If you are interested in attending a Caribbean medical school, the task may seem overwhelming because there are so many of them. To make the best choice, you need to examine details about individual schools online and be ready to ask key questions of school administrators and school alumni.
Instructions
1. Look up school locations at ValueMD.com. The website bills itself as a comprehensive information source on all aspects of international, foreign and Caribbean medical schools. The site has links and contact information that you will need for the schools. Make sure you keep the information you find in a notebook. This helps you compare notes on the schools, and having it all in one spot can prevent confusion down the road.
2. Use your information to narrow down which schools you are most interested in. Begin calling school officials to see what they have to offer. Ask if their students are eligible to take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE. (If they don't, you may not be able to practice medicine in the United States.) See if the schools offer financial aid, what states you will be able to practice in, the cost of your education, housing options, amenities available and clinical affiliations.
3. Contact both current students and alumni. Get opinions and advice from those who graduated and those who currently attend. Some schools' websites list contact information of past students. Contacting three of each at the schools you would like to apply to. Ask both alumni and current students about their level of satisfaction with the school, whether the teachers' English was easy to understand, how well they feel they were prepared to take the USMLE, conditions at the school and whether housing and transportation were satisfactory.
4. Narrow down your search to one or two schools. Research the island where it is located. Some islands are very touristy, and can be more expensive to attend, while other islands lack modern amenities. If you can handle a school that has goats roaming free on campus, and do not mind losing a few of the daily luxuries common in the United States, feel free to choose the institution on the less developed island. If you can't live without fast food, 24-hour stores and electricity (power goes out often on some islands), choose a school in St. Maarten or the Grand Caymans. You will need to know as much about the culture as you can to help ease culture shock. Knowing ahead of time prevents headaches and unnecessary stress. You can ask former and current students about this.
5. Visit the school before you attend, if you can afford it.This can help you make a better decision and even give you an idea of what to expect.
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