Hi OP! Long post alert. I am currently an MS1 at AUC and I can honestly say I am loving it so far. My experience here has been pretty wonderful. My class size is about the average / a little smaller than American med schools (104) and the small class size was a huge reason I picked AUC over Ross. As someone stated above, yes the overall number of enrolled students per year is higher than this because of the rolling admissions (September, January, and May classes which all vary in size). The September class is always the biggest because mid-late summer is when most students waiting to hear from US schools receive their rejections / realize they're not coming off waitlists. Each class at Ross is about 400-500 students which is absolute insanity. If you choose AUC, I recommend starting in the January or May class, if possible, just to have the benefit of being in an even smaller class. In just a few months, our entire class has gotten to know each other and our professors on a personal level and it's been pretty great. As soon as you find your people here you'll feel like you have a family away from home.
Our curriculum also recently changed to an organ systems-based curriculum similar to many American MD / DO schools which is the most effective way to learn medicine and retain the knowledge for Step. AUC also provides a cadaver lab to students (with dissection beginning 2nd semester) whereas Ross uses the Complete Anatomy online learning system to learn anatomy. I can't imagine graduating medical school without ever seeing a cadaver - this is an absolute hallmark to your medical education.
Life on the island definitely has its pros and cons. Sint Maarten is definitely a little expensive and you will pay more for everyday life. Groceries and apartments are pricey, but not out of this world. I guess it's just something to be prepared for before coming here. The conveniences that come with living in the states are things I definitely took for granted before moving here. The beautiful libraries and coffee shops to study in, the beauty of getting in your car and going for a drive to clear your head, the endless options of restaurants and carry out, etc. You might have trouble finding certain toiletries and beauty products or your favorite brand of coffee or cereal (or have to go out of your way to get them / ship to the island). Again, these are little things, not life-altering changes, and it's easy to adjust but just something to be aware of. I have a Nespresso machine and I have yet to find Nespresso pods anywhere on the island so I just order in bulk and ship them here lol. Also - you'll often hear people talk about "island time" and it's a REAL thing! Everything on the island (restaurants, taxis, etc.) takes forever and islanders move pretty slow. It's very different to the fast-paced life we're accustomed to in America.
The island is absolutely beautiful and the views / beaches are incomparable to anything I've ever seen. I'm from the midwest so living near the ocean is a foreign concept to me and I have been soaking in every second of it. I don't know how much this matters to you OP but compared to Ross (which is more inland), you can see the ocean / lagoon from virtually any spot on or around campus at AUC at all times of the day. Dealing with the stress that comes with med school, the beauty of the island and being so close to the water is something that calms me and brings me so much joy and was actually an important reason I picked AUC over Ross. The beach is a 5 minute walk away! Granted, you will hardly have time to actually go to the beach and enjoy it but that's the beauty of being able to see it and enjoy the sunset from wherever you're standing.
Contrary to whatever you hear about Caribbean schools, the faculty at AUC (for the most part - there are a few exceptions but you'll find that at any non-Caribbean school too) really care for you and want to see you succeed. They go out of their way to provide you with all the materials necessary to be successful - practice questions, exam breakdowns, etc. They actually listen to student complaints and make changes when something isn't working. I have felt supported by the professors from day one and I'm thankful for that. I have a close friend who attends Ross and absolutely hates it. He has had nothing but bad things to say about his experience there and is actually considering transferring to AUC next semester. Barbados is not exactly the safest place to live (Sint Maarten is very safe) and Ross makes their students live on campus for the first semester. Keep in mind, their "on campus housing" is actually a 25 minute shuttle ride to campus and students are living in "houses" with 3-4 roommates that you don't get to pick. The houses are also co-ed which makes a lot of the female students uncomfortable. I lived on campus at AUC my first semester and I was able to roll out of bed at 7:55 and still make it to class at 8:00. My friend has complained to me about everything from faculty to ridiculous covid policies to the school being unorganized and having zero communication between the school and students. I feel terrible for him because my experience has been so positive.
Please, please, please, PLEASE don't let anyone here (or anywhere for that matter) tell you what to do with your life and what decision to make. There is always going to be tons of negativity surrounding Caribbean medical schools but at the end of the day, YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU! Does going to a Caribbean school make it harder to get through med school? Yes. Is it more difficult to match? Yes. Are there more hoops you need to jump through? Yes. Are there inconveniences you'll have to deal with on the island? Yes. But is it doable, manageable, and absolutely worth it if your heart is set on becoming a physician and you are willing to put in all the hard work? **** YES. People are going to try their best to talk you out of it and tell you all the worst possible things that can happen. As long as you're aware of the risks and are willing to work your ass off, you will be just fine! I have multiple cousins and friends who went to Caribbean medical schools, matched (some into competitive specialities like dermatology and radiology), completed fellowships at top tier, prestigious hospitals and are making their millions laughing at everyone who tried to stop them along the way. I know that people are just trying to warn you and are commenting with good intentions, but I promise you - nobody knows what Caribbean medical school is like better than a Caribbean medical student. While going to a Caribbean medical school should be your last option, it IS still an option! Keep in mind, IMGs make up 25% of the physician workforce in the states which is HUGE. If all these doctors weren't matching then where would these numbers be coming from?! I may still be an MS1 with a treacherous path ahead of me, but I can honestly say I am so glad I came here and didn't listen to those who tried to talk me out of it. Good luck OP, I wish you the best!
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