AUC Sept 2008 or SGU Jan 2009?

[Phrozen]

Hey all,

I just got accepted to AUC for Sept 2008. I'm not sure if I should go to AUC or wait until January and go to SGU.

I've already read some threads comparing the two schools and from what I saw, they are pretty much equal in terms of education and facilities. I suppose the support services (e.g. advisers and tutoring) are better at SGU.

Would there be any advantage to wait until January and go to SGU or should I head to AUC this September?

Any advice?

Thanks

[johnritter]

go auc because you start sooner,finish sooner,match sooner,earn sooner.A whole year of your life gone for what?

[BSeay-MPH]

I think that one advantage to starting at SGU in January (which I did) is that you will get some extra time between the end of 6th term and having to take the Step 1 test. you have a few months as opposed to being rushed if you finish in the spring.

[Phrozen]

Thanks for the points!

Anyone have anything to add?? I'm still having a hard time deciding...

[argazul]

Its really hard for us to decide for you. What's more important to you? graduating in 2012 or going to SGU. You need to feel comfortable with the school you choose. You need to have faith in your decision. With either school you will face obstacles, and at that time you shouldn't feel "only if i had gone to ......"

Carefully go over the curriculums of both schools? Think about what style suits you best. Do you like having long summer breaks? Do you want to go though 3 semesters a year? Look at the clinical situation. Look at the island life. Look at the current students complaints and satisfactions.

When you ask which school is better, SGU students will defend SGU and AUC students will defend AUC. Just spend a couple of hours, heck spend a couple of reading reading through many many threads that celebrates each schools uniquness. Also read about problems and struggles of each school. Which schools postives you like and which schools negatives are you willing to put up with.

You are in a fortunate position of having a choice. Decide what kind of medical education you want. Then see which school matches your criteria. There are very intelligent and smart students from SGU, AUC and Ross on these forums and many successful alumni from all three schools. They maybe/maybe not found their fit. make a decision and fly with it. Don't look back.

[shadyhtown]

And after all that, if you're still unable to decide, toss a coin.

[argazul]

And after all that, if you're still unable to decide, toss a coin.
shhhh......you're giving away the secret. :D

[Nelphus]

I've seen quite a few tours here lately (AUC); If you aren't too strapped for cash or time - take a little vacation and check out the schools for yourself. Personally, I did not have that opportunity but I'm sure it would give you a nice glimpse into the journey you are about to embark on...
If you can make it out here to SXM by next monday (night of our 2nd block exam) you can experience what celebration is like, with us! :). This is all I can think about while stuck in lecture hall at 115am on the fourth of july... eh, technically 5th now :(

[stephew]

starying in auc will get you one year ahead in terms of residency. The unknown is if it will make any residency lacement any better going to sgu. its a real unknown.

[stephew]

i disagree with argazul a bit on the comment "sgu students defend sgu and auc defend auc". in terms of quality of teaching, frankly no sgu student can comment about auc, and vice versa. in terms of outcome, basically you just need to look at the match list and kee in mind that you dont know where the folks applied to. just where they go. Were there many at either school who didnt get a more competitive spot or didnt even try though they would have wanted it. You just can't know.

[stephew]

I think that one advantage to starting at SGU in January (which I did) is that you will get some extra time between the end of 6th term and having to take the Step 1 test. you have a few months as opposed to being rushed if you finish in the spring.

not necessarily an advantage. there is no difference in usmle outcomes by class and further, most people dont need "more time" to study. Some weaker students might. some feel "more time" hampers them.

[DrFraud]

i disagree with argazul a bit on the comment "sgu students defend sgu and auc defend auc". in terms of quality of teaching, frankly no sgu student can comment about auc, and vice versa. in terms of outcome, basically you just need to look at the match list and kee in mind that you dont know where the folks applied to. just where they go. Were there many at either school who didnt get a more competitive spot or didnt even try though they would have wanted it. You just can't know.

And just one more thing to keep in mind to make matters even more confusing to someone who is trying to compare two programs is that faculty turnover at most Caribbean programs is more significant than at U.S. medical schools. I could comment ad infinitum about how great my profs at AUC were but there's a good posibility that a number of my favorite instuctors will not be there for whoever I recommend AUC to and I have only left the Island a few months ago. By the time I match, who knows how different the faculty will be....... Everything I have heard about SGU, Ross, and Saba suggests a similar pattern of turnover.

[Scott1981]

or you could also say that some of the professors you like turned over and are at sgu. some of the professors that sgu'ers like, may be at auc when you start.

case in point.... my anatomy proff (dr. L) teaches at sgu. my biochem proff (dr. t) teaches at sgu now too. my immuno and path proff (dr. l and dr. w) now teach at saba.

[DrFraud]

one other thing....

Have you thought about contacting SGU and letting them know that you were accepted in aug. at AUC and that the extra year might be a deciding factor between AUC and SGU. If you would prefer to go the SGU and simply don't wan't to have to loose a year, and if you haven't contacted the SGU admissions dept., this might be something to consider. I'm not recommending that you go with SGU but if you would rather go there this might be worth trying.

[DrFraud]

or you could also say that some of the professors you like turned over and are at sgu. some of the professors that sgu'ers like, may be at auc when you start.

Funny...I actually wrote this and deleted it b-4 I submitted my reply :rolleyes:

[cavalletti]

one other thing....

Have you thought about contacting SGU and letting them know that you were accepted in aug. at AUC and that the extra year might be a deciding factor between AUC and SGU. If you would prefer to go the SGU and simply don't wan't to have to loose a year, and if you haven't contacted the SGU admissions dept., this might be something to consider. I'm not recommending that you go with SGU but if you would rather go there this might be worth trying.

This might be worth a try. Contact SGU and offer to fax over your AUC acceptance. This has helped others in the past. Maybe they'll make room for you in the Aug. class.