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.