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Just curious to see what are some opinions out there on the comparison of Ross University Medical College to U.S Medical Schools.
rockjock said:I know this is unconventional, but the only place that I have been accepted is UIC, and at this point I would have to be positioned at the Rockford. I saw the facilities, and did some talking to the local students and, US school be darned, I wasn't impressed. Now if you fellas might be so kind, asside from just calling me a ******* or roasting me, tell me why it is soooo much better to go to a US school, even if the facilities aren't impressive, the staff wasn't hospitable, and the fact that for an out of state student the cost is nearly twice that of most other schools (54,000 last time I checked) PLEASE. I'm using this post to help make up my mind. I will really get more out of an answer with some depth to it.
rockjock said:Thank you for your input. Bevo, did you go to Ross? or do you just have a lot of info on it. I was under the impression that your boards make up most of the decision of what residencies you get. My only worry about a FMG is whether or not I will be able to work in the US. The moving, life on the island, ect doesn't bother me. Neither does the attrition rate. I may be wrong, but it seems only logical that so many student would drop out of schools that let in so many....lesser qualified applicants. Also, are there errors in the administration, or is it just a lack of student councilors. I came from a competative school and did well with vigorus courseload without any degree of coddleing. Is this what is refered to in your posts? Finnaly, is it your opinion that the MD, DO, FMG pecking order exists, or do they actually admit MDs into residencies, than DOs, than try for FMGs. I am asking honestly, as I thought it was mostly your test scores that determined your eligebility to a residency. I appreciate your response, but I have to ask why the four gentlemen who posted earlier are on this thread. If you are so con carrib schools, why are you posting so much on a resource for students who are trying to find their head. Addmittedly, I am farther behind you guys, but that is why I am researching before making a decision. Aside from the question posed to Bevo, I would be interested in other POV.
Thanks
rockjock said:I was under the impression that your boards make up most of the decision of what residencies you get.
niceMD said:I just totally pro-Carribean (I am actually planning to attend on this fall) but I have to agree with the others. Even though I think that anyone who is determined and hard working enough can get into competitive residencies with a degree from a carib medical school, I still think it would be a bad idea to chose one over a US school. There are so many factors to consider including being away from the life you know and the people you love, not enough support for students who are not doing well, living conditions etc. You really do not need that when you are trying to do well in school.
Ross in particular. I think that they accept way too many students, knowing that many will leave along the way. I really wish they would accept less and offer more support to those they accept. AUC and SGU would be better options. SGU even has free tutors for students not doing well.
I say go to IL but if you really feel that it is a wrong choice for you, try AUC or SGU.
Good luck!
I'm absolutely dumbfounded someone would even ask thisrockjock said:I'm interested in an honest answer here also. I have been accepted at Ross, University of Illinois, and possible Rosalind Franklin University (still waiting). I always told myself that Ross was just a back up, but after going on my interviews and really doing some research, I am less impressed with the other schools. I was always under the impression that the Carrabean schools were just trying to match american programs, but after interviewing at UIC I actually liked the facilities, curriculum, and resources of Ross a lot. I interviewed at Rockford, so I didn't get the whole picture...but. I would just like to know if there is anyone else out there that are considering a foriegn school such as Ross over limited acceptances in the US, or are you supposed to join a program that you think is inferior or even unaccomidating just because it is the US. Im having a hard time choosing just based on a name. Also, Im from California, and say what you will of Dominica - It is still better than Chicago. Any one elses p.o.v.? Stay Friendly!
rockjock said:Thanks to everyone who posted constructive information. I decided to skip the speculation and I went to the source. I spoke to a residency co-ordinator for the UC Davis medical group, and he said they do not take FMG's, not because of score, rep, ect, but because it costs more to insure them. More $= no residency. Obviously this doesn't go for all schools, since there are many foreign grads getting placed in the US, but there are bound to be some. As to all the talk, I am not interested in Derm or the like. I am actually very interested in IM, which - most would agree - is one of the less competetive residencies. Who knows what my preference will be in the future though, so I will stay in the US. I have another interview here shortly (way late, I know) so I will wait to see what happens, but I appreciate all of those comments from those who tried to help. You know who you are.
Cheers
rockjock said:I'm interested in an honest answer here also. I have been accepted at Ross, University of Illinois, and possible Rosalind Franklin University (still waiting). I always told myself that Ross was just a back up, but after going on my interviews and really doing some research, I am less impressed with the other schools. I was always under the impression that the Carrabean schools were just trying to match american programs, but after interviewing at UIC I actually liked the facilities, curriculum, and resources of Ross a lot. I interviewed at Rockford, so I didn't get the whole picture...but. I would just like to know if there is anyone else out there that are considering a foriegn school such as Ross over limited acceptances in the US, or are you supposed to join a program that you think is inferior or even unaccomidating just because it is the US. Im having a hard time choosing just based on a name. Also, Im from California, and say what you will of Dominica - It is still better than Chicago. Any one elses p.o.v.? Stay Friendly!
I don't understand why ppl are calling the OP a '*******' and labeling his question as a 'stupid' one. Believe it or not, there are some ppl who choose to pursue medicine late in the game and are just not as knowledgable about schools, reputation, location, cost etc as the rest of us......and are therefore genuinely intrigued. There's nothing wrong with asking this question.ndspider said:I have a feeling your ignorance is false.... in fact you are simply not telling the truth.
Nobody that can do semi-well on the MCAT can ask such a STUPID QUESTION.
If you really do exist... then we should go snip hunting... or unicorn spotting.
Reality is reality.... a state school, half price.... no "why did you go to a carriban school" questions to answer... yadda yadda yadda.
I bet you didn't get int a US-med school and are just trying to find reasons you went to a justify yourself going to a carribean medischool.
Just my two cents... from a lurker!
s
Leukocyte said:Is this a serious thread?
phisigman03 said:There is no such thing is a dumb question. The purpose of this forum is to state your opinion. If there are none then keep your criticisms to yourself. If you have nothing smart to say then don't say it at all. Not everyone thinks and evaluate the same. As far as Ross goes there are some comments on high attrition rates. In my opinion that would be a good thing being that it is a caribbean school and that the stigma is that caribbean schools will take as long as you got the $$$$. Would a high attrition rate not show that the school challenged its students?The truth is that Ross do take students with 17 and so on the MCAT but if you can't pass their standards then maybe you don't need to be a doctor, you know what I mean? I have also heard that many students transfer out to another caribbean school simply because Ross is too difficult and of course there is the dropout. And if you want to talk about high/worst attrition rate ever you might want to check out the history of UAMS in Arkansas. Sometimes in the 70s or maybe earlier there was only 1 Grad. (that's the truth).
chookie said:Those of you lambasting this guy for his "stupid" questions are posting responses so full of spelling and grammatical errors that I'd think I was reading a forum for 4th graders.
zek said:Actually it was in 1880, and he was the very first graduate at what was a new school.
http://www.uams.edu/medcenter/history.asp