I can totally relate to your situation. My father is a physician, as are many of our family friends. Even though my parents never insisted on us pursuing a particular career, they certainly did not discourage my sister and me from pursuing medicine. I had a very mediocre undergrad GPA and MCAT and although I had opportunities to go to the Caribbean soon after undergrad, I stuck to my guns and tried for several years to get into a US school. All the while nearly everyone, my family included, encouraged me to "not waste time" and, like you, "just go to the Caribbean." During the time that I was doing all sorts of things to get into med school, applying year after year to no avail. Meanwhile, my sister (who is 3 years younger than I am) applied to med school, got into her top choice US school on her first try, finished college, and completed her first year of residency. Mind you, I had yet to step foot inside a medical school classroom. Granted, I was always very proud of my sister and her accomplishments and took everything in stride. Well guess what? After several years, I finally got into a US school. I got pulled off the waitlist in July of last year. As soon as word got out that I had been accepted, all of the doubters and naysayers began singing a different tune. Those who called me "stubborn" in the past now praised my perseverance. Those who didn't see any real difference between US schools and those in Caribbean tell me that I did the right thing by staying here when they see some of the struggles that their children who graduated from the Caribbean have faced. I just completed my first year of medical school and couldn't be happier! Although I have much respect for ppl who choose to go overseas for med school, staying in the US is something that I am so glad to have done. Bottom line: believe in yourself and trust in your abilities. With enough determination there isn't anything that can't be accomplished.
