Finally, a thread EVERYONE should read

[darkmansaad]

enough with the constant updates about first semester, meatiest question that EVERYONE will get asked at some point.

"So why did you go to the caribbean??"

Im interviewing soon so i really want to know and i know most of the people on this board are more active during basic sciences so if any people that already are in residency that have a good idea of how to answer this, PLEASE send your answers. We will all benefit.....

Done on Oct 30, god bless!!!!!!!!

[rokshana]

enough with the constant updates about first semester, meatiest question that EVERYONE will get asked at some point.

"So why did you go to the caribbean??"

Im interviewing soon so i really want to know and i know most of the people on this board are more active during basic sciences so if any people that already are in residency that have a good idea of how to answer this, PLEASE send your answers. We will all benefit.....

Done on Oct 30, god bless!!!!!!!!

its a fine balance that you need to have when answering this question (and you will get asked!)
you don't want to just say, "well i didn't get into any US schools", but you don't want them to think you picked an offshore school over a US school..for the adventure or the experience... both will make you sound dumb...

the way I answered the questions was that i pointed out that while my MCAT and grad GPA were competitive, my UG gpa (that was soooooo long ago!!) was lower than the average and that after being on waitlists at US schools for 2 yrs in a row, I knew i wanted to go into medicine and just wanted to get started...i also threw in teh story about how my dad said, after i waitlisted the 1st year, that "see, I told you you should have applied to those caribbean schools..." and that with the 2nd cycle, i did just that and had a place to go to med school...

i was also asked why not DO? THis too you need to be careful about...you never know what the interviewers attitude about DO is , so be neutral as possible..I basically said, i really didn't know that much about DOs when i applied and so it wasn't really something i had thought about...

hope that helps!!

[Gecko]

Good answer, nice that you can use being waitlisted at a US school.

[mario345]

if it was me, i think i will just be honest. because i am not very good at being dishonest and people can usually pick that out. and people who will be interviewing you, i assume, are quite intelligent and hence should be able to anazlyze the applicant to the greatest detail.
if asked that question, i will admit that i was not good enough to ge into a cdn or american school, because i didnt have much guidance in early parts of university (which is true - most dont) and just didnt have the grades, and by the time i actually knew what was going on and how to study and got better grades, it was too late to get into a cdn school and hence applied here. i would also mention that research was also an option, but i wasnt really passionate about it so i didnt do it.
then i would just change the topic to how this was an important lesson for me and i learnt from my mistakes and was instrumental in working hard to achieve those high board scores..

[rokshana]

i would be careful of saying anything that puts you in a bad light...this is an interview where you want to look your best and actully be preceived as THE best candidiate for the job...because this IS a job interview...you don't have to lie (in fact you shouldn't lie) but you can certainly put a positive spin on what is a negative....this is not the time to be brutally honest...

you will also be asked...so what is your weakest (worst, so forth) point? Again state something that while it is the flaw in your character, shoudl be something that could be perceived as a positive....you dawdle and micromanage?? hey! you are detailed and through about your work...don't know when to give up? voila! you are perserverant....yap with your pts too long- 15 min visit ends up being an hour? you meticulous and through in your history taking....

never forget these are the people who are looking to give you a job...its a job interview, not a therapy session....

[mario345]

^im sorry, that strategy doesnt sound very sincere to me...

to each his own i guess.

[B_W_]

You don't need to spin a negative into a positive. The best thing in these scenarios is to briefly acknowledge the drawback and then emphasize your positive traits or how you've grown from your setback. ie: didn't receive good grades in uni. b/c of poor study habits? Acknowledge that you were unorganized but that you made a concerted effort to organize yourself and as a result you're more conscientious about time management b/c you've experienced firsthand how it has negatively impacted you. No need to lie but also don't dwell on the negatives.

[mario345]

^i agree with that.

i guess each person has a different answer for this question because no two applicants are the same.

for me, honesty is the best policy, even when faced with the worst possible situation - that has always worked for me, and i have no intentions of changing that. besides its not just what you say, but HOW you say it as well...and thats very easy to pick up...if you mean something, then you look like you mean it.

and the interviewers already know the answers to the questions they will ask an applicant most of the times. obviously a student went to a carib school not by choice, but because they couldnt get anywhere else. if you make it sound like that you did the carib school a favour by going there, then that doesnt sound very reasonable.

