How to find the best Caribbean medical schools?

Although Caribbean medical schools are a viable option, many students are still unaware of the similarities and differences when browsing colleges and universities on this island. If you’re planning to study medicine on the Caribbean Island, you must know that medical schools here vary widely in quality, accreditation, residency, USMLE pass rates, and attrition rates. So, if you are an international student and want to practice back in the US, Canada, or your home country, you need to find the best possible medical school that fits you personally.
There are about 80 medical schools in the Caribbean, and it is essential to pick the one that will give you the best shot at matching. When looking for the best Caribbean medical schools, you need to consider several factors that make your journey to becoming a physician successful.
Factors to consider for picking the best Caribbean medical school
Offshore medical schools
Medical schools in the Caribbean are broadly classified into two types- regional and offshore. Regional medical schools are for those who want to practice medicine in the Caribbean, while offshore medical schools train matriculants from the USA or Canada. The offshore Caribbean medical school graduates usually return to their home nations for residency and clinical practice. In addition, offshore medical schools in the Caribbean have high graduation success rates.
1.Medical school accreditation
If you wish to practice medicine in the USA or Canada, accreditation plays a major role in helping your dream come true. The top-tier Caribbean medical schools are a popular alternative for American and Canadian students at reduced tuition fees. Caribbean medical schools with accreditation from the WFME recognized accrediting bodies enable you to enjoy equal privileges as the US or Canadian medical schools’ students.
In fact, accreditation also makes you eligible to sit in the USMLE licensing examination. So, always choose the Caribbean medical school that has approval from US agencies. The accrediting bodies that WFME recognizes are the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP), the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM), and the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).
2.USMLE pass rate
When researching Caribbean medical schools, do not forget to walk through their USMLE pass rates. Being an international student, taking the USMLE licensing exam is mandatory to seek licensure to practice medicine in the United States. Therefore, choose those schools with excellent USMLE results and programs that help you get certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign-Trained Medical Graduates.
3.Attrition rate
Ranking systems for the Caribbean medical schools are primarily based on various approvals and accreditations. Notably, Caribbean medical schools’ ranking systems are broadly categorized into three tiers: top-tier, mid-tier, and bottom-tier. Top-tier Caribbean medical schools tend to offer a high quality of education and generally have a low attrition rate.
Now that you have the tips for picking the best Caribbean medical school browse to make a sound decision. Enroll now!