Hello. Does anyone have any information on these medical schools in the Caribbean, e.g., St. George's University? Their websites certainly make them look appealing (obviously), but I am wondering how they are viewed by other medical students and doctors here in the U.S.

in the US medical community, the caribbean schools are kind of looked down upon. mostly people go there because they can't get into med school in the US. the major difference is that these foreign programs are not as well-tailored to prepare students for the USMLE (licensing exams for practicing in the US), so their grads tend to score lower on those exams, not match with as good of residency programs, etc. i think there are definitely people who have gone to caribbean schools and done well for themselves, but they are generally thought of as second rate.

sure would be nice to be in the caribbean though huh? i spent a semester abroad studying marine ecology in the caribbean, and boy was it sweet. :cloud9:

DrWuStar is right. But I know 2 docs who went to St. Georges and I wouldnt have known had they not told me. They did their residencies here. I see no differences as far as patient care goes. They are just as competent, and in fact, more so than some of the other docs for whatever reason. In fact, one of them is my family doc. I LOVE HIM! I dont care where he went to school. I have found that for the most part, patients dont know or care where the doc goes to school. They are looking for a doc who will meet their needs, and have a good relationship with.

Thanks for your thoughts. I spent some time looking at the St. Georges website and it just sounds nice because you spend your first two years in Grenada and your second two clinical years at your choice of affiliated hospitals in the U.S. I think they said the USMLE pass rate was 95% and their U.S. residency placement 99%. And of course, it's easier to get in! But, looks fairly expensive, averaging about $35,000 per year before housing from what I can tell. Anyway, I was curious because the Caribbean does sound nice!

Also keep in mind that individuals graduating from foreing medical schools will have a much harder time getting a residency position than US trained physicians due to recent law changes just FYI...

i am currently in the medical field and the main goal that you must look at is that you want to be a MD. There are many schools in the states that people may frown upon. its all up to your main goal. I personally was told that St. Georges university is the best of all the Carribean schools because it follow many of the US curriculum. My question is to you and all the
Moms on this website. What exactly would you do with family if you plan to attend a school out of state or even out of the country.

Efex, I missed you, you are such a wise woman!
Can you ellaborate on the new law? Im just curious. I dont plan or couldnt attend a med school out of the US because of my family. Althoug in the event I get into a med school out of state, my whole family will move, we have already discussed this possibility (in response to the previous poster).
I know this cardiologist, whose dad was a great surgeon, he messed up awfully in undergrad....he told me the med schools here thought he was a *playboy*....needless to say, his dad being a surgeon did not get him into med school here in the US. He went to the University of Guatelajara in Mexico. He said it was HeDBLyouknowwhat transfer over here after completing med school there. He generally said he had to go through a lot of crap and cost a lot of money. Dont know exactly what things he was referring to....but anyway.

Well, I am not exactly sure of the law and when it passed and all those details, but in a nutshell due to lobbying it has become increasingly difficulty but not impossible, to get a US residency position as an IMG or FMG. There are many hoops to jump, exams to take, and from my understanding only the top students from overseas schools gain acceptance. Also be aware that some overseas schools are *not* recognized by the US licensing boards here. Recently on oldpremeds there was a non-trad that had been accepted to a school in Africa and when she checked to see if this school was recognized by the US it was not, thank goodness she had not started yet! So for anyone interested just make sure that you are aware of the disadvantages of pursuing this route...versus pursuing the MD/DO route in the US.

I would be very hesitant of pursuing this route if you want to practice in the US, not because of the quality of education (which may be very good, I do not know) but because of the perception of the Caribbean graduate. It is MUCH harder to get a US residency position if you did med school abroad and there is a lot of hoops as far as licensing goes. Beware, and I would even go as far as to say don't pursue this option until you have exhausted your US options.

Although, I too, have to admit the Caribbean looks pretty good this time of year...just keep in mind you wouldn't have much time to enjoy it while in med school anyway!

Hey all. While there are a lot of very shady Caribbean schools, two schools that really will get you where you want to go just as well as a US med school, are Ross and St. George's. There is no question you will get a US residency placement from these schools, and I am considering both.

Here are their resideny matches for the last year:

Ross:
http://www.rossmed.edu/Residency_Appointments/residency_appointments.html

St. George's:
http://www.sgu.edu/nhome.nsf/webcontent/15EBD7EF222F054E85256D1700751A8F?OpenDoc ument&top=med