TOP 15 REASONS TO CHOOSE SPARTAN!

[truthfinder]

TOP 15 REASONS TO CHOOSE SPARTAN!

1. Small classes (max 40 accepted per trimester)

2. Friendliest atmosphere (barely any backstabbing competition, students help each other, professors know your name and willing to help)

3. U.S. ACGME clinical rotations (school sets them up for you or will give the students the option to set up their own)

4. Review course can be taken in the U.S without having to pay extra fees to the school

5. The absolutely cheapest established medical school period. (nearly ½ the cost of SABA, 1/3 of Ross and AUC, ¼ of SGU). Even with Staffords, Spartan consciously made efforts not to raise tuition costs (only once in the past 2 decades).

6. One of the oldest around having been established around the same time as the “big 3”. (23 years old)

7. One of only 4 schools (SGU, AUC, Ross and Spartan) approved by the U.S. Dept of Education for Federal Stafford loans.

8. Located on the beautiful tourist island of St. Lucia with white sand beaches, tourist resorts, scuba diving, etc.

9. Excellent track record of many successfully practicing physicians in the USA.

10. Current expansion of the basic sciences facilities to add many new state-of-the-art amenities.

11. Very nice White Coat Ceremony at the end of Basic Sciences celebrated in a very nice resort on St. Lucia

12. If one fails a course, they will have the option of retaking the final exam rather than having to repeat and pay for an entire semester.

13. Many successful first time USMLE test takers to date

14. Very nice campus recreational facilities including volleyball, tennis, and basketball courts.

15. International Airport with large carrier jets within minutes from campus


With all the B.S. that a very small angry minority has been spamming via private messages and posts, I thought I’d list my top 15 reasons to choose Spartan (not in any particular order). Sure there are also some negative things, just like any school (not nearly as many or as bad as some claim). But since they only presented one side (mostly lies) to bash the school, I’ll only include the other side of the story.

Some people have sent me private messages, but I remind users that I am a PGY-1 (Intern) and have very little free time, so I apologize if I cannot respond to this or private messages. But it’s not right that the many successful grads are too busy to spend time on these boards, while the few loser drop outs and transfers have all the time in the world to trash schools (not just Spartan, but all schools). Don’t be discouraged by these angry people that would likely be unsuccessful regardless of which school they attended. Believe me, many of us were very happy for the most part with our experiences at Spartan and other schools. You CAN become a successful doctor by attending Spartan or any one of the many other options out there. Don’t let these bitterly unsuccessful students steer you away from your dreams. Even if you don’t pick Spartan, don’t ever give up or let anyone try to take it away from you. Have faith in yourself future doctors! Best of luck to you all.

[dt]

Thanks truthfinder.

How about "cost of living in St. Lucia"? I read that's very low in St. Lucia.


dt

[Kirst]

From SHSU Admission Package

Housing

1 Bedroom Apartment: 150-300 USD per month
2 Bedroom Apartment: 350-500 USD per month
3 Bedroom Apartment: 400-600 USD per month

Rental rate includes A/C, TV cable, furnishing, basic electronics, and utilities. Most offer free laundry, telephone installation, burglar bars, and water tank.

Transportation

School provides bus transportation for all students from their homes to school and back, free of charge. Late night transportation is $10 USD per month.

Cost of Living Per Semester in St. lucia

Tuition: 3550 USD
Student Government Association Fee: 28 USD
Wireless Internet Service Fee: 37 USD (Be sure to have a wireless ethernet card 10/100 installed if you're bringing your own laptop)
Books and Supplies: 500 USD
Living Allowance (Room and Board): 3000 USD
Incidentals: 400 USD

Total: ~7515 USD

Hope that helps, all in all, living in St. Lucia and studying at Spartan is very cheap.

[dt]

[i]
I am not sure who you are or why you posted these 15 points, that are mostly outright lies and completely irrelevant. But what you are doing is wrong. You are misleading students, who will suffer tremendously by going to Spartan.

Take a look at:

http://www.valuemd.com/viewtopic.php?t=3872

This will explain who he is.


Yet, you have been avoiding telling us who you are or why we should believe you. If I was to be cynical, I would say that mischievousness likes secrecy.

It's getting to the point where your credibility is now being questioned.

dt

[Beaker]

toby, how can u call truthfinder a liar? ur the one whose full of it. i asked u 4 ur "spartan story" and all u did was send me that perverted crap from the old forum and told me to send it to everyone i know?!? seems like u just want to trash the school, troll! did u ever even go to spartan?

i asked earlier where's ur proof? nothing but baseless accussations. i'm just gonna prove to everyone that u and anotherstudent (probably the same person along with yy) lied right to everyone's face.

u say theres no white coat ceremony. u sure? check it out for yourself http://www.geocities.com/sam_spartanmed/4th-tri-page-1.html
thats right, pics from a white coat ceremony (aka 4th tri party). everyone dresses in white coats, swears by the oath, then collects a basic science certificate from the dean and celebrates together (yeah all the "backstabbing students" and "teachers who hate us" partying together??? :?) so where is the lie?

u also said that there is no preclinical training at spartan?!? u sure? again, did u even go to spartan? check it out for yourself http://www.geocities.com/sam_spartanmed/obclinicpage.htm
ob/gyn preclinical training with dr wilson which u say doesnt exist? so again, where is the lie?

these are just a few of many pics that prove that u guys r lying and truthfinder is telling the truth. again, wheres ur proof?

truthfinder has nothing to gain or lose if ppl go to spartan or not, just trying to help ppl out like kirst and others. on the other hand, ur trying to bring the school down and have plenty to gain by tarnishing its reputation.

as i've always said, i'm a reader not a writer, but i can't sit idle when i spot a troll trying to bash a school (any school) with lies by discouraging ppl from becoming docs. what happened to u? u couldnt hack it so u dont want anyone else to make it too? the above pics prove that ur liars. since u have no credibility maybe u should just stay quiet unless u can come up with some evidence to back ur false statements. i'm sure others feel the same when i say that ur baseless and hateful lies r no longer welcome here. so stop spamming this site and our e-mails coz no one believes ur crap!

[atraktm]

I can speak for myself and on behalf of many graduates,Spartan gave hundreds of graduates an opportunity to practice medicine and have financial security,I can tell you that most of the stated negative comments are false[I know because I been there],I been to Ross then Spartan[Ross was too expansive for me]then top USA universities for training and practice and simply speaking" Spartan is fine thank you!",you may be able to scare few candidates but for the hundreds of alumni in USA we tell you that if we believed people like you we will not been where we are today leaders in our field and living very nice life style.
As students in the carribean area you will be comparing schools[that's normal] but when you pass your exams and return to US then schools does not matter anymore[I know because I applied and obtained 7 licensures and 4 specialities boards],I am making statements based on facts and experiences not based on rumors,its my obligations towards my school to answer such harmful,destructive rumors,such false rumors can also harm us.

[greendogz]

I'm sorry Truthfinder, but many of the reasons you give aren't entirely correct - many of them are in fact false.

1. Small classes (max 40 accepted per trimester)

That's true, but most professors aren't knowledgable enough to help you even with the small class sizes.

2. Friendliest atmosphere (barely any backstabbing competition, students help each other, professors know your name and willing to help)

Sorry, this is REALLY far from true. It might not be as bad as Ross, but I would say that camaraderie in general among students is poor, even worse between the administration and students. The admin really don't seem to care about improving the school or helping students to attain their goals. I'm not sure why most of these people are professors?

3. U.S. ACGME clinical rotations (school sets them up for you or will give the students the option to set up their own)

Yes, you can set up your own, but without Step 1 it's very difficult. To say that the school helps is a stretch as clinical sites ie Jackson Park are terrible and learning is greatly limited. Juarez is available but I'be heard nothing but bad stories.

4. Review course can be taken in the U.S without having to pay extra fees to the school

That's true, but most students HAVE to take a review course because they are so poorly prepared by the school.

5. The absolutely cheapest established medical school period. (nearly ½ the cost of SABA, 1/3 of Ross and AUC, ¼ of SGU). Even with Staffords, Spartan consciously made efforts not to raise tuition costs (only once in the past 2 decades).

