I want to know why it's the same people who get on all the non-"big" 3 forums and criticize and post. You guys really must have too much time on your hands. The posters are always the same people, from the same school AUC, ROSS, St. Chis. They visit the forums and basically say negative suspicious things about the schools when they get a chance. And if something juicy comes up. Hell, there is another pony to ride for a while. I really love the ones who are out of Med school and still go around criticizing - or aleast they say they are. You would expect that the people who have through the process know that there are doctors from Spartan, etc. practicing around the United States today. Competent doctors. Good doctors. So all this to me is childish. So, all this my school is better than your school stuff is blah! And all this California Licensing stuff is true but guess what, that's California, I could give a rat's behind about California. Before they passed their law there were docs in there from these "Unapproved" schools and guess what?? They are still docs. California is not the model for the U.S. in medical licensing. Because they have an "approved" list makes them something special? They are not. They are just another bureaucratic entity over regulating another aspect of their licensing process. If any of you educated persons studied American government you should know about the bureaucratic entity. Their job is to make more work, more red tape, it justifies their existence and their budgets - an they have it all justified, too.

So, are these constant nay-sayers doomed to continue the med student banter till they retire? Who knows but I can assure you that it gets really old. I am getting ready finish my basic sciences and I tell you all, when I hit clinicals I will become an infrequent visitor to these forums, just updates. I hope that I can pass the torch to another student by then. I can promise you one thing, I support all students from ALL medical schools. I hope you make it and I hope I make it.

Frankenstone

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I am older than I look.

nobody is school bashing. that is always the rallying cry of you folks...

the fact is, it is a risk to go to offshore schools, and people should minimize the risk. when new info comes out that makes a school a worse gamble (ie lying on a website) it is important that potential students are aware of it...

nobody is hacking you, or your choice. you had your reasons, and you are happy. great. but, new starry eyed pre meds should be aware of the problems, and make their own choices. to listen only to current, happy students is absolutely idiotic. to listen only to me is also stupid. but, the info should be out there, and gathered from many different sources and evaluated by the potential student...so, all these non-st james folks on your forum, are a good thing. maybe not for your schools recruiting, but for the potential students.

another thing, despite your disregard for cali, it is an important thing. states will likely be getting tougher, not easier, to deal with, and cali approval is a great gauge of legitamicy for state boards to look at.

when looking at a school, these things are essential:
1. IMED listing
2. good USMLE pass rate
3. good residency placements
4. unlimited licensure potential when you finish
5. forthright admin, at the very least one you can trust.

from where i sit, there are a lot of schools that meet the above...unfortunately, st james is not even close....i can only see one trait the meet, #1

and, regarding the folks that post...i am thankful that these folks all have the time and energy to put into this site. and, it doesn't take a whole lot of time....when you are on the wards, you will see that you have plenty of down time, in the library....you will be on here more than you know!

So,

You been to SJSM NeilC??? Like the Czech Republic is good?? If the hospitals are anything like Russia then it ain't that great where you are either. You say that pre med students need to be aware of some things about Caribbean schools, well, tell them about the unsatisfied students at Ross that have been transferring or the super inflated prices.

St. James has never lied to me when I ask them so as far as I am concerned. Always straight answers good or bad.

Licensing may be tougher in Cali but not where I want to go. So, until then I will worry about it........

Frankenstone

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I am older than I look.

nope, never been to sjsm...and, the fact is that would make almost no difference. the factors that are important are not going to change based on a visit. if everything else is in place, then what you see matters. if a school does not have the minimum requirements, than it wouldnt matter what the island or facilities are like.

thankfully, the czech hospitals are in much better shape than what i hear russia is like. in fact, i have worked in many hospitals in the czech rep and in the US...and, the differences are not that large. but, again, that is not what makes a school good or bad. my school is certainly not at the top of the list when choosing offshore schools. i am very comfortable with this, and always say so when people contact me for info about coming here. i am not afraid to say that there are much better options for getting back to the US. but, my school still will do a fine job for the few of us that come here, as i am sure SJSM will do for you. the difference is being forthright about the limitations, honest with potential students, and not attempting to mislead people.

unsatisfied students transfering out? inflated prices? well, the prices are accurate on the websites that i have seen, so they know that going in. and, believe me, i am familiar with transfer students...99% of the time unsatisfied=failing...so, sure the pre-meds should be aware of these issues. but, again, you are pointing at these little issues, which only distract from the big ones...go to a school that has a good history, doesn't lie, has grads working in all the states, etc...AFTER you find the schools that have that, then you can nit-pick about attrition rates, cost of attendance, quality of the island or campus, whatever...

The reason I get in the fray is because I am familiar with the laws regarding licensure. Some schools have various issues which could be problematic for them in the future. I think it is important for people to be aware of them. I have friends who have gone to various med schools, and I have friends who got screwed really hard because of fine print in licensing laws. it is important for prosective students who haven't even begun to think of licensure to be aware that such issues exist, and really are of the utmost importance. No license, no practice. I certianly don't try to "bash" schools. As an IMG myself, I wish all IMGs success, no matter where they go to school. I agree with you, Frankenstone, you can be a great doc even if you trained in a mud hut somewhere. I hope none of my posts have been construed as "bashing", but I do feel that people, especially those just starting their research, be aware of all of the pitfalls of various schools. G

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AUC Class of '99
Bored certified
I may be a jerk, but I'm a Jedi jerk like my father.

Some say I look like Buzz Lightyear....
(They're right)

DISCLAIMER: I have no financial stake in ValueMD, or any medical school.

good post frankenstone.

a breath of fresh air.

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If a blind man is able to see after an eye operation, is he still blind?

Breath of fresh air????
Aren't you the same "openminded" person that started posts about how "unfair it is to have PhD's in your class???
And that other thread about the Ross Scholarship??
The words "dissociative disorder" come to mind...
Hope it all woks out for you.

Beaux[/quote]

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Stupidity is not a crime... you are free to go.
Do I look like a @$#%&*#@ people person?
What are you going to do... type me to death??
Your mommy's calling.

The USMLE step 1 will soon tell us that ST JAMES is a great school

NOT TO GO TO FOR PREPARATION.

Many will be weeded out there.

Of course they will not post thier high failure rate --- but the truth will always out.

Only a fool takes the USMLE Step 1 without preparing for it.

Like all schools, you get out of it what you put into it.

Frankenstone

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I am older than I look.

Ltwilshire. I am a student at St. James, and I bet I will not get "weeded out." I am happy to put my USMLE scores up against you, anyone from your school, or anyone on the planet. It is ridiculous how many people come on here and bad mouth a school they know absolutely nothing about. Well I am here now, and I am happy to compete with anyone. Bring it on! All you people do is talk. Put up your scores with mine! I say this because I cannot speak for my classmates, who happen to be very strong. And yes, the truth will come out. Best wishes!