Tuition Up $1000 and other misconduct rumors

[smarichipis]

Why is tuition rising by $1,000 a semester for your non-profit school?

Also, does anyone have any details on the professor who supposably fails students because he doesn't like them? Also the attempted sexual misconduct rumors going around and the past cases settled out of court?

I heard that there is no real accountability at Saba and students tried to talk to the dean's and president, but they would not even acknowledge the problems. Is any of this true?

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[wcb22]

so it's 7000 a semester. be grateful it's not higher. it's still probably the best bang for your buck in the caribbean. 8)

[scoobz1981]

I have always said, that the most amusing thing I have ever heard is when you call the head office of Saba University and you listen to the automated phone system spout off the line "Thank you for calling Saba Uniuversity School of Medicine, a non-profit organization..." Still makes me laugh to this day.....


Val

[islandFEVER]

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[scoobz1981]

I am sure they are non-profit... but maybe you should look into that definition... cause it just means that at the end of the year, the company did not make a dollar of profit... now, where do you think the profit that the school made went??? I dunno, and personally I dont care either... but I am just saying non-profit means just that, that the company didnt make a profit... their accounts receivable was equilvalent to their expenses paid... funny...

Again, I dont care, cause they gave me a chance to do what I wanted to do, and that to me was worth more than money....

Val

[Conway]

One must remember there are costs to operating a school. There are employees (faculty, administration, staff, etc), as well as fees in rotations, equipment, etc.

Aren't non profit organizations supposed to make public their annual expenditures and income? Maybe if that could be found somewhere, many questions would be answered.

[wolfvgang22]

Well, first off, Saba probably doesn't have to go by laws that outline when the term "non-profit" is used such as those in the US and Canada. They are in the Netherlands-Antilles. Anybody know what the law is there regarding the usage of the term "non-profit" by a privately held company or foundation?

Secondly, I've worked for some "non-profits" here in the states. Here, it mainly seems to be a term used for tax exemption purposes. I'm not bored enough to look up all the requirements right now for claiming "non-profit" status.

The people who sit on the boards and the CEO's, CFO's, and other administration of a non-profit still make a killing in non-profits because they are paid as "employees" of the company. There's nothing wrong with helping yourself as you help others, is there? After all, they gotta eat, and drive fast cars... :twisted:

Anyways, regardless of the philosophy, I'm glad they are giving me a chance to get my MD. If I'm gonna make somebody rich doing it, it may as well be the people who are giving me a shot at my dream.

[rdecastro]

The laws in the netherlands for claiming "non-profit" are probably not too much different than the US.

And yes, many (in)famoous non-profits in the US pay their executives very, very well. A few years ago there was a scandal about the United Way CEO who was pulling down in excess of a million, then also demanding company limos and company paid vacations.

Also, check and see how much the senior leadership of the Red Cross (or worse, the International Committee of the Red Cross, or the WHO) get paid.

[ol' man]

Maybe that's why Dr. *********s won't spend his money at MUA to improve the library. Since he can't make a profit at SABA, he has to make up the difference at MUA?

[Siddman]

I checked Saba web site and the only raise i see is in the clinical amount by 400 per semester...dont know if they still have to update their web site. If the tuition is going up by $1000 (God Forbid)....then i have to rethink my finances.....

Worried and Concerned,


Siddman

[wolfvgang22]

I asked financial aid whether tuition would go up due to CA approval. She said it probably would go up some more next year, but that they would try to increase TERI, too.

On a more philosophical note, Saba can't raise tuition much higher without financial aid to match unless there are 50 independently wealthy students available for matriculation each semester with acceptable GPA and pre-reqs.

How many independently wealthy, masochistic students actually want to go through med school?

[Siddman]

Very true.....wolfvgang22 .......but as i have heard Medachiever is not offereing loans to any U.S international medical student for now....the post i read on AUC forums...and TERI is a pain in the *** when it comes down to giving loans their requirements of credit check are too strict......but for a Canadian IMG ....loans are very limiting....the only resort we have now is banks loans and some goverment loan (no more then 9000 CAN dollers a year). Till now my budget was looking fine but this increase in tuition may make me work more and save each and every buck of mine....oh well..lets hope for the best....

