SGU Response to SC Students - Page 8

stephew · #71 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandhopper

It's easy to say from someone who graduated awhile back when tuition and living expenses were much lower, isn't it? Yes, SC students are in a unique and horrible situation and it would be better off to accommodate them at SGU free of tuition when everyone else is paying $60,000/year, but at Saba people are paying half of the cost? This is the exact same argument given when all students were "required" to attend a financial meeting earlier this year and someone voiced about the high tuition cost of SGU, knowing federal loan may not be available -- You always have a choice to attend SGU or not! And now the school is offering total tuition waiver to SC students? I guess I AM TRULY IN THE CARIBBEAN....

putting aside the incorrect assuption that my pov is not valid because times have changed; actually no the first time the sgu fees went up was just a few years ago. and it was still darned expensive when i went relatively speaking. that's called inflation and the expense of soemthing is all relative to the time. 10K a year 30 years ago would be extreme even if very cheap today. your arguement makes no sence.
the woulda coulda of the loan situation is irrelvant to where things stand now. End of the day you had choices to make. if you chose sgu and its sky high costs, just as i did. You felt the upside outweighted the downside. If you go into sgu the odds are greatly in your favor that you would have got into other cheaper schools. is the price of education too high? that's another discussion all together.

Quote:

But making them repeat the courses by giving them tuition waiver so they can graduate from SGU? Who ever heard such a thing? I don't think any school back home or any school in the world that does it...I would have compassion on them if it doesn't take most of us 10 years to pay off the debt..Then again, I guess anything is possible in the Caribbean...

Did you not understand the reasoning? In the past a student had to come back to sgu to redo a first year because the couldnt be licenced after transfering into the second year from S.C. And btw no one is forcing SC students to take the offer. Thank goodness sgu doesnt want to take their money without any consideration of wheter or not they are offering them a useful degree.

I dont think sc students are asking for or need your compassion. if the cost is so obnoxious to you transfer to a cheaper school. Heck if the cost of a med ed was so dear to you could have done better in college and gotten into a cheaper state school in the us. none of us are in the caribbean because we worked too hard in college. you've had 100% of the choice in your decisions. Youre not a victim here. only in the caribbean? Well then may other places take a page out of their book.

Bravo SGU and the deans for their generosity to the sc students. BTW not the first time. Students have been accepted for years to sgu in the audit program. these were students who were weak to begin with. they audit classes for a year and if they do well can matriculate. They must repeat the year but the audit year remains free, even if they drop out or don't matriculate. This program started after one student decided school wasn't for him years ago. The dean's decided not to charge him and the parents wrote a nice letter of thanks. SGU is a money making operation and lord knows there are criticisms i have (and have had some unpleasant conversations about my views with people in the school.). but i give credit where its due and Sgu fully deserves kudos for this.

stephew · #72 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandhopper

It's easy to say from someone who graduated awhile back when tuition and living expenses were much lower, isn't it? Yes, SC students are in a unique and horrible situation and it would be better off to accommodate them at SGU free of tuition when everyone else is paying $60,000/year, but at Saba people are paying half of the cost? This is the exact same argument given when all students were "required" to attend a financial meeting earlier this year and someone voiced about the high tuition cost of SGU, knowing federal loan may not be available -- You always have a choice to attend SGU or not! And now the school is offering total tuition waiver to SC students? I guess I AM TRULY IN THE CARIBBEAN....

putting aside the incorrect assuption that my pov is not valid because times have changed; actually no the first time the sgu fees went up was just a few years ago. and it was still darned expensive when i went relatively speaking. that's called inflation and the expense of soemthing is all relative to the time. 10K a year 30 years ago would be extreme even if very cheap today. your arguement makes no sence.
the woulda coulda of the loan situation is irrelvant to where things stand now. End of the day you had choices to make. if you chose sgu and its sky high costs, just as i did. You felt the upside outweighted the downside. If you go into sgu the odds are greatly in your favor that you would have got into other cheaper schools. is the price of education too high? that's another discussion all together.

Quote:

But making them repeat the courses by giving them tuition waiver so they can graduate from SGU? Who ever heard such a thing? I don't think any school back home or any school in the world that does it...I would have compassion on them if it doesn't take most of us 10 years to pay off the debt..Then again, I guess anything is possible in the Caribbean...

Did you not understand the reasoning? In the past a student had to come back to sgu to redo a first year because the couldnt be licenced after transfering into the second year from S.C. And btw no one is forcing SC students to take the offer. Thank goodness sgu doesnt want to take their money without any consideration of wheter or not they are offering them a useful degree.

