Why Ross University vs St. Geroge

[boylanglo]

Several months ago, many topics in Ross talked about the shortcut of Ross in clinical rotation spots. It made me confused and decided to apply to SGU after I got acceptance from Ross. However, I GUESS that Ross have solved this problem very well while I recieve two or three email about expansion of clinical rotation spots from Ross later. What do you think?

Now SGU accepts me for Jan 09 semester while I have finish all visa application as well as loan application for Ross.

I heard that when you fail one class at SGU, you are allowed to take only that class without any payment when you have to pay and take all classes at Ross. Is it right?

Please give me any advices to decide between SGU and Ross. All replies are helpful 2 me now.

[stephew]

well i would try not to base plans on failing courses. Good luck in your decision.

[vivmeddoc]

If I was you, I will choose school that help me to achieve my goal (MD) with less hassle and more comfortable condition so I can focus on Studying. There will be a lot of tests ahead of you for 4 years in Medschool. Being a Ross Graduate who went through all of the hassle and tough time on the island and back to the US for clinical rotation, I can tell you that if I had to choose again I won't choose Ross even I am finished school,to found residency and a good job within a normal time frame (4 years medschool, matched right away after finished school and 3 years residency). But other school also have its own problem. Read the forum more and see how it is. I had friend who go to St Goerge were pretty OK with the living condition at Greneda and also his rotation in US. However, he owned the bigger loan than me, well, everything had it own price. I also have friend from Ross who OK with classes on the island and rotation in the US. It all up to you.

Don't go to medschool with the mentality that you will fail the classes. Seriously, when you on that island, so isolate from other people in US, your mind have to be strong to pass classes and to do well.

After all when you get out of Ross or St George you still in debt about 150,000 + interest that can come up to 250-300,000 per 30 years repay period.

The main goal is to finish school, to have MD degree, to get good residency and to find a good job. Take 1 step at a time to achieve all of these. Caribean school is a tougher road than US as a fact.

[jabee_usm]

Well stated!:)

[Closter]

Don't fail
Don't goto SABA, they seem to be having problems
otherwise, any school is fine, just work hard, and roads will open

[brob311]

Go to St George

[stephew]

any school is not fine. there are vast differences between many of them. Ross and SGU are both good options.

[Closter]

I meant between the big3, stop nitpicking, madam

[Closter]

If You are in Ross for sept, and SGU for jan, i would say Ross.
Since this causes a year difference in matching
Increasing competition from increased US Admission has a slightly greater impact every passing year, however minor it might be.
A year of salary is a lot too.
But if both are jan, just flip a coin, if u want to flip a second time, then you go with the option u didn't get the first flip

[brob311]

I meant between the big3, stop nitpicking, madam


meee-oowww!

[Gator98MD]

What are my chances of not getting annoyed by yet another what are my chances/what should I do thread? :confused: Methinks slim to none!

[brob311]

No, no, no, but wait... I know you said do a search, but I am asking the same question in a different way!

[Closter]

13%........

[stephew]

folks please either contribute something useful to the topic or don't post.

[ScottsdaleIndian]

If I was you, I will choose school that help me to achieve my goal (MD) with less hassle and more comfortable condition so I can focus on Studying. There will be a lot of tests ahead of you for 4 years in Medschool. Being a Ross Graduate who went through all of the hassle and tough time on the island and back to the US for clinical rotation, I can tell you that if I had to choose again I won't choose Ross even I am finished school,to found residency and a good job within a normal time frame (4 years medschool, matched right away after finished school and 3 years residency). But other school also have its own problem. Read the forum more and see how it is. I had friend who go to St Goerge were pretty OK with the living condition at Greneda and also his rotation in US. However, he owned the bigger loan than me, well, everything had it own price. I also have friend from Ross who OK with classes on the island and rotation in the US. It all up to you.

Don't go to medschool with the mentality that you will fail the classes. Seriously, when you on that island, so isolate from other people in US, your mind have to be strong to pass classes and to do well.

After all when you get out of Ross or St George you still in debt about 150,000 + interest that can come up to 250-300,000 per 30 years repay period.

The main goal is to finish school, to have MD degree, to get good residency and to find a good job. Take 1 step at a time to achieve all of these. Caribean school is a tougher road than US as a fact.


