Pros/Cons: SGU or AUC?

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[stephew]

Originally Posted by ###

I agree with Steph that the school you graduate from CAN matter; however, that does not mean that there is a difference in all instances. I think we all accept that there is a difference between Harvard and Directional State U, the question is whether there is a difference between SGU and AUC and whether it has a significant impact on residency placments. I suspect the difference between SGU and AUC is much more analogous to Wright State vs Creighton than to Harvard vs Directional State U. As always, I would be interested to see any evidence that shows SGU is siginificantly better.

Steph, I know you like to support SGU but have you looked at the publication record from WINDREF? If so, do you really think this is a good investment of time?

dr b please reread my post in context. I think its pretty reasonably qualified.

I also think that while your appreciation of data is good, it too needs great qualification; you have to know when you "*can't * get stats, and what the limits are when you can't, and what to do. There isnt any info to say sgu or any school sigificantly places better. I dont know how one could do it as you can't control for the fact that where people will want to go will differe between schools, and even their perceptions of liklihood of obtaining a residency may effect them. You just can't hard core study this stuff. So we have to acknowledge that and work with what we have, realizing the limitations and also realizing we have to make assessments within thos limits. BTW I never said SGU will place better than any other particular school. I only know sgu's record and not very much about any other school. The advice is general and if another school has a more competitive placement record, that should be known to those who apply.

[Mooby]

Perhaps I should have been more clear. I tend to think of the 3 schools: Ross, AUC, and SGU, as the main caribbean schools and my comments only regard those 3. All of the others have varying issues regarding placement in certain states or in certain fields. Of the caribbean schools, these three are the most established. Also, Saba is worth mentioning as being somewhat within this group, although the smaller classes give it less recognition.

And, I suppose recognition is where I find things unclear. My impression is that SGU is the most widely recognized, with Ross in 2nd, and AUC in third. SGU has a pretty good residency match list, Ross is known for producing vast numbers, and AUC...I'm still trying to figure out.

However, I do have concerns about the extremely large class sizes coming out of Ross and SGU. But, I've been told they're scaled well by adding additional staff... Anyone who can shed more light on the subject, it would be much appreciated. I haven't been able to confirm the student/prof ratio staying the same at SGU and Ross.

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[stephew]

thats funny because my feeling here at harvard is that the students should get paid to come here because they wind up teaching themselves with this tutorial PBL thing. And apparently many feel the same way. I think a good lecturer makes the material accessible and helps one conceptualize it; but that's a whole other topic.

[options]

SGU also seems to attract and admit better quality student on average. Their admissions stats are pretty good and I think that comes through on the other end when those admissions start to graduate and match.
I think the quality of teaching of a school takes second to the quality of students because good students will learn, with or without the professor. THere are numerous well put together review books out there to learn from and I think student who take charge for their own education are the ones who really end up doing well in the end. THis all comes back to the higher admissions averages
Also, SGU has a very high and impressive USMLE first time pass rate which is higher than AUC's. THis may seem to reflect quality of teaching, but I think it has more to do with the lack of AUC's quality control on deciding who is ready to take the USMLE. AUC is implementing this semester, that I person must now be able to pass all subject shelf exams, comprehensive shelf, kaplan comprehensive, and attend 80% of kaplan lectures in order to take the USMLE. If you cannot do this, you won't be allowed to take the test. In the past, basically anyone was allowed to take the test if they wanted to, no matter how unqualified. I expect our pass rates to shoot up, considering the new prerequistes to be certified.

[MD-Maryland]

Thanks to everyone who posted replies to my question.

[Mooby]

Anyone know why Dr. left AUC for SGU?

I was checking on pubmed to see how often graduates or faculty from the various caribbean schools get published. I saw that M. Loukas appeared quite often. I tried to look him up and found out that he'd recently moved or changed jobs to work at SGU. Anyone know why?

It does concern me a bit. Is AUC in general facing a battle to keep certain professors on board?

Can anyone comment on the quality, either good or bad of the teaching at AUC? or SGU for that matter?

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[anencephalic]

Originally Posted by Mooby

Anyone know why Dr. left AUC for SGU?

I think that's a rather personal matter not to be discussed on an open forum...if you're curious, go ask Daddy.

Aloha,