[wolfvgang22]

enough with the constant updates about first semester, meatiest question that EVERYONE will get asked at some point.

"So why did you go to the caribbean??"

Im interviewing soon so i really want to know and i know most of the people on this board are more active during basic sciences so if any people that already are in residency that have a good idea of how to answer this, PLEASE send your answers. We will all benefit.....

Done on Oct 30, god bless!!!!!!!!
Sorry for my slow response, I've been busy with being on call.

I like Rokshana's post, and I agree with it. Be positive, be confident. Be a pro.

The first thing you should recognize is that there is NO shame in attending Saba University at all. During last years interview season I found many residency programs across the US have a very favorable impression of Saba applicants. Most programs that don't already have a favorable impression of Saba just don't know us yet, and you are actually the one to help them form their initial opinion! So be proud of who you are and your school and represent. It's all about attitude.

Now to answer your question of what to say when asked "why did you go to med school in the caribbean?" Make a personal answer with a confident, positive spin.

My own answer was: "I decided to go to medical school when I was 28 after two previous careers. Though my GPA was good, I didn't relish the idea of going through one or more 18 month application cycles at my local Texas med school. After a really rather negative meeting with the Dean of the local Texas med school, I learned of Saba and, as an educator myself, was impressed with the positive atmosphere and quality of education. So instead of just giving up on being a doctor, as Dean ***** suggested back home, I chose Saba. And I'm really glad I did, because I'm here talking to you now." :D

So you get the drift. Life gives us lemmons, we make lemmonade with a smile (and besides, it tastes better at the end of a long hot day than the same old kool-aid everybody else is drinking).

[ElGuapo]

I think you might want to be careful with trying to spin a negative into a positive. The interviewers aren't stupid. They know that you went to a Caribbean school because you failed to gain admission to a U.S. or Canadian school. Trying to somehow get around that fact might come off as dishonest.

[rokshana]

I think you might want to be careful with trying to spin a negative into a positive. The interviewers aren't stupid. They know that you went to a Caribbean school because you failed to gain admission to a U.S. or Canadian school. Trying to somehow get around that fact might come off as dishonest.

well i got into a university based residency program, so guess my strategy worked...

[wolfvgang22]

There is NOTHING dishonest about admitting a mistake, and showing how you dealt with it in a positive way. People who don't do that either give up too easily, and so aren't cut out to be a doctor anyway, or in denial about their humanity - because everyone eventually makes a mistake or two. So maybe I'm wrong, but I think it's how individuals respond to adverse situations that separates the winners from the losers.

Additionally, I challenge the idea that "everyone" who choose the Caribbean route for med school necessarily made "mistakes" or are somehow inferior to US grads. Many Caribbean med students are embarking on second careers, or never had an interest in medicine until late in their college career, and so on. Having other interests in life other than making straight A's in college is not necessarily a bad thing, despite what the AAMC tells you.
Don't accept false generalizations about people and let organizations who don't necessarily have others best interests at heart do your thinking for you.
Bad doctors do that.

[mario345]

Additionally, I challenge the idea that "everyone" who choose the Caribbean route for med school necessarily made "mistakes" or are somehow inferior to US grads.
How many SABA students attend the school because they actually WANTED to go there? A caribbean school is NEVER a first choice for any pre-med student. I feel sorry for those students who were good enough to get into a U.S. school, but chose SABA. Thats a grave mistake.
Our reputation [although not as much], our clinical options, our chances of a residency - well those are all inferior to a U.S. grad.


Many Caribbean med students are embarking on second careers, or never had an interest in medicine until late in their college career, and so on.
Yeah, but most do not. And many older applicants attend U.S. medical schools as well.

Having other interests in life other than making straight A's in college is not necessarily a bad thing, despite what the AAMC tells you.
Your perspective might have changed since now you are a resident and everything is set. But tell that to the university kids who, despite having a 3.8 GPA cannot get into a U.S. medical school.

Don't accept false generalizations about people and let organizations who don't necessarily have others best interests at heart do your thinking for you. Bad doctors do that.
One of the residents I know used to quote Nixon and say: 'Trust, but verify'. I think most of us do find out correct information ourselves and do our research and look at information critically. I certainly do it.