So I'm waiting on a decision from Ross, but like you mentioned I keep hearing about people talking like they assume they're going to fail a class or 3. I don't understand that. I mean in the US, you fail ONE class, your life might be screwed and they might kick you out permanently, right? You're not supposed to go to MED SCHOOL thinking "I wonder if I will like these classes?!". Since you've been through the whole thing, do a lot of kids have that mentality at Ross? I mean I understand Carib schools are harder to get through, but still I guess I'd be fine with it, cause I'm pretty sure I can compete against kids with 18 on their MCATs and 2.5 GPA's. Not too many can just turn into the hardest working people over the course of a summer.

[syntrik]

The people I see having trouble are exactly the ones I expected to have trouble. I wouldn't put down people for having an 18 mcat or 2.5 gpa - if you end up at a carib school you probably have some detractor as well. It's really not about what you did previously once you get here, it's about how you move forward.

And you're right, definitely don't come in with the mindset you're going to fail something. Psychologically you're actually making it more likely by doing that.

[DrMS]

What are my chances of not getting annoyed by yet another what are my chances/what should I do thread? :confused: Methinks slim to none!
lol ! I'll say 5%

[stephew]

I will only repeat this one last time: if you dont have something useful to contribute to the OP's question, dont post. Otherwise the thread will be locked.

[cavalletti]

Several months ago, many topics in Ross talked about the shortcut of Ross in clinical rotation spots. It made me confused and decided to apply to SGU after I got acceptance from Ross. However, I GUESS that Ross have solved this problem very well while I recieve two or three email about expansion of clinical rotation spots from Ross later. What do you think?


I wouldn't take a chance with clinicals if you've been accepted to SGU. This is a recent thread, it doesn't look like things are improving much. http://www.valuemd.com/ross-university-school-medicine/159057-rotation-situation-improving.html.

All the best with your decision.

[marcus "the gun" pupil]

Clinicals are fine. People are way to spoiled at Ross. Me and many people I know got their clinicals just fine. You just have to keep calling. There are people in my rotation right now from another caribbean school that are trying to transfer to Ross because they are having prob with rotations. Ross has added several sites. Even though we dont belive it, but they are trying to get better in that aspect. The integrity and reputation of the school depends on student perception. All that being said, I think it is a toss up. St George has a better island. If Ross gives you an earlier admission and you cant wait, go for it!

[boylanglo]

Thanks for all replies. I never plan failing any classes, but who knows the future?

Retaking classes and clinical spots are two things that I guess SGU handles better than Ross.

Correct me if I am wrong, SGU provide us dorminitor while Ross doesn't?

[brob311]

but still I guess I'd be fine with it, cause I'm pretty sure I can compete against kids with 18 on their MCATs and 2.5 GPA's. Not too many can just turn into the hardest working people over the course of a summer.

This means nothing when you get to med school, everyone has a clean slate. I have a good buddy who got a 17 on his MCAt, twice. And he was an A student at Ross, passed his Comp the first time, and is awaiting his Step score. So don't just expect these thoughts of yours to be a given.

[sukhtinder]

SGU for sure..

better island
better clinicals
better reputation
fast food on the island
better education

[Closter]

I'll agree with you for the first 4

[Doctor1982]

Don't go to Ross. ARE YOU INSANE?!?!? You fail one class, you have to repeat the entire semester. You fail any more - you get expelled.

Why the hell would you chance it with a school like that?!?!?

[WannaBdoc25]

I know some one answered this already but I forgot. Are you expected to pay for the whole semester again, or just the classes one has failed.

[boylanglo]

Beside failing issue, what advantages or disadvantages between Ross and SGU? Can any one else let me know more? Appreciate for all replies.

[BrendaB_MD]

Beside failing issue, what advantages or disadvantages between Ross and SGU? Can any one else let me know more? Appreciate for all replies.

Favoring SGU:
- Better island (minor consideration)
- Availability of clinicals (low probability of delay)

Favoring Ross:
- lower cost
- high attrition (potential to create a stressful atmosphere)

There is no convincing evidence that there is any difference in educational effectiveness. Although, both schools have good USMLE rates, it is almost impossible to make meaningful comparisons because of differences in admission policy, attrition, etc. All you can say is that you have a high likelihood of passing the USMLE if you make it through basic sciences at either school.

The curriculum and educational approach is very similar at both schools. There is no reason to believe that the choice of school has much of an impact on their USMLE score.

Similarly, there is no convincing evidence that one school has better residency placements than another. To do so, you would need to know the number of people who applied for each specialty and also know their stats. My impression is that SGU may have an advantage in placements; however, there are lots of interfering factors (selection, USMLE scores, number of applications, etc) so it is very hard to draw any meaningful conclusions.

