Thread: Final Thoughts: my experience under RUSM's new Curriculum

Well folks, its been quite a mix of emotions this past year and change, but I'm ecstatic to say that I have passed the 4th semester and I am on my way to Miami! Overall I would say 4th was a lot less stressful than 3rd. I would like to give my final thoughts of this island and give hope to those who are somewhat doubtful of pursuing a career in medicine here.

First of all, know that it is possible to get off this island. I was an English major fresh out of undergrad with no real major science or medical background aside from my core requirements I had to take. With an sGPA of 2.8 and my MCAT score of 24, out of some miracle I had a great interview and wound up at Ross, straight into their basic sciences program. Granted my block grades weren't as near as stellar as my peers, I still managed to pass every semester.

My class was the "guinea pig" class because we were the first ones to be put through the new System's based curriculum. I would say that this new system is better because you really get to see the big picture and how the different subjects (i.e. path and micro or biochem and path) interplay with each other. It sticks in your head a lot better as well. They have implemented a lot of positive changes within the curriculum since my class has completed them: [i.e. 2nd semester 1st mini (Neuro/endocrine) is now divided up into two exams (Neuro as one and endocrine as another) and plus you have 6 weeks in total (whereas we had 5).] They have also implemented some things to make it harder (i.e. moving up the MPS to 70-60).

The first advice I would give to anyone considering on coming here is to get help when you need at earliest time possible. Get it anyway possible. If you fail your first exam, its not too late! Go and utilize the resources you have whether it be via tutoring, TA's, academic success, your peers, etc. Making an efficient way to study is the key to getting out of here. You need the discipline to really take yourself away from your habits of studying that might have worked in the past. You need to figure what is the best way to study. A lot of people fail out because they become stubborn to get help and think that they can work out their drawbacks on their own and unfortunately it doesn't work out for them.

More than anything try to do well on your Minis because this way you will have a good buffer when it comes time to take to take that dreaded final. Remember 1st and 2nds have a final worth 45% for each block and 3rd and 4ths have a final worth 50% of each block. Ross is known for going from very high yield to not high yield at all for their exams so you really have study hard. For the exams utilize the upperclassmen and the things the profs say during class (no brainer). Upperclassmen will tell you what are the more Ross high yield things you need to focus on. There are also many files floating around compiled by students that will help you in your studies. Do not neglect these. Remember to stay on top of your stuff because it will pile up so fast that by the time you get around to doing it, it may be too late. The advantage to doing well on the minis is that 1. you've studied from the beginning which means you have a good grasp on material 2. the weight of the final is less stressful, 3. you don't have to cram. and 4. if you did well on 2 minis and poorly on one other one you know what to really focus on.

For me medical school was 50% studying and 50% mental. Before exams I was under an intense roller coaster of emotions and to be honest there were times where I asked myself why I picked this profession. This place really can f*** with your mind. I've always said that in the future when they ask me why I don't freak out when a patient crashes, I'll say it's because I saw it everyday during finals week at Ross University. Anyways just make sure you give yourself a break when you need the break. The key here is not how MUCH you study; its about how SMART you study. Go to the gym, hang out with friends, go out to eat; do anything to decompress and once you're relaxed get back up on it.

You'll hear students complain about the administration, professors, grading and the politics behind it all, all the time. Some of it I really do believe hold merit while other things are just straight up **. The fact is that you will hear a lot of things that go on in the school and a lot of it is really messed up, but at the end of the day, you are on the island for one reason and that is to study like you've never studied before and get out that place as fast as you can. Focus on yourself and what you need to do to succeed. Do well on the exams and really put in the time. If the administration or the teachers try to pull something on the entire class (i.e. for us they tried to revamp the grieving policy in the middle of the semester at one point) that the majority of you think is unfair, band together, write a petition and have everyone in your class sign it. Also express your concerns to your class reps or the SGA president. Usually the admins don't budge but they have been known to make exceptions. Remember, its always easy to complain, but its harder to do something about it or go on with your own work.

That's all I can think about. I will keep you updated as I go into AICM, the COMP and USMLE and all that fun stuff. If you have any questions feel free to get back to me. Good luck and study hard folks!

Thank you for your advice!

Thank you for this. I'm going to start on May and this is a good thing to keep. How easy is to get all those cool files every one seems to get?

Originally Posted by Jak3

Thank you for this. I'm going to start on May and this is a good thing to keep. How easy is to get all those cool files every one seems to get?

Just ask your fellow upper semester students and they will be happy to give em to you.

Originally Posted by YoungCC

Just ask your fellow upper semester students and they will be happy to give em to you.

You guys don't deliver those through here right?

/Amazon Effect

Quick question, where are you doing your 5th term?
And what are the advantages/disadvantages for doing it in Dominica rather than Florida or Michigan?

Thanks for the info on the new curriculum!

Originally Posted by hemeonc88

Quick question, where are you doing your 5th term?
And what are the advantages/disadvantages for doing it in Dominica rather than Florida or Michigan?

