I think it is possible to do well from a caribbean school, but I agree with most people that you should avoid it if possible. The number of residency spots for foreign MDs or US citizens who go abroad for medical school are decreasing. It will be harder and harder to get a spot - which means who will be an MD with no way to pay back the huge loans you'll need to take out to go to a carib school.

Clearly, you aren't going to be dissuaded from this path. I do hope you succeed. I also challenge you to investigate real statistics on residency matching and what specialties Carib grades go into rather than just basing things on what a few of your friends have done.

Best of luck.

PS - please don't use all caps. It reads like you are screaming. As a general rule (and I feel I can say this as a regular poster) - people don't scream on Mommd.com. There are some other message boards that do more of that, but please don't bring that here. We're here to help - not fight with you.

I've also peronally known grads of the Carib to do extremely well in a variety of specialties, and I'm talking about reent grads like this one (not someone I know personally):

http://www.islandmedstudent.com/home/

http://doctorpsychobabble.com/

If you read her blog carefully, it's easy to see how she prepared herself for success by making the right connections and doing well in school. After working almost 25 years, I'd say that's smart in ANY career field.

As for for the all caps use in posts, I VERY often use caps for emphasis, though I understand how some people intrepret it differently. Personally, I find it easier not to take the use of caps "personal" unless the comment is being directed at me.

Finally, if I HAD to attend a top Carib school to become a Doc, I'd do so!

njdr2b - sorry if you took these comments personally, but it is well known that the number of US graduates are increasing as new medical schools are opening in the US and existing US medical schools are expanding their classes. It is also a fact that the federal government has not approved an increase in residency positions since the mid 1980's. There is a looming bottleneck for future applicants/graduates at the step that used to be a "given".

I too know many folks who graduated from Caribbean medical schools and have done well in residency/practice. I similarly know many graduates of schools in Europe and the Middle East who have excelled in the US residency system and gone on to successful practice. The reality is that there are a finite number of residency positions for a growing number of graduates, both from within the US and from abroad. In the interest of helping others make an informed decision, these facts should be brought to light. From personal experience, I knew very little abut the pros/cons of attending medical school anywhere other than the US when I applied, and from current professional experience I see many, many qualified international medical graduates (which you are considered if you attend a Caribbean medical school) who find themselves without a residency position despite looking on paper just like their US counterparts (sometimes even better!)...except for the location of their medical school. The "politics" you refer to exist at the residency match process level just as they do at the medical school admissions level.

No one disputes that fine physicians can come from all areas of the world and be trained in many different systems. The road to practice medicine in the US is simply a bit more challenging to the future physician if some of that training is accomplished outsde of the US system.

Best of luck to you as you continue your medical journey.

My Sentiments Exactly....

Why would you want to dissuade me from a path that is different from yours. Everyone is clearly entitled to their own opinion. I believe that there are several INTERNATIONAL physicians that have excelled far beyond US counterparts. And thank you for your wishes, I will do well in any institution.

Far too long others that have beat the odds were ostracized even in extenuating circumstances. Clearly the initial poster that completed the first 2 years at a Caribbean med school should be applauded for her tenacity and perseverance. She had a very tough past and has excelled beyond what she ever could have done in the US. I for one, salute her efforts and consider her a success. Thank God for her ability to be creative and innovative regarding tuition. And all because she believed in herself. You mentioned that "we" are all here to help one another. The statement that you contributed was not exactly helpful. She did what she had to do and that's all. I tip my hat to her because I understand what it means to persevere in the face of adversity.

I will be the first physician in my family, so I understand the struggle to accomplish your goal while dealing with all sorts of pressures. I say, do what you need to do to get where you want to go!! You are a trailblazer be encouraged! At the end of the medical school we will ALL be physicians! Good luck and God bless

I appreciate your encouragement. It is so true that Medicine is such a commitment and tough road to follow especially with a family, that however you get there is the best way for you to be successful. I really could care less about what others think and bother to criticize. I am so grateful that God has provided options for LIFE PERIOD..... Let's applaud one another and not tear each other down. Anyone that cares to acknowledge the criticism of others is just wasting their own time. Why criticize some one else's journey? Don't you have enough to do? I APPLAUD ANYONE THAT IS CREATIVE ENOUGH TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT COMPLETING MEDICAL SCHOOL....