Are Caribbean Medical Schools Worth It?

The Caribbean has four major medical schools thatinvestigation. Those three include: Ross School of
are sometimes referred to as "The Big Four". TheseMedicine, Sava School of Medicine, and the St. George
medical schools are accredited and have producedUniversity.
many fine physicians. Many of the graduates areThere are some disadvantages to attending a school
American born and return to the states to set-up ain the Caribbean. The cost of travel will be an added
lifetime practice. They have proven that medicalexpense. It is not cheap to travel these days. You will
schools in the Caribbean can and do produce finealso have to adjust to a different culture. For some this
doctors of medicine.may be difficult although most American medical
Actually there are some specific advantages tostudents make the adjustment with time. Another
Caribbean medical schools. These schools are a viabledisadvantage is the process of obtaining clinical
option and alternative to American medical schools.rotations and residencies. The Caribbean schools do
They are generally lower in cost. Tuition is normallynot have a strong program like American schools.
less expensive. Housing is readily available for USThere is also a limited number available. Many of the
students. Another advantage is that admission is easiermedical schools in the Caribbean do offer rotations
than US schools. The opportunity to gain acceptanceback in the United States but you will have to
into a Caribbean med school should be greater thaninvestigate those specific situations. If you return to the
that of an American school. The med schools in theStates you will have to take the Clinical Skills
Caribbean generally use English to teach all of theirAssessment (CSA) and the USMLE tests as well.
classes. Language should not be a problem.Caribbean medical schools do offer an alternative for
While US schools have one deadline for admission, theAmerican medical students. The final judgment will
Caribbean schools usually offer three applicationalways be up to the individual. Many students have
periods in a year. This means you might be able toattended medical school in the Caribbean and have
start classes at a time other than the traditional startsolid careers. You will have to make those decisions
dates of American schools. There are three schools infor yourself.
the Caribbean that deserve your research and