Securing a spot in medical school demands more than just good grades and test scores; you’ll need a stellar GPA, a standout MCAT score, and a deep commitment to extracurricular pursuits that set you apart.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), only about 41% of all medical school applicants secured admission into US medical schools in the 2022-2023 application cycle. With the competition for admissions being so high and only continuing to intensify, it’s no wonder why so many students are starting to explore Caribbean medical schools as a viable alternative.
Attending one of the best Caribbean medical schools might offer you a less competitive alternative to programs in the US. Some of these institutions are also less expensive than comparative schools in the States, although some are on par when it comes to price. It’s important, though, to consider the big picture and the pros and cons specific to Caribbean medical school programs when making a med school decision. Let’s take a look at the specifics.
Why Do Caribbean Medical Schools Sometimes Have a Bad Reputation?
Caribbean medical schools are an appealing option for aspiring physicians, especially because their application process is often less competitive than that of American medical schools. That being said, Caribbean med schools face challenges that contribute to their perceived bad reputation.
For one, Caribbean medical students traditionally have a lower GPA and average MCAT score. This can cause residency programs to see the students as less qualified for a rigorous career as a physical in the healthcare field.
Additionally, while most U.S. medical students graduate successfully and attain U.S. physician status, Caribbean graduates are known to encounter difficulties with USMLE pass rates and securing residency positions. Many of these institutions report residency placement percentages from any source, including SOAP and last-minute openings, rather than those who match through the NRMP Match.
However, this has a lot to do with the medical university a pre-med student chooses to attend. This is why it’s incredibly important to research the MD program you’re interested in – especially if you are an American or Canadian student.
Regardless of your home residence, you’ll be treated as an IMG (international medical graduate) during residency placement, putting you at a significant disadvantage.
Read Next: What Are Medical Schools Looking For?
What Are the “Big 4” Caribbean Medical Schools?
St. George’s University, Ross University School of Medicine, Saba University School of Medicine, and the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine are known as the “Big Four” when it comes to Caribbean medical schools.
This is due to the fact that these four popular institutions are accredited by the same organizations that offer accreditation status to programs in the U.S., have higher graduation and residency-match rates, and offer an MD degree rather than an MBBS. Students who graduate from these medical programs also benefit from clinical rotations in US hospital systems, access to loans from the U.S. Department of Education, and less ECFMG paperwork.
Here’s a brief overview of each “Big Four” school:
- St. George’s University: Located in Grenada, St. George (SGU) has advanced facilities, experienced faculty, and a strong focus on clinical training, making it one of the top international medical schools in the Caribbean.
- Ross University School of Medicine: Ross University, located in Barbados, is passionate about hands-on learning, and first-year medical students typically gain clinical experience within their first month there.
- Saba University School of Medicine: Located in The Bottom in the Caribbean Netherlands, Saba offers a comprehensive medical education, in contrast to traditional U.S. schools. They prioritize small class sizes for individualized guidance, having a 7:1 staff-to-student ratio.
- American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine: The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC-Med) boasts a 98% match rate. Located in St. Maarten, AUC-Med partners with teaching hospitals worldwide and offers a second campus in the UK for international study opportunities.
Need help getting into medical school as a non-traditional applicant? Former admissions committee members are here to support you!
How to Choose a Caribbean Medical School
When choosing a Caribbean medical school, it’s crucial to prioritize accreditation and reputation. The best Caribbean med schools are those that are considered ‘offshore,’ meaning they are on par with US and Canada programs but are technically in a different country.
Offshore Caribbean medical schools provide local and international medical graduates with comparable status to graduates from U.S. medical schools. This includes eligibility for residency matching and licensure after completion of an MD degree program.
A great offshore college of medicine option is St. George’s University School of Medicine. SGU has developed a strong network with U.S. hospitals, has an 89% first-time USMLE Step 1 pass rate, and a 95% residency match record. Read our interview with their Dean of Student Enrollment, Laura Bruno.
Some Caribbean medical colleges offer MBBS degrees, not the MD or DO degrees that are required to become a licensed doctor in the United States. MBBS degrees are also offered at other international institutions, but in general, MD degrees are preferred for residency placement.
As an IMG, you will be statistically disadvantaged for residency placement and will likely have a harder time becoming fully licensed in the U.S.
