Hi folks! I am a Canadian interested in learning about the Top 4 (3 now I guess cause of the SGU accreditation issue?) Carib schools. I have a 3.9x GPA and 51x MCAT (left out the final values for anonymity but I have a LizzyM of 70), but have not received any US MD/DO interviews, and Canadian MD is out of the question due to my subpar CARS score (and yes, I have a clean IA/Criminal record). I am shocked honestly, because, in addition to my stats & the 100s of hours as a clinical volunteer, multiple research publications, and 100s of extracurricular hours doing leadership and community service, I have not received any interviews anywhere. As a Canadian applicant with a low CARS, Canadian med is impossible, and US MD/DO is not turning out to be fruitful, as there are already very few Canadian-friendly schools and none of them have even considered me for an interview. I have applied to every single Can-friendly US MD/DO (yes, I actually did 50 secondaries which resulted in nothing). For reference, I am completely open to studying and practicing med in the US or Canada.
Also: Please no rhetoric about not attending Carib schools; I am well aware of the low reward/cost ratio of FMGs matching in the US/Canada. I am honestly left with no options. I truly believe that I am ready for medical school, as evident from my MCAT score and GPA. I just have been put in an SOL situation where I am not competitive for Canadian schools and the few Canadian-friendly US schools have not taken a liking to my stats (considering a 3.9x and 51x is honestly pretty average for US matriculants, nothing exceptional, so why would a US school with IS preferences choose an average Can applicant). I am also 100% okay with being limited to FM/PCP & IM as a Carib FMG. Waiting another year to re-apply to all the schools that have already rejected me is out of the question too. I just really want to become a doc (even if it's a family doc in the middle of a rural, nowhere city).
Can someone clarify whether attending SGU as a new medical school student is even worth it right now? I am specifically concerned about their 2024 ECFMG accreditation deadline thing and am worried that as a Class of 2026 graduate, this accreditation issue may result in me not being able to write my USMLE and match into residencies, specifically US residencies. I know SGU has a longstanding reputation of being the best Carib school but is this a school that I should avoid completely now? Please no SGU faculty/admins or trolls trying to promote the school, I want honest *student-based* advice before I make my 300k commitment to a school that may be jeopardizing their currently-enrolling students' future in terms of matching after the 2024 ECFMG deadline.
Assuming SGU is a no-go right now pertaining to accreditation, I am left with the other major Carib schools. I have no doubts that any of them will accept me, based on my current stats. It's just a matter of choosing which is the best. Can any current Ross, AUC, Saba, and maybe SGU students (or recent alumni) provide insight on why they chose their school over the others? I am aware of the low attrition rates, but I am fairly confident I can power through the rigors of the basic science and clerkship years, and the practice Step exams and stuff; my undergraduate program was fairly challenging so I have polished my studying habits. I've also heard lifestyle horror stories on SDN from Ross and Saba, but honestly, I understand living on an island with a predatory institution will probably result in a ****ty 1-2 years of studying. I am ready for the commitment, regardless.
Also, based on my understanding, continuing with my research (or initiating new research projects) is probably going to be important in my Match CV and maybe LORs. Are there even opportunities on campus to participate in research? Or will I be limited to finding these opportunities on my own, in a virtual format?
TLDR: Apologies for the length of this post. I guess the point of this post was to basically inquire about which of the major Carib schools I should choose (and avoid possibly, looking at you SGU). Thank you in advance to anyone that helps! I will follow up with any respondents, so any help is greatly appreciated!!
Also: Please no rhetoric about not attending Carib schools; I am well aware of the low reward/cost ratio of FMGs matching in the US/Canada. I am honestly left with no options. I truly believe that I am ready for medical school, as evident from my MCAT score and GPA. I just have been put in an SOL situation where I am not competitive for Canadian schools and the few Canadian-friendly US schools have not taken a liking to my stats (considering a 3.9x and 51x is honestly pretty average for US matriculants, nothing exceptional, so why would a US school with IS preferences choose an average Can applicant). I am also 100% okay with being limited to FM/PCP & IM as a Carib FMG. Waiting another year to re-apply to all the schools that have already rejected me is out of the question too. I just really want to become a doc (even if it's a family doc in the middle of a rural, nowhere city).
Can someone clarify whether attending SGU as a new medical school student is even worth it right now? I am specifically concerned about their 2024 ECFMG accreditation deadline thing and am worried that as a Class of 2026 graduate, this accreditation issue may result in me not being able to write my USMLE and match into residencies, specifically US residencies. I know SGU has a longstanding reputation of being the best Carib school but is this a school that I should avoid completely now? Please no SGU faculty/admins or trolls trying to promote the school, I want honest *student-based* advice before I make my 300k commitment to a school that may be jeopardizing their currently-enrolling students' future in terms of matching after the 2024 ECFMG deadline.
Assuming SGU is a no-go right now pertaining to accreditation, I am left with the other major Carib schools. I have no doubts that any of them will accept me, based on my current stats. It's just a matter of choosing which is the best. Can any current Ross, AUC, Saba, and maybe SGU students (or recent alumni) provide insight on why they chose their school over the others? I am aware of the low attrition rates, but I am fairly confident I can power through the rigors of the basic science and clerkship years, and the practice Step exams and stuff; my undergraduate program was fairly challenging so I have polished my studying habits. I've also heard lifestyle horror stories on SDN from Ross and Saba, but honestly, I understand living on an island with a predatory institution will probably result in a ****ty 1-2 years of studying. I am ready for the commitment, regardless.
Also, based on my understanding, continuing with my research (or initiating new research projects) is probably going to be important in my Match CV and maybe LORs. Are there even opportunities on campus to participate in research? Or will I be limited to finding these opportunities on my own, in a virtual format?
TLDR: Apologies for the length of this post. I guess the point of this post was to basically inquire about which of the major Carib schools I should choose (and avoid possibly, looking at you SGU). Thank you in advance to anyone that helps! I will follow up with any respondents, so any help is greatly appreciated!!
Last edited: