Which School is Better, Ross or St. George’s?

August 31, 2007, 11:34 amThe Island Med Student19 comments

Ross University School of Medicine Campus I’ve received this question so many times, that I thought I should go ahead and post my two cents. As with everything I write, please keep in mind that these are merely my opinions from what I’ve experienced first-hand, and what I’ve heard first-hand from other people. I’ve only attended Ross University, so I can’t claim to know much about St. George’s. Please take this information with a grain of salt. Also, if I have said anything inaccurate, please feel free to comment or email me and let me know.

Many people have asked me which school is better, Ross or St. George’s. Honestly, I think it depends on what your needs are. Here is a quick and dirty comparison:

1) If you want to have access to things like shopping malls, nice restaurants, theatres, etc., then St. George’s is better. However if you don’t want distractions like that and you enjoy nature, Ross is better. (I am in the latter category but many people are in the former.)

2) Ross graduates are approved to practice in all 50 States. The last time I checked, St. George’s students could practice in 48 states, I think. However they may be accepted in all states by now. You should verify this.

3) Both schools have excellent reputations.

4) Both schools are approved by the US Department of Education, and hence you are eligible for full financial aid benefits.

5) St. George’s is more expensive than Ross. (Approximately $17,000 at St. George’s, and $13,000 at Ross per semester.)

6) Ross’s program takes less time to complete. (Four years for St. George’s, and about 3 years for Ross.) This can be positive or negative for certain people. Ross’s faster paced schedule is very beneficial to me. I am glad that I’ll be graduating before other students who entered the same year I did. For other people, this can be a negative. Some students would rather go more slowly and take their time.

7) From what I can ascertain, their basic science curricula are comparable, and their USMLE Step 1 pass rates are also comparable.

8 ) Their clinical clerkships are also comparable. In fact, I think there are several programs which accept both Ross and St. George’s students. As far as getting into the clerkships, I’ve heard horror stories from people online about both schools. However, I know many students who are currently in Ross clerkships and haven’t had a single problem getting placed. I’m not an expert in this arena, but from what I can tell, you shouldn’t have a problem getting placed at either school, especially if your USMLE Step 1 score is decent.

9) As for residency matches after graduation, both schools have a solid history of placing students in competitive positions, especially if the students have good USMLE Step scores.

10) As far as admission is concerned, I think both schools have approximately equal admission standards (lower standards than most American medical schools, but the highest standards of all Caribbean medical schools).

19 comments:

  1. Jessica A Bruno, August 31, 2007, 2:46 pm

    Kendra,

    Thank you for comparing Ross University to another Island School. Also, for writing another blog besides Medscape one.

     
  2. Kevin, September 1, 2007, 12:43 am

    there are four medical schools in the Caribbean that enable their graduates to practice in all 50 states….SGU, Ross, AUC and Saba

     
  3. Proby Patel, September 2, 2007, 4:26 am

    Kendra,

    In my recent conversations with Ross students regarding the comparisons between SGU and Ross students, one major development has come up which has everyone in the Caribbean concerned. Just in the last month, SGU announced a 10-year $100 million deal with New York City’s Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC) to guarantee a minimum of 600 training positions to SGU students. You can read more about this latest development here:

    http://www.sgu.edu/website/sguwebsite.nsf/news-events/news-archives07-HHC.html

    How do you think this will affect Ross and other Caribbean medical schools and what is Ross doing to ensure the future success of it’s students?

     
  4. Anonymous, September 3, 2007, 1:54 am

    I think it has been mentioned on numerous sites the Ross and ST. George basic science is comparable. But the clinicals years for ross students is a mess. To many students not enough spots. People are forced to take 4th year electives in 3rd year. Ross lost Hospitals to St. George. Ross needs more clinical spots to be eqivalent to SGU, until then Ross is behind, but still a good school. (i am a ross student)

     
  5. Anon., September 3, 2007, 6:05 pm

    I cannot believe these schools do not have more patient exposure! You go through 2 years of school only to start rotations never having seen a patient before? Crazy.

     
  6. Kendra, September 4, 2007, 9:35 am

    Yes, actually I do wish there was more patient exposure in the first 2 years. However, you do get some exposure with several trips to hospitals and clinics during your third and fourth semester. And you also have a full hospital experience for your fifth semester, which is supposed to be your major introduction to the clinical side before you begin your rotations.

     
  7. Anonymous, January 18, 2008, 2:42 pm

    hi Kenda, how about Ross versus AUC or AUA?

     
  8. Anonymous, September 23, 2008, 7:40 pm

    Hi Kenda,

    How does Ross view non-traditional students? I am in my early to mid thirties and would love to finalize realize my dream of attending med school.

    Thank you

     
  9. mercy, January 25, 2009, 8:43 pm

    Hi Kenda,
    please could you send me your email address so I can get in touch with you. I just got accepted to Ross and I wanted to ask you some questions about housing.

     
  10. Emma, January 27, 2009, 11:27 am

    Hi Kendra,

    How about St. georges vs. AUA and AUC?

    Thanks

     
  11. The Island Med Student, February 7, 2009, 2:59 pm

    Sorry, I really can’t tell you because I know very little about either school. Sorry!

    Best,
    Kendra

     
  12. sara, February 24, 2009, 11:50 pm

    guys i have question about AUA ?? anyone please give me the facts!! on value md or studentopinion everyone says something different! dont know who to trust or believe anymore

     
  13. Atif, March 28, 2009, 1:56 am

    Hi, im currently a 3rd yr med student in pakistan…its recognised by the w.h.o …….i wanted to know if it is possible for someone to get there creditd transferred to a recognised med school in the carribean…..if so then what do i need nd how long does this process take place….thanks

     
  14. Farman, April 5, 2009, 4:28 am

    Hi Kendra,
    I just wanted to ask, would Medical students who graduate from Carribean medical schools with an M.D be ‘discriminated’, as opposed to students who graduate with an M.D from an American or Canadian University (would they be given priority?)

    Thanks

     
  15. Brandon, April 23, 2009, 10:43 am

    can anyone tell me which school (Ross or SGU) has the better living conditions for bringing my wife and one year old son?

     
  16. Jamal, May 30, 2009, 10:11 pm

    Holy crap people do your own research instead of bombarding this poor lady with all your questions!!!

     
  17. AnswersbySid, June 18, 2009, 7:09 am

    atif: stay in pakistan. loads of mbbs docs in the US have secured american residencies.
    farman: yes, us grads are favored
    brandon: SGU

     
  18. stanley, February 6, 2010, 11:10 pm

    can any one tell me about mua nevis west indies the price looks good thanks

     
  19. stanley, February 6, 2010, 11:22 pm

    can anyone tell me about medical university of the americas nevis west indies the price looks good compared to ross or sgu thanks

     

Write a comment: