Thread: St. James or SMU?

Hey guys! I just realized that the thread that I've started a couple of days ago was either moved or deleted (for what?). As I've stated before please do stay away from flaming and bashing. I'm not really interested who could be a bigger jerk on these fora But this Q is now only present on SMU forum, and I'm getting one-sided opinions, though some have been very well informed, and supported by facts. I do appreciate it. Please follow the link below to avoid two separate threads, and you could see what other posters are saying as well.
TIA

http://www.valuemd.com/st-matthews-u...d=1#post537998

Think St. James is cheaper, but it isn't NY approved yet.

Some times when you have a thread on two forums with the same topic - the moderators will combine them on one thread.

Originally Posted by cutechickMD

That's great insight there jameslynton. Why not St.James at the end, if you don't mind my asking? Honestly, my only problem with them that there no licensed grads, at least no that I'm aware of. And another major thing for me is NY. But, NJ and CT will do for us as well.
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TIA

For me NY was a big issue - wanted to go to a school with at least NY approval. Then several things changed in my life that have delaid me from going to medical school for at least two to four years. So I am planning to go to grad school in cell biology in a US school with a night program in a molecular basis of disease program at a local university where I live, if I can get in. So I took the GRE in biochemistry a few weeks ago and have the regular GRE next week. I already have a MS so I will be going for a PhD if possible.

I think your consideration of cost is a wise issue - it is one of mine. My son is coming back after a year as a peace corp volunteer in Madagascar doing HIV training and wants to go to medical school. He however, has a 3.8+ GPA and with my help will be able to get in a good US school once he has done his prereq's. He will have every thing going for him to get into a good school I hope. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by cutechickMD

H....But this Q is now only present on SMU forum, and I'm getting one-sided opinions, though some have been very well informed, and supported by facts....

You will find on a public forum there are alot of cheer leaders. Right now most of the St James students have exams. Then they will be flying home for the winter break. So you will not get too many posts. And this thread may get combined back into the one on the SMU forum. Several things I would suggest -
1. Go see the schools - you are going to invest at least $100,000 in going to a school most likely more.
2. Some schools have cheerleaders and will bash the other schools - reason - money - these schools in the island are for the most part private businesses. They have big budget's to advertise and need to keep the income going. Ten students paying for medical school at 10k+ for tution is 1,200,000 in income over four years for the school (10 student * 3 semesters * $10,000 * 4 = $1,200,000). This does not count transportation, food purchased from the locals or housing. When you see the size of the shacks at Ross you will understand that the 2,000+ students there create quite an income for the food providers and people who rent rooms on the islands. Run those numbers for the food and see what you get.

Except for NY approval (which may happen soon), sT James would be a wiser choice:

SJSM is much cheaper
Bonaire is priced like pittsburgh/cleveland, Caymen Islands are priced like NYC.

Both schools have decent USMLE pass rates.

I do not want to get into a comparison between the two but any info on SJSM just ask here or PM.

Both will get you the MD true, SJSM may do it cheaper and there are 4 semesters as opposed to 5, but that semester is in clinicals, theres 6 semesters of clinicals, a full 2 years.

5th semester at other schools is a USMLE review. At SJSM you go back to the states/canada and take the kaplan USMLE review class. Basically the same thing.

Again, (My opinion only), many new MDs are haveing to pay back massive student loans. If you have to take out loans, SJSM would definitely be a better choice.

Bottom line is that the USMLE pass rate is the only number that counts.

Having the unique position of attending both schools, I would strongly suggest SMU over SJMS. The reasons are too numerous to list, but suffice is to say that they are not remotely in the same league.

Thanks everybodyfor the info