Opinion Please?

[EM_D]

Basically, I’m a University Graduate, 3.42/3.41 Sci/Overall GPA, published author x 3 working as a research technician for 2 years at a Cancer Institute after graduating, good reference letters from high position Researchers, no MCAT (scheduled in 2 weeks, but im nowhere near ready so I may just wing it).

My Dilemma: a) I’m funding medical school myself and i’m very attracted to the $5000 tuition (<7000 U.S a term I expect) b) I don’t have the MCAT completed and I don’t think I can study properly in the environment i’m currently in (living at home, paying bills for the family, always working) c) I’m 26 and I can’t possible fathom waiting another year to see if I get into U of T, Mac, Western or Ottawa.

I’ve also applied to SABA (cheap tuition) but I don’t think it’s worth spending $20,000 – 30,000 a term at Ross or SGU so I havn’t applied there. I have a Saba interview in one week and I believe I should be able to get accepted. I’ve also been accepted into Windsor for Sept 09.

I feel Saba is a better school, possibly better curriculum with a great track record and the opportunity to come back to Canada as many have been shown to. At the same time it sounds more difficult with a 75% needed to pass tests vs. Windsor at 60%. I also hear Windsor splits up Anatomy and Biochem into 2 courses so that it’s easier? I’m a bit rusty with studying so I don’t mind having a buffer to pass the courses. Lastly, SABA charges ~$13,500 a term vs. Windsors ~$7000 and I feel that this is because Windsor is still very young. At one point Saba was $7000 and MUA was $4,950. Lastly, I have 2 friends coming with me to Windsor. Anyways, I just want to make sure that I won’t be too hindered by going to Windsor since I want a good U.S. based cirrciulum, great teachers and a good library to work in. My hard work and effort should help with the rest. Or do you believe Saba + a little elbow grease will be better? Your opinion will be truely appreciated.

[mario345]

^there is no comparison between SABA and Windsor, for various reasons.
SABA is a established school with great residency placements. I would love to see the residency placements for Windsor.

And if you are planning to go back to Canada, then Saba is the way to go.

[EM_D]

any idea how much emphasis is put on the MCAT? I have my interview coming up and I'd like to be very prepared for anything they could possibly ask/critique.

[mario345]

^i dont know why you didnt take the MCAT...you will be doing MCQ exams for the next 4-5 years...MANY of them...dont make MCAT and issue...just write the damn thing and get it over with...no one is asking you to score a 40+, but it is significant just for writing it...saba is raising its standards, and it is rare for people to get accepted without an mcat (thats the impression i got when i started saba and almost everyone had taken the mcat in my class - not that they smoked it or anything, but they HAD taken it)

but yah, there is no good explanation to why you did not write the mcat...i mean thats one of the basic requirements a med school applicant has to complete! they will def. ask you for it, and i really dont know what you *can* say that justifies a med school applicant not writing a standardized exam...

and its a horrible idea to go to windsor if saba asks you to write the MCAT...thats a NO NO.

windsor is a scam. do NOT go by their flashy website or what their superiors post on vmd.

[EM_D]

I didn't take the MCAT yet for various reasons, but I'll look into writing it ASAP. Thanks again for all the help and i'll be making SABA my #1 choice now. See you in January *I hope*!

[mario345]

See you in January *I hope*!
i hope not!:D:D:D:p...


im not on saba anymore...

[mario345]

^you are writing a lot of stuff to convince yourself to go to windsor...

1) less tuition...well less quality of education, lesser guarantee of clinicals, lesser serious people. how is the environment there? i just looked at their website which was a BIG improvement from a couple of years back, but still not impressive... i looked at their residency placements...it was a JOKE...most of them are empty slots besides the names [people didnt match?!], and those who did match...says 'matched in oklahoma', 'matched in iowa'...what exactly does match in 'oklahoma' mean!?!?!?!? you need to know specifics, like which hospital, which department, pre-lim or categorical.
compare their list with saba's and you will see what I mean. its a joke.

2) friends - i dont mean to be harsh. but seriously, do whats best for YOU. you are already taking a big gamble by going to a caribbean school. do yourself a favour and go to a place which improves your chances of getting into a residency. friends come and go. they are not a priority at this time. you will make many more new friends.

[EM_D]

Thanks for taking time out of your day to research the school and come up with a sound argument. Windsor is a sketchy school, no doubt about it, and you're absolutely right when stating that the Carribean is already a gamble so I might as well dish out the money now and beat the odds later on with better clinicals and residency spots. As for the friends dilemma, they were only able to get into Windsor, but I have options including Saba, SGU, Ross.

Thanks again for the wake up call :).

[Hugh_Mongous]

As for finances, I read several numbers, but Saba tuition per semester as of this current semester is $9150, and then you must account for living expenses.

I was told a story by a current 4th semester student as Saba that I will relate to you... When he became interested in starting med school, he found the first marketed school and jumped on it and paid the tuition and he went headfirst into first semester. It happened to be St. James, and he regretted it thoroughly, as it was a joke (metal foldout chairs in a tattered building of 3 rooms, at least several semesters old cadaver and meaningless examination in a lab that was open 2 hours a week--only during class hours(!), profs who did not show up, etc.).

He said that he left after a couple of blocks of earning B's while not studying at all. The story rung a bell for me because I too found St James first, but thankfully continued my research into the caribbean, and landed at Saba. not that Saba is the greatest thing on earth, but it gives you the tools you need to succeed.

Hold out, do your mcat, and go to Saba, since its the most cost effective option of the legitimate schools, if that is a huge constraint.

All the best...

Mr. Mongous