So you like the beach? (or how to get into the Caribbean medical schools)

Photo by Coast Guard BM

First and foremost, Happy New 2010 Year!

I know that I had specifically said that this website would be concerned only with Canadian medical school application and student experience, but let us face it - some less fortunate folks will not be able to get in. No matter what candidate, regardless of their merit, despite their MCAT scores, GPA's and  - the odds of getting in are never 100% (if you don't believe me, read this post by P.L.). As my recent poll showed (link coming soon), some will keep reapplying, but there are only so many times you can waste your money and time. Some will go into research, some will go into public health or choose a related medical career. Nobody, however, at least among the 61 people who responded, said they will try the Caribbean schools. I never considered the option myself, but I feel now that the more choices you have, the more freedom you end up with. Coincidentally, I found an interesting post about the Caribbean medical school applications by Asad Raza, a Toronto undegrad graduate who studied at one of the Caribbean schools.
Here it is in its entirety:

Hello to all,

I am really enjoying answering all of your questions. However there seems to be one question that is asked the most. It is:

"My GPA is *.**, my MCAT is ****, what are my chances of getting accepted into *** med school in the Caribbean."

Here is the answer to this very common question:

Admission to a medical school in the Caribbean varies depending on the school.

The newer medical schools that have opened up in the past 5 or 6 years tend to accept anyone that applies. This may be hard to believe, but it is true. The schools are desperate for students and are willing to give anyone a chance.

This can be a dangerous thing, because some of these schools are terrible. No real teaching, no real facilities, no cadavers, no USMLE pass rate, no established clinical rotation program, no graduates, no history of residency placement and of course no history of state licensure.

A student from U.S. or Canada who has had much difficulty in obtaining admission into a medical school in their country may 'jump' at the opportunity to attend an offshore school, especially if admission is so easy. But the consequences of attending such newer schools can be disastrous. This also applies to some of the 'older' Caribbean med schools that have made very few improvements over the course of their 20 years of existence in the Caribbean.

There are only about 4 or 5 established medical schools in the Caribbean with a proven record of residency placement and state licensure. It only takes about a couple of hours of research on the internet to figure out which ones those are.

Now as far as admission is concerned, in my firm opinion there are only 2 schools in the Caribbean that will actually reject an applicant (St George and Saba). St George because they are a 'real' University and Saba because enrollment is limited due to the very small size of the island.

There may be some disagreement from others with regard to my statement above. But I have rotated with dozens of students from several other Caribbean med schools and those students have all verified this.

If you want some specific numbers, I would say that a GPA of 2.5 or more is enough for admission to most of these med schools. A far cry from the 3.7 GPA you need up here in Canada. MCAT is optional.

It is a rather opposite concept with Caribbean Med schools as compared to U.S./Canada med schools.

In the U.S. and Canada, admission is the most difficult thing. But once you are in, it is smooth sailing.

In contrast, with Caribbean Med schools, admission is a joke. But once you are in, you are pretty much in a very difficult process, one that involves an enormous amount of self-teaching, self-planning and self-discipline. You are on your own!

At many of the Caribbean Med schools, during first two years on the island you have to teach yourself the basic sciences. Then there are some very difficult board exams you must pass - USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 2 CS and USMLE Step 3.

During the third and fourth years, depending on what school you go to, you have to set up some or all or your clinical rotations and go from state to state to complete them.

Then there is the entire process of applying for a residency and competing with thousands of other IMG's from all over the world. In addition, if you are a non-U.S. citizen you have to deal with the problems of trying to get a work visa (either J-1 or H-1B). If you are Canadian, then you have the biggest nightmare of all, because you can pretty much kiss Canada goodbye.

So as you can see, admission is the least of your worries.

Some of the better Caribbean med schools, will help their students through the 4 year journey somewhat. But most do not.

The only schools in the Caribbean that I recommend are: SGU, Saba, AUC, Ross, UAG and UWI.

Hope this helps. Feel free to post additional questions.

Finally, for Canadian applicants specifically, Asad has a whole F.A.Q. page with loads of detailed info you might find useful. Below are a few of the questions he answers:

• I going to transfer to a Canadian Medical School
• I am going to get a residency in Canada
• I am going to come back to Canada, after doing a residency in the United States
• It is important to do ALL your clinical rotations (cores and electives) in the U.S.
• How much loan can I get for Medical school and from what source