HELP SOMEONE

[wildream]

I know the answer will probably be something like: " Well, it is up to you" but I still want to take some opinion from you guys. I have been accepted for the Sep class, and at the same time my St. George's interview is next week( and the advisor told me I am in, more likely, unless I screw up in the interview). Now I am really confused. Should I go with Ross or SGU. On one side I like the fact that at Ross I will be back to the states in 16 months, while at SGU it would take me 2 years over there. But on the other side they say SGU students score better on the USMLE and get better residencies, and I don't know how much of that is correct. Would anyone of the current Ross students tell me if Ross would be better for me, and in what ways? I also noticed that Ross semesters are 3 months while at SGU they are 4 months, and I don't know if that is good or bad. Just confused.

[MitchDC]

Without knowing you personally, its tough to make the decision for you - so I won't. However, I can assure you that Ross and St. George's are solid choices, so if those are the two you HAVE to choose from, you are in great shape. After the basic sciences (and all they can do) at either of the forementioned Universities, you know that its really YOU who determines your own fate (board scores, residency, etc). Wherever you choose, best of luck to you Wildream!

MitchDC

I know the answer will probably be something like: " Well, it is up to you" but I still want to take some opinion from you guys. I have been accepted for the Sep class, and at the same time my St. George's interview is next week( and the advisor told me I am in, more likely, unless I screw up in the interview). Now I am really confused. Should I go with Ross or SGU. On one side I like the fact that at Ross I will be back to the states in 16 months, while at SGU it would take me 2 years over there. But on the other side they say SGU students score better on the USMLE and get better residencies, and I don't know how much of that is correct. Would anyone of the current Ross students tell me if Ross would be better for me, and in what ways? I also noticed that Ross semesters are 3 months while at SGU they are 4 months, and I don't know if that is good or bad. Just confused.

[bevo]

as my SGU interviewer said, regardless what happens with SGU. If you get into Ross or SGU then take either option. You won't be making a bad choice with either school. USMLE is more about personal dedication and learning. I think the differences in scores are on overall first time pass rate, not average score. I don't believe that SGU does anything different than Ross in teaching anything.

The rest is all differences that you must come to a decision with.

But with either decision, don't think you made a mistake. Also, I'd put down the deposit for Ross, if you haven't already. While you're advisor says "it's a sure thing", it might not be. I was told the same thing by SGU when I applied and then was told to retake the MCAT, which I didn't bother doing.

Assure you're place a spot at once school and then make the decision once you do recieve the the 2nd acceptance.

The $500? you put down is a small amount in the long run.

[wildream]

I have already made the first deposit for Ross. SGU told me I shouldn't worry about my low MCAT score, since they will just put me in the Enhancement program or something. And he said whatever deposit you made to Ross we will give it back to you at SGU.

[link626]

yep. board scores all depend on you, not the school. Not to bash or anything, but do you attribute your low mcat scores to your school?

[wildream]

I don't attribute my low MCAT scores to my undergraduate school, but I think SGU makes some good sense when they tell me that since my MCAT scores are low but I was very good academically in all other areas, then they would put me in some class that would imporve test-taking skills. I don't know if there is such thing at Ross or not? and if that is helpful. I really like to go to Ross, but to be honest, I had some bitter and weired experiences with some Ross officials and that makes me shiver everytime I remember them.

[spatel0434]

As everyone keeps saying, the board scores will depend on YOU, not the school you attend. So here are a few factors that you might want to consider:

1.) 16 months vs. 2 years out of the US
I chose the shorter 16 month route.

2.) Dominica vs. Grenada
Well, for me, neither place is home so it doesn't matter. Does it matter for you?

3.) ~$10,000/semester vs. ~$15,000/semester
Either way, there will be a huge debt, but I couldn't justify spending $5,000/semester more for the same level of education.

4.) Residency matches
I would say that both schools have nearly the same "quality" of matches. But as explained in other posts, PDs are often biased in terms of which schools they prefer. I know it's a long time from now, but if you do have a preference as to where you want to end up, you might want to check the preferences of the PDs there (are Ross grads are preferred or St. George grads are preferred or it doesn't matter).

Either way, you can't go wrong. Both are great schools. Good luck in your decision.

[2ndyear]

Wildream, I think you should choose SGU if they accept you. If your interaction with certain Ross officials have left such a bad impression on you, which I feel unfortunate since RUSM is a fine medical school, then you will always wonder if you had make the right decision when things get tough at RUSM and this might turn you into another disgruntled Ross student. SGU is a fine medical schoo although I'm sure they have problems over there too just like us and every other medical school on the planet.

What about AUC? it is a good school too although many people think otherwise, probably out of ignorance. Best wishes.....

[wildream]

I always heard before that SGU is a good school, and many times I kept hearing that SGU is the Harvard of the Carribean or whatever, but that never got into me. I was interested in Ross from the beginning and stuck with it. I loved the way I was treated during the interview and afterwards, but when I really needed their help they turned me down. I don't know, maybe I was too sensitive towards them at that time( too many problems at the same time), but what really made me mad is their repeated promises, which all ended up being: WE NEVER TOLD YOU SO. But anyway, I will be going to Ross for an education and my experiences with the administration here in the states won't affect my decision for the education that I will be getting in Dominica and here in the states. All my family, friends, and the close family doctors who know Ross, are pushing me for Ross. I don't know. You will keep seeing me on this board floating around until I make a decision, which will be very soon. I already have my deposit, so I have nothing to worry about. I STILL LOVE ROSS.

[2ndyear]

wildream,please let us know your decision when you make it. Take care..

[Kat]

1.) 16 months vs. 2 years out of the US
I chose the shorter 16 month route.

2.) Dominica vs. Grenada
Well, for me, neither place is home so it doesn't matter. Does it matter for you?

3.) ~$10,000/semester vs. ~$15,000/semester
Either way, there will be a huge debt, but I couldn't justify spending $5,000/semester more for the same level of education.


How funny! A group of friends and I were just having this conversation after the powers that be here decided to change the grading policies, and drop two of the three shelves we are paying for. Grass may be greener on the other side, but if SGU can keep their grading policies for more than a year I would chose Grenada. Also Ross is now a servant to deVry's bottom line, and what they expect Ross' revenues to be has alot to do with how this school will develop. Least SGUers dont have this as a concern. Good luck.