As a parent of a potential medical student I began visiting the ValueMD forum and its' predecessor, Forum 54, over 6 years ago. My motives were admittedly selfish. I was going to make a substantial contribution to my kid's tuition / living expenses. I reviewed (du-diligence) AUC, SGU, and Ross. At that time Ross seemed to be a very worthy alternative and in-fact it turned out to be an excellent choice for my kid......but my kid did not have to deal with the problems of lack of available clinical placements facing 3rd and 4th yr students today. If I were to advise my kid today I think I would be very skeptical of Ross as a viable choice. For the sake of Ross's reputation and future survival I would implore Devry to get-on-the -ball and revamp the clinical program and demonstrate that they are not just increasing the student population / tuition volume to justify a capitalized income stream to an unsuspecting buyer.

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PMD: Parent of an MD...AKA... "The Parent Troll"

I agree FRNC. When I started clinicals the Peds/Ob-Gyn shortage was just beginning to come to fruition. It is ridiculous that it has become so bad that they are advising people to go back to Dominica. At this point I would agree in recommending AUC and SGU over Ross.

most corporations will not allow a relative to work under a condition where the y report to a relative. Maybee PP can swith to the maintenace crew in Edison and mow the lawns.

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When you become my age you will realize all of the hard work and studying was worth the effort.
"60 years young" another 60 to go if my doctor sons keep me alive with free prescriptions!!

I agree with the comment about rotations in Dominica being a worse choice than Wyckoff. One positive aspect of these 'foreign schools' is that only basic sciences are of a foreign nature...and those are universal wherever you study them. The fact that all the medical training takes place in the USA makes Ross students well, less foreign if you know what I mean. And of course there are other schools that fall into that same category. FRNC and Singer, you're absolutely right about Ross. Devry needs to ease up on promoting type writer maintenance classes in between getting a masters degree and put some time into Ross. As of right now, Ross is easily the bottom of the 'Big Three' Caribbean schools. I have actually seen an improvement in the financial aid department over my course of time with Ross..but the clinical department is still grossly incompetent. Notice how NP always meets with students on the island because she knows those kids are too green to know how incompetent her staff is. I'd like to see her arrange a meeting with 4th year students in New York.......anytime, anyplace. Won't happen.

Lets face it, you are kidding yourself if you think NP cares one iota about any Ross student....whether that student is a MSI or even a MSIV with 2 weeks left to go. She simply chooses not to care. It is like the cigarettes she smokes while talking to you...she takes all your suggestions/complaints and sucks it in while smoking...only to blow the smoke right out on your face. [true story]

And lets also face it, Ross is owned by Devry...and Devry is not going to step in to change anything unless you hit them where it hurts...financially. PERIOD. Devry is letting Ross run itself independently and with the likes of NP firmly entrenched into Ross Admin...things are not going to change. How many executive deans have come and gone over the years? Too many to count. But one thing remains the same, the ineptness and ironic invicibility of NP.

All our complaints are really falling on dead ears. Sadly, there are too many people out there who are willing to pay for an overpriced medical education...it is simple supply and demand. As the quality of Ross suffers...more and more quality students will opt for SGU, AUC, Saba, UAG and even SMU instead. But even if Ross loses these quality applicants, Ross can still count on plenty of 2.0 GPA, 15 MCAT to "apply and give it a shot."

Well said Daniel. I'd like to hear more about the cigarette.....sounds hilarious!

It's so interesting to hear everyone's outlook on the clinical problems at Ross. And most of it is very true!! As far as Wyckoff goes, I could not agree more with the fact that it is the absolute WORST hospital that Ross has. It is basically a joke at this point. There is no teaching that goes on there! We are free laborers. I am just so friggin happy that I am almost done, and only have to deal with this **** for a few more months!! It will be the biggest relief to never have to wait on hold for 35 mins to speak to someone in the clinical dept (who ultimately never really answers your question). I will say that out of all the staff in that dept....AE is actually pretty decent. She's quite nice most of the time, and she actually will email you when she says she will. But as far as everyone else goes, FUGGADEDABOUTIT. Not happening.