Caribbean Medical School - The Beginning

United States and Canada do not have the ability to produce enough doctors to fill the demand. Caribbean Medical Schools have traditionally been known as “Second Choice” schools, mainly offering education to those who were not accepted into a traditional medical program in United States or Canada. Additionally, schools in the Caribbean have historically been more affordable, offering students financial relief as well. For this reason, over 5,000 students are accepted into the schools in the Caribbean each year. Many business savvy people have decided to cash-in on this opportunity by opening schools without really understanding the educational component. This can result in a recruitment of inadequate faculty, conducting education in inadequate facilities and often mismanagement of the curriculum.

Before applying to any Caribbean Medical School, ask yourself these questions:

• Did you know that there are over 40 medical schools currently active in the Caribbean with over 5000 students from United States and Canada being accepted into these schools each year?
• Do you know the difference between ACCREDITED vs RECOGNIZED?
• Do you know what all these acronyms stand for: IMG, FAIMER, ECFMG, MCC, ACGME, WDMS, USMLE, MCAT, MCCEE, MCCQE, LMCC, LCME, ACCM, NVAO, PLAB, and NBME?
• Do you know the meanings and impacts of the word like pass rate, graduation rate, acceptance rate, residency placement rate?
• Do you know what questions to ask the school’s admission advisor to ensure that the data they are giving you is correct?
• Do you know the impact that the accreditation of the school may have on your medical education and success?
• Did you know that there are different accreditation levels?
• Do you know what will happen in 2023? How will this impact your medical education and the school you decide to join today?
• Many schools charge a “Deposit” or “Reservation Fee” upon acceptance into their program, ranging from $750-1500.
• Did you know this fee is non-refundable?
• Most Caribbean Medical Schools are privately owned and operated. But did you know that some of them are also owned by a large education conglomerates and some by venture capital organizations. Do you think this information impacts you at all?