Thread: Whats my chance

cGPA: 3.2
sGPA: 3.0
MCAT: 21Q (8PS 8BS 5V)

100+ work of research, shadowing, volunteering and employment (Public health work)

Intending to apply for Jan/May 2013

you'll get in no doubt ..

Just curious, why St James over some of the others?

Hey doc_D3, currently Im applying to SABA, SJSM only. Basically my first and for most is money. Im not getting any loans cuz i dont have a co-signer, and right now I'm 25 been working since 20, so saved enough money and +/- 50 thousand from help from family, so money is the biggest issue y I am not applying to SGU, ROSS, and AUC. Secondly, Im really worried with the 75% passing grade at SABA. I undertand its a really reputable and established and good academic school, but after doing research its attrition rate is like 50%. Therefore, Im actaully really scared to fail, or repeat a year and waste time. SJSM I understand is not half as good as SABA, but with a more easier or slightly less harder pass level than SABA I believe it will move me on time to graduation with respect that I study my f**king *** off for the USMLE on the side throughout the time on the island. Plus I'm Canadian, so New York isn't really a must in terms of clinical rotation or residency. I actaully love Chicago so going there for clinicals is actaully would make me happier than have to live in broklyn or some ghetto places in NY for cheap rent

It looks as if you've spent some time considering the options and what works for you. I'm not big on this Carib school is better than that Carib school. If the end point is a licensed, competent MD, then it's not that big of a deal (just my two cents) and St. James can get you there. I don't suspect you'll have any problems getting in. I wish you all the best!

Wow you are one of the nice and optimistic i have heard on this forum.. Best of Luck to you to! So looks like ur going Roos right? any 2 cents why u didnt choose SABA since its cheaper and pretty much ranked as good as Ross?

Thanks. Yep, I'm at Ross, started last month.

I'm a US student which makes 2 things very important: Federal loans, and Cali approval. Saba has Cali approval but doesn't have Fed loans. I actually applied to both Saba and St James as "safety" schools, but I preferred to have the piece of mind that comes with studying without (immediate) financial concerns. I probably could have done the MBA thing with Saba, but technically, we're not supposed to use loan money from one program to pay for another and my credit isn't strong enough for private loans. Anyway, like you, I've read that Saba's grading policy is brutal. I wouldn't have had the time or motivation to keep up with the MBA curriculum. So that's why Ross was better for me than Saba.

I could be wrong, but it seems as if, when it comes to licensure of Carib grads, Canada isn't as fussy as the US. I'm not sure about the residency matching though. It's kind of difficult to find matching history for St James; maybe the school could put you into contact with some Canadian Alumni. I would definitely ask.

Well I picked St. James over any other school because of the money and the positive things I've heard from people I know that already attending the school. In the end, no matter what carib. schools you go is to do really well on the Step 1.. because you're an IMG it doesn't really matter what school you attend. I also don't care about practicing in Cali. so it didn't matter if it was cali. approved or not.

St. James also got back to me the quickest, literally the day after I applied. It's been around for 10+ years now and is continues to grow. They recently opened up another campus in Anguilla.. so that shows you that it's moving in the right direction.

Reputation and money were the two biggest factors in me choosing St. James over the others. Hope this helps!

Be mindful some other states use the California list, so the California list isn't just about California. Just something to check into. I've got a buddy at St. James now, so this isn't a criticism, just a suggestion.

Richard.

Based on the schools website St. James seems very affordable. If you are paying out of pocket I think it would be a good choice. I would advise you to save more many for unexpected things. Research and find out the best books for Basic sciences. I didnt go to St. James but BRS physio & Rapid review path are excellent choices.