Anyone been to/know of anyone who went to a Carribbean medical school?

I might be heading to Puerto Rico for Optometry school.

 

Both of my brothers did. You go there for two years. It's not like a beach resort so it sucks because you're in a 3rd world country for two years without the amenities you're used to. Then you go back to school in the states for the last 2.
Once you're out though you're like any other doctor. My bros both make very good money.

 

My cousin went to school at American University at Antigua. It is a good school he said. He is now in his third year doing clinicals in Baltimore now. In fact he scored higher on his USMLE tests, than my brother who went to an American based medical school. Thus the quality is high. Most of the people who attend these schools are American nationals.

Like Yonkers said, you spend the first two years on an island, and the next two years in the US if you choose. There are some better programs like Ross and St. George's and then there are the rest.

Most schools get their students into decent residency programs due to the sheer fact that doctors are in high demand these days and in the future.

The only negative is that some of the smaller Caribbean schools don't have adequate student loan programs, so you will have to setup something yourself or come from a wealthier background. This is because medical school tuition at a state school in the US might run you 10K per year, but in the Caribbean it will run you 10K per semester.

Another big plus is some schools don't require an MCAT score either.

Which schools are you looking at in the Caribbean?

 

I knew this indian dude that went to med school in the dominican republic..

I don't know much else, other than the fact he smoked alot of you know what

 

Which schools did your brothers go to? Did they have an easy time getting into their top choice residency programs. If they took the MCAT what was their scores? Just wondering as I am considering a career change into medicine as well.

 

AUA in Antigua. Doesn't require MCAT. That is where my cousin went and he is doing well now in his third year.

SABA and Ross are considered Tier 1 Caribbean medical schools, while AUA is considered Tier 2.

 

I sent you an email.

There are few states with limitations of who can and cannot practice. California is somewhat stricter in those terms, and with an AUA degree you cannot practice there right now.

But if you go to Ross, St. Georges or SABA you can practice in most states including California.

 

Yea i may end up going there as well next semester. After doing research all that really matters to me is which schools are texas accredited so i can come back here to practice. From what I understand they comprise of Ross, SGU, AUC, and maybe SABA

 

But why is all the rum gone?

 

I have a friend who just started last month in Antigua. She said she studies there for 2 year and then goes to Miami or something. She never said anything about tuition, but I suppose its pretty high.

I have another friend who got a 29 mcat with a near 4.0 gpa and he just got rejected by UT Houston (didn't get an interview at any of the other 7 schools in TX). He's considering the Caribbean now.

 

I know someone who just finished at St. George's. Sounds like it is getting more and more common.

 

the only cons about carribean ..is that 1 its in the carribean..and 2. Residency matching is slightly harder.

best of luck.

 

I'm biased because I go to a medical school in the states, but:

it is most definitely harder to match...

although I have heard good things in that they teach to the USMLE alot because they want their students to have high scores to off set the fact that their students didn't go to a U.S. medical school.

Also it is sooo much more expensive. Living cost/cost of flying back and forth from the U.S. for the few years is something to think about.

that being said, if you ace your boards I wouldn't think that matching would be an issue.

p.s. go to student doctor network (SDN) forums not here lol.