{loadposition advert1} Caribbean Medical Schools Forum: post questions (or help others) on topics related to Caribbean and other non-US or non-Canadian medical schools.. Many Caribbean medical students rotate among students from some of the most well-respected schools in the U.S., and in my experience, their clinical knowledge and skills are easily comparable. With a strong focus on a numerical score for residencies, this puts extra pressure on IMGs. My school did not require this and I stopped going to class the first week. Oh and also the residency I’m in only takes MDs. I hate saying that but I’m just trying to be honest. For this reason, dropout rates at Caribbean medical schools are high. You'll be more efficient that way. International medical schools are America's best hope for addressing its physician workforce needs. People also get super weird on the island. A medical school graduate recently published an account of the financial disaster she is facing due to a failure to match into a residency program two years running. There is much debate on why this is the case. Worked for a random company for 2 years before I applied to the caribbean schools. These are the most innocuous and innocent variety of Caribbean students. By the time someone matches, there’s 100% no difference. When standing on their own, they are both true. Thank you for the kind words. The Caribbean schools in turn don't care. Based on 2016 NRMP data , match rates for MD students are generally in the low 90% while DO students have a … For Caribbean schools, the data are very different. October 21, 2020. -MED school stats. This sounds a little worrisome when you hear graduates talk about the importance of individual attention. Step 1: 235, Step 2 CK: 239. Some background: I did pre-med/biology in undergrad. I absolutely agree with you. Now that the test is going pass/fail, this could be considered a boon for IMGs. Room and board: $15,991. So it’s ok if people want to go granted they are realistic with their expectations of these schools. They offer a systems-based U.S. curriculum and only admit small classes to improve the learning experience. Residency is achievable. r/premed (and honestly the entire premed population ranging from SDN to people still using hotmail and DSL internet) has needed a resource for many years that shows what going to a for-profit medical school in the Caribbean is really like. I personally am matriculating to a US MD but it’s important that people like you share their story and let it be known that there is NO shame in coming from a Caribbean school and it’s high time people take pride in coming from them. This is because, for example, most of the IM IMGs go into community programs or hospital ones that are not too academic. The Keck School has received major recognition for its innovative admissions efforts. However, it's difficult to delay Match because an MD without residency is worthless. Some people at these schools are also pathological liars and lie about their grades, stats, etc. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. 5. Applying to med school has seemingly become a numbers game. Being a good doc is so much more about how good YOU are, not the ranking of your school. Lowest tuition among all accredited medical schools, with tuition from $6,650 per semester If you do IM being an IMG you’ll probably be a hospitalist or general practitioner (nothing wrong with that.). Overall acceptance rate: 8.3%. Many of these places have medical schools that cater to international students. I wanted to be a doctor since I was 8 and I always imagined myself as an MD. While doing your research on particular schools, be sure to find out where and in what specialty their students match. While there are dozens of Caribbean medical schools out there, only a small number of them hold the accreditation status you need to seek residency and medical licensure in the US. Accredited by the ACCM, the Medical University of the Americas is considered one of the top medical schools in the Caribbean. 9.) Caribbean schools are by far the most approachable by students with weaker academic records, and you are bound to find a school in the region that will take you. If you want to practice medicine in the US, you should mainly consider the best medical schools in the Caribbean which include St. George’s, Ross, American University, and Saba. Caribbean students that fail are stuck with debt and their medical career is done. When I was applying the average MCAT to get in was 32 I believe. Easier to get accepted The average GPA and MCAT of U.S medical school matriculants are 3.6 and 31. We also had a newer DO program in my state as well, but I did not want to go there because I wasn't familiar with DO at the time and didn't know any DO doctors (I thought it was like Podiatry school, like an offset of medicine and I didn't know DOs could work the same jobs as MDs.) 4-Year MD Program. Thanks for sharing your experiences. When standing on their own, they are both true. So I would probably still do Caribbean for my own vanity reasons. Hopefully it can help anyone considering whether to go or not. My state only has 1 MD program which I got waitlisted at. Once you're back in the US, your life is similar to any medical student in the US. I was trying not to make it too long. The islands are hell on earth. It’s not unusual for a medical school