Thoughts & input on St. Martinus Medical School.

[Jonari]

Good afternoon everybody, I plan on applying to St. Martinus for Summer '08. I'm currently arranged to take my MCATs on January 26th. I'll have my MCAT scores back in the beginning of March, so I will be applying at that time. However, I had a few questions to ask, if somebody would be kind enough:

1) How are the professors at SMU? Do you feel they have prepared you well for the Step 1 exam?

2) Are the tests tested at medical school level, or is everything relatively easy and simple?

3) How is the island where SMU is located? Would you say it is "Westernized?"

4) Having a 2.0 grade point average, what type of MCAT score should I shoot for?

[smartamy]

Good afternoon everybody, I plan on applying to St. Martinus for Summer '08. I'm currently arranged to take my MCATs on January 26th. I'll have my MCAT scores back in the beginning of March, so I will be applying at that time. However, I had a few questions to ask, if somebody would be kind enough:

1) How are the professors at SMU? Do you feel they have prepared you well for the Step 1 exam?
I haven't been here for a long time yet, so I will not be taking Step 1 anytime soon, but I feel that the preparation I am getting is helping me to prepare for the test. You might want to send Robmc79 a PM, he's passed both steps already.

2) Are the tests tested at medical school level, or is everything relatively easy and simple?
Medical school here is far from easy and simple! All of us have to study very hard to be able to pass our tests... and even then some still fail...

3) How is the island where SMU is located? Would you say it is "Westernized?"
Curacao is quite Westernized, as you call it. Most people are able to speak English and you can buy almost anything here. Do not expect to be in a big US city, because some things still go the "Caribbean way"... slow... Don't expect things to be done right away, plan in advance is the best tip I can give you.

4) Having a 2.0 grade point average, what type of MCAT score should I shoot for?
Since I never took MCAT, maybe somebody else could help you with that..

[robmc_79]

I can answer some of your questions:

Good afternoon everybody, I plan on applying to St. Martinus for Summer '08. I'm currently arranged to take my MCATs on January 26th. I'll have my MCAT scores back in the beginning of March, so I will be applying at that time. However, I had a few questions to ask, if somebody would be kind enough:

1) How are the professors at SMU? Do you feel they have prepared you well for the Step 1 exam?
I think that with the teaching at StMU you will be well prepared for the Step 1. I think that they also offer a USMLE prep course as they did when I took my step 1. You could verify that with one of the basic science students.

2) Are the tests tested at medical school level, or is everything relatively easy and simple?
The professors have always set the standard high and they will expect your best effort. It will not be easy nor simple but with class attendance and a lot of studying you should be able to pass the tests.

3) How is the island where SMU is located? Would you say it is "Westernized?"

4) Having a 2.0 grade point average, what type of MCAT score should I shoot for?