Getting into medical school can be challenging due to the large number of applicants exceeding the number of available seats. Many applicants who have gained an impressive score in the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), still struggle to pursue a medical education from a renowned medical school.
According to the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), only 36% of medical applicants were successful in their application to medical school in the 2021-2022 school year. This figure indicates that around 64% of applicants struggle to get accepted due to the admissions committee’s thorough review of each application.
Medical education in the Caribbean
Aspiring medical students may not be aware that there are certain medical schools in the Caribbean with recognized accreditation and key state approvals. These Caribbean medical schools offer students the same privileges as medical schools in the U.S. and Canada. Studying medicine in a reputable Caribbean medical school also gives students the opportunity to apply for federal student loans through the U.S. Department of Education.
Advancements in medical education in recent years in the Caribbean have resulted in more opportunities for aspiring medical students looking to access a viable pathway to practice medicine across the U.S. and Canada. With a systems-based curriculum that parallels the training you would receive at a top U.S. medical school, a straightforward admission process, and rolling admissions, applying to a Caribbean medical school is a great option for medical students.
Admission requirements for Caribbean medical schools
Every medical school has some basic entry requirements that students must meet. Applicants should be aware that they may need to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) to apply for an MD program at a Caribbean medical school. Applicants whose native language is not English may also be required to take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) to meet the English language requirements.
English is the medium of instruction at leading Caribbean medical schools. Therefore, applicants must be proficient in English to pursue an MD program. Taking the MCAT is compulsory for applicants who seek admission into a top Caribbean medical school. Caribbean medical schools strongly recommend taking the MCAT if applicants have outdated science coursework (older than five years), completed the required science coursework at a community college, or scored a ‘C’ or lower in the required science courses.
Applicants also need to complete the required coursework for the MD program. The series of pre-med coursework includes general biology or zoology, inorganic chemistry (with laboratory), organic chemistry (with laboratory), and English.
The basic admission requirements include other arts, social sciences, philosophy, literature, and humanities coursework. To apply to a reputable Caribbean medical school, an applicant requires an undergraduate degree from a recognized college, a good grade point average (GPA), and a decent MCAT score.
Applicants are encouraged to directly clarify these admission requirements with the medical school they are looking to apply to. Find out more about applying to a Caribbean medical school today!