in the Caribbean to have more than 500 students per class. They also match to better programs. There are currently 60 Caribbean medical schools that you can attend, as of 2011. Don't bother going out (why? On the flip side, I went to a caribbean school after being rejected from every american MD and DO school I applied to. Look at Europe, India/Pakistan, or Australia. Many Caribbean medical schools function like U.S. medical schools, which mean they have a rigorous medical curriculum to prepare their students to become successful physicians. I mean it's not even close if you take the time to look at the next four or five biggest schools. Residency. A lot of the programs I interviewed at were previously DO programs that recently combined with MD. I only applied Family Medicine and ended up matching at my 2nd choice. White coat ceremony is a joke and I wouldn't take it seriously. Cheers! Now that we have debunked a few myths, lets talk about some of the “truths” about Caribbean medical school. The initial stages of the 5-Year MD Program fully prepare medical students for pre-clinical studies. Pre-medical students might be considering Caribbean medical schools as a way to become a U.S. doctor. Frankly, if you can't pass these, you have no business sitting for the boards exams. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. I was in a nice city and able to enjoy my life. For schools outside the Caribbean, acceptance rates vary. I thought this might be helpful to anyone considering going to the Caribbean or shedding light onto why people decide to go this route. Thank you for taking the time to draft this as you are most likely tired af from med school lol. They are along the lines of some of my DO friend's schools cost (like Midwestern). It is a community program associated with a university. One of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. Please let me know if you guys have any questions. Prestige of the medical school doesn't matter. No ortho, derm, or ENT (surprise surprise. I’m not sure what that equates to with the new MCAT scoring but I think my low score was the reason. If you attend a Caribbean med school or any other off-shore medical school, your chances of actually finishing and earning a degree are much lower than when you matriculate at a U.S. medical school. I’m still reeling from the SOAP thread last week. OP sent proof of Carib + matching into FM. I don’t know if it’s because no DOs apply or it’s the PD’s preference. Yeah I realized I forgot to include that. They're a crucial alternative for the thousands of qualified students who find themselves on the wrong end of a med school admissions decision as a result of the mismatch between qualified applicants and available seats. I got mostly community program interviews (which is typical of IMGs) and 4 university interviews. I'm also super relieved to have a job so I can start paying off my loans. The university is both New York and California approve and registered with WFME and NCFMEA. It breaks up the suffering. This is where I think SGU is worth it as their clinical setup appears to be leaps and bounds ahead of their competition. Also this post is about offshore medical schools in the Caribbean, not the regional medical schools that are for Caribbean people meant to practice in the Caribbean. Just want to clear up something concerning how many IMGs who do match end up doing so in IM. Most IMGs go into primary care so it’s important to know that beforehand. Two separate statements. Look to your left, now look to your right. Which programs are located at accredited Caribbean medical schools? Many students or spouses ended up having affairs or just overall doing things they wouldn't normally. 3.) We are scheduled to graduate May 2019 and the school wanted us to take all this time to prepare for 2020 Match. Reddit's home for wholesome discussion related to pre-medical studies. The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is a test for employment and not a medical school exam. But what are the consequences of choosing this route? I just think there needs to be a more comprehensive discussion about this topic. Admission statistics. We fill out a form online and you get accepted. Caribbean medical school admissions requirements are similar to the ones of the medical schools in U.S. Water can be turned off after storms, water can be brown, food sucks, lizards get in your house etc. But easier isn’t the same as easy. I am scribing at a Urology clinic, and my doctor didn't even go to a US medical school. When the admissions requirements are lower and competitiveness is limited, the pool of candidates will be of lower quality – this is the general rule. There are many IM programs that are community based that only take IMGs (because US grads don’t apply to them) and they have some fellowships but not all. Some may still look at it with judgment, but ultimately, it’s about being able to demonstrate knowledge and competency. It gets better off the island. Higher acceptance rates: Many medical schools in the Caribbean accept a much higher percentage of applicants than schools in the U.S. in part due to less restrictive entrance requirements. I visited St. George's University, one of the big 4 Caribbean medical schools. Is going to a foreign medical school even a good option? When put together though, does the Caribbean make medical school a