NEED HELP

[louloo]

Hi,

I have been reading the posts and am very confused as what to do. I am a Canadian citizen so I like the idea of Spartan because of its cheap cost! However, I want to become a doctor and if I spend 30,000 at Spartan I wonder if this can happen. I was thinking about taking the intense Kaplan course after my time on the island to really prepare me for Step 1. How did you former students prepare for step 1? If the quallity of teaching is bad I can teach myself, but is the material they are telling me to study actually stuff on the Step 1? I am just scared to go there and just have spent this money and still not pass Step 1! Then I will have no way to pay it back. Also from reading earlier posts it seemed as if there were some docs that graduated that did not match thus are not practising, why would they not match if they passed their classes and the Steps... its almost like the school held them back. Any comments or advice would be great. JUst one last thing, is it possible to transfer to MUA or Saba after doing your basic's at Spartan? I do not like the idea of setting them up your self.


Take Care
Laura :)

[Beaker]

I am a Canadian citizen so I like the idea of Spartan because of its cheap cost!

from what i hear it is very hard (but not impossible) for canadian citizens to go back to canada to practice regardless of which carib school u attend.

I was thinking about taking the intense Kaplan course after my time on the island to really prepare me for Step 1.

this is very highly recommended. lots of other schools require u to take a review course at their school and pay tons of money for it. spartan doesnt require it (which is bad b/c too many students choose not to take it :roll: ). but if u take it u will be much better prepared and will not regret it. i've always been told to study for the boards while in basic sciences. if u do what some do (memorize old tests), u might pass your classes but this wont prepare u for the usmle. on top of the material from class than you should be studying review books in each subject while taking the class.

is it possible to transfer to MUA or Saba after doing your basic's at Spartan?

i'm sure it is possible but i wouldnt recommend it. if u are planning to transfer just go there to begin with. if not just stay with your first choice. it doesnt look good when applying for residency and i've heard (maybe just rumors) that some states will not license if multiple schools on transcipts, or will at least give harder time.

I do not like the idea of setting them up your self.
this is the biggest misconception! the overwhelming majority of spartan students have their rotations set up for them by the school. a very small minority set them up themselves by choice. this is one of the biggest advantages of spartan is that u are allowed to set up your own rotation if u want to. but almost everyone just has the school do it for them. just b/c they give u the option (which is a good thing) doesnt mean u have to take it :? but the option is there if u want it (unlike most other schools).

as i keep saying spartan is not the best school out there and it does have its problems like every other school. if your looking for a school that has more spoonfeeding than u might want to consider spending more money to go to a different school (but probably not much better at the choices u described so far). if saving money is a big priority and u can accept some of the shortcomings that go along with that than spartan can be a good choice for u. it is the cheapest alternative, its a proven school (over 20 yrs) and will get you an m.d. and opportunity to practice in the u.s.a. just dont expect much more than that and u wont be disappointed :wink: .

[greendogz]

Future student, your definately correct if your concerned about what will happen if you don't Pass Step 1. You can save all the money in the wordl, but if you don't pass your Boards you're nowhere.

Beaker, as for you, what are your credentials and why all the love for Spartan? I'm not attacking you, just curious as to your point of view and from where you are stating your experience. Me, I'm the first in my class to pass Step 1, the only to pass Step II and the only to Match, just so you know where I'm coming from.

[emerson24]

Where are you a student of ? That doesn't sound too encouraging, the first one to pass the S1 and the ONLY one to pass the S2 ? Can you please elaborate.

thanks,
chris

[louloo]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to give me some advice. I was wondering about you greendoz, I understand why Spartan students might have a hard time trying to pass Step 1 where the work in condensed. But why would they fail Step 2 if they do clinicals in US hospitals? Congrats though to you for getting through :) I was just curious about this.

Also Beaker I appreciate all the time you put in to respond. I know as a Canadian I will have to stay in the States and I am fine with that, but my concern was if being a graduate from Spartan would hinder my chances of matching into a program in the States... I have given up on going back to Canada. I have no problem teaching myself, or doing things but I want to know if I can match, if I can't no amount of money is worth it.


As well, since Spartan recently got Stafford loans does that mean they should be improving? Its just the other schools with these loans are usually thought of as the top three.

