Becoming a doctor is a dream of many stellar students, but the main one cannot be recognized. What happens when you go to medical schools and get rejected? Applicants are usually advised to improve their application and re-apply next year. But what happens if you return again? Should you wait another year and apply again? One route that many American students take is going abroad to a Caribbean medical school. These schools offer medical doctors (MD) degrees that allow graduates to practice in the United States and other countries.
Admission requirements in Caribbean medical schools are often similar to their American counterparts. Schools usually require two semesters of biology, two semesters of inorganic chemistry, two semesters of organic chemistry, one semester of physics, one semester of calculus, and different requirements for liberal arts. The MSc must pass the Medical College Entrance Exam (MCAT). New, lesser-known schools that do not require an MCAT should be avoided at all costs. Statistics of recognized students are on average lower than in American medical schools. Experience and volunteering will also improve your chances of acceptance.
The right to obtain a license and certification is a key factor to consider when applying to foreign schools. Each individual state determines whether graduation can go through clinical rotations, consistency and always practice in the state. Currently, only four schools out of four Caribbean medical schools are free to practice in all fifty states. These schools are called the “Big 4” and are made up of St. John. George, Saba University, Ross University and American University of the Caribbean. Eligible applicants have a GPA of about 3.2 and a MCAT of at least 24. Some schools offer additional semester programs for students who are not sufficiently qualified. Upon successful completion, they are accepted along with the next incoming class.
The curriculum in many Caribbean schools is very similar. The first two years are spent on a reputable island. Students conduct classes such as Human Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Neuroscience. Several medical schools divide the year into trimesters for students who want to accelerate the pace. Schools have different starting points, so the first years students can begin either in the fall or spring. The fifth semester prepares the student for clinical rotations and the USMLE exam in the first stage. Rotation locations vary by school, but longer schools develop relationships with more well-known hospitals. Clinical rotations are mainly carried out in affiliated hospitals in the United States along with students from American and other Canadian medical schools.
The list of reserve matches of the medical school shows the residence orders of all grades. "Big 4" schools have the best placements, and their graduates receive a wider range of specialties. Caribbean graduates will need to have higher scores than their American counterparts due to stigma associated with foreign graduates of medical faculties. It is important that any criticism bounce off and show that you are a controlled, capable and intelligent person. Do not worry, as soon as you practice the doctor, you are judged by your abilities, and not by paper.
Caribbean schools are the true test of your desire to be a doctor. The grueling schedule and the sacrifices that must be made are evidence of the will of the Caribbean graduates. Admission may be easier, but weak and lazy is selected immediately, and only strong, dedicated students can complete the program. There are many factors to consider before traveling abroad, but be sure that Caribbean medical schools produce well-educated and reputable doctors.
