If you have time to do so, I'm sure others (myself included) would love to hear the cliff notes version of what you did and how you overcame such crazy odds and found yourself where you are today!
Congratulations!
Ya sure thing.
So after my 1st year year in the SMP, I continued on with the 2nd year. Retook the classes that I did poorly in and retook the MCAT (new one). Did slightly better on the new MCAT but still had a score under a 500. The year I took it, the new MCAT had just been out for the first time so most medical school committees were figuring out what's a good score or not. I applied that year to only DO schools. Got 2 interviews (one being at my SMP and a new school). Got 1 waitlist and 1 rejection. Finished that 2nd year and graduated with a SMP GPA I believe around 3.2.3.3 with the grade replacement (did better on the courses I did bad first time). Decided to take the year off and keep working as a scribe which I had already started during the SMP. Reapplied again only to DO schools but didn't make any improvements to my app which looking back now was prob a mistake and should have retaken the MCAT; problem was I was kinda of mislead by my SMP's admin committee that my MCAT score was reasonable at the time and that I didn't need to retake it. That cycle I only got 1 DO interview and was waitlisted.
After being waitlisted for the 2nd time, I decided that I needed a plan B. So decided to apply to 2 of the top 3 Carib schools and got into both. Decided to accept the one with cheaper tuition. Waited on that waitlist that summer but never heard back and next thing I know I was on the plane to my new med school in the Carib. Got there and within a week of getting there, island got hit by a cat 5 hurricane, essentially destroying the island. Next thing I know I'm being evacuated from my school's island and then within weeks relocating to another med school in another continent to start first semester. Eventually got back to the my school's island following semester, finished basic sciences and did my clinicals in the states.
Stats wise: never failed a class, was pretty average. Passed both my steps the first time with scores in 21X and 24x respectively for 1 & 2. CS got canceled due to Covid. This app cycle applied to a primary care specialty because primary care is what I've always wanted to do even when I was applying to DO schools. Applied broadly and to a lot of programs (close to 200) b/c as IMG you gotta cast a wide net and apply more than a typical US MD or DO. who's also applying a primary care specialty. Received 30+ interviews and matched!
That being said at many times during this entire journey, the universe was giving me signs to quit this path as in 2 natural disasters, one during basic sciences, and one during clinicals lol. But despite this, I was determined to push through b/c I knew I could be successful and completed my goal of finishing at a Carib school within 4 years & not having to take a extra year that some Carib med students end up taking.
Now as for going to a Carib Med School for any premeds reading this thread and considering it: I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS AT ALL. It's honestly hell for so many reasons. The amount of BS that you gotta deal with from your school's admin and being on the island and hurdles you gotta jump through basic sciences and clinicals is unreal and are things you wouldn't have to deal with if you were a US MD or DO student. As an IMG applicant applying for residency, during the season you gotta essentially be perfect - meaning no failed classes or STEPs, above average step scores in the specialty you're applying in order to have a seat at the table alongside your US MD and DO student counterparts. As a US MD and DO, you can have a failed class or failed step score and still match a primary care specialty even with less applications. But as an IMG, if you have this - your chances of matching decreases significantly even to the point where you can be considered DNR at a program or your app being thrown out from consideration. Unfortunately, this is the sad truth and IMG bias is a real thing, no matter how good you are.
Now that's not to say you can't be successful as a IMG Carib Med student. Hell, a lot of people in my cohort busted their butts and applied to competitive specialties like Rad, Surgery, EM, Anesthesiology (specialties considered competitive for Carib students) and were successful in matching on Monday and will be finding out where tomorrow. Becoming a doctor from a Carib school is doable but it's an exhausting process and you need to have a high level of tolerance and patience, keep your head down and do what you gotta do to make it out successfully. Those who are disciplined and get their **** done in one try are the ones that are successful coming out of the Carib; those who party, don't take it seriously, fail are the ones that struggle and eventually fall to the horrific attrition rates that Carib schools are known for or fail to match and secure a residency spot on first try or multiple tries.
That being said, for any current Carib med students - keep grinding and make it out! If I can get through the BS despite the universe giving me signs telling me quit, then you for sure can and be successful!
Hope this helps for anyone reading this. Sorry if it's long lol.
