Transfer from Ross

[Junito]

I am currently enrolled at Ross, and just before I started I came upon the SMU website. To my suprise SMU offers clinicals at Florida Hospitals, and offers a dual MD/MHSA program. I am not trying to put down Ross, or start a fight, I am quite happy with the instruction here. My only problem is that:

1) They don't guarantee clinical sites in Orlando (maybe for electives, but for cores I would be on my own). And I really want to be there.

2) One reason I chose Ross was because its program offered the least amount of time outside of the US. Now I see that SMU theoretically can offer less time outside of the US.

These two reasons are key to my situation in life now, for my wife and I are planning on raising a family soon. My wife refuses to get pregnant in Dominica, and well I can't blame her for that.
Now I see that SMU offers a program in conjuction with SJC in Maine! I have visited maine, and love it. Can any student who is currently in the program share their experiences? I am worried about how the program will work (in Maine).

Juni

[lawdoc]

I have been accepted to Ross. I came upon St. Matthews web site and have decided to apply because I have a wife and 8 mos old baby. I am very leary about the living conditions on Dominica. I am also a bad flier and need non-stop jet service! I am from southeast Florida and am interested in Orlando.

Is jet service that important vs. education? I also don't like the milk or beef situation at Ross. How are you handling it?

I alos decided to apply to AUC due to jet service from Miami and the food. I've been to Saint Martin/ Sint Maarten and know I could live their as a human being!

[hope2bdoc]

I've been to Saint Martin/ Sint Maarten and know I could live their as a human being!

You could probably live on Dominica as a goat if you just give it a shot.

[Junito]

Living in Dominica is not really bad, that is if you are here alone. Once you bring family it complicates things a bit. You have to be honest with yourself, and know what you want. If comfort is important to you, trust me you will sacrifice some here in Dominica. Now, if you want to focus on Orlando...It seems like Ross' great reputation has yet to reach there, for I asked the clinical dean about the outlook on future core rotations there and was told that it was way off. So if you are interested in Orlando as a place to do rotations, and want comfort matters to you, then go to SMU. I chose to transfer to SMU because of the Orlando clinical sites, and the fact that I can spend less time in the Caribbean (not that I don't like it, but it puts many things on hold for me). When I first applied to Ross I was under the impression that it was the only Carib school that offered less than 5 semesters in the Caribbean. Now I see that that is not the case. Otherwise I would have picked AUC. Ross is great. Excellent technology, great faculty, and resources. But I am sure I can get that at SMU. Technology is great, but it is not one of the more important factors for me. Hope this helps.

Juni

PS I'm sure if given the opportunity, goats too would go to the Cayman Islands over Dominica :lol:

[FoxTrot]

I'm at Ross right now but my wife wants to go to medical school. Since by the time she gets finished with the prerequisites for medical school, I'll be finished with my basic sciences in Dominica and I don't really feel comfortable with her being alone in Dominica by herself after I'm gone. So...I suggested that she go to St Matthews since it would be very similar to living in the US and alot safer and maybe not as hard in terms of failing out, etc. The only thing, since St Matthews is fairly new, wouldn't there be a problem in terms of gaining licensure (for example, Kansas, where's she from).

Juni, you transferred out of Ross? I remember you posting in the Ross forum and you seemed excited to come to Dominica? I know how it is in terms of family b/c my wife came down here with me but we both have gotten used to being here and it isn't a big deal anymore.

[MDTOB]

I'm at Ross right now but my wife wants to go to medical school. Since by the time she gets finished with the prerequisites for medical school, I'll be finished with my basic sciences in Dominica and I don't really feel comfortable with her being alone in Dominica by herself after I'm gone. So...I suggested that she go to St Matthews since it would be very similar to living in the US and alot safer and maybe not as hard in terms of failing out, etc. The only thing, since St Matthews is fairly new, wouldn't there be a problem in terms of gaining licensure (for example, Kansas, where's she from).

Juni, you transferred out of Ross? I remember you posting in the Ross forum and you seemed excited to come to Dominica? I know how it is in terms of family b/c my wife came down here with me but we both have gotten used to being here and it isn't a big deal anymore.

I think your wife will do just fine here at SMU. The Cayman Islands are very modernized with a plethora of amenities and facilities. This all helps in making the transition.

[Junito]

Foxtrot,
I am currenlty in Dominica, and I do not have a problem with the island. My problem is that Ross doesn't offer core clinicals in Orlando, and it seems that will be the case for some time. Secondly, I chose Ross because it seemed at the time to offer less time in the Caribbean, and now I see that is not the case. Don't get me wrong, I like it here in Dominica, but given the opportunity to do less time in the Caribbean and return to the states is important to me. My wife works in the prep school on a temporary basis (till Sept). I worry what she will do after that time. So since SMU offers an environment that is similar to the one we were accustomed to in the US, and offers less time in the Caribbean (4 & 5th semesters in Maine!!!) it is an attractive option. I filled in the paperwork, and hopefully will be at SMU come September.

Juni

[FoxTrot]

Well, hopefully you make it to SMU. Some people just can't hack it in Dominica and having a wife just makes it more difficult. It's not any use going to Ross if you're unhappy here. But 16 months in Dominica compared to the rest of your life is such a small amount of time to invest. I know that when I get off this island next semester, I'll be happy and see it as an accomplishment of what I went through and will be a stronger and more humble person that appreciates more of what the US has to offer that I took advantage of before I came.

In the meantime, my wife will apply to SMU because Ross isn't a good place for a single female to be and the reputation seems to be quite good from what I've read. Will have to look more in the licensure issues though.