You may think Caribbean medical school rankings don’t have any top schools listed, but there are a few highly rated Caribbean medical schools out there. While the Caribbean medical school rankings can help you to discover a fitting school, getting into Caribbean medical schools means you still need to meet all medical school requirements. You want to study hard for your MCAT, choose the right major, meet Caribbean medical school GPA requirements, get medical experience, and apply to the medical schools that are the right fit for you. In this blog, we’ll explore Caribbean medical school rankings, what you can expect from Caribbean medical schools, plus tips on what to consider when applying to Caribbean medical schools.
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The Top Caribbean Medical School Rankings
Looking for the Caribbean medical school rankings? From about sixty popular schools on the Caribbean medical schools rankings, there are about ten top-rated schools you can pick from. Here are some of the top-rated Caribbean medical schools ranking, including Caribbean medical school acceptance rate, average MCAT and medical school GPA requirements. You will also learn about their attrition rates, and residency match rates.
1. St. George's University School of Medicine
- Location: St. George’s, Grenada
- Average GPA: 3.3
- Average MCAT: 498
- Attrition rate: Around 16%
- Residency attainment rate: 95%
- Acceptance rate: 41%
2. American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
- Location: St. Maarten
- Average GPA: 3.27
- Average MCAT: 496
- Attrition rate: Around 12%
- Residency attainment rate: 92%
- Acceptance rate: N/A
3. Saba University School of Medicine
- Location: Saba Island, Caribbean Netherlands
- Average GPA: N/A
- Average MCAT: N/A
- Attrition rate: N/A
- Residency attainment rate: 94%
- Acceptance rate: N/A
4. Ross University School of Medicine
- Location: Barbados
- Average GPA: 3.2
- Average MCAT: 493
- Attrition rate: Around 20%
- Residency attainment rate: 92%
- Acceptance rate: 42.7%
Want to know how to get accepted to med school WITHOUT perfect grades?
Why Are these Caribbean Medical Schools Top of the Rankings?
It is easy for anyone to come out and declare that they are the best. Whether it is a Caribbean medical school ranking, a restaurant ranking, or the best country ranking, everyone likes the idea of being at the top. In reality, not everyone can be top-rated. When it comes to the top-rated and the best Caribbean medical schools, the “big 4” Caribbean medical schools have made it to the top of the rankings because of some special reasons:
- They are accredited and reputable
- They offer outstanding medical education
- They have a proven track record of excellent medical graduates
- They offer a positive medical school experience
Top 4 Easiest Caribbean Medical Schools to Get Into
Getting into medical school is the biggest dream for any aspiring doctor. While getting into any medical school is no child’s play, some schools are easier than others, and Caribbean medical schools tend to be classified among the easiest medical schools to get into for North American premeds.
While admissions statistics tells us that getting into Caribbean medical schools is not always easier—for instance, the “big 4” at the top of Caribbean medical school rankings—Caribbean medical school requirements are often easier than other schools. Caribbean medical schools also usually accept low MCAT scores and accept low GPA scores compared to most medical schools in the US and Canada.
Below is a list of the “easiest” Caribbean medical schools to get into.
1. Caribbean Medical University, Curacao
- Location: Curacao
- Average GPA: 2.8
- Average MCAT: 498
- Attrition rate: Around 16%
- Residency attainment rate: 95%
- Acceptance rate: 41%
2. American University of Antigua
- Location: Antigua
- Average GPA: 3.1
- Average MCAT: 474
- Acceptance rate: 30%
3. Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba
- Location: Aruba
- Average GPA: 3.0
- Average MCAT: N/A
- Acceptance rate: N/A
4. Saint James School of Medicine, Antigua
- Location: Antigua
- Average GPA: N/A
- Average MCAT: N/A
- Acceptance rate: 47%
While ease is great, you may not always benefit from getting something easy. Learning more about the easiest Caribbean medical school to be sure they are the best fit for you is ideal. It is great when a school is easy to get into, but finding out if they have a good residency match rate, and if they are accredited are other things you do not want to overlook, especially since not all of these easiest Caribbean medical schools in the rankings are accredited or recognized elsewhere.
If you plan to apply to Caribbean medical schools, you’ll need to consider several things. You’ll need to thoroughly research the schools and look beyond the rankings and admissions data. Here are a few things to think about when looking at Caribbean medical school rankings.
Factors to Consider When Applying to Caribbean Medical Schools
The good number of Caribbean medical school rankings out there is enough to convince anyone that the Caribbean is more than a getaway paradise. If you have been contemplating going to the Caribbean to study medicine, it’s about time you made your decision. What do you need? How can you get into one of these top-rated Caribbean medical schools? Here are some things you should consider before you apply to any Caribbean medical school.
#1 Accreditation
What is the point of getting a medical degree if you never get to practice where you want? This is what happens to anyone who goes to a Caribbean medical school that hasn’t been accredited by a recognized authority. Do you want to practice medicine in places like the United States and Canada after your degree? Then you need to be intentional about picking from the Caribbean medical school rankings. Before you allow the tuition fees and the qualification required for a Caribbean medical school to sway you, you should find out if the school has accreditation. And it isn’t enough that a school just has accreditation. Does this school have accreditation from recognized authorities? Most companies recognize accreditation from authorities like the ACCM and the CAAM-HP.
