Advantage(s) of doing 5th semester in Dominica?

[TheeeGod]

Is there any advantage(s) of doing the 5th semester on the island rather than in Miami?

[singer]

Threegood:

One advantage is that you can stay in the same fairly inexpensive place, You don't have to spend the extra airfare, youdon't have to deal with the Miami traffic. Of course you will have to continue to eat and lose weight. I think only a handful of students stay in Dominica 5th semester and most or all have had prior hospital experience.

[Dru]

If you are previously experienced in head to toe assessment, and if you are certified in CPR and ACLS, one big advantage is to not have to sit through it again.

[Alec Kona MD]

This must be a hot topic these days. I have been hearing a lot of things regarding the Island Vs. Miami 5th semester. And to tell you truthfully I don’t get it. With all do respect to our mentors advice, What is up? You have “experienced” the island? You know what a progressive city has to offer? This is all a matter of introduction, exposure, diversity and skills enhancement.

Let’s dispose of the obvious first. You have received some advice, which is noted below.

Traffic? Discussion OVER. CPR and ACLS are national certifications. Whether you pass on the island or in Miami, one OR the other is all it takes. OVER. Increase in living expenses, OK? And a increase in the standard of living. OVER. Extra airfare? Over and back. Over and back. Hmmm. OVER. Previous clinical experience? As a DOCTOR? OVER.

I don’t mean to be condescending, honestly. But, who could possibly believe that there is greater diversity, opportunity or mentorship on the island. I give the island credited for having mastered its purpose. I believe the purpose to be setting the groundwork, introduction to the fundamentals. Do you honestly believe that additional experience in Dominican Medicine/Facilities and further exposure to their Standard of Care is going to make anyone more prepared to practice medicine in the U.S? I can’t imagine that you do.

Personally, I hated fifth semester. I felt disorganized, abandoned and resentful. I felt this way pretty much through out the semester. Dr. F knew my name the first week. I was late for large group and when asked why by Dr. F. I responded, I over slept. At first I thought he was just working me. Thirty minutes, big deal. I was tired. He took advantage of the situation to define professionalism for us all. And the effect “professionalism” would have on our grade. At the time I thought CONTROL FREAK. Now, I ask myself should he have expected any less from me. Will I expect less from my colleagues and subordinates in the future? Mother Fifth Semester (Mrs. C.) pointed out that I was not “putting my best foot forward” referring to my Izod, shorts and flip-flops. (You know my island attire) She was giving me grief because of my clothes? It's Miami. I was thinking, !@#$%. What's up with that? Then she said, I am not sure if I would want any medical advice from a guy that looks like he just rolled out of bed on the beach. HMMM. Dr. C asked me the same question three times during lecture. Each time he posed the question a little more leading. Each time the question became more and more fundamental in nature. Each time I got a little more embarrassed. I got it wrong all three times. In retrospect, He must have thought I was an idiot. But at the time I thought he was an a.. Stark contrast prepared for topic vs. exalted as class slacker.

Oh yeah, hated fifth. Where were these people coming from? Sadly enough I didn't get it. That is until my mom pointed something out to me. She said, “ Welcome to Adulthood, Doctor.”

Think about it. In a very short period of time you are going to be making LIFE and DEATH decisions. I can tell you this from experience. When your attending turns to you for the answers he will not have the face and disposition of Dr. Sharma. And the environment will not resemble Princess Margaret or the Clinic.

I am almost there. As I look back I am reminded of many lessons learned the hard way. And I remember few that came easy.

Advice to you: Keep moving forward and upward. You have a vision of what the “PERFECT FUTURE” is as it is defined by you. Just keep moving forward and upward. Each step in the process adds another degree of “Perfect” to your today and removes another obstacle from your tomorrow.

I am so close. It is so cool.

Good luck.

[jim]

Oh yeah, hated fifth. Where were these people coming from? Sadly enough I didn't get it. That is until my mom pointed something out to me. She said, “ Welcome to Adulthood, Doctor.”

Think about it. In a very short period of time you are going to be making LIFE and DEATH decisions. I can tell you this from experience. When your attending turns to you for the answers he will not have the face and disposition of Dr. Sharma. And the environment will not resemble Princess Margaret or the Clinic.

I am almost there. As I look back I am reminded of many lessons learned the hard way. And I remember few that came easy.

I am so close. It is so cool.

Good luck.

Excellent post. and if you think its cool now, just wait. it gets even better, better then you can imagine!

[MitchDC]

You make some great points Alec. The admin and faculty in Miami make those who are not grown up, at least act like they are in a short period of time. You will be expected to be responsible for your own actions, you are expected to show up on time, you are expected to be resposible, you are expected to be respectful, you are expected to be hard working, and you are expected to be an adult. Most Ross students aren't dumber than the average US medical student but some do lack in the respect, responsibility, and work ethic arenas. While this maturation process is a traumatic experience for some, that is part of the "transition" period between the basic and clinical sciences that the course is all about.

Congratulations for learning this points (even in retrospect) - you are now well on your way to your dream of becoming a physician as your user name here suggests.