I dont think sc students are asking for or need your compassion. if the cost is so obnoxious to you transfer to a cheaper school. Heck if the cost of a med ed was so dear to you could have done better in college and gotten into a cheaper state school in the us. none of us are in the caribbean because we worked too hard in college. you've had 100% of the choice in your decisions. Youre not a victim here. only in the caribbean? Well then may other places take a page out of their book.

Bravo SGU and the deans for their generosity to the sc students. BTW not the first time. Students have been accepted for years to sgu in the audit program. these were students who were weak to begin with. they audit classes for a year and if they do well can matriculate. They must repeat the year but the audit year remains free, even if they drop out or don't matriculate. This program started after one student decided school wasn't for him years ago. The dean's decided not to charge him and the parents wrote a nice letter of thanks. SGU is a money making operation and lord knows there are criticisms i have (and have had some unpleasant conversations about my views with people in the school.). but i give credit where its due and Sgu fully deserves kudos for this.

MDXRS22 · #73 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGU Admissions Dean

St. George’sUniversity’s Open House in London on March 20th - a regularly scheduled presentation - was attended by a surprising number of St. Christopher’s students who were seeking options to continue their education in the face of their uncertain future. We have also received numerous phone calls and emails from St. Christopher students who are uneasy.

St. George’sUniversitySchool of Medicine may have a solution for the students of St. Christopher’s who find themselves in a terrible position through no fault of their own. Our senior administration is inclined to look into solutions but not at the expense of our academic integrity - our duty is to our current students and alumni. Our applications are such that there are six applicants for each seat this fall.

Any solution offered by SGU will ensure that our high academic standards are maintained, that the students have the best chance of licensure in all jurisdictions, and that the students will have the best possible foundation for success in medical school and in the profession of medicine.

Over twenty years ago a Caribbean medical school closed and the students were left without a future. SGU worked with the administration of that school to ensure the students’ futures with the abovementioned quality controls in place.

The Admissions Office spent many days and nights reviewing the admissions qualifications of all students and they were divided into categories of readiness for admission. Students who met the basic admissions requirements were admitted immediately, other students were assured a place as soon as they met the admissions criteria.

Students were not granted advanced standing since it was likely that licensing boards would not have accepted the transfer credit in the future. In lieu of the credit, every student was given a tuition scholarship for any semester they had already successfully completed. We allowed students to take courses without paying to ensure that they would have the best chance of being licensed as physicians in the future.

There may be offers from other medical schools accepting advanced standing credit from St. Christopher’s. However, students should thoroughly check out the ramifications of this. At SGU we are quite familiar with the concept of transferring medical school credit: over 1,200 SGU students have transferred into US medical schools - and we have taken a limited number of transfer students. Fairly recently, we thought credit from one medical school was valid and granted one year of advanced standing. When those two students graduated and tried to be licensed in California, they were unable to be licensed in the state of California until they returned to SGU and repeated their entire first year. The state of California would not recognize the credit, even though SGU did at first. You might find that some jurisdiction will ultimately accept your current credit, but many may not - and at SGU we do not believe in limited futures. We know that the SGU credit is acceptable since so many US medical schools have accepted it, but we do not know about other medical schools credit. You, like us, should be very wary.

SGU is prepared to consider the same type of humanitarian offer to the students of St. Christopher’s. It is a huge undertaking and would only make sense if there are enough St. Christopher’s students who would want this option, especially as it might require that we add a special first term this summer to facilitate this process.

We are better prepared to deal with the complexities of such a venture now than in the early 1980’s. One major difference is that SGU has a thriving undergraduate degree program in its School of Arts and Sciences and can therefore accommodate premedical students as well as those students who do not quite meet the SGU admissions requirements.

In addition, SGU has an extremely well funded and highly developed Department of Educational Services which is committed to assist students with their academic endeavors. Its multi-faceted approach includes tutorials in all courses, academic enhancement programs, help with study and test-taking skills, time management and other areas that may influence academic performance. This department is invaluable to the students at SGU and can aid in a transition process.

SGU has faculty and admissions administrators in the UK at the moment attending to business and who could change their schedules to meet with any St. Christopher’s students this week who want to discuss possibilities. If you are interested and want to add your voice to the St. Christopher’s students who have already contacted SGU, please send an email to sgu@valuemd.com with “St. Christopher’s student” as the subject. Give your contact details so that we can inform you if such a meeting takes place.

This is AMAZING!!!!!

SGU has a place in the Book of greatness, and I applaud to all that institution does and beyond.

I am sure the students will grab this opportunity and shelter their dreams of becoming physicians.