[ElGuapo]

There is NOTHING dishonest about admitting a mistake, and showing how you dealt with it in a positive way. People who don't do that either give up too easily, and so aren't cut out to be a doctor anyway, or in denial about their humanity - because everyone eventually makes a mistake or two. So maybe I'm wrong, but I think it's how individuals respond to adverse situations that separates the winners from the losers.

Additionally, I challenge the idea that "everyone" who choose the Caribbean route for med school necessarily made "mistakes" or are somehow inferior to US grads. Many Caribbean med students are embarking on second careers, or never had an interest in medicine until late in their college career, and so on. Having other interests in life other than making straight A's in college is not necessarily a bad thing, despite what the AAMC tells you.
Don't accept false generalizations about people and let organizations who don't necessarily have others best interests at heart do your thinking for you.
Bad doctors do that.

Admitting to a mistake is PRECISELY what I'm advocating here. I'm not suggesting that it's a bad idea to say that you learned from your experience and that you refused to give up etc. Those are all probably truthful statements.

However, the question is "why did you go to a Carribean school?" I suspect that for most of us (> 95%) it's because, for a variety of reasons, we failed to secure admission to a US or Canadian medical school.

I'd confidently bet a lot of money that the vast majority of Caribbean students would have preferred to go to a North American med school. There are probably an extremely small number of exceptions.

By all means, tell the interviewer that you've been strengthened by the experience and that you refused to give up on your aspiration of becoming a doctor. But don't insult the guy's (or gal's) intelligence by trying to convince him that a foreign med school was something other than a last resort.

[wolfvgang22]

How many SABA students attend the school because they actually WANTED to go there? A caribbean school is NEVER a first choice for any pre-med student. I feel sorry for those students who were good enough to get into a U.S. school, but chose SABA. Thats a grave mistake.
Our reputation [although not as much], our clinical options, our chances of a residency - well those are all inferior to a U.S. grad.


Yeah, but most do not. And many older applicants attend U.S. medical schools as well.


Your perspective might have changed since now you are a resident and everything is set. But tell that to the university kids who, despite having a 3.8 GPA cannot get into a U.S. medical school.


One of the residents I know used to quote Nixon and say: 'Trust, but verify'. I think most of us do find out correct information ourselves and do our research and look at information critically. I certainly do it.
Wow, somebody seems a bit on edge! But I'm cool with that, whatever works for you is fine with me. I'm just stating what works for me, with the creds to back it up.

Speaking of credibility, "Trust but verify (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust,_but_Verify)" was Ronald Reagans signature quote, not *shudder* Nixons. When did Nixon become a hero, anyway? :lol:

[mario345]

^lol...im never on the edge...unfortunately i come off like that... :)

yes, you are correct...see, trust but verify theory works... ;)

[krust3]

Saad,

be honest. tell them Saba had a great gym and that your bench went up 20 LB's by 5th semester.

after all, PD's really just wanna see how jacked up and tan you are.

[darkmansaad]

yeah im tryin to figure out a way to slip in the words "by the way i have a 6 pack" somewhere in the interview process. If that doesnt work i can always tell them a story about hooking up with someone not good looking which i know for a fact anyone who has gone out drinking on saba has a story about!

[seahorse21]

Just answer honestly, smile really big and say "It's better than freezing my off in Canada"!

[LaTeeCatin]

It's also kind of sad that my 3.8 GPA won't land me anywhere in the states unless it's validated by the MCAT. I don't receive the results for about a week, but I was disappointed by what was tested. If I could have been allowed to solve a differential equation or something else mathematical, I'd have done much better. It seems that in their zeal to limit our access to technology, the MCAT folks have to wear blinders to write their exam. Even if I do well, I don't think it's a very good indicator of the sort of doctor I'll be.

[LaTeeCatin]

"How many SABA students attend the school because they actually WANTED to go there? A caribbean school is NEVER a first choice for any pre-med student. I feel sorry for those students who were good enough to get into a U.S. school, but chose SABA. Thats a grave mistake.
Our reputation [although not as much], our clinical options, our chances of a residency - well those are all inferior to a U.S. grad."

