For Current Ross Students! Would You!

[jabee_usm]

Hey Guys! :D :p I just want to know if you had to do it again (medical school at RUSM), would you? Things you would change? Things that are absolutely unforgettable (GREAT!!!):D Things that are absolutely horrible!:twisted: Please give me feedback!!! I WOULD LIKE TO BE WARNED!!!!:shock:

[txdoc22]

I wouldn't trade my experiences in Dominica. Can't say I'd be over-eager to do it all again, but I am glad that I came here and wouldn't change my decision. It's not an easy lifestyle to get used to. School is not easy because it is so much faster than the US schools. On top of that, you're learning how to live in a 3rd world country with very few modern conveniences. But Dominica has changed me into a better person. It will make you truly bitter if you let it, though, it's all in your attitude. There is no way to be fully prepared for this place. There are things you just have to learn as you go along, like pre-paying for electricity, figuring out the hot water in the shower that is you have to turn on with a switch, how to deal with some of the locals, where to eat and where to avoid. But it is a great experience if you let it be. I have learned to live with little and to be content with what I have. I don't sweat the small stuff anymore and have definitely learned patience with people. (Just wait until your first encounter with a Dominican at a cash register.) I have come to appreciate things that I have in the states. You learn to appreciate life because you live around people who have absolutely nothing. You'll get sick of it, I guarantee it, and you'll hate it quite frequently, but it's not all bad. It's a beautiful island and you'll gain experience here that you'd never get in the states. You have to make the decision if this is something you want to do and then just do it. You'll figure it out along the way. Oh, and when else will you get to hop to other islands for a weekend each semester for so cheap? That rocks.

[sm657332]

Hey Txdo, I heard Ross is based on self-study because there aren't
good professors. Is this true? If it is, how can you study on yourself?
Also, is it really hard to get in competitive residency such as surgery or radiology after rotations? I don't want to compare with SGU, but I couldn't see any senior/Alumni Doctor from ROSS sharing their info. Why??
Did you think 16 months are disadvantage to get education because of short period?
Can you give advice to prospective students? :p

[jabee_usm]

I wouldn't trade my experiences in Dominica. Can't say I'd be over-eager to do it all again, but I am glad that I came here and wouldn't change my decision. It's not an easy lifestyle to get used to. School is not easy because it is so much faster than the US schools. On top of that, you're learning how to live in a 3rd world country with very few modern conveniences. But Dominica has changed me into a better person. It will make you truly bitter if you let it, though, it's all in your attitude. There is no way to be fully prepared for this place. There are things you just have to learn as you go along, like pre-paying for electricity, figuring out the hot water in the shower that is you have to turn on with a switch, how to deal with some of the locals, where to eat and where to avoid. But it is a great experience if you let it be. I have learned to live with little and to be content with what I have. I don't sweat the small stuff anymore and have definitely learned patience with people. (Just wait until your first encounter with a Dominican at a cash register.) I have come to appreciate things that I have in the states. You learn to appreciate life because you live around people who have absolutely nothing. You'll get sick of it, I guarantee it, and you'll hate it quite frequently, but it's not all bad. It's a beautiful island and you'll gain experience here that you'd never get in the states. You have to make the decision if this is something you want to do and then just do it. You'll figure it out along the way. Oh, and when else will you get to hop to other islands for a weekend each semester for so cheap? That rocks.

Txdoc22, You are the man! You sound truly committed to the lifestyle! Great info!:D

[shutterbugmd]

Like in ANY school some teachers are great, some are ok and some are not... just take advantage of the good ones and yes, it's medical school, they're not going to spoon feed you everything.. you CAN succeed if you are determined to do so.. Ross has a LOT of faculty compared to other Carib schools. Personally I got out more from reading on my own and taking advantage of the great lectures... I also took advantage of the 24/7 anatomy lab and the good TA's we had there.. wherever you go you NEED TO STUDY HARD!

