School Name: Saba
Location: Netherlands Antilles
Basic Science Tuition:
$4,950.00/semester
Clinical Science Tuition:
$5,450.00/semester
USA Clinical Rotations: Yes
Time required for MD: 40 months
1)can a non u.s. citizen/resident (intl)get rotations in the u.s. in the 3rd & 4th yrs? are the reany saba intl students who are doing/ have done this?
2)is the food/living expense high on the island?
3)while the cost of the 1st 2yrs tuition +stay is pegged at $54000/- what`s the real deal?
4) can intl students avail of any loan opportunities?
5) is it more difficult for an intl 2 get into saba?
pl reply asap.. am trying 2 join up in May..TX
Posted on Dec 21, 2002, 12:09 PM from IP address 219.65.9.225
1)can a non u.s. citizen/resident (intl)get rotations in the u.s. in the 3rd & 4th yrs? are the reany saba intl students who are doing/ have done this?
YES. ASSUMING YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH YOUR VISA, THEN YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO CLINICALS IN THE U.S. ... FOR MATCH PURPOSES, YOU'D PROBABLY BE BETTER OFF DOING THEM ALL OUTSIDE THE U.S. ANYWAY. THERE ARE A LOT OF STUDENTS FROM CANADA DOING CLINICALS IN THE U.S. ... OTHER COUNTRIES, I DON'T KNOW.
2)is the food/living expense high on the island?
IF YOU LIVE IN NYC, THEN YOU WILL PROBABLY FIND THE COST COMPARABLE. IF YOU LIVE IN TULIA, TEXAS, THEN IT WILL BE HIGHER.
3)while the cost of the 1st 2yrs tuition +stay is pegged at $54000/- what`s the real deal?
CAN'T ANSWER THIS ONE. MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE FEES WITH YOUR COST ESTIMATES.
4) can intl students avail of any loan opportunities?
I THINK THE CANADIANS HAVE THIER OWN LOAN SYSTEM. OTHERS, I DON'T KNOW. YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE SCHOOL DIRECTLY ON THIS ONE.
5) is it more difficult for an intl 2 get into saba?
DOUBT IT. APPLY AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
pl reply asap.. am trying 2 join up in May..TX
Posted on Dec 23, 2002, 4:42 AM from IP address 65.190.185.14
Why I feel SABA is the best caribbean medical university
by
(no login)
After reading some posts on this forum, I feel obligated to write this message. SABA is by far the best caribbean medical school (NOTE- I said caribbean) there is. The other three schools one can realistically consider besides SABA are St. George's, Ross, and AUC. Here is why I wouldn't go to any of these three schools, even if my life depended on it:
St. George's- There is no way in hell I am going to dish out 15G's a semester (for tuition alone..) to attend a medical school in the caribbean, regardless of how many contacts they have in the US. That is a ridiculous amount of money to spend for degree that won't help you in attaining competitive residencies (for example dermatology). Graduating from a foreign medical school does carry its own little stigma, so whether you pay 15 G's or 6g's for tuition, what the hell is the difference??
Ross- I don't think I would advise anybody to attend Ross. Again, you are in the caribbean. Dominica isn't exactly the safest island on the block. I grew up in a tough neighborhood, but if I'm going to a foreign land to study something as rigorous as medicine, I'd like to have a piece of mind that I am safe after sundown. Remember, your safety comes before your MD! Realize that if you go to Ross,you will bring down some materials (such as computer, stereo, whatever...) that will carry a duty charge at the airport. Finally, the attrition rate at Ross is pretty high (somewhere near 40%). I don't like to spread rumors, but what really scared me about Ross is this... I heard that in the latter part of their basic science curriculum, the administration starts to fail students on purpose because they let an overwhelming number of students in initially, whom they don't have spots for in clinicals. PLEASE understand that this may just be a rumor, but I've heard this three differnt times and once from a very good source.
AUC- St. Maarten is a dirty island. If I went to AUC I'd have a blast. However, I'd probably not do very well in school. Besides that, AUC only lets their top 20 percent of students into US clinicals. I don't want to do my clinicals in Europe or Asia, especially with what is going on in the world today. Besides this, I have heard many strange (and sketchy) rumors about AUC, but I feel it would be inappropriate to state these on a public forum.
SABA is a relatively inexpensive school (tuition is approx 6G's per semester), the island is very safe and an aesthetical masterpiece, the locals are pretty nice, clinicals are all in the US, and the USMLE passing rate for step 1 is somewhere near 90 percent. I have tried putting nothing but facts into this post... so after reading it, why on earth would you want to attend another caribbean medical school?? I'm kidding... do your own research and find the facts for yourself. After my first semester at SABA, I am glad I decided to come here. There are things I dislike about SABA, but they all include little petty things like the lack of a decent night life at SABA. If anybody needs some clarifications or information on anything, please feel free to email me at Imran110@yahoo.com. Good luck to all. Later.
