Too much $$$

[partysham]

Does anyone else out there think that $53k per academic year is a little much? I'm not one of those lucky people that have mom and dad pay for their med school, so it's a difficult proposition accepting that amount of debt. In the mean while, I am seriously thinking about not sending in my next deposit and trying for a master's program instead... its a pretty frustrating situation right now and I could definitely use some advice from those out there who have gone down either of those avenues. Not to mention the problems with residencies in comptetitive fields and stupid DOs getting preference over FMGs... its too much!!!!

[johnb79]

Lool at it this way. Is it worth it to accomplish somehting that you have dreamed of? I mean if this is what you want and I mean really want then money should not be an issue you will repay those loans eventually but if you care not sure that it is something that you want then figure it out before you plunk down cash bc it is an expensive way to figure out if you want to spend that much.

[restlesseye]

its just money. consider it an investment. its not like you wont be getting anything in return. i dont even think about the debt anymore after my 2nd year.

[stephew]

Does anyone else out there think that $53k per academic year is a little much? I'm not one of those lucky people that have mom and dad pay for their med school, so it's a difficult proposition accepting that amount of debt. In the mean while, I am seriously thinking about not sending in my next deposit and trying for a master's program instead... its a pretty frustrating situation right now and I could definitely use some advice from those out there who have gone down either of those avenues. Not to mention the problems with residencies in comptetitive fields and stupid DOs getting preference over FMGs... its too much!!!!i would bet different forums would get you different results. I can't fathom whoever voted for the MPH. SGU students ger prference over DOs in some sites; if you were talking about some other offshore schools iw ouldnt say so, but sgu and DO is pretty comparable, generally speaking, in terms of opportunity. Look at residency placement for both.
let me add about MPH: dont do as an attempt to get into a us allopathic program. its a soft path that rarely pushes someone over the edge. Try a sci masters if you want to do that sort of route.

[Amanda]

Yes it's a lot of money, but as an FMG from SGU, you will most likely get a decent residency without any delays, which means you will be paid a doctor's salary after about 7 years upon entering SGU. If you have enough common sense to spend the money wisely, you will have a comfortable lifestyle afterwards for what is your dream of doing. There's very few opportunities out there for you to break 100K/year unless you have a some hidden business skills so in the long run, you will be better off as a doctor financially.

Oh and for those who claim that money is not an important factor, try raising a family on 60K a year forever and live in an urban city. You will be pinching pennies everyday. It's not revelant to this post but I do hear a lot of people claiming that money is the least important factor in being a doctor, but data has it that the number one reason for divorces is money, or lack of it. So it's important to think about your future with finances as a a factor. Just a thought.

[roper]

53K a year?! That's a lot, but I suppose if you got accepted to a private school in the USA it'd be expensive as well.

[partysham]

53K a year?! That's a lot, but I suppose if you got accepted to a private school in the USA it'd be expensive as well.

But along those lines, why would you be looking at SGU? Most likely people are going to go to their state funded schools which are much cheaper.. but if you do go to a private school, you have lots of research $$ and opportunities available to you. Many people have admitted that SGU is in it for the money and the bottom line is that if their students pass the USMLE and get good residencies then more people are likely to apply and pay what they ask... Then what's the difference b/t SGU and US private schools, well you aren't in a 3rd world country to begin with and then the other conveniences you find in the US. There is a whole list of things, but all of you know that. Basically, I got in this year, and I know the opportunity will still be there if I fail to get in to a US school next time I apply (ie. after a master's program)

Shamie

ps. I was one of the two who voted for MPH, b/c thats something I want anyway.. at least this way I am attaining one of my goals...

[stephew]

if you want an MPH then that's different, go for it. but dont use as a tool to bolster a med application.s

[restlesseye]

cost is pretty much the same if not more state side. i was looking at UC Davis and Washington U in a previous lifetime and what turned me away from them back then was the cost. it was approximately $35K, 15 years ago. considering inflation SGU is a pretty good deal.

