The countries in the Caribbean are among the best places not only for doing your post-graduate medicine program but even in your undergraduate medicine program. The Caribbean is the most preferred destination today by many ambitious medical students from the developing nations and the United States. Today are there are many medical schools in the Caribbean region. Before enrolling verify to see if the med school is recognized by your Home Country or intended place of Work. There are many good schools in the Caribbean region, we have a list of the best Universities in the Caribbean for you.
The Caribbean is a region consisting of the Caribbean Sea, the islands (most of which enclose the sea), and the surrounding coasts. The region is located east of Central America, the southeast of North America, and north of South America. This region comprises more than 7000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays.
The ‘West Indies’, the name used very regular today was given to it by Christopher Columbus when landing in Hispaniola in 1492, believed he had reached the Indies (in Asia). This arrival shaped the very existence of the Caribbean and most particularly its people today. Knowing the history of the Caribbean region goes a long way toward understanding its people. Each island has a unique cultural identity shaped by the European colonialists, the African heritage of slaves, and the enduring legacies of the native Indian tribes. This rich history and its lasting influence are set against a backdrop of crystal clear waters and perpetual sunshine.
Just knowing the history is just the tip of the iceberg. To understand the diversity of each island, their distinctive physical, political, and socioeconomic challenges must be examined as well as their geography, common historical experiences, participation in the global community, not forgetting the diverse ethnic and racial groups, and the continuing struggle for survival and sovereignty. This is why Caribbean Studies is important.
Almost all the islands except for the very small ones are self-governed so they all exist on their own, the settlements that were made after Columbus, the Caribbean islands were seen as one big unit that would provide liquidity for Europe.
According to all independent researches done on 95% of all the colleges/Universities in the Caribbean, there are six top medical schools that stand out of the crowd and the best option for students who will ultimately return to the U.S. for their residency:
- Saint George’s University (SGU)
- American University Barbados
- All American Institute of Medical Sciences (AAIMS) School of Medicine
- All Saints University St. Vincent And The Grenadines
- All Saints University Dominica
- American University of St. Vincent
There are some major and important things to consider before choosing a medical University, below are a few:
Attrition Rate
In medical school, the attrition rate is calculated by looking at how many students drop out of a program.
If you are considering an international medical school, one of the first things you should look at is the attrition rate. A rate of 50% or above is a major red flag because a majority of their students leave the school without a degree. A school that won’t share its attrition rate is likely hiding something.
Match Rate
Matching into a residency program is one of the biggest hurdles that medical students have to overcome, and it will dictate what type of medical specialty they will pursue. Starting in the fourth year, medical students send applications to hospitals that train in that particular specialty and interview for the position. The match system is extremely complex, with both the hospitals and the applicants ranking each other in order of desirability.
While students from the Big Four are matching into U.S. residency programs, it is important to look at what type of programs they are matching into.
Accreditation
For Caribbean schools, it is a little bit different. The Caribbean schools are unofficially ranked into three tiers (top, mid, and bottom). The ranking has nothing to do with the quality of education you’ll receive or the likelihood you’ll match at a good institution. Instead, it is based on approvals and accreditations.
For students who are considering studying in the Caribbean, the accreditation of the institution is essential to consider if they are planning on practicing medicine in the U.S. The only Caribbean medical school you should consider should be top-tier and have accreditation recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education/Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (WFME/FAIMER).
Some states, like California, Florida, New Jersey, and New York, have stricter guidelines, and even if the college has an accreditation recognized by WFME/FAIMER, it might not be enough to practice in that state. For example, California keeps a list of foreign medical schools that have been approved by the Medical Board of California.
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