That's true, but I beleive tuition was just raised.

6. One of the oldest around having been established around the same time as the “big 3”. (23 years old)

Sure, but where are all the alumni to help and why are there so few Spartan residents out there? When I go to programs no one has even heard of Spartan!

7. One of only 4 schools (SGU, AUC, Ross and Spartan) approved by the U.S. Dept of Education for Federal Stafford loans.

True

8. Located on the beautiful tourist island of St. Lucia with white sand beaches, tourist resorts, scuba diving, etc.

Sorry, but St. Lucia is a wasteland compared to St. Marten, Grenada, Barbados. The country is nearly third world with very little tourist activities and almost no night life. Although all these things are irrelevant if your intent is to really study medicine.

9. Excellent track record of many successfully practicing physicians in the USA.

Sorry, but definately an outright lie. As I mentioned earlier, very few people have even heard of Spartan. There are a negligable number of residents out there and stating the Spartan name will get you no where. There are no "spartan friendly" programs out there, but plenty of programs that are loaded with AUC, Ross and St. Georges residents.

10. Current expansion of the basic sciences facilities to add many new state-of-the-art amenities.

Don't know

11. Very nice White Coat Ceremony at the end of Basic Sciences celebrated in a very nice resort on St. Lucia

Yes, but this is entirely organized and funded by the students and the SGA. At mine, Dr. Guru didn't even have the decency to show up and the ceremony was conducted by Dr. D!

12. If one fails a course, they will have the option of retaking the final exam rather than having to repeat and pay for an entire semester.

True

13. Many successful first time USMLE test takers to date

Another outright lie! Where are you getting your info? The last time I heard, it was ~15%, and most students wait 8-10 months before they even take it.

14. Very nice campus recreational facilities including volleyball, tennis, and basketball courts.

Don't know, they were minimal when I was there.

15. International Airport with large carrier jets within minutes from campus

Why is this even important?


Spartan does have some good points, low tuition, only four basic science semesters, but please don't try to sugar coat your experience at Spartan stating that it was an amazing school etc. etc. There are definately Spartan grads out there and a few of them are actually practicing, I'm one of them, but not many.

[doctorjeckel]

deleted, misunderstood

[dt]

Yet, you have been avoiding telling us who you are or why we should believe you. If I was to be cynical, I would say that mischievousness likes secrecy.

It's getting to the point where your credibility is now being questioned.

dt

I would like to know the same. Who are you. If you are true, then state your identity. Only those who have something to hide conceal their identity. If you ask me, you work at Spartan. And you know you do!

Also, I clicked on that link above, it couldn't sound more like an employee of spartan. And you know I'm right. So don't go giving us this hogwash about being busy on surgey residency and you can't get back to us :roll: . Step up to the plate, whats your name ?



I see it has spawned another clone...

[truthfinder]

I'm sorry Truthfinder, but many of the reasons you give aren't entirely correct - many of them are in fact false.

greendogz,

Since you seem to have good intentions, I will take the time to discuss some of our differing opinions. But I absolutely refuse to argue with the recent school bashers with nothing but bad intentions (thanks dt and Beaker for standing up for me).

1. Small classes (max 40 accepted per trimester)

That's true, but most professors aren't knowledgable enough to help you even with the small class sizes.

That's subjective, but at least we both agree that the class sizes are small.

2. Friendliest atmosphere (barely any backstabbing competition, students help each other, professors know your name and willing to help)

Sorry, this is REALLY far from true. It might not be as bad as Ross, but I would say that camaraderie in general among students is poor, even worse between the administration and students. The admin really don't seem to care about improving the school or helping students to attain their goals. I'm not sure why most of these people are professors?

Spartan is know for its qaint and friendly atmosphere. I had a wonderful experience and made lots of friends. I'm sorry that you didn't have a good experience, but that doesn't mean that you need to generalize your bad experience.


3. U.S. ACGME clinical rotations (school sets them up for you or will give the students the option to set up their own)

Yes, you can set up your own, but without Step 1 it's very difficult. To say that the school helps is a stretch as clinical sites ie Jackson Park are terrible and learning is greatly limited. Juarez is available but I'be heard nothing but bad stories.

