5th semester on dominica

[satellite]

What would be the disadvantages (other than living conditions) of doing 5th semester in Dominica?

To any current 5th semester students or anyone who has completed the 5th semester recently: What would you have missed in terms of clinical experience if you had done your 5th on the rock (again, i am not referring to living conditions, food etc.)?

[bevo]

not sure about who you are or your situation.

but Dean O at the meeting said its limited to 8 people and reserved for those with visa problems trying to get into the US.

personally, i couldn't stand being here 1 more week, let alone 3 more months.

[oc23]

i'm only in 4th so i'm not speaking from experience, but i can tell you what i think MIGHT be a disadvantage about taking 5th here: i think you can get a better aicm instruction in miami. i'm not saying that the professors here are not good (in fact, they have some really good ones), but i think the miami faculty might be better in aicm just because they have more experience in it. and plus i think it's just better to do your rotations in the states where the hospitals have better technology--the same technology you'll be using in the future. for example, when i went to princess margaret hospital, i learned that they don't do hip replacements there. if a patient comes in with a femoral head fracture, they just improvise some traction device instead of doing what you're supposed to do, which is a hip replacement. they don't have most of the equipments that we need to learn to use and they don't do most of the procedures that we need to learn to do.

HOWEVER, some students do choose to stay here for 5th just because it's more practical financially. going through all the hassles and expenses of moving for just a few weeks of aicm is something not everyone wants to deal with.

[MitchDC]

Let me start by saying that at one time I hoped to be able to stay in Dominica for 5th semester. I was already settled there, the rent was far less, and I didn't need to spend money on a car. However, I'm really glad I went to Miami.

What would you miss doing 5th semester in Dominica? You would miss US medicine! You would miss real surgery rotations (ortho, plastics, foot/ankle). You would miss your introduction to US hospitals. You would miss the clinical lectures and the great epidemiology professor (that is high-yield for the boards). You would miss intro to the technology found used today in US medicine, etc. You would also still be deficient in your physical exam skills and H&P writing skills when you returned to start your 3rd year.

Just my thoughts,
MitchDC

What would be the disadvantages (other than living conditions) of doing 5th semester in Dominica?

To any current 5th semester students or anyone who has completed the 5th semester recently: What would you have missed in terms of clinical experience if you had done your 5th on the rock (again, i am not referring to living conditions, food etc.)?

[frank911]

There are very real advantages to statying on the rock. I could really do with out this damm traffic here in miami. Its at least an hour in bumper to bumper to get to most places, most of the day.

Cost of living and rent are very expensive here. The heat in the summer is unreal!!!. Dominica never this hot. The mandatory lectures are a waste of time it is stuff right off first aid or BRS. Yet you have to be there 8-5 which just kills the day.

The schedule is emailed to you a couple of days in advance or the day before so you feel very ungrounded. never really know what the hell is going on.

Its definetely nice to be home though. all in all I think miami is still better than being stuck on the rock. and the emphasis on the H&P will really come in handy in clinicals.

[satellite]

Thanks for your opinions.

My reason for choosing to do 5th on Dominica was that I did not want to deal with the hassles/expenses of finding a place and settling down again just for 2-3 months. Also, I thought I would be better off studying for USMLE here rather than going to Miami. But I was also afraid of not being prepared adequately for clinical clerkships.
After reading all the responses, I think It would be better to go to Miami for the 5th.
Another question for 5th semester students: Does Ross has an official campus/office in Miami? When you first arrive at the airport, is there someone to guide you as what to do and where to go or are you all on your own?

[MitchDC]

Ross does have an office in Miami, however you will be about 1/2 way through medical school and you shouldn't need somebody to pick you up at the airport (if that is what you meant). They do have several staff members with the duties of financial aid, registration, etc. You can go to www.rossmiami.com for more information on the AICM semester and the Ross-Miami office.

MitchDC

Thanks for your opinions.

My reason for choosing to do 5th on Dominica was that I did not want to deal with the hassles/expenses of finding a place and settling down again just for 2-3 months. Also, I thought I would be better off studying for USMLE here rather than going to Miami. But I was also afraid of not being prepared adequately for clinical clerkships.
After reading all the responses, I think It would be better to go to Miami for the 5th.
Another question for 5th semester students: Does Ross has an official campus/office in Miami? When you first arrive at the airport, is there someone to guide you as what to do and where to go or are you all on your own?