-dont have to worry about car insurance
-dont have the extra expenses of living at home, ie go out to dinner, hang out with friends
-isolation is a key factor
-not stuck in traffic every day

one way or the other it ends up being a better deal here. i know with a family i couldnt afford to do this back at home. i think the end dollar amount is misleading and you should really look into what you are going to get in return.

[stephew]

=

-dont have to worry about car insurance
-dont have the extra expenses of living at home, ie go out to dinner, hang out with friends
-isolation is a key factor
-not stuck in traffic every day

.living on a caribbean island: priceless.

[drnick07]

If cost is that much of a factor and you can't get into a US/canadian school, then go to a cheaper caribbean med school. It *might* be lacking in quality of education, but you'll have less debt.

There are many things to weigh - cost, desire to be an MD, happiness, distance, quality of education, family. So don't just look at cost. Am i happy with my investment at SGU? yes. Why? because i think we get a very good education, despite some of the professors who we love to hate.

I don't know if this will help, but it looks like i'll have my debt paid off before the end of my 7th year post-grad (PGY-7). That being said, i only take out stafford loans (95K with interest by graduation), it includes 3 years of doing the public health service (85K in debt forgiveness) and a fellowship (PGY7 is my 1st year of fellowship), and i plan on making payments during residency.

Think of it like this - med school is the first house you will buy. Instead of making 1 house payment, you'll be making 2. Do people freak out when they don't have they house paid off after 10years? not usually. Why should med school be any different? the difference in interest rates perhaps and lack of equity.

[Nimitt]

drnick,

how much do you plan on making during residency?????
I just found out I will be making like $35,500 in NJ! Does that suck or what.

[helpfulgrad]

thats about average for residency salaries...for first year at least. If your residency program allows it, I'd try to do step III pretty early and possibly moonlight if money becomes a problem. Of course, you have to balance residency duties with moonlighting and actually having time to rest and have a life.....
I wish that residency programs paid more but I suppose it's a profit-making effort for them seeing that medicare gives them at least 100k per resident to train us and they only pay us 35k out of that. It's definitely not like the other professions......

[Nimitt]

Every other program in NJ makes minimum $40,000 some up to $44,000 as an intern. Man did I get screwed!!!! :lol:
Oh well least I got surgery!

[stephew]

Every other program in NJ makes minimum $40,000 some up to $44,000 as an intern. Man did I get screwed!!!! :lol:
Oh well least I got surgery!that's ok. you wont have any time to spend it as a surgeon.

[restlesseye]

Every other program in NJ makes minimum $40,000 some up to $44,000 as an intern. Man did I get screwed!!!! :lol:
Oh well least I got surgery!

nimitt my friend you are really gonna be screwed if you have a significant other. i heard if you collect pop bottles in NJ you can make double the amount if you return them in MI.....

[DBrasco]

Nimitt,
I was curious what field of surgery would you like to go into?

DBrasco

[Nimitt]

Every other program in NJ makes minimum $40,000 some up to $44,000 as an intern. Man did I get screwed!!!! :lol:
Oh well least I got surgery!

nimitt my friend you are really gonna be screwed if you have a significant other. i heard if you collect pop bottles in NJ you can make double the amount if you return them in MI.....

Thank God I am single!!!! But I think I might start collecting bottles to supplement my income...is that taxable income?

[Nimitt]

Nimitt,
I was curious what field of surgery would you like to go into?

DBrasco

I got into General Surgery at a affiliated hospital of Seton Hall University. I am hoping to do a fellowship in surgical oncology (I am shooting for the stars!) back home in Houston at MD Anderson cancer center. We will see how that goes...ask me in like 4 years!

[drnick07]

drnick,

how much do you plan on making during residency?????
I just found out I will be making like $35,500 in NJ! Does that suck or what.

Peds 1st year salaries vary from 36K to 50K. Atleast that is what they say on FREIDA.

[Nimitt]

I got autocensored!!!!!!!!! :lol:

Does this mean I have to pm myself for using names (even though it was a hospital!)?

[emt036]

I got autocensored!!!!!!!!! :lol:

Does this mean I have to pm myself for using names (even though it was a hospital!)?

