Believe it or not, the trend of studying medicine in the Caribbean is gradually increasing among those students who can’t afford to study or fulfill the admission requirements U.S. medical schools. There are around sixty medical schools in the Caribbean which offer quality education and comprehensive basic sciences and clinical sciences programs that are tailored for international students. In addition, easier admission process, affordable tuition rates, and quality education are a few reasons that more and more prospective medical students are thinking of applying to a Caribbean school of medicine.
If you have a potential to become a competent physician, you can simply consider applying to a Caribbean medical school to fulfill your dream. Here are a few reasons why attending a Caribbean medical school is a better option.
Higher Acceptance Rate
Many medical schools in the Caribbean usually accept a higher percentage of applicants than medical schools in the U.S. The acceptance rates vary from school to school, let’s consider an example of Ross University School of Medicine, they accepted 38% of all applicants in 2010. Those students who were rejected from U.S. medical schools will more likely get accepted into medical school in the Caribbean.
Low GPA and MCAT Scores
Applicants with an average academic record can consider Caribbean medical schools as they usually accept applicants with low GPA and MCAT scores. Let’s take an example of St. George University, they had an average GPA of 3.4 and MCAT of 27. So, choosing these schools can be a sensible option to consider especially for those students with low GPA and MCAT scores.
Clinical Rotations Opportunities
The best part of studying in the Caribbean medical schools is that they provide a great opportunity to third and final year students to get clinical exposure and opportunities in the U.S. hospitals. Doing clinical rotations in a reputable U.S. hospital will increase your chances of securing residency positions in different states of the U.S. and Canada.
Rolling Admissions
If you are one of those 60% of students who were rejected from U.S. medical schools, you will have to wait a whole year in order to reapply to a U.S. medical school. Instead of wasting your precious time, consider applying to a Caribbean medical school. The best part about these schools is that they give applicants two or three chances to submit medical school application. Let’s take an example of Windsor University School of Medicine, they allow applicants to submit applications for three rolling semesters – January, May, and September.
Graduate Success Rate
Since the admission criteria of many medical schools in the Caribbean is less competitive, but that doesn’t mean they produce less-qualified physicians. These schools have highly-experienced and professional medical advisers and professors who are striving hard to provide students with quality education and prepare them to develop all the essential skills required to become a great physician. Furthermore, graduates can secure residency positions in highly competitive and rewarding specialties in different states of the United States and Canada.
Residency Match
Today, students who graduated from an accredited Caribbean medical school possess outstanding academic and clinical skills and have a great potential to compete with U.S. medical students for residency positions in the United States.
To Sum All Things Up
Getting into a Caribbean medical school is a great option for students to fulfill their dream of becoming a competent doctor and pursue a rewarding career in the special area of medicine. Choosing the right one that suits your requirements and helps you meet your goal is important. You can find the list of top Caribbean medical schools and consider each and every factor before starting your medical school journey.