try thorough the military? They give you a close to full ride if you sign up a 5 year contract to work for them after you get your degree. Especially in the Air Force, they don't treat you like cannon fodder and you get a pension plan. And I remember someone saying they wanted private school education for their kids and the AF has great benefits/education plan for the kids.


I am in the reserve marines, worst decision I've ever made in my life. Take it from me, nothing is worth what you go through and put up with, no matter what they offer you.

[rosethorn_14]

Did you join in high school/right after?

[slevit1]

If everything is so expensive, then why doesn't anyone try thorough the military? They give you a close to full ride if you sign up a 5 year contract to work for them after you get your degree. Especially in the Air Force, they don't treat you like cannon fodder and you get a pension plan. And I remember someone saying they wanted private school education for their kids and the AF has great benefits/education plan for the kids.

You should do some research before posting such a solution. If it was so easy as "lets just go to the military...they'll pay for us," don't you think it would be a little more competitive than it is?!

I looked into it and got about half way through the application process before realizing what a bad decision it would be for me. First, you do not always get to start residency immediately. They can make you take your intern year and then send you out to be a doctor in the field, be it on a ship, as a flight surgeon, or whatever. Then, you finally get to do your residency, as long as it's one that the military needs at the time. You may or may not get your first choice. Then, you owe them a ton of time back on active duty (something like 9 years, if I remember correctly). The time you spend in residency does not count for your pay-back. So, for a good part of your career as a physician, you're on active duty in the military, going wherever they send you, and getting paid less.

[rosethorn_14]

You should do some research before posting such a solution. If it was so easy as "lets just go to the military...they'll pay for us," don't you think it would be a little more competitive than it is?!

I looked into it and got about half way through the application process before realizing what a bad decision it would be for me. First, you do not always get to start residency immediately. They can make you take your intern year and then send you out to be a doctor in the field, be it on a ship, as a flight surgeon, or whatever. Then, you finally get to do your residency, as long as it's one that the military needs at the time. You may or may not get your first choice. Then, you owe them a ton of time back on active duty (something like 9 years, if I remember correctly). The time you spend in residency does not count for your pay-back. So, for a good part of your career as a physician, you're on active duty in the military, going wherever they send you, and getting paid less.

i did do research. The military come to high schools to recruit and that was the deal they were offering. I don't know about all the areas you get to do your residency in, but they had a high demand for OBGyn's which is one of the areas i was considering. They AirForce said 5 years of service in return for full ride. But your right about the pay, it was very low. But the main problem was the contract, you can't break it, but there were parts of it that said the military can change the initial deal. So it wasn't exactly the best of deals, but it wasn't totally bad either.

[stateofequilibrium]

LOL. First of all, military recruiters don't have the highest credibility, especially when it comes to the more specialized parts of the service. There's tons of stories of recruiters promising this or that.

[AUCMD2006]

i did do research. The military come to high schools to recruit and that was the deal they were offering. I don't know about all the areas you get to do your residency in, but they had a high demand for OBGyn's which is one of the areas i was considering. They AirForce said 5 years of service in return for full ride. But your right about the pay, it was very low. But the main problem was the contract, you can't break it, but there were parts of it that said the military can change the initial deal. So it wasn't exactly the best of deals, but it wasn't totally bad either.


high school recruiters are for enlisted positions only and all they can offer you is the same GI bill they offer anyone else. they may know a little about officer recruitment but not much. you need to bypass those used car salesmen and go to navy/airforce/army websites and search for health professions recruiter its not even just an officer recruiter but health professions have their own specialized recruiter. if you can't find the health professions recruiter then call the officer recruiter and ask them for the physican recruiter.

also make sure you speak to an officer no petty officers or seargents. this is what i got from them:

-go through their "scholarship" you abide by their rules, they can send you anywhere for any amount of time and your residency does not count pay back time
-go through the health education program (only if you get in a US med school) and while in med school you get a stipend (about $3600 per month) plus refunds for books and supplies. in exchange you give them 1-2 years for ecery year they help you (the time fluctuates with their need)
-if you go to a foreign school you get no help through school or residency. they will accept you after you are board certified though.

-the good points are that you are serving you country, many times you get really good signing bonuses. i was offered $55,000 over 4 years if i sign up after board cert.

-also another point people often forget is that the base pay for an officer is just that, base pay. on top of that there are tins of add ons. the base pay for a low level officer is around $50-60K, added to this you either get a very nice officer house on base for free, or your BEQ or living quarters allowance that is based on how expensive your area is. when i was in missisippi i got roughly $900 amonth as a single guy to find a place to live off base or i could live on base for free (i think they cahrged $14 a month for maintenance). my friend from boot camp who ended up in hawaii got $3600 a month as an enlisted schmuck with a family for a house off base.

so you add whatever it would cost you for a house on top of your base pay, plus all sorts of bonuses, then there are meal allowances, then there is shopping at the exchange which is pretty cheap then occasionally if you go anywhere you get sea pay, if you fly you get additional flight pay, hazardous duty pay, very cheap life insurance, and no malpractice

just wanted to point out some of the good things about serving.

[stateofequilibrium]

Just want to point out though that housing is all relative on where you're stationed. Some can be really really really really really bad.

[rosethorn_14]

so.... the recuiters are lying/telling only helpful truths?

If you are in the military as a medic/doctor, are you exempt from active combat? You have to be on the field to treat wounded soldiers, but does that extend to mandatory shooting of the enemy?

[stateofequilibrium]

so.... the recuiters are lying/telling only helpful truths?

If you are in the military as a medic/doctor, are you exempt from active combat? You have to be on the field to treat wounded soldiers, but does that extend to mandatory shooting of the enemy?