I say give yourself a warning too. That would look cool. And it would make restlesseye all jealous. :-)

[Nimitt]

I am not sure we can give ourselves warnings. Another moderator or the administrator could I think.

[jaywalk81]

anyone know the starting resident salary of EM in NYC?

[Nimitt]

It ranges from $40,000-45,000 with ALbert Einstein COM at LIJ is like $52,000 and I am sure NY Methodist is on the higher end like $49,000 as is North Shore program/NYU.
Yeah I have nothing better to do then compare that to my crappy $35,500 in NJ. I will be the surgeon slave...

[jaywalk81]

LIJ is 52k? o man...then iam thinking the EM/IM program can perhaps be even higher than 52k for first year?
never knew LIJ was that generous...nice..

[miku1983]

just money-wise, i don't think sgu is worth it. from their website, it says that 76 percent of their grads get into primary care residencies. figure another 10 percent get into other non-competitive residencies such as psych. you got only like 10 percent of people getting into good residencies, such as nimmitt, who matched in surgery.

now, that's better than most carib schools, where like 90+ percent will graduate and be put into primary care.

but in all reality, as a carib grad, you'll MOST LIKELY go into primary care. so i think a school such as SABA is a MUCH better deal. SGU will cost 53-k a year, but just as posted on their website, 76 percent has primary care!!

going to the carib, most people will get primary care, so why not try to save money??

don't get me wrong, some exceptional students such as nimmitt and stephew have gotten good residencies, but the majority (76%) get primary care! what's the point of paying 53-k a year!?!??!!

[jaywalk81]

and whats wrong with with primary care? pcp are usually the backbone of the heathcare system...they are the firstline of health practitioners that patients see. without them them there will be no patients for the specialists to see...
a MD is a MD regardless what field you get into. its like a one big family, you cant get by without the other.

[###]

..............................

[Miklos]

and whats wrong with with primary care? pcp are usually the backbone of the heathcare system...they are the firstline of health practitioners that patients see. without them them there will be no patients for the specialists to see...
a MD is a MD regardless what field you get into. its like a one big family, you cant get by without the other.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with primary care. The question, if you are going into primary care, is whether the extra cost of SGU is worth it when there are other less expensive routes to the same objective.

IMO, a very good point.

[jaywalk81]

then the same goes into everything and not just in medicine. basic economic principle of cost effectiveness

[drnick07]

just money-wise, i don't think sgu is worth it. from their website, it says that 76 percent of their grads get into primary care residencies. figure another 10 percent get into other non-competitive residencies such as psych. you got only like 10 percent of people getting into good residencies, such as nimmitt, who matched in surgery.

now, that's better than most carib schools, where like 90+ percent will graduate and be put into primary care.

but in all reality, as a carib grad, you'll MOST LIKELY go into primary care. so i think a school such as SABA is a MUCH better deal. SGU will cost 53-k a year, but just as posted on their website, 76 percent has primary care!!

going to the carib, most people will get primary care, so why not try to save money??

don't get me wrong, some exceptional students such as nimmitt and stephew have gotten good residencies, but the majority (76%) get primary care! what's the point of paying 53-k a year!?!??!!

Many people have made the same conclusion about SGU. You will find them in the Ross, SABA, and AUC forums. Personally, a good education is worth every penny, but that's just me. Happiness is also worth investing in. I would rather pay 53K and be at a school where i didn't have to worry if they were going to close down or if they were going to be recognized in the state i want to practice in. Plus the students here tend to be easy to deal with. I certainly have never felt like i had to watch over my shoulder fearing someone was going to steal my notes or swipe my computer. Finally, what is wrong with primary care?

[jaywalk81]

i have actually seen a student stealing another students notes. this was in the mph class. and the person that stole the note was already a MD!

[miku1983]

there's nothing wrong with family care. i just don't see the point of going to sgu, when, just like sgu, which is approved in all 50 states, so is SABA, and it costs FAR LESS. so what's the point? most of us are going to end up in primary care anywayz? why have more debt than you need to? and saba also has a good education and nobody is worried about them closing either. why would i want more than 200-k in debt, when, MOST LIKELY, i will end up in primary care?

