It seems that the process of gaining admission to medical schools in the United States grows more and more stringent by the year, leaving many unadmitted and wait-listed students in search of the best Caribbean medical schools without MCAT testing as an admission requirement. Consider for a moment the hoops that applicants must jump through to even have a sliver of hope at some day attending the med school of their dreams.
All students should have completed at least four years of undergraduate studies–the equivalent of 90 credit hours–and have a bachelor’s degree to show for it. While not mandatory, it’s generally advised that a student’s degree is somehow related to science. Even if it’s not, an extensive set of prerequisite courses such as biology, organic chemistry, physics, and many others is required as a baseline standard for applicants hoping to gain admission. Assuming students are able to check this off of their list, they must then contend with scores of competing applicants with advanced degrees, such as a Master’s in Science, that give the holders an added leg up on the rest of the applicant pool.
Even those with advanced degrees, however, aren’t guaranteed a coveted spot in America’s premier medical schools. Factors such as grade point average, community involvement, medically-inspired volunteer work, research experience and application essays all play a considerable role in determining the fate of a would-be med student in gaining admission to schools of their choice. On top of this, students need killer letters of recommendation from advisors, science department faculty, and often people with no background in medicine at all, that simply have the right kinds of connections to get the person that they’re gushing over an interview with a med school admission board.
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Silly me, I almost forgot to mention the weight of the medical college admission test (MCAT) on a student’s overall admission chances.
Purportedly designed to measure knowledge of scientific principles, problem solving, written analysis, and critical thinking, this 7.5 hour marathon of a standardized test consists of 230 questions spanning every facet of science imaginable, in addition to matters of critical analysis and reasoning. To put things into context, scores on the newest version of this test range from a minimum of 472 to a maximum of 528–the equivalent of a minimum score of 3 and maximum of 45 on the old MCAT. In 2014, the average MCAT score for students that were admitted to MD programs was 31.4–roughly 510 on the new exam, and good enough to rank in the 84th percentile among all test-takers. This means that nearly 85 percent of students that sit for the exam are scoring below the average threshold for admittance, making it tough to get into a US medical school even if every other part of their resume is near-perfect.
Rather than competing in the applicant rat race for a spot at a school that’s every bit as likely to spit you out after having admitted you, why not soak up some rays, enjoy the breeze, and apply to one of the best medical schools in the Caribbean that won’t require you to take the MCAT? While you’re at it, you can save a few bucks and check out the Most Affordable Caribbean Medical Schools.
Using a few different ranking mechanisms that grade schools based on their accreditation, ability to offer US students Title IV financial aid, and ability of graduates to obtain licensing in all 50 states, we’ve pared down a list of select schools that can take applicants where they want to go without all the fuss of sitting for the MCAT. So let’s take a look at the best Caribbean medical schools without MCAT, shall we?
8. Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine
Located in Willemstad on the Dutch island of Curacao, the Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine boasts a student population just under 700 with a manageable student-teacher ratio of 24:1 and an average of 36 students per class. The school operates on the trimester academic calendar, and offers 327 clinical rotation slots all throughout the United States–enough for nearly half of its student body. Students benefit from a number of financial aid options, including private loans, scholarships, payment plans, and tuition discounts. And now, let’s see what else we have in our list of best Caribbean medical schools without MCAT.
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7. Avalon University School of Medicine
Founded in 2003 and chartered by the government of Curacao, Avalon that ranks 7th in our list of best Caribbean medical schools without MCAT boasts a miniscule student-teacher ratio of 10:1. Students enjoy a number of on-campus labs specializing in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, and histopathology, and benefit from an Evidence-Based Learning curriculum, which mirrors that of many medical schools in the United States. Avalon’s school of medicine is listed by a number of organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Medical Council of Canada (MCC), and the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), and all Avalon graduates are eligible to practice in most countries around the world, including North America.
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6. All Saints University School of Medicine
Located on the mountainous Caribbean island of Dominica, All Saints University School of Medicine is the first Canadian-owned and operated medical school in the Caribbean. The University boasts a diverse student body of over 1000 doctors-in-training from more than 35 different countries, and has hundreds of licensed graduates practicing around the world in places like India, Botswana, the UK, and Norway.
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5. Windsor University School of Medicine
With over 1500 students as of fall 2011, Windsor University School of Medicine, that ranks 5th in our list of best Caribbean medical schools without MCAT is one of the largest medical schools on this list in terms of student body size. Located in St. Kitts, the University offers basic science classes from semesters one through four on its six-building, 42-acre campus. Students have the choice of spending the fifth semester of ten at one of four locations, where they complete coursework for introductions to clinical medicine, before spending their final five semesters carrying out clinical clerkships either in St. Kitts or in the US. The school is accredited by the Accreditation Board of St. Kitts Nevis and is listed in the International Medical Education Directory as well as the AVICENNA Directory for Medicine.
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4. All American Institute of Medical Sciences(AAIMS)
Located on Jamaica’s southern coast, AAIMS offers students two years of formative medical education in a classroom setting before allowing them to carry out two years clinical rotations in countries with affiliated hospitals, such as the US, Canada, and the UK. The Institute is well-accredited, with recognition from organizations such as the Jamaican Ministry of Education, the World Health Organization, and the World Directory of Medical Schools. Hence, it proudly takes the fourth place on this list of best Caribbean medical schools without MCAT.
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3. Spartan Health Sciences University School of Medicine
With over 35 years of experience in medical education, this St. Lucian University affords students small class sizes in a relaxed environment that preaches community outreach. The school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, as well as the International Medical Education Directory, and was accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Professions in 2013. Operating on the trimester academic calendar, Spartan Health Sciences University offers students five of ten semesters on-campus before affording them clinical rotations at approved teaching hospitals. And now, let’s see the top two entries in our list of best Caribbean medical schools without MCAT.
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2. St. James School of Medicine (SJSM)
Established in 1999 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. James offers small class sizes to students in the format of a trimestral academic calendar. Students enjoy a wealth of options when selecting their clinical rotations, with over 16 affiliate hospitals scattered throughout the United States offering invaluable hands-on experience from semesters six through ten. Qualified students can also take advantage of financial aid provisions arranged by Delta Financial Solutions, Inc. as well as other scholarships and loans.
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1. American University of Antigua College of Medicine
AUA offers its students access to a network of over 35 hospitals in the United States and Canada, along with scholarships, Canadian Federal Loans, VA benefits, and Title IV funding for qualified applicants. Graduates from the college of medicine have an impressive pass rate of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, Step 1, of 96%, and enjoy access to a number of clinical clerkships in the US. With accreditations by the US Department of Education, the Medical Board of California, the Florida Department of Education, and a number of other boards, AUACM boasts recognition and accreditations uncommon among the best Caribbean medical schools without MCAT testing.
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