Regards,


Siddman

[swinginislanddoc]

In case some of you not here yet are wondering, they are indeed raising tuition $1000/semester, starting in May. This puts basic sciences at about $7000/semester and clinicals at $8000.

[wolfvgang22]

In case some of you not here yet are wondering, they are indeed raising tuition $1000/semester, starting in May. This puts basic sciences at about $7000/semester and clinicals at $8000.
:evil: :evil: :evil:
#@#%$*#!!!!
Ok, I now have my first official complaint about Saba....from the student's viewpoint they could not time such a rate hike any worse, since they just lost medachiever.

[Conway]

Yeah, that is pretty bad news, especially for those who might not be able to qualify for loans. On the flip side, has the administration got plans for adding new facilities or improving anything?

What about MUA Nevis? Does anyone know if they're going to have [another] tuition hike too?

[ducman]

As of May 2005,

Basic Sciences: $6,950
Clinical Sciences: $7,950

An increase of $1000/semester to generate revenue in order to "facilitate hiring of new faculty, augmentation of library, structural expansion of the campus, and most significantly at this time, the increased cost of hospital affiliations."

I shall have to do some re-budgeting. I am about to write a lengthier message as I know I have been away for over a month now. The hike did come as a shock, but I experienced similar situations studying in the states at my undergrad and grad universities. Saba is still the best education for the buck in the Carib.

[wolfvgang22]

Good to see you again! I look forward to your lengthier post.

[ol' man]

Yeah, that is pretty bad news, especially for those who might not be able to qualify for loans. On the flip side, has the administration got plans for adding new facilities or improving anything?

What about MUA Nevis? Does anyone know if they're going to have [another] tuition hike too?

Just had a $1,000 hike at MUA in January to "enable them to continue to improve". With the Med 1 class being over 70 people this time, maybe they can add enough space to put them with this new additional revenue. And maybe get a few more cadavers for next term. They only have 5 or 6 this time. There are 12 to 14 student per cadaver here. Glad I got that over with 2 semesters ago. We only had 8 student per.

[JTP73]

In case some of you not here yet are wondering, they are indeed raising tuition $1000/semester, starting in May. This puts basic sciences at about $7000/semester and clinicals at $8000.

Both Saba and MUA?

[JTP73]

In case some of you not here yet are wondering, they are indeed raising tuition $1000/semester, starting in May. This puts basic sciences at about $7000/semester and clinicals at $8000.

Both Saba and MUA?

Sorry. Shoulda kept a'readin'!

[Siddman]

I just got my official letter from Saba stating a hike of 1000 bucks per semester ...I e-mailed the head office and the reason behind the hike is an increase cost of hospital affiliations.....i am now in process of looking for more loans...

Siddman



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Faith it seems, is not without a touch of irony

[wolfvgang22]

I just got my official letter from Saba stating a hike of 1000 bucks per semester ...I e-mailed the head office and the reason behind the hike is an increase cost of hospital affiliations.....i am now in process of looking for more loans...

Siddman



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Faith it seems, is not without a touch of irony
Yeah, I got my letter, too! :evil:
So does this mean we have to come up with $1,000 more out of our pocket for first semester, or can we just pay what it says on the bill they already sent us when they got the seat deposit and make up the difference with the loan disbursement? It'll be difficult to get another $1,000 because I didn't budget for that, as I'm sure many didn't.

[Siddman]

Yes wolfgang22, i e-mailed them and they said that we have to pay an extra $1000 on top of the left over bill....now that is not fair..because they already issued a bill....i told the registrar that i need to rethink of my finances due to this hike and they told me that "if you do not consider coming due to this hike we wish you all the best" .....i think they got a lot of angry calls....that is why they were a bit rude......oh well....let again hope for the best...the way it going i think i need to atleast re-think of financing another 1000 on top of this one because the hike might happen again...and dont forget we are with Saba for four years.....hope everything works out for you wolfgang22....