With Ross, you run the risk of a delay in clinicals; however, this is balanced by the higher cost of SGU. You can easily do a cost benefit analysis that shows that, even with a relatively high probability of delay, Ross is less expensive.

If money were not a consideration, I would pick SGU. They are well managed and, as carib schools go, their students generally have few complaints. I think students at SGU generally have a more pleasant experience; however, there are some who enjoy their time at Ross. I don't know the difference in cost between the two schools. I think the key question is whether the relatively minor advantages of SGU are worth the cost. At the end of the day, this is a personal decision that must take into account your sensitivity to cost as well as your sensitivity to various factors such as quality of life. How much are you willing to pay for a smoother ride?

[boylanglo]

For whole program, how much tution different between Ross and SGU?

[BrendaB_MD]

For whole program, how much tution different between Ross and SGU?

You don't belong in medical school if you lack the skills or are too lazy to look this up on the respective school websites. This information is readily available.

[cavalletti]

I know some one answered this already but I forgot. Are you expected to pay for the whole semester again, or just the classes one has failed.

If you fail a class at Ross you are required to pay (2nd time) for the entire semester. I think it's a new policy this term.

[boylanglo]

You don't belong in medical school if you lack the skills or are too lazy to look this up on the respective school websites. This information is readily available.

Come on, I know Ross tuition is 14-15K/semester while SGU is 17K/sem.

That's all I know. Some ppl say expense in other islands is more than Dominica island.. I've been in any island, how do I know how much is its expense?

[got milk?]

sgu has a much much better clinicals arrangement.

they have new york locked down. if you want electives in one city, no problem. there are tons.

plus, some hospitals even prefer SGU students for RESIDENCY.

i think sgu is worth the extra cost.

ross will keep you guessing where you'll go next for clinical rotations. you'll probably be doing peds rotation at the end of your 4th year, etc etc.

sgu plays by the rules.

[Closter]

plus, some hospitals even prefer SGU students for RESIDENCY.

I strongly agree.
SOME hospitals prefer SGU students for residency.
But MOST prefer Ross students for residency, since there are more Ross graduates.

Thank you thank you,welcome to VMD, where we twist the truth to fit your ego.:rolleyes:

[vivmeddoc]

I don't know why boylanglo worry so much about money. If you want less hassle and headache, you have to pay a little bit more and go to St George. If you want to pay less go to Ross, like all of the post above, if you fail 1 class at Ross you have to repeat the whole semester and pay for it. St George have a dorm but you have to pay more. Ross have apt around campus but the one that not infested by bug, clean, have good AC, close to school, safe......etc you have to pay like in US apt (so the amount add up is almost the same like a dorm at St George. Expense on the island is all up to you. Living condition is 3rd world country: poverty, yellow water esp. after rainning, lost electricity right before mini exam ( I still remembered how many time I had to study with candle light), etc. After all, as I remember, I borrowed the max. amount of loan each semester at Ross and still felt that I had no money left at the end of the semester. I am in debt of 125,000 or more plus interest from both federal loan and private loan (with high interest and not easy to consolidate like fed loan:evil:) for 4 years of medschool at Ross. I had a tough time getting rotation because of Ross clinical staff was so incompetent that mess up my schedule and force me to call and hassle with them. Even when I applied for FCVS for licensing, they put my admission date after my graduated date. It took me 3 weeks to call back and forward to fix this tiny mistake. But at the end it all worked out fine.
My friend who graduated from St. Goerge had a better life on the island-Grenada, good and smooth rotation in the US. He found residency right away like me in IM, but he's screaming with the amount of loan he has to pay (well, like anything else, you get what you pay for.) Plus every school has its advantage and disadvantage like someone post above.

I think you're missing the point here. After all, go in to Carib school for MD because you really want to become a doctor and willing to do that. You may not have the grade and luck to get into US school. You better to prepare to do well in Carib school, academicaly and mentaly because when you go on for interview for residency or job in the US, they have to see that you really were gear toward medicine and that you survive the hurdle and that you are competent doing your job like other MD who graduate from U.S school. When you start working, paying loan of $1000 /per month vs $1200/per month really not much of the difference for 30 years. I had both St George and Ross graduated in my residency program, the knowlege of medicine are the same, all depend on individual base, not on what Carib school they went to.