When choosing a medical program anywhere in the Caribbean, it’s vital to know that the institution you choose has a good reputation for residency placement, USMLE success, and support for students participating in the Match. Still, you will have a much more difficult time placing into a competitive residency like plastic surgery. Most Caribbean med school graduates go into primary care or other more common specialties for this reason.
Related: How To Decide The Right Medical Schools to Apply To
Benefits of Attending Medical School in the Caribbean
Attending medical school in the Caribbean can offer several benefits for students. The clear benefit here, obviously, is the scenery; it doesn’t get much better than the views the Caribbean has to offer! There are a few academic bonuses, too.
The cost of tuition is often lower, depending on which institution you choose to attend, of course. Additionally, students can access the same federal financial aid options available to US medical students if they choose an accredited offshore program. In other words, you may not have to take out as many student loans!
Another positive is that admission criteria are not as demanding as at other medical schools in the U.S. For example, GPA and MCAT scores are not expected to be as high as in most places in the U.S.
Read Next: 5 Truly Tuition-Free Medical Schools
What About Foreign (Non-US) Students?
Considering Caribbean medical schools as an alternative to traditional medical institutions requires careful deliberation for anyone, but especially for foreign (meaning non-US citizen) students. First and foremost, foreign students need to know exactly which offshore Caribbean medical schools they can be admitted to. These university options include:
- St. George’s University (Grenada)
- Ross University School of Medicine (Barbados)
- Saba University School of Medicine (The Bottom, Caribbean Netherlands)
- American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (St. Maarten)
- American University of Antigua (Antigua)
- Medical University of the Americas (St. Kitts and Nevis)
It’s then important to evaluate other factors, such as accreditation and additional requirements international students may need to complete.
Ensure the medical school you’ve chosen is recognized by accrediting bodies such as CAAM-HP (Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions) or similar organizations. This is crucial for licensure and recognition in different countries, including the US.An important example of additional requirements is if a student’s country is not considered English-speaking. As per the UKVI, international students may be required to take an English Proficiency exam to attend specific colleges in the UK. In the US, you must score highly on the Occupational English Test (OET) in order to gain your ECFMG Certification to participate in the NRMP Match for residency spots.
➕ Are Caribbean medical schools legitimate?
Yes, many Caribbean medical schools are legitimate. If you plan to practice medicine in the U.S. or Canada, just make sure to choose one that meets the required accreditations with a good reputation.
Research is key here to avoid costly financial missteps and setbacks in your medical career, as well as to avoid contributing to the high attrition rates.
➕ If I’m looking for a less competitive medical school, should I apply in the Caribbean or to a DO program?
➕ Both osteopathic (DO-granting medical programs) and offshore Caribbean medical schools typically accept students with lower MCAT scores and GPAs than most MD programs in the U.S. However, some of the easiest medical schools to get into also include MD schools.Rather than focusing on DO schools or Caribbean schools in particular, use the MedSchoolExplorer by MedSchoolCoach to learn what programs best fit your unique profile.
➕ Is there anything I should know regarding a medical school’s accreditation status?
➕ It’s important to know that graduates of international medical schools accredited by agencies with WFME Recognition Status will have an easier time pursuing medical education in the USA. Students who attend schools without this status will still be eligible for ECFMG certification, but they will have to pursue this certification independently,.For Caribbean medical schools, there are three accrediting agencies that have WFME Recognition Status: Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM), Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP), and the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherland and Flanders.
➕ How do Caribbean medical school graduates compare to U.S. medical school graduates in terms of residency match rates?
➕ The U.S. residency match rate for Caribbean medical school graduates ranges from 75 – 85%, while it is between 90-95% for U.S. medical school graduates.
➕ Which specialties do most Caribbean med school graduates go into?
➕ The most common specialties for Caribbean med school grads include internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics. It is much rarer, but not unheard of, for Caribbean graduates to match into more competitive specialties like general surgery, cardiology, and radiology. However, you’ll need top-notch USMLE scores and a great ERAS application if you want a shot at matching into these specialties as a Caribbean grad.
Wherever You Go, We Can Help You Get There
Attending a Caribbean medical school requires careful consideration for your future in the medical field, and we know that there’s a lot to navigate when it comes to medical school decisions and applications.
That’s why no matter where you decide you want to go, our team is here to help you get there and provide personalized guidance along the way.
Work 1-on-1 with a former admissions committee member to create a strategic school list and successful application. Secure your seat in medical school, even as a non-traditional applicant.
