My experience dealing with a little episode has left me choosing SGU over St. Matthews



Here is a little letter I wrote to the V-president of SMU where you can read my SEVERE quality complaint:administration do NOT care about students, are highly inflexible in dealing with personal situations that come up. SGU ARE respectful and are a hell of a lot more flexible. This complaint is being issued to the AVMA where I report the quality and decorum of SGU compared to the mess of SMU

Dear Dr. D,

I was a potential vet student. I merely wanted to defer for a year. I feel SMU was highly inflexible whereas SGU and most other schools give students at least up to a year to defer. Here my only options were to either lose $500 or lose $500 AND only get to defer for one semester. Likewise, I feel that the administration was highly confusing in addressing questions, having told me I can get my money back, then not get my money back, calling me by different names, not answering questions and necessitating a long series of e-mails just to obtain what I felt was basic information. And last but not least, I feel (edited for Terms of Service violation), was very rude to me on the phone, both raising his voice where I had not and then actually hanging up on me. I told him that it was unprofessional to raise his voice on the phone. Then he indicates that I would not make a good member of "SMU family" and that I can not reapply based on a decision made by you and him. I find this strangest and most disturbing of all. In neither tone or neglect of my indicating that I really wanted to attend SMU (I already spoke with faculty about my interest in wildlife medicine research) did I get any indication that he felt students were part of a family. I am issuing this complaint for quality improvement and general dissatisfaction.


Sincerely...

Something in your story just doesn't add up. The administration has always been very nice to me. While I've had some issues with the school (mostly silly ones), I have had a pretty good experience here.

Similarly, there are students here that have similar stories to share about experiences that they had with the admissions offices of Ross and St. George's. I'm pretty sure that this happens everywhere unfortunately.

And while many established veterinary schools allow students to defer up to a year, I don't blame St. Matthew's for not allowing that. We are a new school so each student counts (unlike older schools who have plenty of applicants to take your place while you defer). And the current loan situation may also have influenced their decision.

It really just sounds like you are trying to bash SMU. I haven't even heard of a vet school that will give you your seat deposit back. I think you should actually attend a vet school, such as SGU, and then you can make an honest assessment of the school. And trust me, no matter which caribbean school you choose, the US offices and the veterinary school on the island are often not on the same page.

Good luck!

actually sgu will not give you a deferal. they will agree to reactivate your application and review it again. but there are no deferals.

__________________
Steph
If you get a warning, put on yer manpants and stop whining about it.

I am a vet student at SMU. I love the program. We have a terrific Dean and excellent, caring professors. Our visiting professors are wonderful. We have small classes and get lots of personal attention. The island is beautiful and safe. The program is challenging and keeps improving every semester. I don't regret coming here for one minute. I know I am getting an excellent education.
I will say that several students have also experienced similar treatment by the administration in Orlando. In spite of that, they still decided to come on board and are glad they did.
Sorry your experience has left a sour taste in your mouth. You are really missing out!