If I was you, I worry about how to pass all my classes, to get through Carib medschool without a record of failing course and get good USMLE score/1st time taking, and plus be competent to handle patient at the first day of residency and after that. It doesn's matter what school I choose. After all I went to Carib school/foreign grad. I just want to make a comfortable living and doing what I love to do: being a doctor.

[kauquah]

I had a tough time getting rotation because of Ross clinical staff was so incompetent that mess up my schedule and force me to call and hassle with them.
My friend who graduated from St. Goerge had a better life on the island-Grenada, good and smooth rotation in the US.

It's good to hear from someone with actual experience with Ross.

It looks like the biggest difference is with the clinical experiences at Ross and SGU. Is this difference worth the extra $? Less re-locating, knowing your schedule a year in advance, finishing cores in 3rd year, all green rotation, easy and professional access to clinical staff. All this sounds good.

[DrMS]

Come on, I know Ross tuition is 14-15K/semester while SGU is 17K/sem.

That's all I know. Some ppl say expense in other islands is more than Dominica island.. I've been in any island, how do I know how much is its expense?

I don't know what you are asking. If you've been to any island then how come you don't know how much living expenses will cost?

[vivmeddoc]

So I'm waiting on a decision from Ross, but like you mentioned I keep hearing about people talking like they assume they're going to fail a class or 3. I don't understand that. I mean in the US, you fail ONE class, your life might be screwed and they might kick you out permanently, right? You're not supposed to go to MED SCHOOL thinking "I wonder if I will like these classes?!". Since you've been through the whole thing, do a lot of kids have that mentality at Ross? I mean I understand Carib schools are harder to get through, but still I guess I'd be fine with it, cause I'm pretty sure I can compete against kids with 18 on their MCATs and 2.5 GPA's. Not too many can just turn into the hardest working people over the course of a summer.
Please do not put down people like your post here. Everyone, including me who had to go to Carib school because of some defiencies in your studying either MCATs, GPA, age, no luck of applying to US school,etc. Everyone has inspiration in their life. You should focus on yourself to do what you want to do in your life. Don't worry about other people's life or what they got for their MCAT. You'll be suprise that medschool require much more than just GPA and MCATs. Try 1st semester at Ross or other school first before you 're "pretty sure about compete against kids with 18 on their MCATs and 2.5 GPA's"

[boylanglo]

I don't know what you are asking. If you've been to any island then how come you don't know how much living expenses will cost?

My bab, I mean I've nener been in any islands.

[nmmiller]

I am trying to do on some research on the differences between Ross and St. George and they do seem to be pretty comparable but I am wondering what the reasons were you have chosen to apply at Ross instead of St. George?

I am sorry if this has already been asked, which I am sure it has but when I went to do the search I did not find what I was looking for.

Thanks in advance

[Closter]

I am trying to do on some research on the differences between Ross and St. George and they do seem to be pretty comparable but I am wondering what the reasons were you have chosen to apply at Ross instead of St. George?

I am sorry if this has already been asked, which I am sure it has but when I went to do the search I did not find what I was looking for.

Thanks in advance

mmmmmmmmmmmmk?

[jcu]

I swear on my sternocleidomastoid there are approximately 382 threads on this exact question.

[nmmiller]

mmmmmmmmmmmmk?

WOW!

I have done some research but I guess what I am really looking for is the differences they don't point out in information packets, websites, etc. I value future/current students opinions and felt that this could be a way you could get the truth instead of things being sugarcoated. I posted the same questions on the St. George site received helpful comments and was hoping for the same here, because we do plan on attending Ross and are excited about the opportunity.

[nmmiller]

I swear on my sternocleidomastoid there are approximately 382 threads on this exact question.

Sorry, I may be doing the search wrong. It took me forever to just find the tiny, little search tab :)

[islandthrift]

I have merged this thread with another ROSS Vs. SGU thread. In the future, duplicate threads will be locked.

[ScottsdaleIndian]

I am trying to do on some research on the differences between Ross and St. George and they do seem to be pretty comparable but I am wondering what the reasons were you have chosen to apply at Ross instead of St. George?

I am sorry if this has already been asked, which I am sure it has but when I went to do the search I did not find what I was looking for.

Thanks in advance

I think almost all of us apply to both schools, not just Ross particularly. It's a known fact that SGU has always been just a littttle bit harder to get into. But you're right, now they're pretty close in most respects, like residency matches and stuff, everyone says SGU's match list is more impressive, but I personally don't see much of a difference, Ross gets just as many students into surgery and the other harder to get into specialties. Ross is quite a bit cheaper, which is one the reasons I always hear people choosing Ross, as in like $50-60,000 cheaper cause not only is tuition higher, living costs are apparently ridiculous in Grenada where SGU is. Also you only spend 16 months on the island I think with Ross, as opposed to full 2 years at SGU. I've been researching this exact question for a year now, and those seem to be only legitimate reasons I've seen.

