PROS

Holistic Admissions Process

American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine and many other Caribbean medical school admission committees look at the whole candidate instead of one particular part of their application. Most U.S. medical schools use MCAT scores to determine if an applicant is accepted. ThisThe holistic admissions process helps prospective medical students with below-average MCAT scores who have the drive to become physicians. 

Studying in a Tropical Paradise

Instead of studying in a stuffy dorm room to escape the cold, Caribbean medical students can always study on the beach in consistently warm weather. For most students, this enjoyable climate dramatically benefits their studying habits. The option to study inside or outside may sound insignificant but can possibly help with your studying. It also allows Caribbean school students to unwind when studying for exams.

Early Clinical Experience

Caribbean medical schools, such as AUA, offer students the opportunity to develop clinical skills early in the curriculum. Many U.S. medical schools put this off to later in their preclinical curriculum or leave it entirely to clinicals. By experiencing clinical settings earlier, Caribbean medical school students are generally more prepared to apply the medical knowledge they acquired during Basic Sciences for their clinical rotations.

Less Tuition

Most Caribbean medical schools typically cost less than U.S. medical schools (both out-of-state public and private). Some Caribbean schools may approach the costs of American medical schools (such as St. George’s) but, overall, foreign medical school is still less expensive.

Global Medical Training

In today’s global society, students who are able to have a global medical education through foreign medical schools have an advantage in residency applications and when they become physicians. Since Caribbean medical schools are affiliated with numerous teaching hospitals, it gives students the opportunity to participate in clinical rotations throughout the United States. Some schools even offer clinical rotations throughout the globe. AUA has elective clinical rotations available in Canada, the United Kingdom and India.

Cons of Medical Schools in the Caribbean

Not All Caribbean Medical Schools are Accredited

AUA is recognized by the Medical Board of California, approved by the New York State Education Department, and accredited by CAAM-HP. However, not all Caribbean medical schools have these accreditations. 

It is widely recognized that there are 3 tiers of Caribbean medical schools. Certain Caribbean schools boast similar (or more) approvals than AUA, such as Ross University School of Medicine and St. George’s University School of Medicine, but the vast majority of Caribbean med schools don’t. That means graduates of these programs have less opportunities to obtain residencies and participate in clinical clerkships in the United States. In fact, it makes it nearly impossible to earn a medical license in many states as well.

Residencies in Certain Specialties are More Difficult to Obtain

A majority of graduates from Caribbean medical schools end up in primary care, which includes internal medicine, family medicine, OB/GYN, and pediatrics. Some secure residency programs in neurology, nuclear medicine, anesthesiology, and other competitive specialties. However, these are not as frequent since Caribbean medical schools are not connected to a teaching hospital for clinical rotations.  Through both the National Resident Matching Program in the United States and the Canadian Resident Matching Service in Canada, AUA graduates have been fortunate enough to obtain residencies in very competitive fields like ophthalmology, neurosurgery, and diagnostic radiology. Primary care fields should not be considered as less distinguished, though. There is a higher demand for primary care physicians than ever, which means there are more opportunities for medical school graduates. Primary care physicians can make a difference in communities where it is difficult to access a physician