The medical field is one of the most competitive fields in existence today. Students from various educational backgrounds try their hand at getting admission to a reputed medical school to fulfill their dreams of becoming a doctor. However, due to high competition and the limited number of seats in the U.S. and Canadian medical schools, most students prefer Caribbean medical schools for their Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.

Caribbean medical schools are becoming increasingly popular due to their high acceptance rate, easier admission requirements, and high-quality education. Located in peaceful surroundings, the student-teacher ratio is also excellent in these schools, making the learning process easy for students.

In this article, let us focus on a few of the reasons why students are considering Caribbean medical schools for their MD program.

High acceptance rate

The primary reason for considering Caribbean medical schools is their high acceptance rate compared to the U.S. and Canada. The medical field faces cutting-edge competition concerning seat allotment. Academically acclaimed countries only have a limited number of seats making it difficult to grab them with average scores. 

However, Caribbean medical schools are comparatively easier on students regarding admission requirements and have relatively low GPA requirements. The MCAT score is also not mandatory for every student. With quality education and a high acceptance rate, the Caribbean medical schools are a great option for many aspiring medical students.

Curriculum

The medical school curriculum lasts for ten semesters and is divided into basic science and clinical rotations. The significant aspect is the quality standards of the curriculum followed in Caribbean medical schools.

Most of the accredited medical schools follow a curriculum that is at par with those in the U.S. and Canadian medical schools. The small class sizes in these medical schools means students get access to personalized attention and support. This helps the students to understand and resolve queries better than in large class sizes. 

USMLE pass rate

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is an important step in the life of a medical student as it gives medical license for them to practice in the U.S. The USMLE Step 1 examination is conducted towards the end of the basic science curriculum before the clinical rotations commence. 

Top-tier Caribbean medical schools have a 94% to 100% pass rate in the USMLE Step 1 examination. This is due to the quality of lectures and the strong foundation students receive during the basic science semesters. Many schools also provide guidance and coaching for the USMLE Step 1 examination. This success has influenced many students to choose Caribbean medical schools.

Residency placement

Most of the Caribbean medical schools are accredited by accreditation authorities who evaluate on the standards followed by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). This is a testament to the national and international standards of education followed by Caribbean medical schools. Therefore, most of the students who graduate from Caribbean medical schools will receive assured residency placements.

These are some of the factors that make students choose Caribbean medical schools. Attending an accredited Caribbean medical school with a quality curriculum, high USMLE Step 1 pass rate, and residency placements can take you one step closer to your dream of becoming a doctor.