Thanks a bunch,
Laura :)

[Beaker]

greendogz, please help me understand how u come up with these stats. u say your the 1st in your class to pass step1, the only to pass step 2 and match. my question is how do u know? if u said u were the only one to pass a neuro exam i'd say ok b/c classes r small and everyone knows everyone while on the island. but once u leave the island everyone is spread out all over the country doing clinicals. u might run into a student here and there in rotations and maybe keep in touch with a few. but everyone takes step 1 in different locations and at different times of the year. so how would u know what classmate x got on step 1, let alone where he's even living? for all i know classmate x might be on another forum claiming to be the only one to pass in his class b/c he doesnt know u did?

btw i dont have a "love" for spartan. i also dont have a hate for spartan. i give my opinions objectively without letting my emotions get in the way. i'm surprised that u gathered that i'm for spartan from my posts. i'm for students if anything. but i've done my share of criticism. u just seem focused on the positive things i've said but thats just part of my balanced approach to things. i told louloo not to go to spartan if he or she is planning to transer later coz its not worth it. just start at the other school in that case. i also told louloo not to go to spartan if he or she wants to practice in canada. i also said that spartan alone is not enough to pass the boards and a kaplan course is very highly recommended. also that spartan has its problems just like any other school. wheres the love in that.

i also pointed out some good things about spartan b/c it also has lots of good points. besides i dont come on here and just post new topics to promote or trash the school. i just recently started replying to some statements which i thought were disputable and felt the other side of those particular stories should be heard. but u might have forgotten that i also said that i agree with some things you said and another poster said.

your complaints arent new. i've seen ppl on this site complain from every school about one thing or another regardless of how much money thier school costs. i'm just saying that if your willing to sacrifice some luxuries and spoonfeeding in order to save lots of money than u can go to spartan and come out with an m.d. and practice in the u.s.a. (just like u) if your looking for more than u would probably be happier elsewhere.

i have a friend (spartan grad) who just matched this yr (i guess he cant be in your class since u seem to be the only one, or maybe its u :lol: ) and was upset that he didnt get his first choice and instead is stuck in some n.y hospital (no offense new yorkers). i told him that he should just be happy that he matched at all. but he didn't see it that way. instead of celebrating his new residency spot he was moaning about not getting his top choice :? i guess its a matter of perception and some ppl are never really happy and always want more :roll:

btw i hope that u arent taking any of this personal as my intentions are simply a respectable and friendly debate. but i'm a reader not a writer and will usually choose to let things go unless something is plainly wrong in my view. so dont expect many more debates from me. as i've said before congrats on your recent accomplishments (grad, boards, match) and best of luck in your residency. take the time to enjoy your accomplishments and appreciate what u have :wink:

peace

[greendogz]

Yes, I suppose I do write a great deal of criticisms about Spartan and it's difficult to write about anything but because Spartan has made my life so difficult over the past few years. Beaker, I base my comments on what I've heard and for anyone that's been on the island, we know that the grapevine is pretty extensive. You are right though, I haven't called the 40 some odd students in the rest of my class to find out where they stand, but as I said, when people pass and do things, you hear about it. I do know that I was the first in my class to pass Step I and Step II, and I did find out about my fellow students who have gone on do to Boards, and I also know a few who are PREPARING for Step II, but none who have taken it. If you knew what tri I was in, ask around and you'll hear the same info as what I'm stating. But, if you want more concrete info, phone the school and ask them, who'll simply give you a run around about stats and difficulties etc. etc, basically you won't get a straight answer.

Medical school should be a fun and exhillerating experience. For me, rotations were by and large a blast because I had BOARDs and I did quality rotations with other students from other medschool and wasn't confined to Spartan clinical sites. I recently finished rotations but I'm still having problems getting my ECFMG certificate because Spartan is messing around with the paperwork, taking their time as always. Yeah, sure, I'm a doctor, I have a residency, but medschool just shouldn't be this painful.

The other students from other Carribean schools (AUC, Saba, ROSS, St. George's, even some American students) that I've rotated with have their gripes, mostly about getting paperwork done, costs, but you don't hear them complain about trying to find CORE rotations or even electives. There's always something to complain about, definately, but there's "useless bitching" and then there's criticising and I beleive they're too very seperate things.

Anyways, beaker, I wasn't attacking you either, but I like to think I'm also putting forward the overwhelmingingly poor experience of CURRENT Spartan students who are dedicated to becoming qualified physicians without having to be put through the torture rack. Again, my recommendation to everyone is seriously rethink going to Spartan, unless you REALLY can't afford another school. Saba, AUC and even St. Matthews are much better options.

- greendogz

[former student]

Dear Louloo,

There could be a variety of reason why students don't pass step 2. I think the number one reason is, not being prepared well enough for it. However that may be, didn't study well enough for it, and/or poor clinical training. Step 2 is very detailed. If you didn't get the material by reading it on your own or never had exposure to the various clinical scenarios in addition to reading on your own, one could fail that exam very easy.

You will have no problem matching in a program as a Spartan graduate as long as you have fullfilled the requirements for the match. If your trying to match in a competitive program, then your clerkships grades (esp. if they were done in a prestigous or semi prestigous hospital), letters of recommendations, and board scores will come into play, Other than that, primary care positions are wide open for you.

One thing potential residents should keep in mind, eventhough you match into a program, if you are not up to par, and showing no improvements over a period of time, you can be "FIRED".