You are great, SGU!!!!

MDXRS22 · #74 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGU Admissions Dean

St. George’sUniversity’s Open House in London on March 20th - a regularly scheduled presentation - was attended by a surprising number of St. Christopher’s students who were seeking options to continue their education in the face of their uncertain future. We have also received numerous phone calls and emails from St. Christopher students who are uneasy.

St. George’sUniversitySchool of Medicine may have a solution for the students of St. Christopher’s who find themselves in a terrible position through no fault of their own. Our senior administration is inclined to look into solutions but not at the expense of our academic integrity - our duty is to our current students and alumni. Our applications are such that there are six applicants for each seat this fall.

Any solution offered by SGU will ensure that our high academic standards are maintained, that the students have the best chance of licensure in all jurisdictions, and that the students will have the best possible foundation for success in medical school and in the profession of medicine.

Over twenty years ago a Caribbean medical school closed and the students were left without a future. SGU worked with the administration of that school to ensure the students’ futures with the abovementioned quality controls in place.

The Admissions Office spent many days and nights reviewing the admissions qualifications of all students and they were divided into categories of readiness for admission. Students who met the basic admissions requirements were admitted immediately, other students were assured a place as soon as they met the admissions criteria.

Students were not granted advanced standing since it was likely that licensing boards would not have accepted the transfer credit in the future. In lieu of the credit, every student was given a tuition scholarship for any semester they had already successfully completed. We allowed students to take courses without paying to ensure that they would have the best chance of being licensed as physicians in the future.

There may be offers from other medical schools accepting advanced standing credit from St. Christopher’s. However, students should thoroughly check out the ramifications of this. At SGU we are quite familiar with the concept of transferring medical school credit: over 1,200 SGU students have transferred into US medical schools - and we have taken a limited number of transfer students. Fairly recently, we thought credit from one medical school was valid and granted one year of advanced standing. When those two students graduated and tried to be licensed in California, they were unable to be licensed in the state of California until they returned to SGU and repeated their entire first year. The state of California would not recognize the credit, even though SGU did at first. You might find that some jurisdiction will ultimately accept your current credit, but many may not - and at SGU we do not believe in limited futures. We know that the SGU credit is acceptable since so many US medical schools have accepted it, but we do not know about other medical schools credit. You, like us, should be very wary.

SGU is prepared to consider the same type of humanitarian offer to the students of St. Christopher’s. It is a huge undertaking and would only make sense if there are enough St. Christopher’s students who would want this option, especially as it might require that we add a special first term this summer to facilitate this process.

We are better prepared to deal with the complexities of such a venture now than in the early 1980’s. One major difference is that SGU has a thriving undergraduate degree program in its School of Arts and Sciences and can therefore accommodate premedical students as well as those students who do not quite meet the SGU admissions requirements.

In addition, SGU has an extremely well funded and highly developed Department of Educational Services which is committed to assist students with their academic endeavors. Its multi-faceted approach includes tutorials in all courses, academic enhancement programs, help with study and test-taking skills, time management and other areas that may influence academic performance. This department is invaluable to the students at SGU and can aid in a transition process.

SGU has faculty and admissions administrators in the UK at the moment attending to business and who could change their schedules to meet with any St. Christopher’s students this week who want to discuss possibilities. If you are interested and want to add your voice to the St. Christopher’s students who have already contacted SGU, please send an email to sgu@valuemd.com with “St. Christopher’s student” as the subject. Give your contact details so that we can inform you if such a meeting takes place.

This is AMAZING!!!!!

SGU has a place in the Book of greatness, and I applaud to all that institution does and beyond.

I am sure the students will grab this opportunity and shelter their dreams of becoming physicians.

You are great, SGU!!!!

islandhopper · #75 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saora1

What exactly does this have to do with the Caribbean? The school is located in Grenada, sure, but it's not like any Caribbean government is making the decision or *laugh* pressuring SGU. If SGU was somehow a US mainland school and wanted to make this same offer, I don't think the government could step in and tell them no. Correct me if I'm mistaken as I'm not a US citizen and not familiar with law/policy. So it's not like they're getting away with it by being located off-shore.

I think these students are in a bind, and as long as it's not affecting my education or the school's reputation (which it isn't because it's not like they're going to graduate without having to pass the same courses or take the boards like the rest of us), I think it's a very honourable and compassionate thing SGU is doing (with some free publicity on their end).

Like was pointed out, you're not paying any more for your education. So, they're not getting the same debt as you perhaps but they also have the stress of having to repeat courses, move somewhere else, deal with "wasted time" and money (living expenses and tuition paid, plus future expenses by being in Grenada).

