Are International Medical Schools Easier to Get Into? A Comprehensive Guide

Many medical schools outside the United States are willing to consider applicants with lower GPA and MCAT scores than those normally needed to be accepted to the U. S. medical program, although this is not always the case and there are some highly selective foreign medical schools. There are very good medical schools in other countries and, in some cases, it may be easier to enter foreign medical schools than in the United States.

You should be very wary of schools that have a less-than-proven record of success. Some students who feel driven to enter any medical school upon leaving college should remember that it is wise to consider working to address application weaknesses for up to two years before applying to a U. medical school. For those students with a strong interest in primary care, osteopathic medicine is the preferred option, especially if you plan to practice in the U.

S. Get all the information you can if you're considering a foreign medical school. If you decide to go to medical school abroad, you'll still need to take the USMLE Step exams in order to return to the U. The Educational Commission for Graduates of Foreign Medical Schools explains this in more depth.

Upon graduating from medical school abroad, you will be considered an IMG (international medical graduate)

.

For a searchable directory of foreign medical schools, visit the International Directory of Medical Education. In addition, international medical schools must submit annual reports and meet certain eligibility requirements to remain participants in federal student loan programs. In addition, an international school may be eligible to participate in federal student loan programs, but the school's medical program may not be eligible to participate. You MUST contact the educational institution you are going to to confirm that your medical program is currently eligible and participating in the loan program.

The Average GPA and MCAT of Caribbean School Enrollees

The average GPA and MCAT of Caribbean school enrollees are much lower than those in U. medical schools.

These schools offer a second chance to students with lower GPA and MCAT grades who have little or no opportunity to enter a U. MD or DO school.

The Caribbean Medical University

The Caribbean Medical University is one of the most reputable and easiest medical schools to enter. Located in Curaçao, the Caribbean Medical University enjoys an excellent climate, free of hurricanes and crime waves. Small groups of 30 to 60 students, excellent scholarship programs, convenient loan programs, and a low eligibility criteria of 2.8 GPA have made CMU a favorite among American and Canadian students.

The Ultra-Low Acceptance Rates

The ultra-low acceptance rates of the best medical schools, sometimes as low as 4% of applicants, combined with the soaring costs of education, continue to shatter the dreams of medical school applicants in the country.

As a result, less competitive candidates are turning to Caribbean medical schools to fulfill their dreams of becoming doctors.

Consider Working To Address Application Weaknesses

Some students who feel driven to enter any medical school upon leaving college should remember that it is wise to consider working to address application weaknesses for up to two years before applying to a U. school. Attending a Caribbean school is much more academically, socially, logistically, and emotionally challenging than going to a US MD or DO school. This allows you to start medical school right away and is especially helpful if you're waiting for a response from U.

S.

USMLE Step Exams

If you decide to go abroad for your medical studies, you'll still have to take the USMLE Step exams in order to return home. There really is no reliable or objective match rate data by school for the Caribbean and other international schools.

Caribbean Medical Students Not Prepared For Medical School

Another argument is that Caribbean medical students weren't prepared for medical school in the first place. For starters, the Big Four tend to have a lower dropout rate than other Caribbean schools, but it's often still higher than that of U. medical schools.

Second Chances To Students With Lower Grades

These schools offer second chances to students with lower GPA and MCAT grades and who have little or no chance of obtaining a U.

MD or DO. While Caribbean schools care about their reputations and want their students to do well, they don't have the same supportive environment as American schools.