[Nimitt]

just money-wise, i don't think sgu is worth it. from their website, it says that 76 percent of their grads get into primary care residencies. figure another 10 percent get into other non-competitive residencies such as psych. you got only like 10 percent of people getting into good residencies, such as nimmitt, who matched in surgery.

now, that's better than most carib schools, where like 90+ percent will graduate and be put into primary care.

but in all reality, as a carib grad, you'll MOST LIKELY go into primary care. so i think a school such as SABA is a MUCH better deal. SGU will cost 53-k a year, but just as posted on their website, 76 percent has primary care!!

going to the carib, most people will get primary care, so why not try to save money??

don't get me wrong, some exceptional students such as nimmitt and stephew have gotten good residencies, but the majority (76%) get primary care! what's the point of paying 53-k a year!?!??!!

Your absolutely right. If you want to go into primary care like IM or FP there are more cost effective schools that would get you there as well as SGU. But there are other points you have to look at like clinical sites, island life, campus, approval in states for licensing, usmle step first time pass rates, etc...SO factor all that in as well.

It is true that 76% go to primary care but there are alot of those that subspecialize which no school gives stats on in the carib. EM and OB/GYN are also considered primary care if I am not mistaken (could be wrong!). But in general most of our grads go into IM/Peds/FP. Also compare that with US schools where 50-60% of their grads go into primary care (if not more at some schools).

P.S. - Thanks for the complement of an "exceptional student" - I dont think I have ever been called that!!!! I think you might have been high on something when you wrote that.... :lol:

[miku1983]

well you must of done something right to get surgery..........anyway, em and ob/gy are not considered primary care. em is starting to get cometitive now. and for us students................less than 1/2 go into primary care.................that's the problem going into the carib, MOST LIKELY, you'll end up in primary care.....................so places like SABA are a better bet i think.

[Rico]

Does anyone else out there think that $53k per academic year is a little much? I'm not one of those lucky people that have mom and dad pay for their med school, so it's a difficult proposition accepting that amount of debt. In the mean while, I am seriously thinking about not sending in my next deposit and trying for a master's program instead... its a pretty frustrating situation right now and I could definitely use some advice from those out there who have gone down either of those avenues. Not to mention the problems with residencies in comptetitive fields and stupid DOs getting preference over FMGs... its too much!!!!

You should have put more options here. I would have gone to UK or Irish with that money.

Rico

[orthonut]

Does anyone else out there think that $53k per academic year is a little much? I'm not one of those lucky people that have mom and dad pay for their med school, so it's a difficult proposition accepting that amount of debt. In the mean while, I am seriously thinking about not sending in my next deposit and trying for a master's program instead... its a pretty frustrating situation right now and I could definitely use some advice from those out there who have gone down either of those avenues. Not to mention the problems with residencies in comptetitive fields and stupid DOs getting preference over FMGs... its too much!!!! I'm sorry partysham. But I strongly disagree with you calling DO's stupid. I have literally had my life saved by two DO's who were the only ones who took the time to listen to me. My MD told me I would be just fine, suck it up. I ended up in the hosp for a while and had a couple emerg MRI's etc. Thankfully the DO's listened to me and didn't ignore me like my former MD.

Just because you are an FMG or a DO does not mean you are less of a doctor. There are incompetent physicians that graduate from SGU, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and DO school. Just as there are extremely good ones that graduate as well.

[BLONDEMD]

living on a caribbean island: priceless.

I could not agree more!!! I know this January as I am studying for boards in the "lovely" Kaplan dorm I will long for the views and termperature of the carribean.

[Belgiandoc]

uh emergency medicine is primary care......sorry if that offends you. think of it as super hyper noncommittal primary care there now at least I feel better

[EMT2RN2MD]

I was once told by a family practice DO that every year that I wasn't a doctor was just one more year that I wouldn't be making $200,000+ dollars. It's your decision, though. Have fun.