Aside from the disapproved States, negatives?

[RuseMD]

After carefully looking through other school's forums and websites I've come to a conclusion that, given my personal situation, I may need to take a non-traditional route through this. My questions are:

1.) Aside from negative sentiment, will SPARTAN, given its reputation, give you the ability to become a Family Practice or Internal Medicine Doctor?

2.) What is the total approximate cost of the program?(inclusive of rent and travel and all that) How long is the program?

3.) I need a graduate's opinion on the quality of education and the acceptance among residency directors.

THANKS SO MUCH!! I know I can do searches but having the answers to these questions in one place would be a good thing for me to refer back to as time goes on. Thanks!

[IAUPREMED]

Sorry to answer off topic but with those credentials from harvard why dont you apply to the top 3?

[Scott1981]

Sorry to answer off topic but with those credentials from harvard why dont you apply to the top 3?

i agree, what are your stats.... why are you applying to the carib to begin with..... and even if in the carib.... why not the big3/4?

[Genossa maximillian]

Very intriguing!:cool:

[RuseMD]

Money is a big issue for me. Plus, in my own situation, I have a few personal issues which I've been dealing with and I really only want to be a Family Practice MD and why not get the best value for the price considering the broad stigma of most carribean schools. The value the big 3 offer, aside from the slight increase in relative prestige, present may not actually give me the benefit for an extra ten thousand or so a Semester. But, that's why I solicited opinions and suggestions to get an analysis other than my own since I'm not in the process and also, I'm unsure of my success and value.

[DOCplucinski]

you're going to be in a lot of debt anyway, there's all the extra costs added up over the years with traveling between islands, living on the islands - most islands are more expensive to live on than the US. then getting back to the states, you want to take a review course (Kaplan, Falcon etc) add another 5 grand...then traveling to and from your rotations, trying to find housing etc etc.

i mean honestly, there are so many extra costs that go into your education that a few thousand in tuition is not going to make a big difference in the long run. IMO you should not use that in your deciding factor for med school unless you're comparing two schools that are very similar. money is an issue for the majority of students. do you think we really want to be in this much debt when we get out? of course not, but in the long run, if you make it through, you will pay it off and will live a comfortable life.

[coolaid]

RuseMD in that case u can choose SJSM or Windsor...they are better than Spartan in terms of no adverse remarks by any agency.Both are much newer than Spartan.Both are threadbare....but it will serve ur purpose of a frugal MD degree. Costs are all same in the islands barring tuition, which at big 3 will cost u upto 25-30 k more per annum.
At Spartan or Sjsm or Windsor, u will save upto 100k by the time u enter residency.
Good Luck!

[coolaid]

...if u speak spanish pm me, i will give few 50 states med schools...

[AUCMD2006]

apply to a stateside public school in your area they are much cheaper in tuition, you don;t have to travel back and forth, you will not get raped by locals on everything from rent to toilet paper.

always always always always always always stay in the US for med school if there is any possibility that you will.

also try to not go into school with a specialty in mind...family practice and internal medicine are more different than you think and you may come accross something in rotations that you absolutely love

[RuseMD]

Thanks, everyone, for your responses! I appreciate it!