Hi all, I've spent some time combing through the various threads for carib med schools here and on studentdoc forums and while I think that some of the info. found on those sites are applicable to us vet students, I wanted to start a thread/list that is more specific to our experiences. So here it goes.

The Cons

1) Living on an island for 3 years. May be difficult for some to adapt to. Really though, with summer and winter breaks, we're not spending more than 5 months at a time there.

2) Have to take the PAVE and ECVFG to get licensing in the states in addition to the NAVLE. For some the PAVE will be sufficient b/c it covers ~24 states (including Cali, Mass and NY). The ECVFG is expensive (~6000$) and takes 4 days, plus wait lists are long. I hear most carib students register for it the year before they graduate so it's not so bad.

3) Cost. Ross is the only Carib Vet school that has any federal loan programs. SGU has a loan set up w/ a private lender, but covers only part of the tuition. I don't know how the loans are set up at St. Mathews, which I think is the smallest and newest of the Carib vet schools (but is on one of then nicest, most developed islands). It's also slightly more expensive than if you were to go to an out of state school (tuitions for those schools range from 35G's and on, SGU is about 32G's per year).

4) Stigma? This is a mixed bag, I've heard that most hospitals, institutions and other vets are accustomed to carib graduated vets (due to Ross being around for so long), yet at the same time I still do hear of carib grads being looked down upon. Regardless if you can get a job then really who cares how other's look at you?

5) More difficult to get residencies/internships.

Pros

1) You're in vet school

2) You can eventually practice in the states, it'll be a bit more difficult, but I hear that most people have no problems getting a job.

3) The experience of living away. It seems that it's just like undergraduate again and for the most part I've heard that most people loved it.

That's about all that I can think of. If anyone can think of anything to contribute, please add!

Nice list. I will add if I can think of anything.

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Vet Schools Moderator

Know your food supply

What do you mean it only covers part of the tuition? I was clear that the private loans cover all the tuition at SGU... Let me know if I am wrong. Thanks!

Let me clarify. When I stated that SGU private loans only covered part of the tuition I was referring to the private loan that SGU has set up with Ed Invest (a lender) to "help" out the vet students b/c they are not eligible for federal loans. This loan is structured to mimick a federal loan, with lower interest rates (annual adjusted variable) and no interest accrued while in school. This particular loan has an sub (8000$) and unsub portion (10,000$), where SGU will pay the interest during your four years of vet school (at least for the sub. portion of the loan). Additionally you can also take out another private loan, but for these loans you have to pay all the interest accrued with no additional help from SGU. Sorry for the confusion.