Desperate for SABA Admission

[DonnieMD2B]

Hey guys and gals,
Applying now for September 05 admissions. 3.0GPA science GPA of 2.8 or higher now....No bachelors, Satisfy all pre-reqs once I finish O. Chem 2. Great letter of Rec. Plenty of healthcare experience. No MCAT. Am I waiting for nothing or do I have a chance?

Thanks,
Donnie

[Freeky Zeeky]

Hey guys and gals,
Applying now for September 05 admissions. 3.0GPA science GPA of 2.8 or higher now....No bachelors, Satisfy all pre-reqs once I finish O. Chem 2. Great letter of Rec. Plenty of healthcare experience. No MCAT. Am I waiting for nothing or do I have a chance?

Thanks,
Donnie

Apply, you have nothing to lose... except for the application fee. If you don't get in, finish up your Bachelor's, while taking easy science courses to boost your GPA to 3.0, and then re-apply.

[Siddman]

i agree with Freeky Zeeky...... go ahead and apply .....you have nothing to lose....


Siddman

[scoobz1981]

You are not wasting your time by applying. You will only spend 45 minutes filling out the application and I know we all have that kind of time to spare to try to go after our dreams! As for your credentials, they sound good. I had similar stats but I did have a Bachelors. The worst thing that can come of your application is that the admissions committee tells you that you dont have all the requirements it requires, and then they will give you suggestions on how to improve your application and thus get into SABA. The admissions people are really friendly and they will be very honest with you about things. Just dont stress too much about it, and I wish you luck.

Val

[DonnieMD2B]

Hey,
Well I had already applied, they were just waiting for my letter of rec. I received a call today to set up an interview. Which I hope means that I have satisfied the requirements. So the interview is next week. Any idea about how long it takes after the interview to find out anything? I am also applying to a Physician Assistant school for a back up plan. We will see what happens. Wish me luck!

Donnie

[Conway]

I called Gardner today too, and I am just waiting for those to get in, and hopefully I'll get a call for an interview.

Did you get the call before or after they received your letters?

[DonnieMD2B]

They waited until my letters of recommendation were physically there in Gardner. Give it time. I would call to see what they were still waiting on. Once I found out it was only the letters of recommendation, I contacted the individuals who wrote my letters of recommendation and asked how they were coming along and if they had any questions. Wouldn't hurt to try that. Good Luck!
Donnie

[*miamigirl*]

I was granted my interview before one of my recommendation letters was in. During the interview they told me that I needed to take organic chemistry one and two. I was hoping to have it waived since I had taken most of the classes that SABA offers in the first two years of basic sciences and had maintained an excellent GPA. However, Gardner was very strict on me satisfying the prereq chemistry classes. They said the reason had something to do with the state licensing boards for MD's?? Ive been a Physician Assistant for some time now and when I went to PA school they did not require those classes for admission. I understand that now they do at most PA schools. Anyway, I was granted conditional acceptance pending the successful completion of both of those classes. SO, it is possible to get an interview without meeting all the requirements. Hope this helps. Good luck on your admission. I am sure you will get in!

[Conway]

I'm in the same situation as you with respect to the Organic Chemistry. I'll be finishing that over the summer. I applied for January 2006, by the way. I checked with one of my professors this week on the letter, and he said "This week, I promise". Hopefully he's good with promises :-P

[DonnieMD2B]

Well, its been completed now! Interview wasn't bad however I was nervous and had some trouble thinking really fast. I don't think that I did too bad though. They said that I would hear about the decision in a week. Now I'm more nervous than I was before the interview! Good luck to all applying!

Donnie

[wolfvgang22]

Speaking of thinking fast, what did you say when they asked "So you're from Dallas, eh? How many gas stations would you say are in Dallas?"

[DonnieMD2B]

Thanks what they asked you? Maybe mine wasn't so bad then. HAHA

[rdecastro]

Speaking of thinking fast, what did you say when they asked "So you're from Dallas, eh? How many gas stations would you say are in Dallas?"

Lots and lots. Why?

[aspiringDOC]

Hey all,

I'm very interested in SUSOM and anticipate joining the Sep05 class. My Stats: MCAT 21 GPA: 3.1-3.2 Obtaining my 2nd degree (Biology) this May.

Like you DonnieMD2B, i had my interview yesterday (02/02/05). I was very nervous too, considering that it was my first medschool interview thus far. But thankfully, i had reviewed some of the questions on this website that proved to be very helpful.

I had 3 interviewers, 2 physicians and an administrative staff member (...who was silent throughout)

They started with the hallmark question: why d'yu want to be a doc?-

Then because of my clinical experience, he gave me a case scenerio he was presently dealing with....what would you do if a family member complains that her mother was mishandled by the CNAs during a routine transfer from the bed to a w/c thereby incurring bruises etc?

other ?? i can remember were...(not in succession)

-How d'yu specifically intend on making a difference in pple's lives?
-Explain your MCAT score
-Why did you do so well in semester X while taking an extremely heavy load of upper level classes, yet not so well in semester Y?
-How d'yu intend on paying for your tuition?
-Will you be interested in travelling to different clinical sites, or is being stationed at one hospital a priority?
-What do you know about Saba island?
-What do you know about SUSOM?
-What does your family think about your going to a carribean school?
-Do you have any questions for us?

