Caribbean Medical School - An Easy Way To Pursue Medical Study

In comparison to US medical colleges, studying in a Caribbean medical school is much cheaper.

The total cost of study in a Caribbean medical school includes cost of health insurance, traveling abroad and various miscellaneous expenses, and this will be significantly cheaper than what one pays in US schools. Ross School of Medicine, Saba School of Medicine, and St. George University etc. are popular Caribbean medical schools.

The admission procedures in Caribbean medical school are comparatively easy. There are three admission application dates in a year. There is no set standard of admission for these medical schools. Some medical schools make exceptions on some courses while other colleges emphasize on the same. But even then, most of the medical colleges accept a basic coursework and examinations as minimum requirement for admission.

Most Caribbean medical schools have a common coursework being offered by many pre med schools as minimum requirement. This course work, of 1-year duration, should include subjects like Biology, Physics, Inorganic chemistry, Organic chemistry, Calculus and English.

The students having low MCAT and GPA scores can also get admission in these medical schools. The Caribbean medical schools admission process is a mixture of science and art. An initial screening of applicants by computer ensures that MCAT and GPA scores and basic course work meet the minimum requirements. These schools then conduct an interview to evaluate your capability to carry on with the chosen course.

There are some Caribbean medical schools which are not accredited. Hence, before taking admission in a Caribbean medical school, students should confirm whether your degree will be accepted in the US state where you want to settle. Some Caribbean medical schools are not accredited in Florida, California, New York and New Jersey.

To pursue your study in Caribbean medical schools, you should have a proper command of Spanish. You should know in what language patients interact with you. As being a US student, you may have disadvantage while competing for residencies. In such a case, only your USMLE score is an important factor to claim your residency match.

After completion of your course from Caribbean medical schools, you will have to clear Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) test in addition to USMLE. Most of Caribbean Medical Schools make such arrangements with US hospitals; however, your options to get better rotations become limited.

Like many other international medical schools, Caribbean medical schools offer hospital-integrated programs. Medical school students participate in hospital integrated setting right from the first semester of medical education. This procedure brings a lot of practical knowledge as well as confidence to the students.

The fee structure of a Caribbean medical school varies between US$8,600 to $9,900 per semester. Graduates are eligible to work in US or Canada, provided they meet local requirements, if any.