Back from the Ross seminar

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And guess what... they wanted me to apply :) . They said I was a border-line candidate, and if I didn't apply, I'd never know for sure whether or not I was good enough. Honestly, I never thought I would've been good enough for their school. However, they even said that they accepted someone with a 16 and an 18 MCAT score!! AND, the person that scored 18 on the MCAT, got a 258 on the USMLE (I had my friend sitting beside me, and told her that the Dean is really talking about the future me lol).


From what I saw from the powerpoint presentation, they showed the best pictures they could take... but after searching on valuemd.com, I found this thread and saw the pics this particular member took (http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic33709.html). I mean, yes Devry bought the school, so they do have that technological backbone, but the place looks run down (I think those pics were taken in 2004). Regardless of where I'll end up (I'll be applying to both), I just hope I do well. Honestly speaking, I have this gut feeling that I won't do well. I want to use Brandon's methods in a heavy reading course this summer (if I get the chance), just so I have a good idea of what I'll be doing in medical school. How are you supposed to gain the strength to convince yourself that you will do well? Obviously having a negative attitude does not bolster your confidence, but at the same time one must remain realistic, right?

One funny thing about the presentation (and the DVD they included in the package) was that they kept emphasizing that "there are no distractions on the island". They said you are going there to study, and htere are no nightclubs, discotheques, or casinos like some of the "other caribbean schools" (I wonder who they're talking about ;) ). One thing about Ross, which I really liked, is what they said regarding Canadians coming to the US to do the clinical rotations. They said that they had connections to get all the VISA work done very quickly, and that their students don't have to run around to get them. I need to find out if AUC has any support for Canadian students.

The Island of Dominica


The Island of St. Maarten



I did speak to a Ross student (who grew up here in Canada, did his highschool, udnergrad, and Masters here). He had a 31M MCAT, 3.1 GPA, 3.6 post-grad GPA, volunteer work as usual... and he didn't get a shot at McMaster (the hardest school to get in to, b/c they have a minimum gpa reuirement of 3.0). I wanted my mom to hear what he had to say in regards to getting a Master's degree (his was in Chemical physics), THEY DON'T HELP!! My mom has been pushing me to stay here and do a Master's degree in Bio, because I enjoyed my final year at uni, and did well in Biological Systematics (plus the prof liked me). After hearing how he wasted his time (he used those exact words), I knew that getting a Master's should be left to those who desire working in the field of research, and would like to become professors at the university level. I shouldn't take away a spot that someone else wants, just so I can boost my application for medical school. Anyways, this student told me that our schools do prepare students for Ross, but he told me that he was putting in 8 hour study days. Their classes would either run from 8-12pm, or you had the choice of signing up for the afternoon class from 1-5pm.

Oh yeah about my dad, he didn't end up going to the hospital just yet, apparently the cardiologist hasn't booked the appointment yet (it's been scheduled for sometime this week). I dunno if I told you about his history, but he's had 9 angiograms, 6 angioplasties, 1 quadruple by-pass, and a partridge in a pear tree...... I've been in the hospital for my dad, as long as I can remember. Because he has been a patient suffering from coronary problems, for more than 20 years, this has been the driving force behind my decision in becoming a physician... nothing more. But above everything, I really need the confidence within myself that in fact I CAN become a doctor and get through medical school. I guess for everyone, the strength comes from different avenues (ie. religion/peer support/family/etc.), which I have, but there is this thing within me that is just gnawing away.... I can't shake it off and be free.......