In doing some research on Foreign medical schools, learned a few things. I would never attend Ross or any other such school, and I spend much of my free time now reading up on Ross to dissuade my younger brother from going there. I have learned a lot; some is downright disturbing. In the spirit of a David Letterman Top Ten list... little bro, I hope you read this:

Top Ten Reasons Not to Attend Ross:

10) If the people posting here are indicative of what Ross admits, it's clear there is really no standards for admission. I'm amazed at how many people don't know the difference between to/too/two, there/their, it's/its, etc. I see consistent misspellings ("appology"). Typos are one thing, but illiteracy is another. Personally, I could care less. But I once read physicians are supposed to be good communicators.

9) I'm tired of reading posts in which students with 3.5+ GPA's or 35+ MCAT scores are even THINKING about Ross. You people need to attend to any deficiencies in your application and reapply to US schools. The only intelligent post I have encountered in this regard is a resident correctly suggesting Ross should be an ABSOLUTE last resort (another career field may even be better). Contrary to the popular belief here, medical school admissions in the US is NOT a "crap shoot". No stats will assure one a seat, but a 3.6/27 MCAT WILL get one an interview SOMEWHERE. Unless one is a bumbling idiot, high grades and strong MCATS are STILL a safe bet. The only real question is time.


8 ) This Dean Wagner guy is a paid mouthpiece for Ross. He has a vested interest is propogating the business's mission. Some time ago, I either spoke with him or ANOTHER representative of Ross and was convinced he was a former used car salesman. I'd take everything he says with a grain of salt. I like the way he ever so diplomatically handles situations by suggesting "email me from your Ross account". This certainly seems reasonable, but one wonders why students are afraid to do so.

7) The administration is not out for your well being. Unlike the US schools which need to say "We graduate 100% of the students we admit" (otherwise they inherently must admit they have a flawed admissions process), Ross cannot make such claims. As long as your tuition is paid, Ross has little concern. Calculating pass rates for USMLE exams seems silly unless the schools include ALL paying students (minus US transfers). This reminds me of a local liberal arts college that used to publish a "100% acceptance to medical school". I know both of the acceptees for 2000 (2/2 = 100%; 2 out of an original 20 = 10%). Ross seems to have improved in the support services department. When mediocre students are admitted, some destined to fail, it's the very least they can do for six figures.

6) I am doubtful of Dean Wagner's credibility. In a post somewhere, he stated that he has not known anyone with a GPA around 2.0 admitted to Ross. He even stated he consulted with a colleague in this matter. Mr. Wagner, you are welcome to private message me and I will provide you the name and hometown of one such individual with a GPA FIRMLY in the low 2's who was admitted to Ross. He was expelled from his undergraduate school for academic reasons. I'm am almost certain he did not do any other coursework before applying. This should refresh your memory.

5) Many people here are incredibly ignorant of medical education and medicine in general. It is extremely foolish to turn down a DO school for an offshore degree mill. I won't get into the lengthy justification, but ANY DO school is better than an even SGU. I make no comments on SGU's ability to educate. I am merely commenting on viable opportunities upon graduation. A DO in America is better off than a OFFSHORE graduate.

4) This Mitch guy seems like a nice guy. But it's painfully obvious who's side he's on. He seems like a self promoter and his advice is dangerous (telling a 3.5 applicant to apply to Ross is silly - that individual would have a decent shot at a US school with a little patience). I'm not so sure, I'd trust him if I were a student at Ross.

3) This school is NOT about giving people opportunities. It's about making money. If you want an opportunity, find a feeder program. Anyone going to Dominica to do MEDPREP is assinine.

2) DeVry bought out Ross? This is hilarious! Are any of you rah-rah's familiar with DeVry and their reputation in academic circles? Do some due dilligence. Caveat Emptor!

and the number one reason one should not attend Ross....

1) Quietly observe this forum and you'll realize that personality nor character play no roll in the admission process at Ross. Students threating others, students unable to act diplomatically, and MEDICAL students asking about consequences of FAILING academically are common place. I wish I had that link about the Ohio doctor convicted of kidnapping a young lady and holding her in a makeshift casket underground for ransom. He was booted out of a "school in Grenada" and later completed his degree at a "school in Dominca". An extensive internet search may help one find this article.

I'm amazed at how many people don't know the difference between to/too/two, there/their, it's/its, etc. I see consistent misspellings ("appology"). Typos are one thing, but illiteracy is another.