Let me make this more clear. The U.S. ACGME clinical rotations will be set up by the school once the step 1 scores have been received (many hospitals require this before a student is accepted). If a student insists on starting rotations before successfully completing Step 1, they will be very limited and will likely go to Juarez (obviously not ACGME accredited) or Jackson Park in Chicago (is ACGME accredited). This is the students choice. Most schools will not even allow the students to begin rotations until they have received Step 1 passing scores. So please don't complain about the limited options given to these students rather than recognizing that they at least have an option to begin with.

4. Review course can be taken in the U.S without having to pay extra fees to the school

That's true, but most students HAVE to take a review course because they are so poorly prepared by the school.

This statement can be misleading. Saying a SPARTAN student HAS to take a review course is ironic. I say this because most other schools literally FORCE their students to take a review course as part of the ciriculum (which is good and bad). It is always more expensive than the same course taken in the U.S. (b/c the school charges extra for the same course) and it is rarely of the same calibur as the ones in the U.S. (Kaplan's top professors rarely opt to teach the island course rather than stateside).

But you're right that Spartan students need to take a good review course, but unless you attended a U.S. school, chances are most IMG students will need to take a review course in order to do well on Step 1. The difference is that most IMG med students take it as part of the curiculum, whereas Spartan students have the option to take it in the U.S. for cheaper (too bad more don't take this option so that #3 wouldn't be an issue).

5. The absolutely cheapest established medical school period. (nearly ½ the cost of SABA, 1/3 of Ross and AUC, ¼ of SGU). Even with Staffords, Spartan consciously made efforts not to raise tuition costs (only once in the past 2 decades).

That's true, but I beleive tuition was just raised.

Yes, that's what I said. The tuition was just raised for the first time in 2 decades. It's still the absolutely cheapest established medical school period!

6. One of the oldest around having been established around the same time as the “big 3”. (23 years old)

Sure, but where are all the alumni to help and why are there so few Spartan residents out there? When I go to programs no one has even heard of Spartan!

Aren't we both Spartan alumni who are trying to help? I've also seen others on this site. But to answer your question, most of us are too busy to come on here to get bashed by a couple of drop out and transfers (not you greendogz, I'm talking about a couple of other users). This is the trend in most school forums on this site where the ratio of prospective students greatly outweighs the alumni. I've asked some Spartan alumni to contribute here and they mostly visit now and then, but don't have the time to write (I can't believe that I'm typing this instead of sleeping post-call).

If you go to an IMG non-friendly program (no IMGs in clinicals or residency) than they likely have never heard of any Caribbean med school, let alone a small one like Spartan. But as far as the IMG friendly ones, than I agree. The "big 3" are much more known than Spartan and any other Carib med schools. This probably has alot to do with sheer numbers. By your own acceptance of point #1, Spartan accepts a max of 40 per tri. A school like Ross accepts a max of 300 per tri. That means that there are over 7 Ross students for every Spartan student. (The other 2 schools are nearly similar to Ross in numbers). So of course there will be more recognition for the "Big 3" and more total graduates. This is a matter of simple math.

But I guess we both agree that, unlike many of the new schools, Spartan has been around since the time of the "Big 3", which was my original point.

7. One of only 4 schools (SGU, AUC, Ross and Spartan) approved by the U.S. Dept of Education for Federal Stafford loans.

True

No comment since we both agree on this point

8. Located on the beautiful tourist island of St. Lucia with white sand beaches, tourist resorts, scuba diving, etc.

Sorry, but St. Lucia is a wasteland compared to St. Marten, Grenada, Barbados. The country is nearly third world with very little tourist activities and almost no night life. Although all these things are irrelevant if your intent is to really study medicine.

All the countries you mention are 3rd World Countries. There are a few nicer islands out there. But there are many more that are much worse off than St. Lucia (I'm not going to name them because I'm not here to bash other school's islands). My point is that most recognize St. Lucia as a tourist hot-spot. It may not have much to do with studying directly (although stress-relief is an important component to a good study environment), but you can see from topics in different school forums that island life is important for some (what applies to you may not apply to others).

