I asked SABA vs SGU and wanted to see pretty much major reasons why would one person choose SABA and another one SGU, but nothing good came out of that post, so here it goes again:

Could you please state 3 major reasons (or more) why you choose SABA and how do you like it (or like it so far)?

Thanks in advance

ah another this school vs this school post. you have to pick the school that IS BEST FOR YOU! but if you really really really really wanna know why I picked Saba:

1. I work better with smaller class sizes. I did much better in grad school than undergrad where I went from almost 150-100 to a class to about 15-20 to class. I like the class sizes of Saba even though being with approx the same 60 people for 20 months can start to get on your nerves!

2. I visited the island before I committed to Saba and was satisfied to hear about the solid step scores. It wasn't just students trying to entice me to the island so Saba continues to thrive, it was actual admin and professors telling me their experiences. Sure, they could have been feeding me lines as well, but I was happy with the responses I received.

3. I don't work well with distractions. I wouldn't be able to handle AUC just because it's on St. Marteen. Sure, I love to GO visit, but to study? hell no! Saba can get boring, but it's the kind of boring that makes me study.


any complaints? yah Saba makes me study, but Saba can get boring for me. I like to do a variety of things and Saba just don't have that variety. I would also like even more clinical intergration like SGU gives its students. We just don't have much experience @ the local Saba hospital. BUT, I am happy to say that the school recognizes this as a problem and is integrating clinical stuff where ever they can! hopefully they can implement these changes sooner rather than later.

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*The most violent element in society is ignorance*-Emma Goldman

* Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain.

1. smaller class sizes

2. safe, clean, quiet, friendly island

3. awesome USMLE pass rates

1. Class size (65 vs 350+ per semester)

2. Cost ($150k vs. $265k at SGU or $231k at AUC) for basic sciences and clinical years. This was according to the fin aid info I received from each respective school in the acceptance packets.

3. Don't have a third reason as to why I chose it over SGU or AUC. Compared to SMU or other newer schools though - Saba has California approval and a longer track history of placing grads into residencies.

The novelty of Saba as an island has worn off after 3 semesters. It is a very small island and I love getting the hell out of here during breaks or a short weekend trip to St. Maarten for some good food and beaches.

AUC is up to 250k now (most recent COE)

1. few distractions - I didn't want to repeat any of the mistakes I made in undergrad so I decided to attend the school that would be most conducive to this.
2. smaller class sizes - If everyone notices when I miss class or do poorly, I will be held more accountable.
3. lower tuition - The administration did not make me feel like they were there to just get my money.

I only compared Saba with SGU, AUC, and Ross because I personally believe that board scores and residency opportunities are very similar for each.

1. Cost
2. Laziness (only applied here)
3. A doctor I know is a graduate

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Maverik

---99--- 99---- 99---- 99 whisper pectoriloquy OR magic board score predictor?? hmm

~Last of the bus Drivers~
SABA Meds - MAY 2006

1. small class size.
2. fewer distractions.
3. just as good...as the other " 3 "

My cous went to SABA and is now IM - that's pretty much all I needed... I also like the small class size and cheaper tuition.

Hey,
I'm finishing up here on Saba in 10 days, and I almost got talked into SGU. I have absolutely no regrets about my decision to go to Saba. I chose Saba for a lot of the reasons already mentioned....Saba's an awesome, safe, friendly island. There's nothing cool about going to school on some ghetto, dangerous, expensive island.

Reasons why I'm glad I chose Saba:

1. The attrition rate is extremely low here. Of course, everyone thinks they're going to med school and setting the curve. The reality is, a lot of people will struggle. Of my original class of 69, I can count 7 who've had to slip down a semster and had to repeat a class. I count 3 who left because they couldn't handle the med-school pressure, or had issues back home. And I only count one who was dismissed because of academics. That means if you come to Saba, you will almost certainly complete the program. My understanding is that at some other schools, they basically flunk out half of the first semester students and send them packing. That's a lot of road kill considering how much people give up to move to the carib.
2. My professors know my name, are genuinely nice, motivated, and helpful. These are doctors who may end up teaching or practicing back in the states, and who I may want to contact in the future. I like the fact that in addition to getting an education on Saba, I've also rubbed elbows with professionals who may be important to me in the future. I would hate to be just another anonymous face at a degree mill school.
3. Yesterday I took a Kaplan diagnostic (simulated 8 hour Step 1). Based on those results, I could pass Step 1 today, without having done any review. This program is pretty impressive. I came here as a 40 year old lawyer with absolutely no science or medical background. The last science class I'd taken was Org. Chem 20 years ago. I was never a "lecture" person, I'd rather skip class and read the books. However, classroom attendance is mandatory and the lectures, though tedious, are excellent. Saba will teach you what you need to know.
4. Board scores coming out of Saba are excellent. I don't know a single student who has gotten this far that has regrets about choosing Saba.
5. The Match list from Saba grads continues to be impressive.
6. Clinical spots at Saba have become very good as well. Ross and SGU have had a monopoly on many sites, however, Saba has made significant inroads in the past 2 years. When I started here they couldn't assure me that I could do all of my rotations in NYC. I just had my interview with the clinical coordinator, and I'm set for all rotations in NYC.
7. The students that get admitted to Saba are excellent, both academically and personality-wise. They're people I'll want to know after I finish my time here. There's a cohesive and non-competive spirit within the classes, and a really awesome "help the next generation" attitude toward the semesters below. Every student who lands on Saba will be mentored by a student in the class above. And by the end of the first semester, anyone who has sought the help, advice, direction of more senior students will be taken under wing.

Every school has it's good and bad qualities. I have no major complaints about Saba. Sure, I miss Taco Bell, and I miss many of the conveniences that exist everywhere but Saba. But Saba is nicknamed the Unspoiled Queen for a reason. The island is breathtaking, the diving is awesome, and the school, I believe, is without parallel in the carib.

Good luck with your decision!

Bigguy

All you do and all you see is all your life will ever be ~ Pink Floyd