Are Caribbean Medical Schools Legitimate? - Answers Prospective Medical Students Need to Know.

The answer to the question "Are Caribbean Medical Schools Legit" is yes. There are some Caribbean medical schools, like the program at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences, that offer students legitimate medical programs that are considered, by accreditation, to be equivalent in caliber to American or Canadian medical schools. They prepare students to take the United States Medical Licensing Exams (USLMEs), rotate in clinical rotations, and apply for residency in the United States and Canada. Thus, these schools meet the same quality and educational standards that American and Canadian medical schools maintain. However, there are many Caribbean medical schools without proper accreditations, low retention rates, sub-par residency attainment rates, or low USMLE pass rates that should be avoided.

Caribbean medical schools that prepare their medical school students to attend a residency program in the US or Canada are considered to be offshore Caribbean schools and are for-profit medical schools. These schools confer the Doctor of Medicine, MD degree to students upon graduation. There are thirty-five "Regional" Caribbean medical schools, four of which confer the MBBS degree to graduates. Students with an MBBS degree cannot practice in the United States unless they complete a US residency. Graduates of all types of Caribbean schools are often termed international medical graduates (IMGs) or foreign medical graduates (FMGs). This terminology will come up frequently when discussing Caribbean schools of medicine.

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Why do people go to Caribbean for medical school?

There are a wide variety of reasons why students may choose to attend medical school in the Caribbean. Many applicants are pre-medical students who have been unsuccessful with applications to Osteopathic and Allopathic schools inside the U.S., but other students may apply to a Caribbean school as their first choice. Some of the biggest reasons students choose a Caribbean school include:

A higher chance of getting accepted.
The opportunity to rotate through clinical sites within the US and Canada.
Rolling admission periods.

1. There is a greater chance of getting accepted. Medical school in the United States and Canada is highly competitive and challenging for students to get into. One of the reasons they can be so difficult for students is that most medical school programs use computer-based algorithms that can automatically weed out very good applicants. Statistics from AAMC in 2022 show that 22,666 of 62,443 applicants matriculated into Allopathic programs. Similar statistics can be found at Osteopathic schools with 27,277 applicants and 8,516 matriculants.

Most Caribbean medical schools do not use computer algorithms to weed out candidates, but instead, like UMHS, they evaluate candidates holistically.

The average GPA and MCAT for medical school matriculants in the United States are 3.6 and 512, respectively. For matriculants at Caribbean schools, the average GPA and MCAT are much lower than those at an American school. Often, these Caribbean schools offer a second chance to students with lower GPAs and MCAT scores who may not have a chance of getting into a US medical school due to their low scores.

2. An opportunity to participate in clinical rotations in the United States. In many but not all Caribbean schools, third and fourth-year students rotate through clinical rotations in hospitals and clinics in the US. Enrolling in a school that does not provide this option for students isn't sensible. To be considered for residency in the United States, it is critical for students to do a clinical rotation in the country where they may be applying for residency. It is vital for students to spend these two years of school within the healthcare system that they will be completing a residency and learn the ins and outs of how healthcare in that location functions. Students may even rotate at a clinic or teaching hospital where they can apply for and possibly complete their residency.

3. Three admissions periods - (Rolling admissions). In contrast to American universities, many Caribbean universities allow applicants to matriculate at three different months throughout the year. This unique process could potentially save pre-med students a whole year when starting their journey. Instead of waiting for an entire application cycle to apply to a US or Canadian school (one cycle lasts a full year), applicants can apply to a Caribbean school within a few months and begin their medical career much sooner.

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How hard is it to get a residency from Caribbean medical schools?

Statistics show that a higher percentage of US MD and DO graduates match during the NRMP main residency match than IMGs. According to the AMA in 2023, over 93 percent of US MDs and 91% of DOs matched, while 67 percent of US citizen IMGs and 59% of Non-US citizen based IMGs also matched in 2023. However, these statistics do not take into account that there may be a vast difference in residency matches between each individual Caribbean med school, nor do they take into account the number of IMG graduates that are accepted into a residency program during the SOAP (Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program) period. As of 2025, the University of Medicine and Health Sciences has over a 92% residency attainment rate within one year of graduation.

The SOAP system is run by the National Resident Matching Program and is intended to match open residency positions with eligible applicants who have not been matched. The SOAP process consists of submitting new applications to residencies, participating in interviews, and then being offered positions in several rounds. Each round has a two-hour response period. Unfortunately, there are many residency programs that are not IMG-friendly. One way to gauge which residencies are IMG-friendly is by looking if there are current residents in training that graduated from international medical schools.

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Are medical schools in the Caribbean recognized in the US?

This is one of the most important aspects to consider. There are many websites that published incorrect information about this topic because of this fact: there are no Caribbean medical schools that are nationally accredited by the LCME in the United States or Canada. All medical schools in the US receive accreditation through the LCME- Liason Committee on Medical Education. They clearly mention that they do not provide accreditation for any foreign medical school, Caribbean medical school, or med school outside the US and Canada. If you see Caribbean medical schools or other non-American medical schools saying they ARE accredited by the LCME in the United States, consider this to be inaccurate.

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Do Caribbean medical schools accept everyone?

No, the best and highly credentialed med schools in the Caribbean do not accept everyone. That being said, some of the lower-quality programs may accept almost all students. Some Caribbean medical schools offer a preparatory readiness program that can be very beneficial in making sure that students are ready for the rigors of attending medical school. These readiness programs are designed for students who are driven to succeed in medical school but require academic support or study skills training. Students who enroll in these preparatory readiness programs gain a solid educational foundation and the necessary tools for success. As mentioned above, prospective students should do their homework and not be swayed by the online hype of any University that makes promises that seem too good to be true.

Is it worth going to any of the schools of Medicine in the Caribbean?

Yes, it is absolutely worth attending one of the best Caribbean medical schools. The result most likely will be obtaining an MD from the school, matching into residency, and practicing as a board-certified doctor in one of the many specialties of Allopathic medicine. Statistics show that approximately 25 percent of Doctors in the USA are graduates of a medical school that is considered an international school of medicine. Obviously, there is room for more great medical school students and graduates from highly credentialed colleges like The University of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Are medical schools in the Caribbean considered to be an international med school?

Yes, a Caribbean medical school is considered to be an International med school and the MD graduates of Caribbean medical schools are considered to be International Medical Graduates (IMGs). An IMG from the Caribbean can be a US citizen or can be from another country. Both are considered an IMG.

Are Caribbean medical schools expensive?

The majority of the best Caribbean medical schools are indeed expensive. We certainly advise students considering attending one of the Caribbean schools to check with admissions programs and find the correct information. There is a plethora of incorrect information about tuition and fees at most of the medical schools in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, students can find top-rated articles on Google that say that Caribbean medical schools are MUCH less expensive than the average US medical school. This is just not true. If students look at the ACCM or CAAM-HP-approved med schools in the Caribbean, there are several that are relatively close to the same cost as a US medical school, but many are much more expensive. Two of the biggest four Caribbean medical schools have tuition and fees over $300,000. For more information, please check this cost comparison section of an article about tuition and fees at some of the best medical schools in the Caribbean.

Can you transfer from Caribbean medical schools to a US medical school?

Yes, there are some schools of medicine in the US that will accept medical students wanting to transfer from a Caribbean Medical school to a US Medical school. However, the majority of US medical schools will not consider transfer students trained outside the US or Canada (at an LCME-accredited program). School and Travel provides a good list of US-based Universities that do allow applicants from students currently enrolled in a Caribbean school of medicine.

Is med school easier in the Caribbean?

While admittance for students into a Caribbean medical school may be easier, the actual classes for students at some of the best Caribbean schools are similar in difficulty to those in the USA. Students in the first two years of medical school spend their time in didactic classes and lab-based learning. The eventual goal of those two years is to prepare students to take the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step exams as well as prepare them for the clinical-based portion of med school. While the length and organization of courses that students take during their first two years vary from school to school, all schools must prepare students to take the USMLE Step 1. Thus, despite some school-specific differences, preclinical courses will be similar, including those at Caribbean medical schools.

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What are the worst Caribbean Medical Schools if applicants want to practice in the United States?

The worst Caribbean medical schools for those wanting to become licensed in the US or Canada are schools that are not accredited by an organization recognized for having standards that are on par with those in the United States. The tricky thing is that some Caribbean medical schools try to cover up their lack of accreditation by using ambiguous language to attract students. As mentioned, all medical schools in the US and Canada are accredited by the LCME (Liason Committee on Medical Education). However, the LCME does not accredit medical schools outside the US and Canada. For this reason, there are NO Caribbean medical schools with LCME accreditation.

