- Joined
- Dec 19, 2014
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Some facts about Caribbean schools (I know, I went to one):
- Over 60 MD programs/schools in the Caribbean to date.
- Two are owned by DeVry (NYSE) and are for profit.
- Almost without exception all schools are for profit businesses.
- Most faculty are MDs and PhDs that have never practised in the US or have been licensed/boarded in the US.
- Many programs are designed to make money off the students during the basic science year, let them crash on USMLE Step 1, and then send them home. The the cycle starts over again. This way the avoid the whole clinical training program which is not profitable and management intensive.
- You are not spoon fed at most programs - so most knowledge has to gained by self-study. You need to be a total self-starter to be successful in that type of environment.
- Only a fraction actually have a plan and program in place for clinical training in the US.
- Your success or failure as a MD is totally dependent on what you learn and know, how you employ your knowledge, and how you do on USMLE Step 1, 2 and 2 clinical skills. If you are successful at these you will get a residency.
- The Caribbean schools do give bad impressions to US folks because many are just for profit companies and it shows in the lack of service they deliver to the student. Not all are like this, but it only takes a few to ruin the image.
- I had to get all my own clinical training - yes all 84 weeks. It was hard, but I have a very particular set of skills in business that I acquired which helped me overcome these challenges. Most young medical students don't have this background and are left to struggle with no support.
- Costs can be cheaper but do your research.
- Lastly, it is difficult to study in a foreign country if you are used to the US or Canada.
Please email me if you are considering going down island. I will try to help as best I can.
- Over 60 MD programs/schools in the Caribbean to date.
- Two are owned by DeVry (NYSE) and are for profit.
- Almost without exception all schools are for profit businesses.
- Most faculty are MDs and PhDs that have never practised in the US or have been licensed/boarded in the US.
- Many programs are designed to make money off the students during the basic science year, let them crash on USMLE Step 1, and then send them home. The the cycle starts over again. This way the avoid the whole clinical training program which is not profitable and management intensive.
- You are not spoon fed at most programs - so most knowledge has to gained by self-study. You need to be a total self-starter to be successful in that type of environment.
- Only a fraction actually have a plan and program in place for clinical training in the US.
- Your success or failure as a MD is totally dependent on what you learn and know, how you employ your knowledge, and how you do on USMLE Step 1, 2 and 2 clinical skills. If you are successful at these you will get a residency.
- The Caribbean schools do give bad impressions to US folks because many are just for profit companies and it shows in the lack of service they deliver to the student. Not all are like this, but it only takes a few to ruin the image.
- I had to get all my own clinical training - yes all 84 weeks. It was hard, but I have a very particular set of skills in business that I acquired which helped me overcome these challenges. Most young medical students don't have this background and are left to struggle with no support.
- Costs can be cheaper but do your research.
- Lastly, it is difficult to study in a foreign country if you are used to the US or Canada.
Please email me if you are considering going down island. I will try to help as best I can.