vacation? Medical School Tutoring Available Hey guys I'm a 3rd year medical student offering private tutoring/coaching to current medical students. Next. They are the ones who usually end up passing/matching. Language of Instruction: English. You have to get up in the morning, report to the library and study with scheduled breaks. For Caribbean schools, the data are very different. Man I'm sorry to hear that. By the time clinical years roll around (after Step 1) there’s not much difference between a Caribbean student and their US counterparts because most people are weeded out. The bars are ghetto) or overly socializing (half of your friends will fail our fall behind you in semesters.) The pre-STEP 1, CK exams are not that bad. My residency program is a community program associated with a university. Studying is a full time job and you have to treat it like one. Good luck resident doc. Mean admission GPA: 3.96/4.00. A Caribbean medical school education is not a scarlet letter. 8 Commonly asked questions about Caribbean medical universities 1. If students slip through the cracks of a U.S. medical school, then international med schools in the Caribbean may be the next choice. Caribbean medical students also get much more time to study for USMLE Step 1 while DO schools don’t cater to the USMLE as much timewise. At all. The Admissions Committee at Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine considers many factors as relevant predictors of a good medical student. Caribbean school. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Medical schools which accept non-contract international students. Avoid any school that requires mandatory class attendance. I'm glad it worked out for you. If you’ve been putting your ambitions on hold, it's time to stop waiting. Some have better residency match rates than others so beware. So it’s possible to specialize but tough. After attending OHSU, where she ran up a $400,000 tab despite resident tuition, fees, and insurance of under $45K per year, she was unable to accomplish her dream of practicing medicine. I'm currently a MS4 and just matched into my #2 Family Medicine residency choice and went straight though without repeating semesters or taking time off. Prestige of the medical school doesn't matter. St. George’s University School of Medicine Remember that the school has its own agenda. My husband for example went to this med school and his MCAT was a 35 (and that was only one he got into.) That said, I think students going to Caribbean need to be honest with themselves, stop all “future doctor” fluff before they embark on this journey under the guise of a shiny dream. The average U.S. step score is 224. “Truths” about Caribbean medical schools. One of the most rigorous experiences in your life. The school has to have this 40% attrition rate to fund the paid positions for our clinical rotations in the U.S. 4. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) have to score an average of 10 points higher on the step than a U.S. med grad for an equal position in the U.S. residency match. My undergrad and grad has really prepared me well for medical school though. This can be for a number of reasons, from poor support and preparation in medical school to a language barrier, and everything in between. Dr. Tommy Martin is a graduate of St George's University (SGU) in the Caribbean and currently a med-peds resident physician training in Arkansas. You have to be studying for the USMLE. I didn't want to re-apply because medicine is a long game and I just wanted to get started. First off, I go to SJSM. The medical school admissions process is a difficult one to navigate, and many applicants come out looking at second, third, or fourth options. Stay above all this drama and focus on the goal. The hospital I’m at currently is a community IM program consisting of 100% IMGs that has a cardiology and GI. I hope you don’t either! But according to the NRMP, the Match rate for U.S. citizens who are graduates of international medical schools is only 50%. Some Caribbean schools are just downright shady. I only applied Family Medicine and ended up matching at my 2nd choice with 15 interviews. However very few, compared to their US Allopathic or even Osteopathic counterparts, end up being able to complete a fellowship. There are several elitist redditors on this sub who think of med schools in terms of tiers. I don’t know if I missed this in your post, but the reason you didn’t get into US MD schools was because of? We had a whole saga where students were at each others' throats competing for study spots one semester. One of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. I never took more than a 30 min break. The main two are that it is easier to get accepted into a Caribbean medical school and it is often harder to place into competitive residencies. Dr. Tommy Martin is a graduate of St George's University (SGU) in the Caribbean and currently a med-peds resident physician training in Arkansas. A lot of Caribbean students study until midnight but they're very inefficient and still fail despite this. The Admissions Committee at Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine considers many factors as relevant predictors of a good medical student. May be the next four or five biggest schools still look at it with judgment but. 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