Thread: AUA vs Saba

I had a couple of friends go to SABA. Most matched and are practicing. When they reminisce about times there, the biggest con they all brought up was the remoteness of the island and the lack of amenities, which made life a little challenging. As far as school comparison, SABA is cheaper and class sizes are dramatically smaller compared to AUA. When my friends were there I think their class size was 30-40 (this was about 10 years ago though). From an academic point of view both will get you to your goal, but from a lifestyle perspective AUA definitely takes the edge. Hope this was of some help.

Thank you Shonk! This really does help. Best wishes to you.

Here is a list I made, please feel free to correct or add. Thanks!


AUA:
More self study (watch lectures online and meet 3x weekly in small groups)
Connection with FIU
Better island life
More student support
Attrition rate (30% at one time)
Newer school


Saba:
Small class size traditional classroom lecture (attendance required)
Cheaper tuition
Write a term paper - may delay graduation
Smaller island (5 miles)
Less student support
Attrition (40-50%)
Older school


USMLE and match rates are comparable
Both approved for US loans
Practice in 50 states

Originally Posted by med950041

The connection with FIU will only be of your benefit if you have a certain GPA and Step Score (I can't recall the exact figures). Additionally, not all of the rotations at FIU are stellar, if that were the case then all of tha AUA Clinical students would be doing their clinicals at FIU.

More student support? what's that supposed to mean? If you fail a semester, what's that student support going to get you? Each person for themselves.

Attrition rate is 70%, not 30%. It varies however, semester-by-semester between 50-70%. However with this new curriculum, I am sure their attrition rate is definitely on the low side (probably even 30%) BUT that's because their second semester attrition rate when second semester finishes this year is going to be relatively close to 60-70%.

Many people opt not to do FIU rotations because it is more expensive. Also, regardless of the state, not all rotations are created equally. A friend who rotated in NY told me his peds rotation was very limiting. I on the other hand had a fantastic peds rotation. The same cannot be said about my ob/gyn rotation. Again, not all rotations are equal, as with everything in life.