You're getting the same as you were originally getting, so what's the problem? Life isn't fair, but at least you didn't have to go through this kind of fiasco. Some people get a free ride (although I don't view it as such in this case; not even close to it) while others get screwed, but oh well...what can you do?

Maybe you've never been to the Caribbean. I mean if you do, you will see things in Caribbean which you don't see back home. Anything from how the locals interact with each other down to how the school functions as a whole...You don't view it as free ride because you don't have the burden of $250,000 behind your back when you graduate. I view it as a free ride because it will take longer for us to pay off our debt when both SC students and SGU students are going through the same education process given everything else being equal...

islandhopper · #76 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saora1

What exactly does this have to do with the Caribbean? The school is located in Grenada, sure, but it's not like any Caribbean government is making the decision or *laugh* pressuring SGU. If SGU was somehow a US mainland school and wanted to make this same offer, I don't think the government could step in and tell them no. Correct me if I'm mistaken as I'm not a US citizen and not familiar with law/policy. So it's not like they're getting away with it by being located off-shore.

I think these students are in a bind, and as long as it's not affecting my education or the school's reputation (which it isn't because it's not like they're going to graduate without having to pass the same courses or take the boards like the rest of us), I think it's a very honourable and compassionate thing SGU is doing (with some free publicity on their end).

Like was pointed out, you're not paying any more for your education. So, they're not getting the same debt as you perhaps but they also have the stress of having to repeat courses, move somewhere else, deal with "wasted time" and money (living expenses and tuition paid, plus future expenses by being in Grenada).

You're getting the same as you were originally getting, so what's the problem? Life isn't fair, but at least you didn't have to go through this kind of fiasco. Some people get a free ride (although I don't view it as such in this case; not even close to it) while others get screwed, but oh well...what can you do?

Maybe you've never been to the Caribbean. I mean if you do, you will see things in Caribbean which you don't see back home. Anything from how locals interact with each other down to how the school functions as a whole...You don't view it as free ride, it's because you don't have the burden of $250,000 behind your back when you graduate. I view it as a free ride because it will take longer for us to pay off our debt when both SC students and SGU students are going through the same education process when everything else is taking into account...

stephew · #77 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by microphage

wasn't it also true that during the invasion of grenada that the SGU students were accepted into US schools? That might make up for a big chunk of the numbers

nope. in the 80's it was pretty easy to trasnfer. the invasion was brief and few transfered becuase of it. they were temporarily taught in us classrooms just like during ivan but wer'e transfers.

stephew · #78 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by microphage

wasn't it also true that during the invasion of grenada that the SGU students were accepted into US schools? That might make up for a big chunk of the numbers

nope. in the 80's it was pretty easy to trasnfer. the invasion was brief and few transfered becuase of it. they were temporarily taught in us classrooms just like during ivan but wer'e transfers.

Saora1 · #79 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandhopper

Maybe you've never been to the Caribbean.

Nope. Never.

I happen to be Grenadian and lived here until I was 16.

Quote:

I mean if you do, you will see things in Caribbean which you don't see back home.

Sure. But again, this particular situation has nothing to do with the Caribbean. I beg you to prove otherwise.

Quote:

Anything from how locals interact with each other down to how the school functions as a whole...

I agree that certain aspects of how the school functions are impacted by being in the Caribbean but that's not the debate here. It's this offer which, I contend, is not.

Quote:

You don't view it as free ride, it's because you don't have the burden of $250,000 behind your back when you graduate.

Please do not presume. While you're correct that I don't have quite that much, I'm not going to school for free.

Quote:

I view it as a free ride because it will take longer for us to pay off our debt when both SC students and SGU students are going through the same education process when everything else is taking into account...

Again, life isn't fair but it definitely is not a free ride and doesn't affect you other than feeling they are in a different situation than you. Which they are...

MD04 · #80 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGU Admissions Dean

Dear Saora,
Thank you for posing a key question. As stated in my original post, SGu's first duty is to our students and our graduates. We will not compromise the academic integrity of our program. At the present time, we have no idea how many, if any, of the St. Christopher students are interested in beginning again at SGU. If there is a significant number and we determine to aid these students, please be assured that we will not simply add them to our existing classes. We are considering many options of separate tracks, including the utilization of other campuses.

It Is the greatest help the ST.CHRIS's students have now.
But IT will be very intersting to know what will be min requirement b/c the most of students do not even take MCAT but they are already in clinical program.
ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE OPEN HOUSE IN ATLANTA< GA.

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