[vivmeddoc]

You can search Ross forum, there are tons of post about this issue,

I can only talk about Ross because I graduated from it.
I just finish residency this year.

Well, it was a chalence for me when I attended Ross.
It take time to adapt to the island, third world country, everything slow and you have to be patient with the local and don't expect you get service like in US,yellow water when the rain come, lost of electricity when people overuse it (exam) but it's OK when you get use to it. I still miss Caribbean sea, beautiful sunset with a greenlight touch down on the horizontal.

You'll stay less in Caribbean(if you go to Ross/ 16months) than St. George if you don't take a break and you pass all your class if you focus and don't pay attention to other distraction or student who unhappy or too emotional....etc
The curriculum is hard and rigid, it does prepare me for USMLE and I study alot for it. Professor, my years some of them were very good, some were bad, I was lucky to have very good anatomy, neuro, path and pharm teachers. Physiology was horrible in my year and it did cripple my knowlege because everything in medicine base on physiology. I heard they have better professor now
If you willing to pay like apt in US :$600-1100, you have an OK apt to live in. I paid 250/month, 2bedroom, the owner live upstair, 10 min from school, not a super great place but doable for me. If you have small children , it kind of tougher. You can search for the post of people who have children on the island.

Clinical year: lots of hassle. But I did it since 2003-2004 in NYC( it might be difference now), not at the good hospitals though, crappy hospitals, not geting education like what my US medical student did in my residency. I had to learn most of the things myself. And relearned it when I became resident, but I did OK and at the end I pretty satified with residency education (thanks to the program I matched). Plus hassle with Ross clinical staff is something else I don't want to remember.

After all, I appreciate Ross give me a chance to become M.D, but the road is tough, if you willing to sacrified lots of thing in your life for medicine career, I think you will success.
I have friends who graduated from St George, good island, dorm, good rotation but more expensive, education the same, hard but doable if you put your mind into it.

Residency match almost the same for 2 schools, depend much more on your board scores, your # of attempt to pass and LORS, luck, the specialty you want to match into, and your personality.

I passed my USMLE 1 and 2 at my first attempt. I did average for IM (in the 80s) got lots of interview westcoast and eastcoast and matched to a good program. I think it depend on what specialty you choose and your board score. I have friends from Ross who score 90 to 99 who match into ER, orthopedic surgery, radiology, surgery.....etc. But I also have other friend who can hardly pass USMLE. One of them took both step 3 times but still finanly found a residency:confused:, I think it base on his personality and luck more than anything else. I also have friend who never finish residency or transfer to other school because they couldn't pass the classes from Ross and transfer to other carribean school. My class was Aug class, started 250, end up 80-100 graduate after 4years, the rest either left the island, or fail and had to repeat classes. It all up to you and how much effort you put in.

I in-debt of 125,000 by the time I finished Ross. Deferred 3 years in residency because my residency salary is alot;), enough for me to buy food and pay living expense but not my precious "loan":rolleyes:. Now I graduated, I already had to paid back the first month out of residency, not even work yet because I study for my specialty board; calculate for 30 years I will end up paying about 250,000.....:twisted::evil:. Federal loan is OK because I consolidate to a low in. rate, private loan is murder.......hate it.

Finding a job after residency was not so bad. I wanted to go back to Southern California so it took me a long time to find a good job and a great offer, but I did it (started looking 6 months before finish my residency, and like anything else, lots of interview to find a place that fit me). When you finish residency, lots of opporturnity will open up.

Anyway, it is a long journey for me and I still remember a quote from one of a Ross Tshirt from my first year from LaoTzu: "A journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step". It took me 7 years(medschool and residency) after undergraduate degree to fullfill that single step: become a medical doctor and I met and become friend with many amazing people from school and work.

Good luck to you

[nmmiller]

I have merged this thread with another ROSS Vs. SGU thread. In the future, duplicate threads will be locked.

Thank You, sorry I did not find the old thread.

[nmmiller]

[quote=vivmeddoc;873595]You can search Ross forum, there are tons of post about this issue,

Thank you for the GREAT information, it is important and I am glad you are doing well.