Should You Attend a Caribbean Medical School? The Honest Truth

[@thesuccessfulimg6885]

This is the first time I've not heard AUC as part of the big four, or even top 3.

[@uchealozie6061]

As a Caribbean medical graduate, this is the most accurate video I’ve seen explaining the path, and whether it’s worth it or not. I’ll be referring anyone with questions here.

[@vidhipatel4633]

Did u got residency?

[@uchealozie6061]

@@vidhipatel4633 I did

[@MikealPics]

Is it a must to have a bachelor's first before med school in the carribeans? Specifically your school

[@305vlogz2]

Wait, what GPA gets you in? I know not everyone gets in :{

[@kellageethika9698]

hey even if the person is not from America could he practice medicine in us after graduating from Caribbean medical universities? if they get their residency rejected and trying to build their resume in the meantime?

[@dzikijohnny]

The cost difference isn't as big as you make it. SGU is about $71,000 but, most DO school are over $60,000. And the cost of living is actually cheaper in the Caribbean that it would be in many of the US schools. Next you have to think about what it would take the same person to get into a US school versus a Caribbean one. Take a nontraditional student that has been out of school and has really work under some pressure to get in. If he is looking at doing a Postbacc etc he could be looking at a two year long break before he's even ready to get in. But if he decided to aim for Caribbean as a first choice then he could do his premed courses at an easier cheaper school while still working and really aim to get as high MCAT score as possible by spending money on a top review course. Then he applies to US schools for Fall entry. If he gets in great. If not he would have applied to someplace like SGU for Winter admission and started then. Most people say try two times to get in a US school before you apply but they don't know that the best Caribbean programs have a deal that they will refund your first years tuition if you then get into a US school right away. If you do it this way you get to be a Doctor 1 year earlier and at a minimum that is an extra $200,000 in salary that more than makes up for a slightly hirer cost. As for mostly becoming Primary Care Doctors, it's funny many US schools pride themselves on how they are set up to produce exactly that and here a school does and now people complain. But, the numbers say 20%+ of the Matches do go on to non-Primary Care Specialties. In my opinion, unless you would be happy to be a Family Practice Doctor in a Rural Town in the middle of South Dakota you commitment to medicine isn't strong or pure enough. Go to a school that is one of the Big 4, what should be called the Palm League.

[@Shemmassian]

Helpful analysis, John. Thank you!

[@maraisfan4life517]

Any high end public institution is perfect for anyone, you just have to make effective use of the resources you’re given. At the end of the day, you’re training to become a physician in the real world.

[@ShahbazKhan-je7nq]

Hey shirag, please note that the step 1 is now pass/fail which may impact the significance of your fact #1

[@Shemmassian]

Thanks for pointing that out, Shahbaz! We filmed this video before the USMLE P/F news came out. While USMLE will no longer produce continuous scores, we expect that IMGs, including Caribbean medical school graduates, will continue to pass USMLE at a lower rate than their non-IMG counterparts. Of course, if an IMG would have done REALLY well on Step 1 and boosted their residency candidacy, they will no longer have this advantage available to them.

[@keilaarroyo7941]

Is this going to be from now on like that, or just this year due to the Covid19 ??

[@Shemmassian]

@@keilaarroyo7941 Seems to be indefinite!

[@georgelampros4593]

so when the test becomes pass/fail will that hurt carib students??

[@joshsavage9689]

@@Shemmassian The step 1 score is just now the step 2 score. There are still ways to boost your app

[@adamcue6529]

Thanks for the video. How does candidate age factor in? That is, at what age does it make sense to go to the Caribbean immediately rather than delaying another year to improve one's application?

[@Shemmassian]

Are you considering Caribbean medical schools? Tell us why (or why not) in the Comments!

[@abelardogotay8631]

I was thinking about going to the American University of Antigua but I keep reading and seeing videos thay contradict what they claim. And there isn't enough info about them either.

