RE:ACCEPTANCE INTO SMU AND SJSM

[spite1981]

PLS HELP.....I GOT AN OFFER FROM SMU, GRAND CAYMANS......I PAID MY SEAT DEPOSIT FOR SMU THE FOLLOWING DAY SO AS TO SECURE MY POSITION AT SMU. A FEW DAYS LATER, I RECIEVED AN OFFER FROM ST JAMES, BONAIRE. I HAVE NOW DECIDED ON ST JAMES AS THE COST OF LIVING IN GRAND CAYMANS IS VERY HIGH....

TAKE FOR EXAMPLE, THE TOTAL COST FOR BASIC SCIENCE IN BONAIRE IS ABOUT $45,OOO FOR THE 24 MONTHS, INCLUDING BOOKS, FLIGHTS, BILLS ETC....WHATEVER YOU NEED IS INCLUDED IN THIS PRICE....HOWEVER, I SPEND THAT IN A YR AT SMU, WITH ALL THE FEES PAID SEMESTERLY.......I REALLY WOULD LOVE TO GO TO SMU BUT IM AFRAID, I'LL HAVE A HUGE LOAN AT THE END OF MY DEGREE.....AS MY TOTAL TERI LOAN WILL BE $180, 000 FOR THE 4 YRS (AT $45,000 PER YEAR). PLS, PLS ADVISE ME!

I NEED TO KNOW THINGS LIKE "IF I TAKE THE TERI LOAN, IS IT GOING TO TAKE ME MORE THAN 5 YRS TO CLEAR IT ONCE I GRADUATE". COS IF THE ANSWER IS NO, THEN I'LL HAPPILY TAKE IT AND GO TO SMU...

I HAVE TO ADMIT THE THOUGHT OF OWING $180,000 TO $200, 000 ON GRADUATION SCARES ME....PLS HELP!

KIND REGARDS,
SPITE

[MDTOB]

SMU is a much better school and has been established a lot longer than St. James.

I wouldn't risk my future on how much I'll owe.

SMU has a lot more state accrediations than St. James (both for clinicals and residency/licensure).

SMU has a lot more graduates, residents, and students than St. James.

The CA Medical Board just recently did a site visit of SMU.

SMU just recently got NY approval!

SMU is located in the beautiful Grand Cayman (very modern and plenty of amenities i.e. Burger King, Subway, Quizno's, Wendy's, KFC, etc.)

Consider all this before you make a final decision! Your future depends on it!

True, you'll pay more here for the cost of living, but ultimately your decision should be based on the quality of the school and their Medical Program, and where that MD will get you!!!!

Good luck!

[dt]

I agree with MDTOB.

SMU will give you a better shot at getting residency come match time. SMU is NY (and Florida) approved and that opens a lot more doors for you. CA is on the way (but hold that thought till actual approval).

In the long run the difference on how much you owe only matters if you have problems getting licensure.

[wolfvgang22]

SMU is definitely the better of the two, in my opinion, for the same reasons MDTOB stated.

[jguru2]

I HAVE TO ADMIT THE THOUGHT OF OWING $180,000 TO $200, 000 ON GRADUATION SCARES ME....PLS HELP!

KIND REGARDS,
SPITE

If this is the only reason you're worried, there are programs post graduation that could pay-off your educational loans. Personally I would not bank my decision just based on cost....SMU has a better history and track record...but either school can grant you the MD degree. Number of States (and ease of getting into the States you want) would be another story. Play the comparison cards, and weigh your priorities.
Good luck.

[manleyjb]

Most medical students are in debt 150K-200K when they are done regardelss of where they attended. I would go to the better school regardless of cost. I do not know much about ST. J but I do know that SMU is an excellent school and will be the top medical school in the caribbean in the next few years. Good luck with your decision. Take Care

[spite1981]

Thank you so much everyone for replying to my posting.I really appreciate your time and kindness....Jguru2 mentioned that there are programs post graduation that could pay-off my educational loans. Pls, are these programs open to MD students in general or to MD students who are US citizens. i ask this cos I'm a UK citizen.......thanks.

[AmericanIMG]

i believe that the payoff programs are open to any MD that takes govt/private medical loans...i will post on this when i find out more

[jguru2]

Thank you so much everyone for replying to my posting.I really appreciate your time and kindness....Jguru2 mentioned that there are programs post graduation that could pay-off my educational loans. Pls, are these programs open to MD students in general or to MD students who are US citizens. i ask this cos I'm a UK citizen.......thanks.

http://www.aamc.org/students/financing/repayment/start.htm

[Junito]

Wow! I was looking for something like this for a while. I did not see Florida on the list, yet it is a state in need of FP physicians. So sad. My interests were kindled by Maine, I love it up there, and wouldn't mind living there for a few years. Can a SMU student do clinical rotations there? If so, which ones? I am just trying to expand my options. Thanks for providing such a helpful link.

Juni

[SMU_Information]

As part of our approval by the Maine and US Departments of Education to have the Maine campus, SMU students are not allowed to participate in clinical rotations in the state. You are allowed to do your residency and get your full license there.

[KDog]

Maine campus? I am confused. There is an SMU campus in Maine?

[SMU_Information]

There is a small SMU Campus in Windham, Maine for students enrolled in the dual MD/MSHSA program. It is near St. Joseph's College of Maine, who administers the MSHSA program.

Students in the dual program go to Cayman for their first 3 semesters, and then move to the Maine campus for their 4th & 5th semesters. They do their pre-clinical experiences at Maine Medical Center in Portland vs. Georgetown and Chrissie Tomlinson Hospitals on Cayman.

[medtir55]

Students in the dual program go to Cayman for their first 3 semesters, and then move to the Maine campus for their 4th & 5th semesters. They do their pre-clinical experiences at Maine Medical Center in Portland vs. Georgetown and Chrissie Tomlinson Hospitals on Cayman.[/quote]


What is meant by pre-clinical experience? Is this the same as the clinical rotations? Does this mean that if we do the dual program we have to stay in Maine for semesters 6-9? sorry I just got a little confused. Thanks.

[wowmd]

What is meant by pre-clinical experience? Is this the same as the clinical rotations? Does this mean that if we do the dual program we have to stay in Maine for semesters 6-9? sorry I just got a little confused. Thanks.
(Quote)

"Pre-clinical" is "Pre" "Clinical Rotation". They just PREPARE you for your 3rd and 4th yr of med school where you will be spending pretty much all of your time at a few hospitals in the US or UK, etc...
PRE clincal does not mean Clinical Rotation.