Best Regards,



Siddman

[*miamigirl*]

I got my letter yesterday as well. I find it hard to believe that we have to pay another 1K after the bill for May has already been issued. I think that is aweful that they just tell us this 3 months before school starts. Can they do that? Its kinda scary!!!

[scoobz1981]

I have to say that I am sorry that this increase of 1000 dollars has occured. I really think that the school could have tried to have been more sensitive with the issue, and considering the new loans situation, they could have allowed new May students to go under the radar since their invoices have already been sent out. I just think you got a bad deal, and it isnt right, and I hope that something is done about it, or that the situation is rectified.... again, I know I had nothing to do with it, but I am sorry for this situation.


Val

[wolfvgang22]

Well, this rate hike puts Saba's tuition right up there with SMU's tuition. Saba is giving up a comptetitive edge.

Saba must be pretty confident that the CA approval and it's track record will really tip the scales in it's favor that much more, despite the fact that SMU is on a more developed island.

I wonder if other schools will raise tuition?

[IMDoc]

....i told the registrar that i need to rethink of my finances due to this hike and they told me that "if you do not consider coming due to this hike we wish you all the best" .....i think they got a lot of angry calls....that is why they were a bit rude......oh well....



Honestly, from a student about to graduate, get used to them acting rude or not being very sensitive to your problems. That is just the way it is there. The clinical department is probably the rudest of the group. It is unfortunate, but it is what we have to deal with to get our MD.

[Siddman]

Honestly, from a student about to graduate, get used to them acting rude or not being very sensitive to your problems. That is just the way it is there. The clinical department is probably the rudest of the group. It is unfortunate, but it is what we have to deal with to get our MD.




Very true....IMDoc ...As we have all chosen this path towards getting a MD…. we might as well accept a bumpy ride.


Siddman,

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Faith it seems, is not without a touch of irony

[doctor2007]

I can't believe people are so overworked over $1000 increase in tuition at Saba. It's truely sad. I mean come on' you get to go to medical school, they give you a chance, than they feed you all the information for a price of nothing and you still complain. On top of all things you will be physicians - they make money. You'll pay it off, it's ok don't worry. Worry more about getting your *** kicked in anatomy, physiology and pathology. Worry more about getting through medical school and actually becoming a physician. Stop dwelling over tuition fees, what a professor did or not, blablabla. Who the ______ cares.

[dreamdoc]

You are soooo right! Thank you for setting us straight! What in the world came over us?

[IMDoc]

I can't believe people are so overworked over $1000 increase in tuition at Saba. It's truely sad. I mean come on' you get to go to medical school, they give you a chance, than they feed you all the information for a price of nothing and you still complain. On top of all things you will be physicians - they make money. You'll pay it off, it's ok don't worry. Worry more about getting your gluteal kicked in anatomy, physiology and pathology. Worry more about getting through medical school and actually becoming a physician. Stop dwelling over tuition fees, what a professor did or not, blablabla. Who the ______ cares.


The problem is many in each class don't finish in 5 semesters on the island so it is even a greater price to pay. It is just the truth, and with Saba accepting more and more students each year there will be even more that take 6 or 7 semesters to finish and even more who won't pass boards. Saba counts on people failing and not making it through because there really aren't enough rotation spots for 50 or more students to start clinicals every 4 months. Ask anyone who is trying to get greenbook peds and has to wait over a year.

[wolfvgang22]

Eh...I'm taking this all with a grain of salt. Saba is a good school, but it's not utopia, after all.

Am I ticked off about the timng of the tuition increase announcement? Am I gonna gripe about it?

Heck yeah! :x

I would have liked more notice so I can scrape up the money. As it is, I have to sell some stuff real fast to get the dough. Not nice, Saba, not nice. Am I going to let it stop me cold? Let it ruin my whole life?

Heck no! :twisted:

Regarding the rumor regarding people failing and/or deceling and taking longer to graduate....well, I remember that happened a lot in pre-med, too.
Let's say that only 55 out of 63, or 87%, finish on time with their class each semester.
94% of that 87% (according to the CA board report on Saba) pass the step 1 on the first attempt. That's not too shabby. :wink:

I plan on being in that 87%, don't you? 8)

If it's really all that bad, we could transfer to Ross. :lol:

There's gotta be another way to get a smiley in this post.... :P

[dreamdoc]

I concur Wolf, I concur!!!