[@Shemmassian]

We'll do our due diligence and report back to you about this!

[@jamesmcgwire849]

If your going to look at a Caribbean program look at sgu. They will give you the best chance to match. The step 1 pass rate is 96% for sgu and they matched over 1100 students into residency in the US in 2020. Last years match rate was 94% so it’s a no brainer. Only cons are larger class lectures and tuition is higher by about 70k. However your out of state ya Med programs is going to be about 270k and does not include housing as well. If you can’t get into your own state school the cost is going to be somewhat similar

[@mecwizard7221]

do you want to study in Philippines?

[@devmian8824]

I heard Dr Dre got his degree from Compton

[@nzubechukwunjoku1900]

Pls kindly walk me through the process of applying to a US medical school.

[@andrea.ramirez9]

What about other foreign med schools like UAG School of Medicine in Mexico?

[@Shemmassian]

It depends on your goals! If you want to practice in North America afterwards, make sure the international school you attend has an accreditation that will make it easy to work in the States or Canada.

[@u.sharon8645]

So what happens to students who do not get accepted into desired resident specialties or any residents at all

[@janruiz9150]

What about the Public one in Puerto Rico? University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus

[@Shemmassian]

What specifically are you interested to know? While geographically in the Caribbean, PR med schools count among US medical schools given that PR is a US territory. Therefore, residency program directors tend to view PR med school graduates more favorably than Caribbean med school graduates.

[@janruiz9150]

If they are good schools?

[@Shemmassian]

@@janruiz9150 If you have a strong interest in serving primarily Spanish-speaking populations, they could be a great fit for you!

[@dzikijohnny]

That is a US school and has the same requirements as any US school.

[@aslinvazqueznieves2986]

@@janruiz9150 they’re good schools but classes are in Spanish so if you’re not fluent you might end up falling out

[@yerthao67]

Ihave my degree as a medic in foreign country when I was in the refugee camp in Thailand and I also have worked for The UNHCR in1987-8 before I came toUS in 1989. Should I apply for Caribbean medical school?

[@aslinvazqueznieves2986]

I’m surprised to see MUA above AUA . Is there a specific reason why?

[@adambowman207]

So I just read that St Georges University has 94% match rate. Is that still a poor decision because thats not an accurate stat?

[@iHeartTuesdays]

It’s misleading

[@FirstLast-cd6vv]

The big 4: St. George's, Ross, Saba and *AUC*.

[@waleedghafoor7506]

What about chinese medical schools

[@barbaralavoie2642]

You mean U of T?

[@yerthao67]

Ii had my degree as medic in foreign country and had worked for the UNHCR in Thailand in 1986-7 before 1989. Can I apply to Caribbean medical school for further degree.

[@Anthony-db7cs]

IMG match rate is near 61% now.

[@melinesimeon9083]

What about AUSOMA?

[@yaramagdy341]

Any knowledge about Columbus central university?

[@emeraldkimble7602]

Is Mexico Caribbean it’s Gulf of Mexico and California

[@JamezBnd007]

so I haven't taken the MCAT yet, but I have a spot in SG university (they said no MCAT required rn). So here are my options: study for 4 months after I graduate with bachelors and take the mcat and apply and interview for a bunch of schools, which will take a year OR get into SGU right after I graduate....hmmmmm....which one will I regret when Im 90YO ? what would you do?

[@Shemmassian]

Depends on what you are trying to optimize for--best school vs. earliest start!

[@KCaviness3]

what did you decide on?