Posted on Dec 22, 2002, 9:00 PM from IP address 64.12.96.198
I went to visit a few weeks ago. This was a good decision. Pretty much everything I saw in catalogues, the web and things I read on this forum plus student emails checks out. It is not, I repeat, not a very big island but the people are nice. I got a tour and the campus is impressive and so is the library. Students were pretty burned out, particulary the new ones, with anatomy. Anatomy lab looks just like the one I saw at UT when I went for an interview. So, I hope that this helps anyone with cold feet who has not visited Saba. I'm packing my bags. it's the best choice for me.
Posted on Dec 21, 2002, 9:11 AM from IP address 63.52.28.163
how many students are assigned per cadaver... i heard 11 is this true or not.
Also can you tell me a little about the island and the faculty.
thanks alot
Posted on Dec 21, 2002, 2:10 PM from IP address 204.134.196.156
I think there were 7 on a cadaver; the lab is nice and the cadavers are good ones, so the students told me. The profs are mixed-many Americans and Canadians; they seem very friendly but I did not meet all of them-just Anatomy, Histo, Physio and the psychologist and the Deans. The office people were nice; I had a personal tour. It is different than other islands were it is dirty and the people are not friendly.
Posted on Dec 22, 2002, 8:08 AM from IP address 68.129.23.231
There are an adequate number of students per cadaver. At first we had about 9 students per cadaver but then the school had more shipped in. There were approximately 6-7 students per cadaver after the first coupleof weeks. The lab is very big and spacious, and the professors (along with the TA's once in a while) are very helpful. Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.
Posted on Dec 22, 2002, 7:59 PM from IP address 64.12.96.198
Some might be in a bad neighborhood so that may turn you off. Be careful not to stick with one area. I'm sure there are other clinicals with safer places. I know some of those you mentioned are in Chicago, and in a rough part of the neighborhood. There are some in Missouri and those aren't far away.
Posted on Dec 21, 2002, 4:41 PM from IP address 209.109.240.223
I wanted to know a little about SABA...
Hows education there, how many students are there per class and per cadaver, how good are the professors and give me more insight as to why I should go to SABA instead of St Georges or Ross or AUC
Thanks alot for your help... I am really confused
Posted on Dec 17, 2002, 3:23 PM from IP address 198.60.192.56
Saba is an excellent program. Our students grad now are hitting over the 90 mark on Step 1....Tough to get in now. I am in my 4th year....NY and CAL are ready to certify us...I hope !!!!
Posted on Dec 21, 2002, 7:02 AM from IP address 172.137.149.73
Hey guys ! SABA is well respected at St Joseph's hosp in Fort Wayne, IN. Check it out. If you are interested in FP residency. Its a good procedure oriented program. IN state laws are Doc friendly as well ie cap on law suit penalties..........Check it out. Earlier you apply, sooner you get in....Go do a rotation there...They have good compensation plan :-) I think.
Posted on Dec 21, 2002, 6:59 AM from IP address 172.137.149.73
I have a couple more questions if someone would please respond....
About stuff to bring with you to the island, do students need to bring their own blankets, bed sheets, pillow? Is there a place on the island to buy them? It seems kind of ridiculous to carry all this especially with the luggage limit.
What kind of internet connection do we need for our laptop for the island? Does SABA have wireless connection yet?
Should we bring a printer with us?
If I start in September then how much time do I have after Basic Sciences to study for the USMLE step 1? How often is this exam offered?
How soon should student start filling out the MedAchiever and Teri loan applications to ensure that money is set to be disbursed by the September date?
Sorry for these silly questions...thanks for those who respond!
Posted on Dec 20, 2002, 8:21 AM from IP address 209.109.227.254
Thought i would share this with you guys in case anyones interested... read below
_______________
For those planning to take Step 1 or 3 after March 24, 2002: the NBME announced yesterday that they will be conducting a field trial of their test administration software, between March 3 - 24. It cannot be used for official results, but does include performance evaluation, so can potentially gauge your readiness for the exam.
Here are the basics of the announcement; please see http://www.usmle.org/news/news2003ftrial.htm for more details.
The National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®) is developing new software for delivery of the USMLE™ Steps and other examination programs. A field trial of this software will be conducted from March 3 to March 24, 2003, at selected test centers of Prometric®, part of the Thomson Corporation. This trial is primarily a test of software functionality, but will resemble USMLE Step 1 and Step 3 in content and format.
Each participant will be provided with a profile of performance. Please note that NBME Test Delivery Software Field Trial results cannot be substituted for USMLE Step scores for the purpose of Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®) certification or medical licensure in the United States.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
The NBME is planning to select about 400 participants and is seeking applicants who:
· are students or graduates of medical schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
· are students or graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada and who have applied to the ECFMG for certification.
