Is this school worth it?

[seandubbers]

Is it?

I havent heard much about it. Good schooL

[IAUmed]

No, its not worth the hassle. Go Somewhere else. Even if you go to IAU and transfer later, you will more than likely be required to repeat all the coursework you completed at IAU. Due to their "policy" (which was never put in writing) the transcripts list your courses as "Incomplete" until you finish the entire year of courses. I do not understand why they list it as "Incomplete" as opposed to "In progress".

The California medical board told me, over the phone, that completion of basic science courses must be done at an accredited school. The medical schools recieve their accreditation based on their instructional programs, not on their clinical locations. If you take courses from IAU, with hopes of transfering, you will still not be able to get in to states like california unless you repeat your basic sciences at a school that was approved.

Save your time and money and go to a school that has established residents already. It's not worth it.

[IAU]

Due to their "policy" (which was never put in writing) the transcripts list your courses as "Incomplete" until you finish the entire year of courses. I do not understand why they list it as "Incomplete" as opposed to "In progress".


"IAUmed" has their facts incorrect regarding our "policy." We follow guidelines similar to those of most other schools; that is, transcripts administered while courses are in progress do in fact show "In Progress."

Currently, unlike other Caribbean schools, our courses span two semesters. If a student requests a transcript at the end of semester 1, for example, all courses would reflect a grade of "In Progress" and not "Incomplete" as IAUmed suggests.

[lswiltshire]

seandubbers

Forget IUA

A school that is unwilling to pay experienced tutors/physicians more than $1500 per month in this day an age is not serious about medical education.

[iaustudent06]

seandubbers

Forget IUA

A school that is unwilling to pay experienced tutors/physicians more than $1500 per month in this day an age is not serious about medical education.

$1500? That explains a lot.

How did you know this information?

[lswiltshire]

I applied for a job in Jan 2007.
They offered less initially, then they seemed to think they were doing me a favor by offering me US 1500, no air fare, no lodgins, no contract, no insurance; none of the things you get at some of the other schools at which I taught.

I decided that it would be better to stay home and watch Texas Ranger reruns.

I NEVER TELL LIES IN THIS FORUM

In 2002 SPARTAN offered me the same amount with a long long contract. I didnt go either

[IAUmed]

The information I gave regarding the transcripts was given to me directly from the IAU office. I spoke with the CFO and specifically asked "why do you put "Incomplete" as opposed to "In Progress" on the transcripts" and his reply was "That is just our policy".

If things have changed in the past 3 months, then my information could be outdated, and I appologize. However, the information I posted was exactly what I was told by the Dallas office, the CFO, and a nameless individual who happened to be on the Island that same day.

As I have stated several times, to several different faculty members - put it in writing and there wouldn't be any debate - although, that removes all plausible deniability

[IAUmed]

Hello,

Yes, you were given misinformation about our grading policy, and for that I apologize. I checked with our registrar immediately when I saw your posting to check if IAU had granted an incomplete recently. We had not, and actually have never granted one since our inception as far as I know.

Transcript concerns should always be addressed to one of us in the Dallas office namely A****, our register, who is the best person to call for clarification since she administers transcripts. Asking S or S for clarification is not the way to proceed. Students unfortunately learn this after the experience.

The policy should be written down, I agree. Usually, as you know, that policy is stated on the back of the transcript paper itself. Currently, the back of our transcript paper does not. We should also have this information in our student handbook.

Instead of posting on valuemd, why didn't you just call either myself or Dr. E in Dallas? We are and always will be straight up about the school. Just thought I'd throw this thought in while I'm here.

Sincerely,
Dr. ***


I came home today and found this in my inbox. My reply to this is below.


Dr. S,

I understand your concern and somewhat sympathize with you. However, you nor Dr. E were a part of IAU when this happened. Speaking to the CFO, and the CEO was not my decision. I was singled out, after mailing in a request. I sent a document that I was told is confidential and only seen by the registrar. Unfortunately, the fact that I had requested a transcript, was made public information and I was ridiculed by other students and alienated by certain faculty members.

After you and Dr. E were brought on board, I did reach out to you. I tried several times to get an appt. with Dr. E while he was on the island. He was busy getting acquanted with the administration, and did not have any available time to meet with me.

In my postings on ValueMD, I have tried not to let my opinion get involved. The times when it does surface, I clearly state that it is my OPINION. The administration has lost a considerable amount of credibility with myself, and a few others who are afraid to voice their concerns after seeing how I was treated.

I have also encouraged other students to post their experiences. I am well aware that not everyone will agree with me, but that doesn't mean my experience is any less valuable to prospective students. I cannot appologize for the experience that IAU offered me. If more students begin to share their opinions, then perhaps average opinion will look more favorably on the school. It is unfortunate that I am the only one posting... unless the same things are happening to everyone.



For the prospective students interested - Do not take my experience as the general consensus. Please, do your own research. Speak to several students, ask several questions, and ALWAYS get answers in WRITING.

Some important things to look at with any school would be the overall attitude of the student body. I would also suggest looking at the attrition rate (almost the entire senior class is transfering), faculty turnover (get hard numbers and a rate), Number of students who passed step 1 (Not just a rate - 3 students take it and 3 students pass = 100%). Also pay special atention to the schools willingness to put things IN WRITING.

[mpIAU]

i completely agree with IAUMED because if you don't get it in writing that school will deny, deny, deny.

[IAUisfullofLIES]

According to the school officials, they avoid placing anything in writing. Try calling or, best yet EMAILING the school for direct answers and you will get one or two (sort of 3) responses:

A. statement saying 'everything is fine and going to schedule' without stating what it is that is fine or when something is to occur

B. NO RESPONSE AT ALL - so as to avoid any trace of misconceptions or incorrect information

C. a response, stating that someone else is responsible for that particular answer and should either be contacted/forwarded to, to which no answer is generated

All of this leads to one thing: FRUSTRATION :evil:

[MDdoctor2008]

That is really wierd. I am planning to join IAU this spring. Whenever I contacted their dallas office,I always got straight answers and infact all the admissions counselors that I spoke to has been very warm and helpful. I'd say that so far my experience with IAU has been good.

[PSU07]

That's nice to know, MDdoctor2008, that your experience with the admin of IAU has been good so far.

[PSU07]

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[PSU07]

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[rickydoc]

Does IAU accept transfer credits from AUA, MAU OR ST. Mathews ?

[PSU07]

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[chopsuey]

AUA and St.Matthews admission office said they will accept credits from IAU. I guess they are desperate for student too ??!!

[Tipton]

AUA and St.Matthews admission office said they will accept credits from IAU. I guess they are desperate for student too ??!!

Nope. The only possible way an IAU student could transfer to AUA (1-to-1 transfer of credit) would be after passing Step 1. And that would only be on a case-by-case basis: possible demotion to Basic Sciences.

[rickydoc]

Nope. The only possible way an IAU student could transfer to AUA (1-to-1 transfer of credit) would be after passing Step 1. And that would only be on a case-by-case basis: possible demotion to Basic Sciences.

Is that a condition only for students transferring from IAU or is it a general admission policy ?

[PSU07]

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[PSU07]

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[All4IAU]

Most carribean schools does not accept basic science credit unless they can positively prove their knowledge by passing the Step1. In those lines, IAU may not give transfer credits to a student from AUA either unless the student is able to test out on an NBME shelf exam.

[juniormd]

USMLE Step 1 is the ultimate test of knowledge of basic sciences. There is no reason for any school to require you to retake the basic sciences if you have passing scores in the step1 exam !