Thread: Bonaire September 2011

I was wondering if there was anyone accepted and going to SJ in september??? I have my interview tomorrow!

For the people going:
Where do you plan on living?
What made you choose SJ?
What is life really like on the island ( food, night light...etc)

Good Luck on your interview! Be honest and I would suggest having some answers ready (Strengths, Weaknesses, how you will deal with moving to a foreign country without family, name one time when you went out of your way to help someone, what you think defines a doctor, what do you think is the most important characteristic a doctor should have?) Stuff like that! I hope that helps! I know I would have appreciated this kind of info before my interview!

I am going in September! As far as living goes, one of my friends is down there now. She said that her and her mom went a couple of weeks early and found an apartment. I don't know if this is what most students do but I am sure your admissions advisor will give you some details about what to do and expect. My friend said that the island is really nice and she feels safe. There are lots of cafes and even a subway. She didn't say much about the night life other than she hasn't had time for going out because of the heavy work load at SJ. I chose ST because I liked that the school didn't care that my marks weren't 90s like you need in Canada. My friend seems to really like it down there and that means a lot to me. Also, NO MCATS! Basically, the school is giving me a chance to become something I have always wanted, taking into consideration more than my undergraduate gpa.

GOOD LUCK! I am sure you will do great!

Interview went well. Took about 45 minutes and was conducted by "josh."
some questions asked:
Strengths
Weaknesses
Tell me about yourself
What defines a good doctor
What qualities do you have that would make you a good doctor?
What do you do on the weekends
Would your parents be a support system
What do you feel like the problems are with the US health care system
What bring on you passion for medicine
Why SJ
Asked about two bad grades

Said Id hear back Friday around 315!

I had my interview yesterday 12-1-11, It went well, Asked me Tell me about yourself, An Obstacle you had to overcome, About The 2 W on my transcript, As well as the 2 C i suffered in Organic Chem, What can you do to change the problem of smoking, And a Health-care question.


I have a few hours to decide, I'm scared, Im torn between reapplying to Us schools next year or just taking this opportunity with optimism. But the more student going in Sept 2011 we should stay in contact. I'm From Staten Island NY.

just got the acceptance call!- I am also torn. I am waiting to hear from a us school, and st. james is being very pushy about wanting my money to reserve a seat... I dont know what to do....

Hey,I decided the worst thing that can happen if I get accepted to us schools or the big four is I'm out 1g. So I enrolled for the Sept semester, we'll see what happens good luck!

I agree- I just wonder how great the education is... how likely will i be to match a residency. There are a lot of unknowns here.

Yeah I did alot of research, I bugged the adviser about different concerns of mine. I even called the hospitals in Chicago that St. James are "affiliated" with. Everything pans out. Of course if we decide to go this route we can only practice in 48 states. Loans will also be a killer, and we must bust our but to pass USLME with a good score for our clinicals as well as residency. So that part is on us, just like any other medical school offshore and US. Im having doubts as well though, so i plan on taking my 25 on the mcat and applying to the big four carrib schools for a sept spot. That way federal loans will be available for us and i will feel a little more safe with my decision.

Hey! I interviewed with SJSM on Wednesday and I am supposed to get a decision tomorrow (December 10, 2010). If accepted, I am wondering once you pay the $1000 reservation fee, how soon after is the $1000 "administrative fee" due?

Is paying the $1000 reservation fee at the time of acceptance mandatory or can you take additional time to decide if you want to accept the seat or not?

After you are admitted, and the reservation fee is paid, what happens next (i.e. when do you get the official acceptance packet; info regarding obtaining your student visa; and any other needed information)?

What are you all doing in the meantime to prepare?

Thanks in advance for feedback.

Hey, Congrats on the interview. I was accepted a few days ago and i paid the deposit fee. With that said, I'm not to sure about the administrative fee. They will require you pay the enrollment fee the day of your acceptance which sucks. I figured it was a bridge that wasn't worth burning over a fee. Most of us have wasted just the same on application fees for US schools, I know I have, so it wasn't a deal breaker for me. After enrolling, they send out an admission package, which i received today. It has info on the school, important forms, a local magazine, tour guide and photo-shopped pictures of the island lol. It also has a checklist of things you need to prepare prior to starting school. This includes passport, photo id etc. Also in the package is a list of books you will need for each semester as well as the necessary medical equipment required. I hope this helps man good-luck!