[jabee_usm]

Like in ANY school some teachers are great, some are ok and some are not... just take advantage of the good ones and yes, it's medical school, they're not going to spoon feed you everything.. you CAN succeed if you are determined to do so.. Ross has a LOT of faculty compared to other Carib schools. Personally I got out more from reading on my own and taking advantage of the great lectures... I also took advantage of the 24/7 anatomy lab and the good TA's we had there.. wherever you go you NEED TO STUDY HARD!

How long does lectures usually last? I know the professors do not spoon feed you, but can you get a copy (ies) of their powerpoints...... I know this is not undergraduate, but do they give out study guides, objectives, or anything?:confused:

[islandthrift]

How long does lectures usually last? I know the professors do not spoon feed you, but can you get a copy (ies) of their powerpoints...... I know this is not undergraduate, but do they give out study guides, objectives, or anything?:confused:

All of the lectures are available on the g drive which is configured to your computer by IT. Also, there is something called mediasite where they record the lectures and you can watch them live or later on if you miss lecture from your computer on campus. If you are in PACE you can watch them from home.

[sm657332]

Great info! Thanks:) :D

[vaneleus]

Txdoc22, You are the man! You sound truly committed to the lifestyle! Great info!:D

Txdoc22 is not a man.

[jabee_usm]

Oh, I am sorry about that!:)

[txdoc22]

That's okay. I'll be the wo-man! :)

[Khan1987]

What's the worst part of the academic experience at ross during your first set of basic science classes?

[jabee_usm]

All of the lectures are available on the g drive which is configured to your computer by IT. Also, there is something called mediasite where they record the lectures and you can watch them live or later on if you miss lecture from your computer on campus. If you are in PACE you can watch them from home.

Thank you alot for this information! Very helpful!:)

[jabee_usm]

All of the lectures are available on the g drive which is configured to your computer by IT. Also, there is something called mediasite where they record the lectures and you can watch them live or later on if you miss lecture from your computer on campus. If you are in PACE you can watch them from home.


So, are the exams usually based off the powerpoint information? :shock::rolleyes::cool: If so, why do everyone say it is so hard? Just asking; I know I do not have a clue right now about the whole medical school experience! How many tests are given each semester usually? Are the exams the only things you are graded on? or Do you have quizzes and etc...? If all of the notes are given to you, what is the purpose of coming to class?:D:roll::eek::cool:;)

[islandthrift]

So, are the exams usually based off the powerpoint information? :shock::rolleyes::cool: If so, why do everyone say it is so hard? Just asking; I know I do not have a clue right now about the whole medical school experience! How many tests are given each semester usually? Are the exams the only things you are graded on? or Do you have quizzes and etc...? If all of the notes are given to you, what is the purpose of coming to class?:D:roll::eek::cool:;)

Med school is probably one of the hardest things anyone can do! If you feel you can do it on your own, that's fine, you can try. Let me just ask you a question though, why aren't you trying to get into a US school? Is it because, like that majority of Caribbean students, you just don't have the grades and/or the MCAT scores you need? If that's the case, then either you don't have the study skills you need or you studied really hard and still didn't get great grades. So what makes you think med school is going to be a breeze? Don't be fooled. You need to go to class to be taught the material. If you choose not to go, you better have a great work ethic and be very disciplined! As far as tests go, there are 3 minis and a final in 1st as well as 2 lab exams in anatomy and 2 in histology. (btw, it's the sheer volume in a small amount of time that makes med school so hard!)

[jabee_usm]

No! I think you got the wrong understanding of what I was asking! I know medical school is not going to be a breeze anywhere you go!:) I was just saying, if you can get all of the required study material without going to class, why would you? Like I said previously, I really do not have a clue about the whole medical school experience, I am just try get a since of what I will be dealing with! And I asked earlier, are the exams based off of the notes strictly?:D:cool::D Believe me, I will be going to class EVERYDAY!

Oh yeah, my grades are good, my MCAT was not that great! I am currently in graduate school working on a MPH!

[islandthrift]

No! I think you got the wrong understanding of what I was asking! I know medical school is not going to be a breeze anywhere you go!:) I was just saying, if you can get all of the required study material without going to class, why would you? Like I said previously, I really do not have a clue about the whole medical school experience, I am just try get a since of what I will be dealing with! And I asked earlier, are the exams based off of the notes strictly?:D:cool::D Believe me, I will be going to class EVERYDAY!

