Caribbean medical schools are a great alternative to beat the expenses of attending medical school in the USA or Canada. A Medical Teacher paper revealed that the region has over 50 medical schools currently in operation. Most of these medical universities offer affordable medical degrees with a reasonably high standard of education quality.
However, you must do a thorough research whether these schools can meet your expectations from medical school. There are so many pre-requisites to consider before you can accept an admission in a Caribbean medical school.
Read ahead to learn more about what you should look for in a medical school in the Caribbean Islands.
- Accreditations for the medical school: The list of certifications and accreditations received by a medical school demonstrate the academic standards in the school. Medical schools also receive certifications from medical boards in the USA and Canada that permit the school’s students to practice medicine in these countries. You should look for a medical school that has a wide range of accreditations from different medical boards in Canada and the USA.
- Availability of scholarships and financial assistance: Although, medical education is comparatively cheaper in the Caribbean than in the USA, it can still seem pricey to some students. Some Caribbean medical schools offer financial assistance programs and scholarships to encourage meritorious students to apply to their university. You should look for a medical school that offers federal assistance schemes or scholarships to its students.
- Curriculum structure: Curriculum structure for MD degrees can vary from one medical school to another in the Caribbean. While some schools offer a traditional curriculum with a lecture-focused style of teaching, others offer more practical based curriculums with substantial hands-on training. You should select a curriculum structure that aligns with your learning style and priorities.
- USMLE Step 1 pass rate: USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) Step 1 refers to the first of three medical licensing exams conducted by the National Board of Medical Examiners in the US. Passing the exam in the first attempt can demonstrate your medical knowledge and capability. The USMLEStep 1 pass rate for a medical school is an accurate measure of its academic standards. Select a school that has a pass rate of more than 90%.
- Clinical training postings: Clinical training is one of the most crucial aspects of a medical education. Hence, most Caribbean medical schools strive to send their students to the top hospitals and colleges in the US and Canada for their clinical trainings. They have affiliations with teaching hospitals and clinical centers for helping their students completer their clinical rotations. You should choose a medical school that has affiliations with the top teaching hospitals in the US or Canada.
You should also look into the kind of facilities available in the school along with the credentials and experience of the faculty. The class sizes can also be a potentially deciding factor in your selection of a Caribbean medical school. You should enroll in a suitable medical program in the Caribbean today to start your career as a doctor.