Actually, if I had a cosignor for a private loan, I'd go to SABA. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with whatever the feds will guarantee

[mario345]

1) you are one of the exceptions. you should really spend some time looking into the consequences of going to a carib school... in terms of chances of residency, life on the island, treatment during clinicals...compared with U.S. students.
2) MCAT is no way an indicator of 'what kind of a doctor you will be'. so you should not be using that a yardstick for anything, or be discouraged.

[spidey12]

i can always tell them a story about hooking up with someone not good looking which i know for a fact anyone who has gone out drinking on saba has a story about!


ok several people have made comments about random promiscuity on the island and now im curious...

does everyone hook up? does anyone ever go out and drink on or near the beaches or shores?

Aside from getting mentally readily, im getting more in shape just in case there's a possibility than i might get laid on saba hahaha

[darkmansaad]

you getting laid depends on the interplay of two "synergistic" factors....one being your standards....two being the number of heinekens you consume

[spidey12]

you getting laid depends on the interplay of two "synergistic" factors....one being your standards....two being the number of heinekens you consume

I mean....you'll never find me with an ugly person....but judging by people's facebook pictures from some of the old classes and the upcoming ones..it seems that there are some decent people and a few very good looking people. My question wasn't just 'will i get laid'? because im sure if none of us cared about looks or intelligence or personality we'd all be getting laid every night....

I guess I'm just wondering if opportunities for potential hooking up ever occur. Do people ever decide to just go out drinking with each other or going to st martin in between blocks and vacation and thus possibly hooking up with each other?

A friend of mine who went to AUC told me that everyone in medschool falls in love with each other...was wondering how true that is. I say this because my girlfriend (now ex) and I are no longer together because she cant handle the distance and I may just want to meet some one new when I'm down there.

[mario345]

I mean....you'll never find me with an ugly person....but judging by people's facebook pictures from some of the old classes and the upcoming ones..it seems that there are some decent people and a few very good looking people. My question wasn't just 'will i get laid'? because im sure if none of us cared about looks or intelligence or personality we'd all be getting laid every night....

I guess I'm just wondering if opportunities for potential hooking up ever occur. Do people ever decide to just go out drinking with each other or going to st martin in between blocks and vacation and thus possibly hooking up with each other?

A friend of mine who went to AUC told me that everyone in medschool falls in love with each other...was wondering how true that is. I say this because my girlfriend (now ex) and I are no longer together because she cant handle the distance and I may just want to meet some one new when I'm down there.
LOL...thanks for the laugh.

[buddababa]

loool..sadness..r u coming to study or find love. epic fail.

[sgMD]

I mean....you'll never find me with an ugly person....but judging by people's facebook pictures from some of the old classes and the upcoming ones..it seems that there are some decent people and a few very good looking people. My question wasn't just 'will i get laid'? because im sure if none of us cared about looks or intelligence or personality we'd all be getting laid every night....

I guess I'm just wondering if opportunities for potential hooking up ever occur. Do people ever decide to just go out drinking with each other or going to st martin in between blocks and vacation and thus possibly hooking up with each other?

A friend of mine who went to AUC told me that everyone in medschool falls in love with each other...was wondering how true that is. I say this because my girlfriend (now ex) and I are no longer together because she cant handle the distance and I may just want to meet some one new when I'm down there.

this whole 'not being able to handle long distance' sounds darn familiar to my ears!! .... seems like a common issue with others too... oh well..

[darkmansaad]

hahaha that whole thing about "you'll never find me with an ugly person".....you my friend have yet to discover the deadly phenomenon known as : "ISLAND GOGGLES"

enjoy your time on the island...island goggles and heinekens are a deadly combination

[spidey12]

Explain this island goggles phenomenon please haha.


Also no one seems to want to answer, do people go out and drink socially? Like a campfire near the "beach' and some boooze during the breaks...

[Xorthos]

You guys can go fornicate with aesthetically displeasing individuals if you want, but if I get in i'm going to be studying.

That's not to say I won't be sipping a beer and watching you guys drunk stumble into a "what the hell did I do last night" type situation.

:)

[spidey12]

You guys can go fornicate with aesthetically displeasing individuals if you want, but if I get in i'm going to be studying.

That's not to say I won't be sipping a beer and watching you guys drunk stumble into a "what the hell did I do last night" type situation.

:)


yeah but those experiences will make great stories to tell during breaks in our studies ;)