First of all, if you are a conscientious objector, you will not be in active combat. Doctors are not combatants, they have side arms yes, but that's mainly for protection. Very few doctors will be on the front line, you're probably thinking of the corpsmen and medics.
Speaking of conscientious objectors, remember that guy who refused to deploy with his Airborne unit because he claimed to be one? Despite being in one of the elite units, he said he was only there for the college money and never thought he'd actually have to fight. :roll:

Secondly, the recruiters are there to recruit. Some, to fill whatever quota they have, will stoop to less than ethical means.

[Drdiego]

so.... the recuiters are lying/telling only helpful truths?

If you are in the military as a medic/doctor, are you exempt from active combat? You have to be on the field to treat wounded soldiers, but does that extend to mandatory shooting of the enemy?

Well I am currently a military officer and I am now overseas. Docs, nurses and Chaplains are listed as Non-Combatants according to the on Geneva Convention. Chaplains don't carry a weapon but Docs and nurses do. The only thing is the insurgents don't care about Geneva Conventions. They see you as an enemy.

Depending on your location, some Docs will be part of an advance surgical teams or field team, but they are in a secure environment to care of soldiers.

[Drdiego]

i did do research. The military come to high schools to recruit and that was the deal they were offering. I don't know about all the areas you get to do your residency in, but they had a high demand for OBGyn's which is one of the areas i was considering. They AirForce said 5 years of service in return for full ride. But your right about the pay, it was very low. But the main problem was the contract, you can't break it, but there were parts of it that said the military can change the initial deal. So it wasn't exactly the best of deals, but it wasn't totally bad either.

No one go anywhere without complteting at least one year of residency. Yes you can get pulled to serve as a GMO (General Medical Officer). After you complete that tour, you go back to residency and are able to complete it. Some folk don't like the idea of not finishing their residncy while others don't mind.

If you add up all the incentives you get, you will come out on top over your civilian counterpart (PGY1, II etc).
1. Meal allowance at a captains rate
2. Housing allowance depending on your duty station or where your family is located.
3. Family separation if you are sent overseas
4. Hazardous duty pay depending on location
5. Incentive pay depending on specialty
6. Fre family medical plan
7. Dental you pay about $ 27 for a family plan
8. SGLI for you and your family Life insurance0
9. TSP (Government retirement plan)
10.You have HPSP (they pay for your schooling so you dont have any debts)

If you are a FMG you can apply after PGY I for residency. You cannot apply as a FMG during your initial residency.

[rosethorn_14]

In addition to all the things you listed, does your family get life insurance or some sort of equivalant support if you do die?

[ericismyname]

Did you join in high school/right after?


I graduated a semester early, and went during that time. I was back in time for the fall semester of college.

[ericismyname]

high school recruiters are for enlisted positions only and all they can offer you is the same GI bill they offer anyone else.

-also another point people often forget is that the base pay for an officer is just that, base pay. on top of that there are tins of add ons. the base pay for a low level officer is around $50-60K, added to this you either get a very nice officer house on base for free, or your BEQ or living quarters allowance that is based on how expensive your area is. when i was in missisippi i got roughly $900 amonth as a single guy to find a place to live off base or i could live on base for free (i think they cahrged $14 a month for maintenance). my friend from boot camp who ended up in hawaii got $3600 a month as an enlisted schmuck with a family for a house off base.

.


Some recruiters get the chance to offer you the "kicker" version of the GIBill which is about double the price of the normal GIbill. Also if you are a select reserve you get the kicker version after your first deployment.

The select reserve GI bill is only good for either 48 or 54 monthes I cannot remember. however there is no maximum amount of money it is good for.

Also in Iowa(my state) if you join the National Guard they cover up all tuition/fees/and books. You get your bill, take it to the HTC(head quarters) and it disappears. This is in addition to your GIBill. Both of these only minutely affect your EFC on your fasfa as well.

There are lots of little doo-dads that are added on to your pay. For a very rough estimate...if you are married and have at least 1 kid you will probably be getting double that of a non-married no kids person of the same rank.


Here is the pay scale.
2007 Military Pay Scale (http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp)

[ericismyname]

In addition to all the things you listed, does your family get life insurance or some sort of equivalant support if you do die?


the SGLI use to have a standard of 250k if you died while in combat.

Now it has the option of 500k. Mine is still at 250k. I think that is enough to bury me, pay all my debts...and all my familys.

[jameslynton]

LOL. First of all, military recruiters don't have the highest credibility, especially when it comes to the more specialized parts of the service. There's tons of stories of recruiters promising this or that.That reminds me of "Private Benjamin" - all the military wants "is cannon folder" look at the list of dead in Iraq and Afghanistan also look at the wounded....

[jameslynton]

so.... the recuiters are lying/telling only helpful truths?

If you are in the military as a medic/doctor, are you exempt from active combat? You have to be on the field to treat wounded soldiers, but does that extend to mandatory shooting of the enemy?My Uncle was in Korea - he was a MD on a train going to and from the front - His kill count was 15 when attacked one night. Many MD's have been killed in Iraq by IED's and other types of attack! You are in a war zone and a target if you are in a uniform. Enough said!

[jameslynton]

The best value in medical education are good state medical schools. I have had friends go thru them and come out with no debt by working summers! No island school can compare with them.

[rosethorn_14]

My Uncle was in Korea - he was a MD on a train going to and from the front - His kill count was 15 when attacked one night. Many MD's have been killed in Iraq by IED's and other types of attack! You are in a war zone and a target if you are in a uniform. Enough said!

What did he feel like after? How is it possible to save someone one day and then do the opposite the next?

[rosethorn_14]

That reminds me of "Private Benjamin" - all the military wants "is cannon folder" look at the list of dead in Iraq and Afghanistan also look at the wounded....

cannon folder, is that what they call the dead soldiers? :o