Students can enter foreign medical schools all around the world. Most students from the United States generally enter schools within the Caribbean region because most of those schools have affiliations with domestic hospitals. As a result, there is an easier transition when applying for residency. Some popular schools include the American University of the Caribbean (AUC), Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), Saba University School of Medicine (SUSM) and St. George's University School of Medicine (SGU). The Resources section includes links to these schools.
In order to enter most foreign medical schools, students have to finish college and obtain an undergraduate degree. Students may also have to take the MCAT exam, which covers the subjects of chemistry, biology, physics and reading assessment. Some schools do not require the MCAT exam, so you will have to contact the school directly for more information.
Graduating students who want to work in the United States have to complete specific requirements. They will have to pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Steps 1, 2 CK and 2 CS. Additionally, students have to pass the TOEFL exam. When these requirements have been completed, the organization known as the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates will give the student a certificate of completion.
Foreign medical schools are generally cheaper than domestic schools. For instance, the tuition for most Caribbean medical schools begins at around $10,000 and goes up to about $30,000. This price does not include the cost of living and necessities such as textbooks and computers.
Students enrolled in a foreign medical school will be able to complete their clinical rotations at U.S. hospitals. Most schools have affiliations with hospitals, so there should be no trouble obtaining spots domestically. However, if students want to complete a rotation at a specific hospital in the United States, then they have to coordinate the effort with the hospital and their school's clinical clerkship office.