9. Excellent track record of many successfully practicing physicians in the USA.

Sorry, but definately an outright lie. As I mentioned earlier, very few people have even heard of Spartan. There are a negligable number of residents out there and stating the Spartan name will get you no where. There are no "spartan friendly" programs out there, but plenty of programs that are loaded with AUC, Ross and St. Georges residents.

Please see my comments in point #6.

10. Current expansion of the basic sciences facilities to add many new state-of-the-art amenities.

Don't know

You can read about the progress from the posts of a current Spartan 1st Tri student who goes by the username "currentstudent".

11. Very nice White Coat Ceremony at the end of Basic Sciences celebrated in a very nice resort on St. Lucia

Yes, but this is entirely organized and funded by the students and the SGA. At mine, Dr. Guru didn't even have the decency to show up and the ceremony was conducted by Dr. D!

Well, at least we both agree that White Coat ceremonies do exist.

12. If one fails a course, they will have the option of retaking the final exam rather than having to repeat and pay for an entire semester.

True

No comment since we both agree on this point.

13. Many successful first time USMLE test takers to date

Another outright lie! Where are you getting your info? The last time I heard, it was ~15%, and most students wait 8-10 months before they even take it.

I personally know of many successfull first time USMLE test taker to date. The better question is where are you getting your info? Anyone who gives a % is lying, or at the best, speculating. There is NO collection of this data in existence. 15% is absurd, just like the recent 22% I've read on this site. Those numbers are made up. I don't know the %, but neither do you or anyone else. I can confidently say "many" because that is from my own experience. The most you can say in rebuttal is "few" if that is your experience without lying.

14. Very nice campus recreational facilities including volleyball, tennis, and basketball courts.

Don't know, they were minimal when I was there.

This statement was meant to be objective. How can you have a "minimal" volleyball, basketball and tennis courts? It either has it or it doesn't? When I was there, Spartan had all of these things and more. Unless it was different when you attended, than Spartan had them when you were there too.

15. International Airport with large carrier jets within minutes from campus

Why is this even important?

As I mentioned earlier, things not important to you might be to others. Some recent topics around the site complained about travel experiences to/from their schools (weight restrictions and lost luggage, very limited availability, overpriced tickets, tendency to get 'bumped" from a flight, multiple connections requiring overnight stays). So the intenational airport with large jet carriers very close to campus minimizes many of these complaints experienced in other schools. Might be minor to some, but important to others.


but please don't try to sugar coat your experience at Spartan stating that it was an amazing school etc. etc.

I'm not trying to sugarcoat it and I never said it was "amazing". I personally had a great experience, but the school is far from "amazing". If anything, it was "adequate" for my needs to get a U.S. residency, just like many of the other Caribbean Medical Schools out there would be as well. I'm simply responding to the negative (mostly lies to bash the school) recent posts. I mentioned that I'm only including the good points in that post for this very reason, but I too admit that Spartan has many disadvantages as well as its many benefits. If those school bashers are more balanced like you have been, maybe I will include a pros and cons post rather that just the pros as I've done on this thread (when I have more time of course :oops: ).

Although we have some differing views and experiences, you have been very respectful and mostly objective. I refuse to even waste my limited time arguing with those other losers that have nothing better to do than trash schools with their lies. However, I think that your intentions are the same as mine, which are to help others. So I'd be happy to further discuss our differing views. But please understand if I do not reply to some messages with my hectic schedule. Time for sleep :roll:

[doctorjeckel]

deleted, my bad for misunderstanding

[dt]

I was looking at spartan at one point, and have considered SABA, but after reading the posts in here, I am more certain of my decision. Cause it's people like you, who actually make it worse. You proclaim this or that, but you can't even say who you are.

Thank you SABA for being there. Thanks, thanks, thanks. Please, please take this person (and all his clones). Make sure to charge him multiple tuitions -- dont want his clones to feel left out!



Added on edit:

On reflection, you pointed to SABA. Thanks for the insight on who "you" really are. Guess it's time for a new clone.

[emerson24]

Who are you ? You have absolutely no credibility as far as I'm concerned. You are able to say all of what you did, without addressing the main concerns of the last two post, your identity. So I will ask you one more time. Thats fine, if you are a school official or representative of some kind, and you want to argue your point and your school, then just say so, but don't come on here and give perspective students the run around on who you are, or actually who you aren't. I was looking at spartan at one point, and have considered SABA, but after reading the posts in here, I am more certain of my decision. Cause it's people like you, who actually make it worse. You proclaim this or that, but you can't even say who you are.

Well, do to my own experiences I have wondered who the person is as well, but sometimes people just don't want to reveal their identity. I have PM'd this person regarding spartan and they have explained to me in a sense why they don't want to reveal who they are. I have to respect that, and I think you should to. I guess if they were bashing a school I would feel differently and I have asked people in those situations myself TO say who they were. But usually it's some person with a bad experience or just some TROLL spreading hate. Who ever they are, I really don't care. Its starting to get old now. Nothing is going to change unless you the person go and see it for yourself. So who they are or anyone else for that matter just doesn't matter anymore. I'm tired of trying to figure out who's who and what's what. I got a ticket and a seat in a classroom.

Anyhow Peace.

[dt]

Who are you ? You have absolutely no credibility as far as I'm concerned. You are able to say all of what you did, without addressing the main concerns of the last two post, your identity. So I will ask you one more time. Thats fine, if you are a school official or representative of some kind, and you want to argue your point and your school, then just say so, but don't come on here and give perspective students the run around on who you are, or actually who you aren't. I was looking at spartan at one point, and have considered SABA, but after reading the posts in here, I am more certain of my decision. Cause it's people like you, who actually make it worse. You proclaim this or that, but you can't even say who you are.

Well, do to my own experiences I have wondered who the person is as well, but sometimes people just don't want to reveal their identity. I have PM'd this person regarding spartan and they have explained to me in a sense why they don't want to reveal who they are. I have to respect that, and I think you should to. I guess if they were bashing a school I would feel differently and I have asked people in those situations myself TO say who they were. But usually it's some person with a bad experience or just some TROLL spreading hate. Who ever they are, I really don't care. Its starting to get old now. Nothing is going to change unless you the person go and see it for yourself. So who they are or anyone else for that matter just doesn't matter anymore. I'm tired of trying to figure out who's who and what's what. I got a ticket and a seat in a classroom.

Anyhow Peace.


emerson24,

If you take a look at doctorjeckel's first post, he assumed that truthfinder and I are the same person, or both work for Spartan. Dont know how he could if he had followed some of the postings of both truthfinder and me.

dt

[Kirst]

When considering a thread with cheesy contents of extremely high or low appraisal- take a quick look at the number of posts made by the user and the date of his/her account activation on the forum. You'll see the general trend of new accounts with less than 5 posts suggesting the possibility of one individual under multiple aliases. But hey, now that this is pointed out I'm sure we'll see changes in stats.

doctorjeckel seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Registered just today, and jumped right into this discussion. His first and only two posts are made right here. Quite obvious :wink: And yet he questions the authenticity of other users! You'd think that people would know a little better to pull off more convincing act.

I can't wait to start this September so I can find out for myself instead of going on an emotional rollercoaster with the amount of contradictions seen here. It's not easy maintaining objectivity and a sense of humor in all this.

Regardless, to those few offering valuable advises and heads up, positive and/or negative- my most sincere thanks- None of your inputs go unappreciated by the prospects. We value your time and concern.

