AUAs program of medical education has been approved by the State of New York and pursuant to its approval, one of the few international schools that can place its students in New York Hospitals for 2 years of clinical training.

5 QUESTIONS you should ask when
considering an international medical school

What factors distinguish one Caribbean medical school from another?

A: The particular areas distinguishing international medical schools are:

1. A solid Basic Science foundation that the student can relate to clinical practice.
2. A clinical clerkship program that will provide students with a hands-on medical education in the various clinical disciplines.
3. An environment that will provide students with the modern living conditions they are accustomed to in the United States.

When I successfully complete my academic requirements, will I be able to practice medicine in the U.S.?

A: In order for graduates to practice medicine in the U.S. the medical school must meet the following criteria:

1. Listing by the WHO.
2. Listing by the ECFMG - IMED.
3. Provide a curriculum based on a United States medical school model.
4. Graduates must be eligible to practice in the country (not only the jurisdiction) where the school is located in order to be eligible to practice in the various states.
5. Graduates must be eligible for the NRMP Residency Placement Match in order to participate in residency training.

Are there other benefits to Caribbean medical schools?

A: Yes, most definitely.

1. Perhaps the greatest benefit these schools offer is that otherwise qualified students, who show the dedication and determination to successfully complete the rigors of a superior medical education, get the chance to attend medical school and become physicians. U.S. medical schools, with their limited number of available positions, actually prevent many capable candidates from attending.
2. Studying in a foreign country affords students the advantage of exploring a different cultural environment, guaranteeing them a diverse educational experience and the opportunity to become well-rounded professionals.
3. The cost of a Caribbean medical education is a fraction of the cost of U.S. medical schools. The primary purpose is teaching, including providing research opportunities for students; thus tuition can be held to a reasonable level, as opposed to U.S. medical schools where tuition underwrites a significant overhead expense that does not necessarily benefit the student.

What is a U.S. Model Curriculum?

A: There are quantitative and qualitative components to the U.S. model curriculum.

1. Qualitatively, for the last ten years, U.S. medical schools have been moving away from solely didactic learning to a curriculum in which hospital clinical experience is incorporated into basic science studies.
2. Quantitatively, a medical program must be at least 32 months in duration in order for international medical school graduates to be eligible for licensure in the various states. Students who attend schools that provide a medical education through distance learning are not eligible for licensure in the U.S.

What are the key factors to my success in medical school?

A: The three most important factors are:

1. Students must be dedicated, motivated and capable.
2. The medical education provided by the school must be comparable to U.S. medical school education in order to prepare the student for the USMLE, residency training, and licensure in the various states.
3. The medical school must have the necessary resources and a qualified (Ph.D.s and M.D.s) faculty who are dedicated to teaching medical school students.