I agree with the thought of going after high school as it seems so much better than toughing it out in Canada for four years only to become rejected by med schools even with a 95% average (stories ive heard), the acceptance rate is only 6 % to get into med school here, so to me i am thinking of going to bonaire, i am currently completing the IB diploma program (higher learning) and don't fancy going to become a doctor only to become screwed by Canada's ghetto system, i was wondering if studying in teh Carribean would be a wise choice as you are pretty much guaranteed med school there...

I'd like to kno if my mindtrack is right, mayb other students could help me out, is bonaire realli the best choice or are there other pre med programs (i.e. after high school) which would benefit me more in terms of education quality and such.

Is it better to go after high school or after you have earned your bachelor from say an Ontario University?

Thanks in advance to all

hi,

I'm actually starting at Xavier in January, having finished my undergrad. I originally thought of applying after my second year of university, but I talked myself out of it and glad I did. During your undergrad years you have the opportunity to take all different courses and it really helps you to become well-rounded, which is really what all med schools like to hear, Caribbean or elsewhere. Also, just in case there is a possibility that you will change your mind, you can always have something else to fall back on!
And don't think that going to the Caribbean is an easy option either...its medical school after all!! There are some schools that you have to really be weary of.
The best advice I can give you is get yourself really informed. Do research, research and more research and find a school that suits you. There is a lot of incorrect information being circulated so whatever you need, go straight to the source.
Best of luck to you, I'm sure you will make the right decision!

DO you believe that bonaire is a good choice, where did u do your undergrad from and what were your marks like (sorry if im being too personal but i just need some information), did u also consider other medical schools aside from bonaire or was it more of a last choice sort of decision?

Get your Bachelors. There are plenty of schools in the islands that are much better qualified - like Saba, SGU, AUC, Ross, AUA, MUA-N, and St Matt's if you don't get into a Canadian school. This school has no grads, no track record. While they may have that in four years. Don't take short cuts in the medical world - They backfire and can burn you quite bad.

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PreMed Forum Moderator

In Grad school in Biology

James is right, i would always reccommend going to a US school or Canadian school first. if you are really considerign coming here instead, i would avoid this school. it has no track record and the above schools should be considered first.

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I'm like Internationally-known

I think the smart thing to do is to contact the school directly and find out whatever you need to know. You can even contact some current students and see how they feel about the school. Good luck.

Don't make decisions based off this...

I have contacted a few students and they say its great there, aside from the realli casual atmosphere going with drinks with your teachers, but they are all in the pre med program there, and then i have read this forum and its like woahhhhhhh....what am i thinking, i went to their toronto seminar and the head dude cudnt speak proper english, that was a turn off, but the whole fast-track program saving you a few years is still really attractive, is that just a scam or are u ready and prepared in their recommended course outlines?

there are absolutely no "fast track" programs in medicine that are worth the risk. don't ever do premed in the caribbean at any school whether it is xavier, ross, or sgu. reason is that the credits you get from premed at these schools will not count for anything if you find you don;t like the school and want to attend another one because no credible school in the caribbean will accept transfer pre med credit so once you start your premed you are absolutely stuck with that school

also a many states require 60 hours of pre med, some 90 hours and a few a full bachelors degree for licensure from an accredited school and most of these schools are not accredited to grant undergrad degrees. possible exception maybe sgu which actually has a university in grenada catering to locals.

take your undergrad in canada at any accredited school then apply to schools in the us/canada. if you don;t get in use the caribbean as an absolute last resort! even then there are a few schools that have been around a long time, have a few state approvals and have collectively over 15,000 practicing docs in the US. SGU, Ross, AUC, and Saba. there are a few other ones with one state approval and have a good track record so far even though they are much newer, SMU, AUA.

the rest can vary greatly in what they can offer and you need to really look closely at them because they are so new, have few resources, and are in need of students may not have your best interest in mind when answeriong questions. generally be careful with any school down there because they are all for profit money machines. good luck

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

Thanks so much everyone for ur help, made my decision like 100 billion times clearer, Canadian Uni's it is, thx so much guys n girls