Thanks for the info on the new curriculum!

Well can't speak for YoungCC but I'm assuming not much has changed in two semesters. Dominica you get to do more, but there's more busy work vs Miramar. If you're not in a hurry to get the heck out of there it's not a terrible choice but you either have to move to Roseau (yuck) or go back and forth from Portsmouth to Princess Margret all the time. Michigan has a smaller class size, more one on one attention, cheaper to live and you get more experience writing HPI's and SOAPs. But you have to live in frikin Saginaw which if a bomb of despair was a real thing, Saginaw would be ground zero. It used to be the case that Saginaw was more organized than Miami but from those I know who went there that was no longer the case and even in the much larger class size in Miami, I never had a scheduling issue, which was a pleasant surprise. The clinicals in Michigan are mostly done at nursing homes so that's not terribly fun or interesting. Miami, or Miramar now is a much more expensive but, it's Miami so there's plenty to do and see in your downtime. You have more time to study for the step or comp round 2. They have the optional medical spanish class and the UMBR step review (but i think they have something now for the mich program). Miramar has the brand new building and sim center which I hear is quite nice. But clinicals can be spread out so you could end up driving up to an hour to get to your clinical site. Also many of those clinicals are a giant waste of time, but a few are actually worthwhile so it's all the luck of the draw. Either way IMO 5th semester is something to just get through, in reality it's a giant money grab for Ross without any real value to the student. It's really not to improve your clinical skills; it's one of the last filters Ross has to weed out the herd before clinical rotations. I went to Miami, hated the semester, enjoyed Miami and had time to study for the step. If I was choosing agian, I would stick with Miramar, that's where the main AICM office is, you have access if need be to meet with Dr. F, more study time and you don't have to live in Saginaw which is a big plus.

Please do not use the files. As i sit here studying for the step I, talking to good friends and colleagues, those who used files are regretting it. You don't want to sit here in these couple months trying to learn bone path for the first time etc. Understanding the concept makes the reviewing a lot easier. This goes for finals too, esp the 2nd and 4th semester finals. I will admit that the time constraints are huge, what I will also say is that sometimes an hour lecture is too much time for the information they are teaching you, especially if you are going to spend time learning the material later.

I will say that Ross does teach you excessive details, BUT my one caveat is that even if you will never apply or be tested on that information later, it's part of understanding the whole picture. You will forget information.
I'll admit I didn't have as tough as a time as others. I generally found that i understood things quicker and it isn't fair to compare myself to my peers, but using files and leaving swiss cheese gaps in your knowledge will hurt you when you get to 3rd and 4th semester and you are expected to build on top of your physiology, histology etc basics.

I think I'm trying to be a realist and not trying to scare you. But in the end it's your choice to make.

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On where you do your 5th. Honestly, the curriculum is supposed to be the same around all 3 sites, but it's not. I stayed in dominica, but I spent my break on the island studying for the comp and I passed it the first try. I also spent the time seeing the island, taking trips, and I was hoping to see more and do more on the island just as a nice break. I wasn't a fan of the teaching nor the structure or disorganization. I spoke with those who did it in Miami (before the move) they said that they basically didn't do crap and spent the time studying lightly and going out. Those is Michigan pretty much went out also. No one was really excited about their 5th semester experience.

I roomed with my buddies close to Roseau and had a blast during our down time in 5th. I do wish I had spent atleast sometime studying, but don't really regret it. In terms of the curiculums, it is what you make of it. I'm serious about the last statement. If you are looking for study time, I don't really think it matters where you go. Ig you want to be back in the states and save some money or be close to home (Mich), if you wanna spend a semester hanging with all your friends (miami) if you wanna see the island and maybe get to do more in rotations (Dom) and Roseau has some cool places to go. If someone asks i can recommend places and directions. I spent a lot of my time looking around and getting a feel for the tiny city.

Actually I'll open a new topic on exploring Dominica/roseau. Don't wanna hijack.

Originally Posted by Throughitall

Please do not use the files. As i sit here studying for the step I, talking to good friends and colleagues, those who used files are regretting it. You don't want to sit here in these couple months trying to learn bone path for the first time etc. Understanding the concept makes the reviewing a lot easier. This goes for finals too, esp the 2nd and 4th semester finals. I will admit that the time constraints are huge, what I will also say is that sometimes an hour lecture is too much time for the information they are teaching you, especially if you are going to spend time learning the material later.

I will say that Ross does teach you excessive details, BUT my one caveat is that even if you will never apply or be tested on that information later, it's part of understanding the whole picture. You will forget information.
I'll admit I didn't have as tough as a time as others. I generally found that i understood things quicker and it isn't fair to compare myself to my peers, but using files and leaving swiss cheese gaps in your knowledge will hurt you when you get to 3rd and 4th semester and you are expected to build on top of your physiology, histology etc basics.

I think I'm trying to be a realist and not trying to scare you. But in the end it's your choice to make.

The files are previous exams right?

The few times I had to use that type of files where when I was reviewing no more than 2 days before the exam