Oh yeah, my grades are good, my MCAT was not that great! I am currently in graduate school working on a MPH!

Medical school is a LOT harder than you think it is. Ask any 1st semester that is sweating right now (1st mini is Monday). I am by no means doubting your ability but you must get your head out of the clouds! It will be the hardest thing you ever do! Some people can learn without going to class but the majority of students need to go and be taught the material. The exams are mainly based on the notes however anything said in class is fair game. I recommen you sign up for our free Buddy Program through Island Thrift. You will be assigned a current student ont he island to e-mail with. This may help you get the answers you want fast than posting on here as well as help prepare you for what is ahead! If you would like to sign up please e-mail us at info@islandthrift.com with your name and a 1-3 sentence intro about yourself that will be sent to your new buddy.

[FRNC]

I performed a little fatherly "due-diligence" (as a financial backer) in 2002.
I supported my daughter's decision to attend Ross then and I would give the same support to attend Ross now.

FRNC
Father and Father-in-law to successful Ross grads..........soon to be 3rd year Residents.

[jabee_usm]

Medical school is a LOT harder than you think it is. Ask any 1st semester that is sweating right now (1st mini is Monday). I am by no means doubting your ability but you must get your head out of the clouds! It will be the hardest thing you ever do! Some people can learn without going to class but the majority of students need to go and be taught the material. The exams are mainly based on the notes however anything said in class is fair game. I recommen you sign up for our free Buddy Program through Island Thrift. You will be assigned a current student ont he island to e-mail with. This may help you get the answers you want fast than posting on here as well as help prepare you for what is ahead! If you would like to sign up please e-mail us at info@islandthrift.com with your name and a 1-3 sentence intro about yourself that will be sent to your new buddy.

Thank you very much for that information! I just signed up for the buddy list!:D

[txdoc22]

Everything you need for the exam is not in the powerpoint. It's not like they take a slide and ask a straight-forward question over it. Especially when you get to third and definitely fourth semester (which is where I am right now) you will need to cross-reference several different texts. The packets are basically an outline to guide your studying. Some packets, like Dr. B's pharm, are pretty comprehensive. Others, though, are the basics. If you have a photographic memory, you may be okay, but in order to really understand this stuff, you will need more than the packet. At least that was my experience. I do have some friends who are freakin geniouses that don't use too many outside sources and still do well. It's important to understand, though, that the questions are not primary. Most of them are secondary or tertiary questions in the form of a clinical scenario. You have to know the basics in order to figure out how to approach the question.

[jabee_usm]

Txdoc22,
You are awesome! I love your advice always! Thanx once again!:D How often to you find yourself studying each day?

[StepperK]

Overall, I would do my school over at RUSM, with the exception that the leadership in AICM in Miami change and try to streamline the program better for some experiences that are actually helpful, such as a continual USMLE review program, not bunched into several sessions in no particular order, and not a bunch of "clinical" experiences spread out in various hospitals and clinics over the city, some that really don't let you do anything. Dr. F********** himself said in our orientation that "observation is the lowest form of learning", yet that is what many of the clinical experiences are...and time lost that would be better spent studying for the COMP and USMLE.

[jabee_usm]

Overall, I would do my school over at RUSM, with the exception that the leadership in AICM in Miami change and try to streamline the program better for some experiences that are actually helpful, such as a continual USMLE review program, not bunched into several sessions in no particular order, and not a bunch of "clinical" experiences spread out in various hospitals and clinics over the city, some that really don't let you do anything. Dr. F********** himself said in our orientation that "observation is the lowest form of learning", yet that is what many of the clinical experiences are...and time lost that would be better spent studying for the COMP and USMLE.

Thank you very much for this information! You guys are really helping me make a final decision! ?s: Why are the clinicals in various hospitals and not just one in particular? It seems like that is a waste of time and money!:D Is the information I just presented correct? or just rumors? :confused::rolleyes: