Hello everybody. I am new member on the forum and would like to ask the people on this forum for help regarding choosing the right medical school. I have been accepted to the following three medical schools: IAU, Windsor and St James.

I'm sure the members of this forums have the best knowlegde and experience when it comes to comparing the medical schools, which is why I am proposing the question. Obviously, each school comes with pros and cons (tuition, curriculum, basic sciences time period, etc) but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, there is always one school that is a better choice than the others. Please help me in choosing the best school..I would greatly appreciate the help!

Also if it needs to be noted, I am very uncomfortable to speak in front of otheres in terms of doing oral presentations...very uncomfortable...unless im with a group then im ok..so maybe this should be taken into account.

with all these factors, i hope i am able to be helped by you! thank you so much guys

Welcome to ValueMD!

A few questions?

1. What are your stats. This will help to answer your questions concerning the schools.

2. Have you wrote the MCAT?

3. Do you have a degree. Are your Pre Reqs finished?

well i graduated from the university of houston with a bachelors of science degree in biology and minor in chemistry. my overall gpa was 2.8 and my science gpa was around a low 3. i have not taken the mcats and i am currently working in research to pay off some student loans from college...

Sounds like a solid applicant. If I were you I would check out the top 4.

you're already on a good path, take your mcats, potentially increase your options, pay off whatever you need to - things don't get any cheaper.

in terms of public speaking, presentations will be needed throughout your career, IAU gives you a jump start through case studies.

__________________
UTA '05 BSN-RN [Wyckoff Vent-floor]
Step One [X]IAU's first 90+
Successful Transfer [?]

Greenbook rotations? Click here for Sree's post
State Approvals? Click here
IAU Forum Moderator

I wouldn't say that IAU offers a Jump start to anything. Since the beginning of this semester, the case studies have been severely limited. We used to present a topic every week, and now it's every 3 weeks. Our hands on clinical part has also been cut, we only visit Laborie clinic once, and Vieux Fort clinic once (per semester).

The biggest concern at the moment is the anatomy class. Apparently there was an issue in acquiring a cadaver for the class. We went the whole first month of class with a cadaver that had been used by two previous courses. They also let the Anatomy instructor go, who in my opinion, was the best instructor for that topic.

Is anyone in Dallas ever going to update the Faculty list on the website? Half of the faculty listed is no longer here, or no longer teaching.

I recomend calling the school, or the main office of any campus you are looking at. Ask alot of questions, and make sure you get answers. Also, try to get as much of it in writing as possible. I'm still waiting on a grading policy in writing.....

Good luck.

Wow sounds like things are going down hill fast...

unless you score high on the MCAT, a 2.8 overall and a 3.0 will not get you into SGU, Ross etc

__________________
I'm like Internationally-known

The OP has a 2.8 overall and 3.0 in the sciences. Im willing to say if she does descent on the MCAT Ross will take her.

The school is making an effort. It's fairly new, so you have to expect some bumps along the way.

The student body recently had a meeting with the president, Mr. ---. Several issues were brought to his attention during the meeting. Among those issues were the Med-loans program, faculty turnover rate, SGA student fees, Cadaver for the anatomy lab, hookups for internet access, building of the permanent campus, New York accreditation, and the building of another campus on another island.

Mr. --- seemed genuinely receptive and sympathetic to our concerns. He took several notes during the meeting and also gave adequate explanations of the view from Dallas. He made some promises regarding the cadaver, internet, new york, SGA, and the faculty turnover rate.

The cadaver has shown up, and my class has begun using it. There are 20 students using 1 cadaver. It's true, Mr. --- followed through and got us a cadaver, but I fear for the classes behind us. Lets hope they secure new cadavers, and preferably more than 1.

The internet hookups are still cut wires hanging from a hole in the wall. The wireless interent is horrible, and goes out all the time. Mr. --- promised to have all of the network connections fixed within a few weeks, but I have not seen any work being done to correct this as of yet.

The SGA president, and Vice P. met with Nair in a private meeting. I am unaware of what took place, or what was agreed upon. If you would like to know more, please email them. I'm sure they would be happy to explain the SGA to you.

New York.... Thats a tough one. I've heard several rumors, but none have been confirmed. Therefore, I cannot make any statement about it. All I can say is that I was originally told we would know before I ever accepted to come here, august 2007. After arrival, we were told we would know in December 2007. In December, we were told February 2008. We have now been told May 2008. Thats the extent of what I know.

Mr. --- commented on the faculty by saying they are doing everything in their power to secure a stable and competent staff. I disagree with their decision to replace Mr. --- (head and neck surgeon), with a Local E.R. Doctor for our anatomy course. I believe Mr. --- said something to the fact that IAU still has a lower turnover rate than most caribbean schools. While this may be true volume wise, if you look at percentage of instructors the numbers are drastically different. Current teaching faculty includes:
Dr. --- (physiology)
Dr. ---(biochemistry)
Dr. ---(anatomy lab. being replaced next week)
Dr. --- (Case study)
Dr. --- (genetics)
Dr. --- (Pharmacology)
Dr. --- (Histology)
Dr. ---(replacement for previous pathology instructor)
Dr. --- (Physical diagnosis, Neuroanatomy, Case study)
Dr. ---(Mirobiology)
Dr. --- (replacement for previous Anatomy instructor, who is being replaced again next week)
Dr. --- (Doctoring- psychiatry)

That is it. Despite who may be on payroll, these are the only faculty that you will see teaching on a daily basis. Most of them are great instructors, but you still have to do the work. If you want a great education, you have to put in the effort. No school will do it for you. IAU atleast gives you the opportunity to try, but do not think they make it easier.

*I have been asked to edit this post, so the names have been removed. I appologize if I violated any rules. I was unaware.

* Edited for a second. Apparently the president is not a Doctor, so I changed the Title to Mr. ---