ACT AS IF ANYTHING YOU DESIRE IS ALREADY HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IMDoc]

Eh...I'm taking this all with a grain of salt. Saba is a good school, but it's not utopia, after all.

Am I ticked off about the timng of the tuition increase announcement? Am I gonna gripe about it?

Heck yeah! :x

I would have liked more notice so I can scrape up the money. As it is, I have to sell some stuff real fast to get the dough. Not nice, Saba, not nice. Am I going to let it stop me cold? Let it ruin my whole life?

Heck no! :twisted:

Regarding the rumor regarding people failing and/or deceling and taking longer to graduate....well, I remember that happened a lot in pre-med, too.
Let's say that only 55 out of 63, or 87%, finish on time with their class each semester.
94% of that 87% (according to the CA board report on Saba) pass the step 1 on the first attempt. That's not too shabby. :wink:

I plan on being in that 87%, don't you? 8)

If it's really all that bad, we could transfer to Ross. :lol:

There's gotta be another way to get a smiley in this post.... :P


Well good luck to you, and hopefully you won't be one of the people to take longer to finish your five semesters. Residency at good programs is not that easy to get for FMGs, so good luck in school and on boards. By the way that number "94%" is inflated by a bunch. Clever statistics, because when I was on the island only like 60-70% of people were passing Step I.

[wolfvgang22]

Thanks for the heads up, and letting us know what problems there might be at Saba, from your point of view. I for one won't be going in with any sunshine and lollipop daydreams about med school.

I just don't see any better alternatives, though.
SGU? AUC? Ross? Spartan? Eastern Europe?
In my view they are all worse alternatives for me....and if I could have gone to Univ. of Texas, I would've.

As an aside, if the 94% number is inflated, they sure fooled the inspection team from CA.

[Siddman]

Well good luck to you, and hopefully you won't be one of the people to take longer to finish your five semesters. Residency at good programs is not that easy to get for FMGs, so good luck in school and on boards. By the way that number "94%" is inflated by a bunch. Clever statistics, because when I was on the island only like 60-70% of people were passing Step I.

I hope Saba will have some affliation with hospitals in CA in another two years....i am looking forward to do as many clinicals there..as i can. And as per passing and failing step 1 ...i personally think it all comes down to how you study for it...its all about individual effort and nothing to do with a particular school...i have seen some new Carribbean school ..where students have got a 99% score on Step 1.....so if you think its the school.....dream on....



Siddman

[IMDoc]

I hope Saba will have some affliation with hospitals in CA in another two years....i am looking forward to do as many clinicals there..as i can. And as per passing and failing step 1 ...i personally think it all comes down to how you study for it...its all about individual effort and nothing to do with a particular school...i have seen some new Carribbean school ..where students have got a 99% score on Step 1.....so if you think its the school.....dream on....



Siddman

I don't think that it is the school. Honestly I think that Saba gives a lot of people a chance to become doctors and it is what you make of it. People who I didn't think had a chance of passing step 1 passed. Others who I thought would failed miserably. It all depends on the person and if you are cut out for it. Some are, and some aren't. If you fail classes at Saba or any Caribbean med school for that matter you probably aren't cut out for it. If you fail the boards you probably aren't cut out for it, and if you pass then you are.
By the way, just passing step I does not make you a good doctor. I know a few people who got above 90 and some who are 99 and they are complete jackasses. They treat patients crappy and just don't know what to do without a book in front of them. When you are on Saba, study so you pass the test, but study to learn the material so you can be a good doctor.

[Siddman]

Its very true IMDoc....you have to have a predispositon to be a doctor...without general knowledge of medicine one can't be a good doctor..... and being aware of what you are doing makes a good doctor.


Siddman

[wolfvgang22]

I know a few people who got above 90 and some who are 99 and they are complete jackasses. They treat patients crappy and just don't know what to do without a book in front of them. When you are on Saba, study so you pass the test, but study to learn the material so you can be a good doctor.
Amen to that!