#2 Quality of Education and Faculty
As a medical student aspiring to be a doctor, the goal is to learn from the best so that you can become the best, right? If you are trying to be the best, one of the first things to avoid is going to a school with sub-standard quality. It is not hard to tell a school that has quality apart. Even if a school is at the top of Caribbean medical school rankings, learning about the faculty in these schools is a good way to start judging their quality of education and instruction. Through the school’s website, you can learn about the curriculum, faculty and facilities. You also get to know the teachers, their methods of teaching, and the track record they have with other students. If you suspect that the quality may be lacking, you should try out other schools on the Caribbean medical school rankings.
#3 Residency Match Rates
You have come this far because the goal is to be a licensed doctor, able to practice wherever you want. So, of course, every stage of your medical education matters a lot! While your medical residency is the final stage of your training, it is the stage you receive intense medical training in your area of specialty. It is a no-brainer that this phase is just as important as every other phase. It makes sense to pick only schools with excellent residency attrition rates, especially if you want to match to a residency in the US or Canada as a Caribbean graduate.
#4 USMLE Pass Rates and Average Score
Would you like to do your residency in the United States of America? One of the things you should check out before picking any Caribbean medical school is the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) average score of the school’s graduates. The USMLE score is used to evaluate all medical graduates applying to residency, whether from the US or international schools. This is why you need to check the USMLE pass rates at Caribbean schools, which should be available on the school’s website. The pass rate of medical graduates is often an indicator of the quality of education so of course, you do not want to overlook it!
#5 Level of Student Support
Medicine has one of, if not the largest curriculum, in postsecondary education. So, throughout your stay in medical school, you will be subject to a lot of information. It can become overwhelming sometimes but doing this in a conducive environment, and with people who show the utmost support is always very helpful. Look for schools that have the right student amenities, study help and career resources you want.
So, do not overlook the student resources and support available when you are trying to pick a Caribbean medical school. Be sure that they have the right amenities, and equipment to learn before picking from any Caribbean medical school ranking.
FAQs
1. What are the admission requirements for Caribbean Medical schools?
Since there are many top-rated Caribbean medical schools, the admission requirements differ depending on the school. But of course, there is a middle ground. A consensus in terms of the requirement for any Caribbean medical school will involve the following: a competitive GPA, prerequisite coursework in science, letters of recommendation and a great MCAT score.
2. Are Caribbean medical degrees recognized in different countries?
As a graduate of a Caribbean medical school, you can practice in different countries, including the United States and Canada. However, you may need to pass a licensing examination like the USMLE in the US or the MCCQE in Canada and receive certification before you can practice. If you are pursuing a residency position in the US or Canada, your chances of matching are slightly lower as you are considered an International Medical Graduate.
3. How do Caribbean medical schools compare to medical schools in the United States?
It is a no-brainer that Caribbean medical schools follow a rigorous standard during admission and give quality education from start to finish. It is safe to say that Caribbean medical schools offer viable alternatives for students who face challenges securing admission to US medical schools. Do you want to know some of the things that make the medical school on the Caribbean medical schools different from US medical schools?
- Caribbean medical schools require lower average GPA score.
- Some Caribbean medical schools do not require the MCAT
- Caribbean medical schools have fewer admission requirements
4. How long does it take to complete medical school in the Caribbean?
Almost everything about Caribbean medical schools is unique, and that is not surprising. Nevertheless, the duration of study at this school is just like any other medical school. Yes! It generally takes four years to complete medical school in the Caribbean. Of course, these years are divided into M1, M2, M3, and M4. During the first two years (M1, and M2), you get to learn everything you need about basic science. And the last two years, (M3 and M4) are for clinical rotations.
5. What is the cost of attending Caribbean medical schools?
The cost of attending the top schools in the Caribbean is similar or higher when compared to the cost of attending a US medical school. But more important to note is the fact that the tuition for Caribbean medical schools varies based on the institution and specific programs. Medical school tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs should be considered when calculating the cost of medical school in the Caribbean.
6. Which Caribbean medical school is the best?
The “big 4” Caribbean medical schools are widely considered the best of Caribbean medical school rankings, based on reputation, quality and success rate of medical graduates. The big 4 med schools in the Caribbean are St. George’s, Ross University, Saba University and the American University of the Caribbean.
7. Do Caribbean medical schools accept anyone who applies?
With the reputation that the average Caribbean medical school has earned over the years, this question is not out of place. Over time, some people have wrongly believed that Caribbean medical schools accept anyone regardless of their qualifications. While the expectation or qualification that gets you into a Caribbean medical school may pale in comparison to the qualification needed to get admitted to a US medical school, there are still admission standards students need to meet.
8. Is going to a Caribbean medical school worth it?
Choosing any path in education or where to study always come with pros and cons. Whether you choose to study medicine in the US, Canada, or the Caribbean, there are always advantages and disadvantages that come with your choice. At the end of the day, a great Caribbean medical school is going to provide the right path to being a medical doctor. If you have what it takes to overcome the challenges that you will surely face on the way, and if you are willing to work extra hard, you stand a chance to be an exceptional doctor.
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