-M



This must be a hot topic these days. I have been hearing a lot of things regarding the Island Vs. Miami 5th semester. And to tell you truthfully I don’t get it. With all do respect to our mentors advice, What is up? You have “experienced” the island? You know what a progressive city has to offer? This is all a matter of introduction, exposure, diversity and skills enhancement.

Let’s dispose of the obvious first. You have received some advice, which is noted below.

Traffic? Discussion OVER. CPR and ACLS are national certifications. Whether you pass on the island or in Miami, one OR the other is all it takes. OVER. Increase in living expenses, OK? And a increase in the standard of living. OVER. Extra airfare? Over and back. Over and back. Hmmm. OVER. Previous clinical experience? As a DOCTOR? OVER.

I don’t mean to be condescending, honestly. But, who could possibly believe that there is greater diversity, opportunity or mentorship on the island. I give the island credited for having mastered its purpose. I believe the purpose to be setting the groundwork, introduction to the fundamentals. Do you honestly believe that additional experience in Dominican Medicine/Facilities and further exposure to their Standard of Care is going to make anyone more prepared to practice medicine in the U.S? I can’t imagine that you do.

Personally, I hated fifth semester. I felt disorganized, abandoned and resentful. I felt this way pretty much through out the semester. Dr. knew my name the first week. I was late for large group and when asked why by Dr.. I responded, I over slept. At first I thought he was just working me. Thirty minutes, big deal. I was tired. He took advantage of the situation to define professionalism for us all. And the effect “professionalism” would have on our grade. At the time I thought CONTROL FREAK. Now, I ask myself should he have expected any less from me. Will I expect less from my colleagues and subordinates in the future? Mother Fifth Semester (Mrs. C.) pointed out that I was not “putting my best foot forward” referring to my Izod, shorts and flip-flops. (You know my island attire) She was giving me grief because of my clothes? It's Miami. I was thinking, !@#$%. What's up with that? Then she said, I am not sure if I would want any medical advice from a guy that looks like he just rolled out of bed on the beach. HMMM. Dr. C asked me the same question three times during lecture. Each time he posed the question a little more leading. Each time the question became more and more fundamental in nature. Each time I got a little more embarrassed. I got it wrong all three times. In retrospect, He must have thought I was an idiot. But at the time I thought he was an a.. Stark contrast prepared for topic vs. exalted as class slacker.

Oh yeah, hated fifth. Where were these people coming from? Sadly enough I didn't get it. That is until my mom pointed something out to me. She said, “ Welcome to Adulthood, Doctor.”

Think about it. In a very short period of time you are going to be making LIFE and DEATH decisions. I can tell you this from experience. When your attending turns to you for the answers he will not have the face and disposition of Dr. Sharma. And the environment will not resemble Princess Margaret or the Clinic.

I am almost there. As I look back I am reminded of many lessons learned the hard way. And I remember few that came easy.

Advice to you: Keep moving forward and upward. You have a vision of what the “PERFECT FUTURE” is as it is defined by you. Just keep moving forward and upward. Each step in the process adds another degree of “Perfect” to your today and removes another obstacle from your tomorrow.

I am so close. It is so cool.

Good luck.

[TheeeGod]

You will be expected to be responsible for your own actions, you are expected to show up on time, you are expected to be resposible, you are expected to be respectful, you are expected to be hard working, and you are expected to be an adult.

-M


Isn't that a little late to learn that? I think most people learned all those things a while ago or else they wouldn't even make it to Miami

but anyways, from the discussion so far, i cannot see any viable reason to stay in Dominica for the 5th semester...

[MitchDC]

You'd think its a bit late to learn that and I think that very point is frustrating to many students and could very easily be frustrating to the faculty in Miami. While the majority of Ross students are smart and professional, there is always a loud minority who really haven't gotten it yet.

The only benefit to staying in Dominica for 5th is the convenience of staying where you are, the lower cost of living, and the fact that you already know the language in Dominica (little joke). Otherwise, the same level of training just isn't available. Finally, If you were seriously considering it, you should check the board pass rate of the students who have stayed since the Miami program was started. I've heard that it wouldn't be reassuring.

-M

You will be expected to be responsible for your own actions, you are expected to show up on time, you are expected to be resposible, you are expected to be respectful, you are expected to be hard working, and you are expected to be an adult.

-M


Isn't that a little late to learn that? I think most people learned all those things a while ago or else they wouldn't even make it to Miami

but anyways, from the discussion so far, i cannot see any viable reason to stay in Dominica for the 5th semester...

[Dru]

I totally agree with the points made. Your decision to go to Miami v.s. staying in Dominica should be made for a variety of reasons. If you aren't yet mature and professional in the clinical arena, haven't yet developed work ethic, etc. it has to happen sometime before you put MD after your name....the earlier, the better. There are a few students who had the luxury of developing some of that before starting med school, and thankfully I think the Ross Admin. takes that into consideration to determine if you can stay.

[Alec Kona MD]

pp