They said i would hear from them within 7-10 days. Many of us are in the same boat, and though i'm nervous i'm also confident that i interviewed to the best of my ability. I'm truly hoping for the best! So relax DonnieMD2B and others of you who are in the waiting process, our determination and willingness not to give up will get us there.

Do let us know how it turns out... and all the best to you all.

[DonnieMD2B]

OK, well it has only been two days since my interview, exctly 48 hours and the anxiety has begun to escalate. I wish I would get the decision letter in the mail today. I've tried to keep my mind off of it by studying o. chem but that isn't working. I wonder how well my mind will rest if I vacuum the house? HMMM.... maybe I'll try that.
Sometimes I think that I will be fine and get in and other times I think that I won't, which is completely a natural feeling I think. Anyway, any ideas on how to ease the mind while waiting for this big decision?

[wolfvgang22]

Yeah, I felt the same way when I first applied. I just had to make up my mind to get busy with other things, and only think about it when I picked up the mail. ;)

[Siddman]

Sometimes I think that I will be fine and get in and other times I think that I won't, which is completely a natural feeling I think. Anyway, any ideas on how to ease the mind while waiting for this big decision?

I did the same as wolfgang22...concentrated on the other aspect of life that i was dealing with at that time.
Some other tactics: go out for a movie....hang out with friends.....catch an expensive dinner (that will divert your worries towards getting riped off)......work out until you can't feel anything.....bythe time you try all of these you will certainly get a letter.....

Wish you all the best,

Siddman

[JTP73]

Well, its been completed now! Interview wasn't bad however I was nervous and had some trouble thinking really fast. I don't think that I did too bad though. They said that I would hear about the decision in a week. Now I'm more nervous than I was before the interview! Good luck to all applying!

Donnie

Better to be nervous after the interview! You'll get in, just wait. Know that if you have any classes to finish, it will be a conditional acceptance. Stay busy! Stay busy! Stay busy! Don't lose focus of now at the expense of the future. You'll need your grades for other opportunities, for once you are accepted to Saba, you will likely gain confidence and go for something better, like SGU!

[Siddman]

You'll need your grades for other opportunities, for once you are accepted to Saba, you will likely gain confidence and go for something better, like SGU!

I have been hiding my feelings for SGU but I am going to let it out now since I feel that its a good time.....JTP73 correct me if I am wrong but rather then saying "go for something better, like SGU" ..... I would rather say ...don't go for something expensive, like SGU.....no hard feelings but that is what I have in my perception for SGU......but I am pretty sure one day Saba will be as expensive as SGU …..the way things are going……..but for now I am looking for a quality education at its cheapest…..

Siddman

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Faith it seems, is not without a touch of irony

[Conway]

You'll need your grades for other opportunities, for once you are accepted to Saba, you will likely gain confidence and go for something better, like SGU!

I have been hiding my feelings for SGU but I am going to let it out now since I feel that its a good time.....JTP73 correct me if I am wrong but rather then saying "go for something better, like SGU" ..... I would rather say ...don't go for something expensive, like SGU.....no hard feelings but that is what I have in my perception for SGU......but I am pretty sure one day Saba will be as expensive as SGU …..the way things are going……..but for now I am looking for a quality education at its cheapest…..

Siddman

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Faith it seems, is not without a touch of irony

I concur.

[dreamdoc]

Somthing Better? What an odd statement! I know doctors that have graduated from both Saba and SGU. I got accepted to BOTH and chose SABA. Saba is a much more desirable place to be and I know an SGU student that started with a Saba student and the SGU student did not even pass the USMLE the first time and the Saba student did. Better? Not necessarily.

[wolfvgang22]

Awww, give the guy a break....:lol:

[dreamdoc]

Sorry Wolf.... I dont know why I get you mixed up with Val~! No harm done, I think youre both AWESOME!!!! 8) :lol: You still know its true! lol!

[DonnieMD2B]

ok, its been almost a week. I've managed to contain the anticipation...i'm hoping that I will no something tomorrow which will mark the 1 week from the interview. Do you think its a good thing or a bad thing that it is taking a week? Anyone have any experiences with getting rejected and the timeline that it took to receive the letter? I just wish that I would know so that I could know if I need to apply to another school or not...which is not what I want to do! If anyone has some insight, please just advise me.

[Siddman]

It also depends on where you are located. I am in Toronto, Canada and it took me almost two weeks to get my acceptance.



Siddman

[wolfvgang22]

It took me two weeks also to hear from Saba.

[krust3]

donnie,

no word and it's been whole week... hate to break it to you. you obviously didn't get in and they think you suck.









just kidding man. have glass of wine and turn on some caribbean music. no worries.

[DonnieMD2B]

Well, the wait is finally over. I received my letter today....I've been accepted for Jan 06. Evidentally september is full????How cool is that! I've spent plenty of time now looking over the thick package. I'm so excited. Plus I have more time to get my finances in line. Looks like we need to start a new topic titled January 06 entering class! Thanks for all your support and help everyone. Good luck to all other applicants.

[Audio]

Wow. Congrats!

I wonder what's going on cuz today I called Gardner and the lady assured my that there are still lots of seats available for Sept 05. Now i'm worried :(

Congrats though! I'll see you in January but, when I do, hopefully i'll be starting my second semester!