Five reasons you should apply to a Caribbean Medical School

Are you unsure about whether you should apply to a Caribbean Medical School or not? If you pick the right Caribbean Medical School, you’ll find yourself at the same level as any pass-out from a U.S. medical school is. Obviously, you'll be much better off than any other average medical student in India.

So, let’s keep these things in mind and see why you should apply to a Caribbean medical school.

1. Evaluation system

Consider this as a boon rather than a bane. Most of the medical education don’t ask for any minimum test score, they don’t even ask for an MCAT score from U.S. residents. They evaluate the students on the basis of a minimum criteria and their general inclination towards medical studies.

2. Higher acceptance rate

Almost 60% of the applicants are rejected every year and a rejection means you’ll have to wait for a complete year to apply again. Whether you get into it this second time or not is another story. Due to a large number of applicants, it’s nearly impossible to get into a top medical school in India.

Imagine how much a year will cost you in your medical career which already takes longer to build than any other profession! Now, evaluate whether a Caribbean Medical School will be a good idea or not.

3. Better curriculum

Caribbean Medical Schools have a better level of education than many of the Indian medical schools. The faculties are more dedicated towards the welfare of the students and are more concerned about your overall development as a physician than just making you cram the facts, as is a known fact in India. Read more about US clinical rotations.

4. Practice in U.S.A

Many of the Caribbean medical schools are affiliated with U.S. government to not only provide you clinical rotations in the country but also make your eligible to practice in the United States as a physician. If you have dreams of settling in the United States after finishing your medical studies, you can go to a Caribbean medical school.

5. Diversified environment

A Caribbean medical school mostly accepts students from different countries and hence, you’ll be able to meet people from various regions and nationalities. Your comfort level will be much higher as all of you will be able to connect better. You wouldn’t feel too weird as everyone will be able to resonate your feelings and understand you better.

As an Indian who wants to study medicine but wants a better level of education, teaching and a good chance of settling in a first-world country, a Carribean medical school is the best option.

Know more about studying medicine in a Caribbean medical school at the AUSOM website.

Questions to ask while choosing a Caribbean medical school

Choosing a Caribbean medical school for your study of medicine can be a good idea, but only if you choose the school wisely. There are over 60 Caribbean medical schools at present and asking the right set of questions is the only way to pick a genuinely good medical school.

Here’re a few questions to ask.

History

1. When was it established?
2. What percentage of students is from U.S.?
3. Who runs the school?
4. What are the credentials of the academic faculty?
5. What leadership changes have happened in past few years or are expected in near future?

Accreditation

1. Does the Caribbean medical school hold an accreditation?
2. By who is it accredited?
3. Is it accredited by states of California, Florida, New York & New Jersey?
4. Is it listed in FAIMAR’s International Medical Education Directory (IMED)?

Admission

1. Are interviews required? If yes, who conducts those interviews?
2. Are MCATs needed for admission?
3. What’s the minimum GPA or MCAT score needed for admission?
4. Does the school have more than one matriculating class annually? Usually, a Caribbean medical school has one to three first year classes that begin at different times of the year.
5. How many students are there in each class?
6. What percentages of students graduate every year?
7. What percentage of students is matched into the respective residencies in the U.S. in the last year?

         Read more about US clinical rotations.

Finances

1. Do the students of the school depend on outside loans?
2. Are the loans backed by the U.S. government?
3. Does the Caribbean medical school offer financial guidance to the students?
4. Where do students live? What types of housing facilities are available?

Clinical Studies

1. Where do the students do the clinical training?
2. Can students choose where to do the clinical rotations?
3. Are the clinical rotations accredited by ACGME?
4. Can students do elective rotations? If yes, how many?
5. Can students do elective rotations in non-affiliated hospitals?

Professional Guidance

1. Does the Caribbean medical school offer professional guidance for the match process?
2. Does the school assign an advisor to each student?
3. What percentages of fourth-year students get matched into their categorical residencies?
4. What percentages of students do not get matched?

Alumni

1. Where are the alumni of the Caribbean medical school in question practicing? At what geographical location are they most located at?
2. What type of practice are most of the alumni involved in?
3. Can the school provide you contact information for the alumni? Are you allowed to contact them for advice?

Above are the major questions you need to consider while looking to study medicine. These questions will help explain a lot of your doubts and give you a clear understanding of what to expect.

Atlantic University School of Medicine is one of the emerging and most student-friendly Caribbean medical schools. Do check their website for more details.

Why go to a Caribbean medical school

Do you want to go to a medical school but unsure of which school you should pick? It obviously depends on which school you’re able to get into, but if the thought of joining a Caribbean medical school ever crossed your mind, you will know more about whether to pursue that idea or not in this post.

I have listed some reasons why you must join a Caribbean medical school. I have kept in mind all the pros and cons while writing this article, so stop worrying about it being an entirely biased piece.

Why go to a Caribbean medical school?

1. Beautiful location to spend two years of your study life: Medical school is hectic and every day you’ll be totally drained of energy, and it takes a lot to gain the willpower to keep going for almost two years. Imagine if you get a chance to just drop your books in your room and watch a breathtaking sunset every day! Even if your school is a bit away from the beach, you’ll be able to have those refreshing weekend getaways which might not be possible in many medical schools in the U.S.

2. A different learning altogether: If you pick a Caribbean medical school, you’ll not only learn about your course but also learn to live in an entirely different place with different kind of people. It’s a great thing to be out of your comfort zone by putting yourself in an entirely different country. You’ll learn things you have never imagined, and you will grow up to be a very strong individual.

3. It’s a second chance: What if you do not get a spot in a U.S. medical education school and at the same time, you cannot wait for another year? A Caribbean medical school offers a second chance to people who go through this situation. Instead of waiting for a year and hoping to get into a US clinical rotations next year, you can utilize your time better by joining a Caribbean medical school. If you don’t get into a U.S. one in the summer, you can go for the other one in fall.

4. Less competition:  You’ll face much lesser competition while trying to get into Caribbean medical schools. It’s because not many people consider studying abroad for medical studies. Moreover, the ratio of applicants to seats available in U.S. medical schools is very disproportionate. You just have a better chance at getting into a Caribbean medical school.

5. Educational advantages: Most of the teachers in Carribean medical schools are paid as compared to the ones in U.S. medical school who are required to work on their research as well. It means your teachers will be able to prepare better lectures for you, and the quality of teaching is much better in a Carribean medical school. Read more information on how to study medicine in US.

Make sure you pick a genuinely accredited school to take all these advantages without  exposing yourself to a significant disadvantage. Do check out Atlantic School of Medicine in case you need a reference.