I am currently going to school here and it is seems that there is not enough control over curriculum. Certain teachers are able to just teach whatever they seem interested in and losing focus of the overall goal - practicing and writing boards. I feel that I have to study to pass their lame tests and not for truely learning the material that we will need to prosper as an MD. I am wondering if this is a new trend and I am hoping that I did not make the wrong choice of schools. I have a friend that is strongly thinking about going to school here and I don't know if I would recommend it. Other schools that might maintain the focus on important material and have better quality teaching staff maybe be a better idea.

Couple of things;

Don't let anything get in between you and learning medicine. If you feel like you aren't getting what you need; supplement it with extra studying.

What makes you think clinicals or any other aspect of your career will be any different...this is why they call it the Art of Medicine, because part of it involves character. NEVER doubt your own abilities and ALWAYS take ownership for your own learning irrespective of who's teaching you.

when you feel stressed and are doubting...just join in the grumbles with your friends during a study break, and then get back to work..

SUSOM is licensed in all 50 states...and has betting putting out students who have gotten residencies in orthopedics/derm/etc...maybe they are doing something right...

It's the student that makes the school, not the other way around.

You only get out of things what you put in...so take as much as you can, and enjoy the ups and downs of this boot-camp....errr....journey.

All the very best!

just thought you should know....
american medical schools have increased enrollment about 3 years ago, which means that for the 2011 match there will be many more american grads to compete with. Means that you need to be doing amazing on your step 1.
good luck

just great . . .

You make a very good point. Sometimes it just seems that they might not have your best interests in mind, but maybe I am not seeing the whole picture. Thanks for the input!

Yup, there are certain professors who seem to think we are in a Phd program in their particular subject and not in med school. But alas, that's just something we have to deal with. There's always BRS, Kaplan, First Aid etc. to help you pick out the high yield/board relevant stuff. It's by no means something that is unique to Saba. I know friends enrolled in American schools who tell me that some of their professors have no clue about what's important as far as the boards are concerned.

At the end of the day, there's so much you'll simply have to relearn anyway. Can the average 4th semester student honestly say that he remembers all of anatomy as well as he knew it at the end of 1st semester? He's going to have to relearn a lot of it and chances are he will consult with Kaplan/BRS/First Aid etc. and key in on the high yield information.

Point #1 - if you are in basic sci classes you have no idea what you are talking about and have no idea what is on the boards or how to study for it. Shut up, study what your prof gives you and try to do the best with what he says regardless of how you feel about it. Get through basic sciences, and then study for your boards based on previous threads or (reliable!) advice you have gotten on how to study. I got mostly B's and C's in my basic sci courses and unfortunately never complained about it on ValueMD and then smoked my boards.

And yes, tellingitlikeitis is 100% correct. Good luck matching without a 90+ (most likely 95+) for average competitiveness after 2010 match, and guess what? Crying on ValueMD about the profs or the NBME saba gives you at the end and how they shouldnt fail people that fail by a few points wont save you or them from scrambling and possibly not getting a spot. So it looks like the advice i've been giving on this board for the past 2 years = Shut up, stop crying and work your behind off, is now pretty much the only way your going to get a spot PERIOD. And if your scores arent great (and i dont mean bad i mean not a 99), establish a solid connection at programs you rotate at, they may be your only bet for a spot in the future.

__________________
"Stop making excuses and just do it"
Step 1 and 2 CK, CS - Slayed
Proud Member of the 99/99 Club
Cores Finished! Electives Finished!
DONE WITH MED SCHOOL...now interviewing/being a bum/ValueMD sheriff

DarkMan,

"Good luck matching without a 90+ (most likely 95+) for average competitiveness after 2010 match?"

Could you provide a reference for this?

Regards,

Ummm, use your common sense. American med schools will have increased enrollment and are in the process of adding entire new schools. Meantime, the residency spots are going to stay static and possibly drop...the numbers are out there if you would like to google them I am not going to because a) I am not affected as I match 2010 and b) Do your own work. Already its hard enough to match without somewhat decent #'s and I have seen many people with 85's on the boards as IMG's not match and have to scramble. In the future with AMG's (american med grads) with the same board scores or higher, they will most definitely take any spots for Independent Applicants (IMG's, DO's, etc) and will force the board score rate to go over 90 even for Family Med and the lesser competitive specialties. This will also almost completely kill any chance for IMG's to hit the uber competitive specialties and will also most likely murder the Caribbean Medical School market except for the Big 4 (SGU, Ross, SABA, AUC) as they are licensed in all 50 states and have good clinical rotation connections which will probably be the main "in" for prospective grads that dont have stellar boards. If you dont believe me or think im full of it, google it yourself, american grads have been telling me about it for the last few years as well. This day has been coming for a LONG time, only way to get ready for it is to stop crying and just work hard.

__________________
"Stop making excuses and just do it"
Step 1 and 2 CK, CS - Slayed
Proud Member of the 99/99 Club
Cores Finished! Electives Finished!
DONE WITH MED SCHOOL...now interviewing/being a bum/ValueMD sheriff

Lame... maybe i should have rushed and gone for 2010.