I will not debate your opinion b/c everyone is entitled to their own, however, you should read your post over and correct all your grammar and spelling mistakes....as you are probably realizing now, your 10th reason is ridiculous (actually, I feel many of your reasons are in the same catagory). Basically, it sounds like you don't think your brother has the ability not to be "weeded out" by Ross. Yes, Ross does have a pretty low standard for admission (so maybe your brother would get in), but those that should not be here are long gone by graduation (I would bet that YOU currently fall into this category!).

I did reread my post and found three spelling errors ("who's"). Although, I see the irony, they are obvious and not consistent. I hardly felt an edit was warranted. As for my brother, he's sitting on a 3.46 GPA from a well reputed school and a 31 MCAT. He is an absolute idiot for even thinking about Ross (I hope you're reading this).

Oh, as for the shot on me: I am a medical student at the University of Wisconsin. I was accepted with a 3.3 GPA (average here is 3.7), but I did have a relatively high MCAT. Now, go study.

Rossloss

I think you have a little too much time on your hands to be worried about Ross. If your brother truly wants to be a physician and Ross is his last resort then he should consider the opportunity. You haven't stated anything relevant about Ross that would make anyone think twice about applying here. Remember, its not so much where we came from, but where we want to go. Ross students may not have been the most competitive applicants in the U.S. This does not nullify the fact that the majority of students do end up where they want to be... with an M.D. after their name, a residency, and a promising career. Don't be blinded by your negative attitude, Ross is a good alternative when you have no other. Oh by the way, believe it or not.. everyone is out to make money, don't fool yourself.

I agree with your assessment that Ross may be a fair option for someone that has no other options. But a junior in an honors program with a 3.46 GPA, best not consider Ross.

well here's a SMART idea. why don't you contact your brother personally and tell him instead of hoping he reads some message on some ross messageboard on some site. it will take 1/10 the effort and time of your motor mouth.

You think I haven't? The idea is he reads this forum frequently and I will not allow his young virgin mind to be corrupted by academic failures.

I hope that your brother does get in somewhere in the States. Good luck! I tried for 3 years, had a 3.4, 30 MCAT and was an alternate the second time around, but did not get in. They said to reapply and I had a great chance, so I did...here I am at Ross, even as skeptical as I was about Carribean schools. My experience here has actually made me a better person which in turn will make me a better physician, I hope. I really wish I would have gotten in that third time, but I don't regret coming to Ross and would do it over again. I have several friends that have graduated from Ross and are in residencies which made me realize that I needed to give it a shot. So, I guess there are different ways to get where you want to be, it just depends how determined and passionate you are. Good luck in your studies, Wisconsin is a great school!

first of all, lay off dean wagner. he's a school official who represents ross, so of course he's going to diplomatically represent the school he doesn't get paid extra to help people out on this forum, so he should get some credit for his efforts. if u don't like the message than thats a different story coz he's just representing the views of the univeristy. but as an idividual, i think he's doing a great thing here.

same goes for mitch. he deserves credit for taking the time to provide everyone with info. sometimes i don't agree with his views, so i openly and respectfully question them. but theres no reason to question his intentions just coz he has an overly optimistic view of his school. he's proud of the school he chose and is free to express it. if u disagree with his views than present your side and let the readers decide, but don't try to do this by attempting to tarnish his integrity.

as far as the us med schools vs carib, i don't think anyone would argue that its almost always better to go to a us med school if given the choice. unfortunately most that choose the carib route didn't have the option avail. should they not try to follow their dreams?

the point about d.o. vs carib m.d. is a tough one and very controversial. theres good arguements for both sides so i won't even get into it. but i will say that theres plenty of ppl who had both choices of which neither of the 2 showed a great preference among applicants. i think it's a personal choice and no one can say which is better for everyone.

about personality not being a factor towards admissions, i agree with this point. ross says it takes many factors into account when deciding admissions, but i never heard a great empasis on personality. but i think the ones with poor personalities get weeded out along the way or end up having a very difficult time during clinicals, when personality plays a larger part in your grades.

i'll leave the other comments for current ross students. but i will say this, many siblings, parents and friends have also tried to dissuade ppl from doing whatever it takes to follow their dreams. some of them suceeded leaving ppl to always wonder what could have been. others r now seeking the medical care of the doctors they once tried to dissuade. u have given ur advice and i've listened, so now consider mine. try to support your younger brother in whatever decision he makes. it makes a huge difference to know that ppl who care are behind u

peace

I totally agree with you. Plus, I don't think US school know how to identify good personality vs. bad personality in admission process. They're guessing.