Those who anticipate taking USMLE Step 1 or Step 3 may find this field trial useful. The NBME intends to provide performance feedback to each participant about 8 weeks after the field trial window ends; however, this timeline is subject to change. Only participants who complete all sections of the field trial will receive performance feedback.
Individuals who have already passed USMLE Step 1 are not eligible to participate in the field trial resembling Step 1. Similarly, individuals who have already passed USMLE Step 3 are not eligible to participate in the field trial resembling Step 3.
FIELD TRIAL DESCRIPTION
NBME Test Delivery Software Field Trial resembling Step 1
The test delivery software field trial resembling Step 1 will be a 1-day (8-hour) trial. Each block of multiple choice questions will contain 50 items. The testing day will be divided into the following components:
· 30-minute tutorial
· seven 1-hour blocks of multiple-choice questions
· a brief post-test survey
· 30 minutes total break time (to be taken between blocks of questions)
NBME Test Delivery Software Field Trial resembling Step 3
The test delivery software field trial resembling Step 3 will be a 2-day (16-hour) trial. Each block of multiple choice questions will contain between 35 and 50 items. The testing day will be divided into the following components:
Day 1:
· 30-minute tutorial
· seven 1-hour blocks of multiple-choice questions
· a brief posttest survey
· 30 minutes total break time (to be taken between blocks of questions)
Day 2:
· four 45-minute blocks of multiple-choice questions
· 10-minute Primum® Computer-based Case Simulation tutorial
· nine Primum Computer-based Case Simulations
· a brief posttest survey
· 30 minutes total break time (to be taken between blocks of questions)
Note: For either field trial, if the tutorial or other blocks are completed in less time than allotted, the extra time can be used as break time.
WHEN TO APPLY
The window for submitting applications opens on December 12, 2002, and closes on
January 20, 2003. Only applications submitted through this web page will be considered
Posted on Dec 13, 2002, 9:54 PM from IP address 172.175.84.50
Havent seen yah since the Nevis thing. Hope you are doing well. I miss going out with you guys to Sunshines and Turtle Beach. Hope all is well. How are things going??? Im Finishing up Surgery here at Union Memorial on Friday (THANK GOD !!!!) I learned alot but it was hell and Im glad its over. Let me know where you are. Take Care!!!
Scott Jones
Posted on Dec 17, 2002, 4:52 AM from IP address 207.19.126.2
SABA was approved by the NBME to offer standardized exams in the basic sciences. This should allow students and faculty to compare their scores with those of US medical students.
Posted on Dec 20, 2002, 5:01 AM from IP address 141.154.10.199
I've been reading this forum for a year now still trying to make a decision to go or not to go....one of my concerns is if one is allowed to bring their pet with them. I know the laws of bringing a pet to a foreign country and that is fine- but somehow I think living in the dorms would not allow that. Does anyone know of any info on this?? PLEASE help- I cannot get rid of my cat!!!
Thanks!!!
Posted on Dec 19, 2002, 8:46 AM from IP address 24.92.184.130
Being a "cat person myself" I can well understand your situation. There is no problem with bringing pets to Saba - it is not like other Caribbean islands where your pet has to be in quarantine. However, they do not allow pets in the dorm for your first semester, so you might need to have someone watch your cat for the first semester. After first semester, everyone is in off-campus housing/apartments.
Good luck
Posted on Dec 19, 2002, 10:49 AM from IP address 141.154.10.199
Hey there everyone, I will be leaving to Saba Jan. 3rd for the Jan term. I had a very weird question but I guess its a good question. Do I need to bring a comforter and a pillow for the bed in the dorms or is that all given to us. All I know is that I have to bring sheets but I don't know how the heck I would carry a comforter. Could someone help me out? Thanks guys! See you in January!
Sincerely,
Terek
Posted on Dec 17, 2002, 11:10 AM from IP address 198.81.26.208
That all depends on you and your a/c preferences. Kenny (your landlord) has a/c in each room which you can control. I personally did not bring one but my roommate did. It was too bulky and in the end I didn't need it. The maids are going to change the sheets Kenny provides or you can bring your own sheets if you want (I did) and they will make your bed. Good luck in January...wish I was doing it all over again!
Andrea
Posted on Dec 17, 2002, 2:01 PM from IP address 64.228.52.61
scott, you mentioned in an earlier thread that ur rotating with people who had 70s for step one and they still got interviews- would you suggest a few programs (to get an idea) which have a minimum requirement of 70 for step one? this info would be very helpful. thanks.
Posted on Dec 17, 2002, 10:01 AM from IP address 172.160.196.252
Housing and Apartments Exchange for med students
For Sale By Owner.