[wizard17]

man... how did spartan lose stafford loans... sucks... Spartan, can you PLEASE work towards getting stafford loans back. this SINGLE factor will GREATLY enhance your school image. PLEASE

[spartanmd2009]

Why do people try to pump up spartan? What is there to get excited bout? Yeah tution is cheap, cost of living in st lucia is cheap, US style education, clinical sites in the US, 20+ years in business, can get US loans, over 2000 licensed graduates.
Sounds too good be true...but its true. Its just a spin on facts to attract new students.
Spartan is cheap, but they hire Indian doctors to come to the island and teach. Problem is these indian doctors dont have any US experience. They will come and start teaching out of kaplan while they study for the US boards. The admin has a network in India that they can tap into for new recruits. Current faculty include a dermatologist of 30 years teaching phys, dean of basic sciences teaching neuroanatomy (he is a family physician from india), a phd microbiologist from africa teaching micro/immuno, a indian md who has passed step 1 and 2, currently waiting for US hospital experience teaching any upper level course available plus histology.
Spartan has 20+ years in business but the admin in new mexico is cheap. He cares about paying his mortgage, taking business trips to India thru the schools business account, calling unlimited to India via a telephone line set up for school business and making unlimited overseas call.
Step 1 pass rate is so low...its not even worth mentioning. Less than 10%. The average class size is only around 15 students. Spartan is crap. Just provides a building and is WHO approved.
Now onto their US clinical sites...how many states have they been kicked out of? Too many to count. They should lose illinois soon because the state licensing board is requiring IMG's to pass step 1 before they start rotations. Currently the admin sends the students to jackson park without passing step 1 but that should change soon.
Ask the admin about clinical sites or any other pertinent question, he will give you answers like george bush jr. He is your typical politician, that will smile at you and tell you any answer you want to hear just to fill up the classroom for each semester. He doesnt care about you. They offer no support during you clinical phase.
Good luck to all future spartan students that come down here. I am getting ready to leave the island in 2 semesters and I cannot wait.

[ASIANDOC]

Why do people try to pump up spartan? What is there to get excited bout? Yeah tution is cheap, cost of living in st lucia is cheap, US style education, clinical sites in the US, 20+ years in business, can get US loans, over 2000 licensed graduates.
Sounds too good be true...but its true. Its just a spin on facts to attract new students.
Spartan is cheap, but they hire Indian doctors to come to the island and teach. Problem is these indian doctors dont have any US experience. They will come and start teaching out of kaplan while they study for the US boards. The admin has a network in India that they can tap into for new recruits. Current faculty include a dermatologist of 30 years teaching phys, dean of basic sciences teaching neuroanatomy (he is a family physician from india), a phd microbiologist from africa teaching micro/immuno, a indian md who has passed step 1 and 2, currently waiting for US hospital experience teaching any upper level course available plus histology.
Spartan has 20+ years in business but the admin in new mexico is cheap. He cares about paying his mortgage, taking business trips to India thru the schools business account, calling unlimited to India via a telephone line set up for school business and making unlimited overseas call.
Step 1 pass rate is so low...its not even worth mentioning. Less than 10%. The average class size is only around 15 students. Spartan is crap. Just provides a building and is WHO approved.
Now onto their US clinical sites...how many states have they been kicked out of? Too many to count. They should lose illinois soon because the state licensing board is requiring IMG's to pass step 1 before they start rotations. Currently the admin sends the students to jackson park without passing step 1 but that should change soon.
Ask the admin about clinical sites or any other pertinent question, he will give you answers like george bush jr. He is your typical politician, that will smile at you and tell you any answer you want to hear just to fill up the classroom for each semester. He doesnt care about you. They offer no support during you clinical phase.
Good luck to all future spartan students that come down here. I am getting ready to leave the island in 2 semesters and I cannot wait.

Its an interesting message ,with so much anger,hate,and unsatisfaction with Spartan education,facilities,faculty,and clinicals,my question:why are you still going to such school and keep investing time and money in it ?there are so many options out there and you are still in the very early part of your education and can start over or transfer out easily,such message will do one thing in the future:many licensing boards and officials will believe it and if you stay and graduate from this school your own message will be major contribute to destroying your career in the future>>>>>>

personal opinion and observation.....

[RN2DR]

like i posted in the past. almost every negative post comes from a student that has FAILED. the studies on the island are very very tough and fast. for that reason some poor students aren't able to keep up. they then get mad and post negative things about the school. again, the students that are working hard and studying don't have time to post/play on the net--valuemd.

[DashingMD]

[Hi

Can anyone list here the hospital where the spartan students go to clinicals?
thanks.:confused: