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Industry leading retention rates: Many medical schools boast impressive statistics to attract potential applicants to their school, however, these statistics may be misleading.
One statistic some medical schools try to overshadow is their attrition rates- the percentage of students that start but don't complete medical school. While some Caribbean medical schools may promote their enormous graduating classes, they hide the fact that a large portion of their student body fails to complete medical school, with attrition rates averaging as high as 40%! This should be a red flag and added to a list of things to consider when looking at other Colleges. At UMHS, 96% of the students that enter our MD program graduate from our school. We are committed to your success and our primary goal is to help you excel in school, match into a residency program and have outstanding careers. Read more in the schools faqs section of this article.
Highly trained admission staff: Our school admissions staff are trained to recognize the unique potential in applicants.
Admissions is one of the most important and seldom discussed aspects of medical school. In 1978 our founder, Dr. Robert Ross, created one of the first Caribbean medical schools with an outstanding reputation. Based on more than 40 years of experience in medical education, we now know that GPA and MCAT are not pure predictors of success in medical school - our schools 96% student retention rate remains as a testament to this fact. As such, we take a very holistic approach to admissions, looking at a broad range of many different indicators of a student's potential to handle the rigors of medical school.
Some of our best Applicants and students come from non-traditional backgrounds or are candidates that are simply overlooked by other school’s dated modes of analysis.
Instructors that care about your success: We offer a truly personalized approach to medical education. Our faculty share a love of teaching and are fully committed to each student’s success in school and in their career as an MD.
We have an exceptionally low student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1 Teachers have ample opportunity to get to know their students and vice-versa. Upon leaving St. Kitts, many students remark that it was this easy availability of their doting faculty and the wealth of information they always had time to share, that contributed so much to their success. Opportunities are also available for research.
Commitment to quality: We are committed to educating uniquely skilled and diverse medical professionals eager to meet the need for MD physicians
in various settings throughout the United States and the world. With a focus on quality patient care in clinical medicine, we utilize the latest in advanced technological instruction and personalized education and training. Our aim is to produce genuinely passionate doctors who are highly prepared for practice in a changing medical landscape. If you are looking for one of the best Caribbean medical schools, learn more about becoming a Doctor through our medical program by speaking with an admissions representative, current student, or alumni.
UMHS continues to be the leader in providing high quality education at an affordable price. When asked how can the University of Medicine and Health Sciences be so much less expensive than other Caribbean Medical schools (as well as U.S. Medical schools), we have a simple answer - we choose to be less expensive.
As the only family/privately owned Medical School in the Caribbean, we do not answer to stockholders or large corporate investors like many of the offshore medical schools. We believe it is our moral obligation to leave graduates with as little debt as possible, while generating enough revenue to maintain the financial health of the institution for future growth and to withstand any type of operational setbacks. The revenue generated from our current tuition and fees more than exceeds our operating expenses, allowing us to invest further in the campus, in educational technology, and to grow the University at a healthy pace.
We can't answer for other Medical schools in the Caribbean, but it seems obvious that these school programs could meet their operating expenses and still collect a healthy profit with tuition and fees at a much lower rate than what they are charging now.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about becoming a doctor at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The University Of Medicine and Health Sciences School of Medicine takes pride in being one of the top-tier Caribbean medical schools with very high Accreditation standards. Our graduates are qualified to sit for the US and Canadian medical licensing exams and can apply for residency throughout the US and Canada. Our Caribbean medical school has ACCM accreditation, NCFMEA recognition, and various US state approvals. Our university is listed on the WFME/FAIMER World Directory of Medical Schools.
Fully licensed doctors that are graduates of our Caribbean medical college are able to practice in all 50 United States.
Obtaining a residency from Caribbean medical schools is one of the single most important steps in your path of becoming a practicing Physician after graduation. To ensure medical school students apply strategically and have the highest chance of matching into the residency of their dreams, the University puts enormous effort into assisting our students in the residency match process.
The Academic and Student Affairs department is chiefly responsible for helping students match into residencies. They work with students on an individual basis on everything from residency interview coaching to residency application strategies.
Click this link to read about our school of medicine's residency program.
Students must pass two portions of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) for graduation. The USMLE Step 1 is taken after completing the preclinical basic sciences years of medical school. The USMLE Step 2 CK (clinical knowledge) is taken after completing core clinical rotations. Both exams are rigorous and require extensive medical knowledge. UMHS school of medicine proudly reports an outstanding first-time USMLE Step 2 CK pass rate of 96% with an average score of 231*
Read more about the USMLE for Caribbean medical schools here
*March 2019-2020
*Because of the COVID 19 pandemic, there is an option that our institutions MCAT policies may change, so please check back frequently.* Currently, our school's policy requires all United States citizens and other permanent residents to submit their MCAT scores as part of their application into our Caribbean medical school. There is no minimum MCAT score requirement for applying to our medical school.
While the MCAT is not required for non-U.S. citizens, it is still highly recommended for all applicants to Caribbean schools from every country.
More information about the MCAT can be found on the AAMC website and in the admissions section of our medical school website
Our medical school graduates annually match into some of the most competitive residency programs across the US and Canada. Some of the residencies and specialties our medical students attained include: Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesiology, Ophthalmology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Radiology. These represent options at some of medicine's finest residency programs at hospitals and institutions in the US and Canada. Our students have matched into residencies in 38 states including California, the District of Columbia (DC), Canada, and Puerto Rico. Primary care which includes internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics are the most popular residency placements programs.
