Getting a slot in a good medical school is an important milestone for every medical student. The competitive nature of the U.S. medical school has made it difficult for many eligible students to gain admission. As a result, nearly 60% of applicants are turned away by U.S medical schools annually according to a report by Trinity.
In case of such a situation, don’t be disheartened as you have another brilliant option, which is the medical school in Caribbean. Hugely popular, the medical schools on the island provide students with exemplary education at affordable costs.
The admission procedure at the Caribbean medical schools is also not as stringent as its American or Canadian counterparts.
Application process in the Caribbean
The Caribbean Island is home to several medical schools and some of them have gained global recognition. Be selective about picking an acclaimed medical school on the island that offers accredited programs and has other USPs such as a high USMLE-1 pass rate along with offering clinical rotations in the U.S. These factors are very important if you are keen to grow further in your career and want to gain residency in a U.S. hospital.
Every medical school in the Caribbean has its own application process but largely they follow a procedure, which is similar to the U.S. medical school. Some common application requirements that you have to fulfil are:
- A letter of recommendation
- You should have a degree in science from a recognised educational institute/ college/university
- Undergraduate GPA and MCAT score that meets the required standard
- A Resume/Cover Letter
- Transcripts
While a good GPA and MCAT score remains the important academic measure, medical school in the Caribbean consider other qualitative factors to judge candidates. This includes overall academic records, passion for medicine and other criteria that show that the candidate has strong potential.
Applying to a Caribbean medical school
Once you have finalised the medical school you are going to apply to, you have to visit its website and make a direct application. If you are interested to apply to several medical schools then send an individual application to each of the medical schools.
The medical schools also have representatives who guide you through the entire admission process. You can find their contact details and mail address on the website.
Once your application has been received by the medical school, you will be scheduled for an interview. During the assessment rounds, the committee members will judge you on various parameters. You have to ensure that you focus on your strengths and talk about your background and experience during this round.
Making a positive impression and ensuring that you have the passion and determination to succeed is pivotal during this time. The admission committee at the Caribbean medical schools often put more emphasis on the interview round than on the overall grades of the student.
Lastly, the medical schools on the island have rolling admission which means you are not bounded by time and can apply any time of the year. Most schools have intakes at two or more admission slots annually. This also relieves medical students from a lot of pressure as they are not restricted by any deadlines.