To practice medicine in the US, the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) requires that individuals graduate from a school recognized by the NCFMEA (National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation). The NCFMEA reviews medical schools outside the United States and Canada to see if they meet the same standards as the LCME. In addition, the WFME (World Federation of Medical Education) must recognize accrediting agencies in order for students to be able to practice in the US and Canada. The NCFMEA and WFME recognizes multiple different accrediting agencies in the Caribbean including:

When a school is NCFMEA approved, that indicates that the school's accreditation is deemed to be on par with the standards set by the LCME in US and Canadian medical schools. NCFMEA accreditation is also one of the requirements for Caribbean medical schools to have in order to offer US federal student loans. While the different terminologies and accrediting bodies are very confusing, it is vital to ensure that a Caribbean school is accredited before attending if students wish to pursue a residency in the United States or Canada. The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS) is accredited by ACCM, which is in turn recognized by WFME.

Is a medical degree from another country valid in the US?

The short answer is yes, but with many caveats. Degrees from other countries can be considered valid. However, there are multiple hoops that must be jumped through in order for foreign graduates to fully practice medicine. The Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is the committee that sets guidelines and standards to determine if international medical graduates (IMGs) can enter residency or fellowship. IMG applicants must be ECFMG certified in order to apply for residency and/or fellowship in the United States.

In order to obtain ECFMG certification, IMG students must have attended medical school at a program that meets ECFMG requirements, complete an online application, pass the USMLE Step 1, pass the USMLE Step 2 CK, and pass the Occupational English Test (OET). Once ECFMG certification is obtained, IMG graduates can apply for and complete residency. Following completion of residency and passing of board examinations, IMGs are fully certified and can practice medicine just like any other physician in the US. For a more complete overview of requirements for International Medical Graduates, please consult this guide from the American Medical Association.

Do you need MCAT for Caribbean medical schools?

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a long and challenging entrance exam for medical school applicants. The exam lasts nearly seven and a half hours. Scorning well is vital to obtaining an interview at a medical school in the USA and Canada. However, achieving a good score is not easy, and many medical school applicants spend weeks if not months studying for the exam. For those who cannot afford to spend that much time studying or have difficulty scoring well on the exam, the MCAT score can be a significant hurdle when applying to school.

The MCAT is required for most of the best Caribbean medical schools. Although most Caribbean schools require the MCAT, applicants should not view the exam as a significant barrier to the application or eventual acceptance to a school. While having a high MCAT score is vital in order to be accepted to medical school within the United States, MCAT averages of accepted Caribbean medical school students tend to be lower.

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What is the hardest doctor specialty?

It is difficult to say which medical specialty is the hardest as there are a wide variety of variables that could make a job difficult. These could include long work hours, the complexity of cases, the work environment, resource availability, etc. However, in general some of the most complex medical doctor jobs are often thought to be in surgery.

Surgeons are highly trained doctors who often work long shifts and may spend many hours on one procedure in the operating room. These surgeries can be highly complex and a minor mistake could be life-threatening, making the stress level much higher during the procedure. Standing during long surgeries can also be hard on the body as there may not always be time for food, drink, or bathroom breaks. To compound the stress of surgery, there are often many surgical emergencies. A surgical emergency is an urgent case in which a patient will immediately suffer drastic medical consequences or die without surgical intervention. To be available for these surgical emergencies, surgeons will often be "on call" and spend shifts in the hospital when they are known to provide patient care at a moment's notice.

While surgeons may often be thought of as having the toughest medical career, many other medical specialties work long hours with complex patient populations. Although the stressors of the jobs may vary from specialty to specialty, all careers in medicine are challenging, as every decision can affect a patient's life and well-being.

How to start a career in medicine?

The journey into medicine begins with getting an MD degree at a highly credentialed medical school like the University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS). As an offshore university we are credentialed through ACCM. Please read more about all our accreditations and recognitions here. What sets UMHS apart from other Caribbean schools is that our students have one of the highest chance of graduating, (with a 96% student retention rate), and attaining a residency (with a 92% residency attainment rate within one year of graduation in 2024). Combined, these two statistics place UMHS in a class by itself for those wanting to graduate and get a residency. To get started, you can get more information here or submit your application on this page.

Posted by Callie Torres

Callie Torres is a Captain in the United States Air Force and a chief resident at Wash U/Barnes Jewish Hospital in St Louis. She is a freelance writer with many published medical articles as well as multiple peer-reviewed medical publications