Read more about our residency program match results here - UMHS medical school match results
Our medical school admissions committee is concerned with whether the applicant has the ability and drive to succeed in the incredible rigors of Medical School. This is determined holistically without a computer formula by looking at GPA and MCAT, but also through more qualitative factors such as life experience, extracurricular activities, and leadership potential. Greater weight is given to the trajectory of academic performance, rather than just cumulative GPA number on its own. An advanced degree program, such as a msc - master of science or phd degree or even mba programs show desirable dedication. A strong personal statement essay can be extremely helpful and one of the pivotal factors for admission into Caribbean medical schools.
Applicants must first complete the required premed prerequisite courses and the MCAT. They should fill out an online application, order official transcripts from all schools they’ve attended, and submit at least two letters of recommendation (LOR).
Prospective medical students will be invited for an Interview if Medical School admissions determines that they meet the minimum criteria for success. Once the interview is completed, the college admissions committee will determine a final decision, and the applicant will be notified of an official decision within two weeks.
Read more about our admissions philosophy here: Our medical universities admissions philosophy
Similar to other US medical schools and international medical schools, a premed or heath-related BS degree is not required for admission into our Medical school in the Caribbean. Instead, our admissions policies requires completion of high school, or a GRE certificate, along with three years of college education, including at least 90 credit hours at an accredited undergraduate university or liberal arts school. Certain pre med pre-requisite courses are also required for application. These include:
Additional upper-level science courses are recommended but not required.
Read more about our school of medicine admissions requirements , caam-hp and amcas.
As a student, you can enjoy all life has to offer while living and learning on one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. St. Kitts is located in the West Indies surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Although our diverse and collegial student body is bound primarily by the shared desire of practicing medicine, you’ll find ample opportunities for making lasting connections outside the classroom. Participate in one of our dynamic student organizations, attend one of the schools extracurricular event, or partake in some of the endless sports and recreation opportunities available on and around the school's campus. We strongly believe in the utility of diversity in healthcare, women in medicine, and LGBTQ equality.
St. Kitts has the best of both worlds, with the luxury of living in the Caribbean plus all of the modern amenities expected from a Caribbean medical school, including grocery stores, banks, restaurants, coffee shops, and more. You should be able to find out more on our social media profiles:
You can also read more about living in the Caribbean here - medicine and medical school life in the Caribbean
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The University of Medicine and Health Sciences is family owned . Being family owns give us a huge advantage over other Caribbean medical schools as we make decisions based upon what is best for our students without answering to stockholders or large corporate investors. This also gives us the option to provide an affordable Medical education that can save our students as much as $169,454 of student debt over other Caribbean medical schools. Here is information about other Schools and their programs including those called the Big 4 Caribbean medical schools.
Medical University Ranking | Short Name(s) | Owner(s) | Basic Sciences Location | Tuition and Fees |
1. University of Medicine and Health Sciences | UMHS, UMHS St Kitts | Family/Privately owned | Basseterre, Saint Kitts | $162,704 |
2. Medical University of the Americas | MUA | R3 Education, Inc, (a holding company) | Saint Kitts and Nevis | $225,915 |
3. American University of Antigua | AUA | Manipal Education & Medical Group in India | Antigua and Barbuda | $267,050 |
4. Saba University School of Medicine | Saba | R3 Education, Inc, (a holding company) | Saba, NL ( Kingdom of the Netherlands) | $252,950 |
5. The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine | AUC | Adtalem Global Education Inc (NYSE: ATGE) | Sint Maarten | $262,950 |
6. Ross University School of Medicine | Ross, RUSM | Adtalem Global Education Inc (NYSE: ATGE) | Barbados | $311,428 |
7. St. George's University | St George's, SGU | Altas Partners, Baring Private Equity Asia and private investors | Grenada, West Indies (and additional facility in the UK) | $332,158 |
Aaron Rapp
I had the pleasure of attending UMHS as a student. Upon arriving to campus it was immediately apparent that the school prides itself on investing in its campus and its students. I was most impressed with their state of the art anatomy lab….
Ollie Lutrell
I found UMHS medical school when I was looking for an M.D. program that would evaluate student applicants by not filtering them out completely based upon a computer program. I had read online that UMHS is one of the top Caribbean medical schools …….
Micheline Mceuen
The University Of Medicine And Health Sciences has been a huge blessing to my family. Two of my family members have gotten their MD degree there and are now practicing physicians in the United States. UMHS gave them the chance when others would not….
Nikolina Madjer
I finished the basic sciences program in St.Kitts and now I’m in Portland, ME getting ready for STEP 1. I can honestly say that I am so glad that I chose to go to UMHS! It has given me all the tools and resources I needed to become a successful student and one day, a successful physician……..
Saakshi Joshi
UMHS truly offers a personalized medical education from the start. The administrative staff are extremely helpful. I had one of their phone numbers from the day that I got on to the island and was able to text her whenever I needed anything (which I still do)…..
Carlos Villanueva Soto
Since day 1 UMHS has taught me that medicine is intense but at the same time I have been given all the resources (excellent professors, class material, orientation) to succeed in medical school. I currently feel that I'm on my way to achieve my short (USMLE Step 1) and ....
Jared Sharza
Coming in as a non-trad student, I was eager to go to school and experience the "power of place." I was constantly surrounded by the Caribbean beauty of St. Kitts & was able to enjoy exploring and adventuring the majority of the island. Most of that was due to….
Zach Vanderveer
I am currently finishing my third semester on the beautiful island of St.Kitts and will be entering my final island semester in September 2019. My search to attend a medical school was extensive. I applied to nearly every medical school in the States and was fortunate to …..
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Call usUniversity of Medicine and Health Sciences – Saint Kitts Campus
KN, Camps, St. Kitts & Nevis
76WX+25 Trinity, St. Kitts & Nevis