I just had my interview with UMHS and I have to say I was very, very impressed with the school. Out of the schools I have researched in the carribean, I feel this school really is going in the right direction. It was very stressful though, after the interview it just so happened that Dr. Ross, and his son (the president) were having a meeting at the time I was there. I ended up meeting both of them and the president stopped and brought me into his office to chat with me for a few minutes. I am really excited about this school and would be very suprised if it doesn't do really big things for future MD's. As a RN I was also impressed with how much he did and is doing with his nursing school. If I get in, I plan to go visit in a few weeks. Anyway, just wanted to share my experience for those who may be interested in the school.

When you know your travel itinerary, please PM me so that we can make arrangements to greet you at the St. Kitts airport. We can also assist with your hotel arrangments and, in some cases, get a lower rate for you than you might get if you make your own. We will be happy to give you a tour of the campus as well.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about the school, the island or your transistion here, please feel free to PM me and I will do what I can to help. Congratulations on your acceptance and I will be looking forward to meeiting you when you arrive here.

Dear Sir/mam,

I understand that this a new school, although is or has there been any progress made in regards to acquiring California accreditation. In addition what hospitals are approved clinical sites for this new school. Any info would be great.

Before we can apply for states' accreditations, we must get ECFMG registration. Before we can do that we have to have FAIMER/IMED listing. The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has sent the necessary documents to FAIMER and we are waiting for them to process them. As each step is accomplished, we will take the next.

In the end, we will apply for FL, CA, NJ and NY accreditation. Obtaining these is not a quick and easy task. Most require site visits as well as documentation which needs to be reviewed but as we become eligible for each we will apply.

The same can be said, and has been said elsewhere, regarding the clinical sites. We have been in discussions with multiple hospitals. Once we get ECFMG listing, we will finalize these arrangements. Many of these sites have multiple layers of authorization that must be obtained before we sign the contracts. We are, however, moving through the various layers as quickly as we can. When Ross University was sold initally, it had more than 40 clinical sites in the United States. Most were on the east and west coasts with some in the midwest. UMHS currently plans to arrange sites in those areas again and we will have enough sites to accommodate our students' rotations in a timely fashion.

Much of the Provost's time is being spent on these very projects at the same time that he, the Chairs and others put together the Basic Sciences curriculum.

Just wondering what your GPA and stats were? I'd be transitioning from a non-medical career (not to be specific, but it was more "business" than anything else).

Also, did you submit MCAT or just GRE?

Lastly, what are your thoughts on UMHS vs the other carib schools? I havent applied to any yet but I think I'll check them all out before I decide on one.

New Schools are just that..new. First off go in knowing that there are no graduates anywhere and that getting a license to practice anywhere is not known until a grad actually goes through the full licensing process. Go in knowing that the school is untried and that it is a huge gamble because no one has done it before, know that the last half dozen med schools in the area have gone bankrupt in less than a year, however UHSM has really good backing with Mr. Ross and i am sure he has a ton of financial backing so this is likely not an issue.

As far as state accreditations that is years down the road with NJ, NY, FL likely to be the first ones because they are very easy to get and also it is just for rotations. even if the school is not approved there you may still be able to get a license there after residency and even may be possible to do residency there

kansas is automatically out because they require a med school to be operating for 15 years before licesnure is a possibility

california is so far off in the future of this school that it will not likely even be a gleam in the eye of administration for almost half a decade. they require mountains of paperwork and data showing years of admissions criteria, board pass rates with trends, facilities, stable professors and much much more. if california is not approved when you attend then you will never practice there, no loopholes or other ways in. there are also about half a dozen states that follow california's list of approved schools and you will not get licensed there. though some have reciprocity in that if you are board certified practicing for x number of years you may apply for a license in some of them but again california is not one of them and you will not ever work there

texas also has a list of approved and banned schools. if your school is not on the approved list then you will have to prove that your school is equivalent to a texas lcme school with facilities, professor qualifications, library, research, undergrad credits, pass rates, admission criteria and so on and so on. so initially texas is not likely though it maybe possible through reciprocity later on. and if your school is banned then no

indiana, oregon, and a few others also have lists of banned or questionable schools

so as a summary the licensing picture in the US is so convoluted that the only safe way to go about it is to say that if a school has no fully licensed grads there then the possibility of getting licensed there is questionable. now there are more than 30 states that are relatively easy to get into so its not a lost cause or anything you just gotta know going with any new school is an adventure

good luck

__________________
OBGYN PGY II
I see light at the end of the tunnel!!!...wait a minute its just another freakin tunnel!

Very good response. I am from the Northeast and wouldn't mind spending my career in NY or NJ, but are there any really tough states in the Northeast/MidAtlantic (like CA or TX with the ban on practicing if your school isnt approved when you attend)?

Again, any responses are good and I will do additional follow up research myself... just wondering if anyone has already looked up stuff like this.

Is going to St Georges or Ross that much better than going to UMHS? I'd assume that UMHS will move quickly through the accreditation process, given that it is run by Dr. Ross

Hi Baldness. I was wondering what type of questions they asked you on your interview. I have an interview next week. I am extremely exited but nervous. I want to make sure I am prepared. I would really appreciate you sharing!!