[@slateralden4178]

I'm finishing up my 3rd year with SGU. My best advice is take a year off of school following undergrad. Apply to US med schools for 2 years, if after the 2nd application cycle you didn't get in, then go SGU

[@prosoccerstar1188]

@@slateralden4178 how is lifestyle, cultural adaptation, driving etc? i am thinking of applying but i feel like culture shock will keep me from being successful

[@slateralden4178]

@@prosoccerstar1188 My time in Grenada was incredible and got cut short due to the pandemic. It's incredibly immersive and you will spend the majority of time on campus with a huge group of peers and support around you 24/7. It's incredible what you can accomplish without distractions of everyday life that you're encountered with living back here in the US. My time down there was the smartest I've ever been and I miss not having been able to be down there longer than the 7 months I was. If you're driven and ready to start but don't get into US school, just pull the trigger, go down there and kick some ass, and when you come back you're gonna be glad you did

[@samhussain4221]

Thank you for your video …my son is a British and he got two offers one from American university of Antigua and one from American university of Caribbean ,from your experience which one is the best please ,I really confused and really don’t know which one is best. Thanks

[@olaakande5581]

Don’t go to aua

[@mahavishnumanivannan9715]

Hi, can I get more details about American University of Caribbean

[@Shemmassian]

You can learn more about AUC and other Caribbean schools here: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/caribbean-medical-schools

[@paulchen1050]

@@Shemmassian I thought you put AUC ahead of MUA in the article above, right? Different from what you indicated in the video.

[@yoidkldk]

What if you don't want to be an American Dr?

[@Behemoth66]

Anyone who thinks they have what it takes to be a doctor however want to avoid the mcat = you’re not going to be a doctor. We call those nurses/NP’s/PA’s lol. The Mcat will tell you if you have what it takes to be a dr or not. If you can’t score a minimum of 506 = go to nursing school. I truly feel for her. She seems like a nice kind hearted young woman. Any “med school” that doesn’t require an mcat = run away as fast as you can

[@Pdmc-vu5gj]

Ehhh.....I know doctors who didn't score that high but still received their MD. Some people are poor test takers.

[@TrudyLuv]

Great info. Thank you

[@Shemmassian]

Very welcome

[@judithobeng748]

is there anyone applying to a Carribean Med School next year??

[@sara-pq6ou]

I will

[@kimiahabibi6172]

Me :)

[@judithobeng748]

Good to y’all Hope we can all meet there

[@orlandotodas1585]

Hi, do you offer student loan for international student? Btw, I'm from the Philippines and I'm planning to take bachelor of nursing in your school.

[@Shemmassian]

We do not offer student loans.

[@shelleyjelly]

loved this, thank you so much! You're great!

[@Shemmassian]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@2003binutg]

Is bay university in aruba a good one

[@tailorforeman7082]

Depends on your finances and citizenship. They don’t do loans with the DOE

[@AZ-wg3eg]

Trinity School of Medicine?

[@Shemmassian]

Hi Rick! Trinity didn't make our list of best Caribbean med schools.

[@Jeremy-dp7ss]

@@Shemmassian Any particular reason why not? They are newer school and seem to be improving. In addition, they claim to have higher attrition rates than the ones you listed. Thanks

[@hersheykth6856]

Yea , what about Trinity ? My counselor is recommending to go there

[@tailorforeman7082]

Please don’t go there if you plan to come back to the US

[@hersheykth6856]

@@tailorforeman7082 🥺 thankyou very much , But Trinity's site shows that they have accreditation to USA Medical . And I've been thinking for months and been asking them "if I'll get job in USA or not because I'm an Indian student ?" And they say "yes you'll get great residencies and jobs based on your marks the levels will be variable" .

[@ralphwinfield2872]

aren't you Canadian?

[@Pdmc-vu5gj]

Go to Poland instead

[@georgelampros4593]

SGUs tuition will end up being far far more than 280k and will get a bad education

[@dzikijohnny]

No it won't. Literally 10,000's of Doctors have come from there.

[@slateralden4178]

I'm finishing up my 3rd year with SGU, but the thing is education is what you make of it. I know students who are absolutely brilliant and one's who are definitely not. The point is that the opportunities to learn are definitely there and can be taken advantage of if you want to

[@vidhipatel4633]

@@slateralden4178 u like there ?? U matched residency

[@linapetrov6202]

Bs