Caribbean MD Program
for Puerto Rican
Students

You Don't Have to Leave the Island Behind to Become "Dr."

Earn your MD at a globally recognized Caribbean medical school, CAAM-HP accredited and WFME-recognized, while staying connected to home.

Take the next step toward becoming a physician through an accredited Caribbean MD program designed for Puerto Rican students. Complete clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals in Puerto Rico, receive a U.S.-aligned medical education, and build a strong foundation for residency and licensure throughout the United States.

CAAM-HP Accredited | WFME Recognized | ECFMG Eligible | Clinical Sites in Puerto Rico

High

Residency Placement Rate

1300+

Graduates Practicing Worldwide

60

Residents Placed in the U.S. Annually, on Average

8:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

WUSOM Accreditations & Recognitions

WUSOM holds the accreditations that support graduates pursuing residency, licensure, and clinical practice in Puerto Rico and across the U.S.

Multiple Intakes Every Year
(September, January & May)

Small Class
Sizes

Clinical Rotations
in the U.S.

Personalized Residency
Match Support

The Reality for Puerto Rican Applicants

Every year, thousands of talented Puerto Rican students compete for a small number of seats at the island’s medical schools. Strong grades and real dedication still aren’t always enough to secure a place—and reapplying can mean losing a year, or more, of momentum.

WUSOM offers a different route: a CAAM-HP accredited, WFME-recognized MD program with the added advantage of clinical training sites available directly in Puerto Rico, so your path to practicing medicine doesn’t require permanently leaving the island, your family, or your community behind.

Stay Closer to Home, Without Compromising Your Future

What Puerto Rican Students Achieve at WUSOM

Outcomes and Results

Study Medicine in the Caribbean. Practice Without Borders.

Train in Puerto Rico.

Thrive in Residency.

Complete clinical rotations at affiliated sites in Puerto Rico while preparing for the USMLE, residency applications, and physician licensure.

Growing Community.

Global Medical Careers.

Join a growing community of Puerto Rican students and alumni matching into residency programs across the United States, Puerto Rico, and around the world.

Your MD Journey at WUSOM

A clear, structured pathway for students from Puerto Rico.
Know exactly what's ahead at every stage.

 Basic Sciences in St. Kitts

  • Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum
  • Small-group learning environment
  • Early hands-on clinical exposure
  • Dedicated USMLE Step 1 preparation

Clinical Rotations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico

  • Core and elective clerkships
  • Training sites available on the island
  • Additional placements at U.S. affiliated hospitals
  • Real-world patient care experience

Residency Placement

  • Personalized residency advising
  • Mock interviews and application support
  • Guidance through the NRMP Match
  • Join graduates across the U.S., Canada, and beyond

Why Puerto Rican Students Choose WUSOM

The Seats at Your Home Country Are Limited.

Your Path Forward Doesn't Have to Be.

One admissions cycle or one exam score doesn’t have to close the door on medicine. WUSOM
offers a structured second path forward.

Clinical Training on
the Island

Complete part of your clinical rotations at training sites available in Puerto Rico — practicing closer to the patients and communities you already know.

U.S. Citizenship
Advantages

As U.S. citizens, Puerto Rican students avoid the visa barriers many international applicants face when training at U.S. clinical sites.

Multiple Start
Dates

September, January, and May intakes mean you’re never stuck waiting a full year to begin your MD.

A Community That
Understands You

Study alongside a multicultural, Spanish- and English-speaking student body that reflects the Caribbean and Puerto Rican experience.

Individualized Match
Preparation

From personal statement reviews to interview coaching, students receive one-on-one support from experienced faculty and residency advisors.

Personalized
Financial Guidance

Our admissions team provides one-on-one guidance to help Puerto Rican applicants understand financing structures, aid eligibility, and payment planning.

Admissions

What You Need to Apply for — and When to Start

MCAT
Required

Submit official MCAT scores as part of your application.

Pre-Requisite
Coursework

Minimum 90 undergraduate credit hours, or a recognized international equivalent.

Letters of
Recommendation

Academic and/or professional references supporting your candidacy.

Personal
Essay

A chance to demonstrate your motivation, background, and commitment to medicine.

Activities &
Experiences

Clinical experience, research, volunteering, and leadership all strengthen your application.

Apply To Windsor University School Of Medicine

We accept applications for our MD and Biomedical Sciences program for classes starting during any of our trimester academic terms

For more information:

Financial Support for Puerto Rican Students

The cost of medical school shouldn’t stand between you and your dream of becoming a physician. As a student from Puerto Rico, you’ll have access to personalized financial guidance and financing solutions designed to help you plan for your entire MD journey.

Federal Loans

Recent changes to U.S. federal student aid have introduced lifetime borrowing limits and eliminated Grad PLUS loans, creating funding challenges for many medical students. WUSOM helps bridge those gaps by connecting eligible Puerto Rican students with private educational loan options that can help finance the full cost of their medical education.

Private Loans and Scholarship Opportunities

Through established financing partnerships, eligible students can explore private educational loans along with available scholarship opportunities to make earning an MD more accessible. Our goal is to help you secure the funding you need so you can focus on your education—not financial uncertainty.

Your White Coat Journey Starts Here

The Next Intake Is Filling. Your Seat Doesn't Have to Wait.

Join a growing community of Puerto Rican students and alumni building successful medical careers through U.S.-based clinical training, residency, and physician licensure.

FAQ's​

Yes. WUSOM is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP), an accreditation body recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). WUSOM is also recognized by the St. Christopher and Nevis Accreditation Board.

Eligible graduates pursue ECFMG certification and apply for residency training programs in the United States, including in Puerto Rico, subject to meeting all applicable requirements.

Students complete their basic science education on the WUSOM St. Kitts campus. Clinical rotations are then completed at affiliated hospitals and healthcare facilities in the United States, with training sites available in Puerto Rico for students who want to stay closer to home.

No. As U.S. citizens, students from Puerto Rico do not need a visa to complete clinical rotations at WUSOM’s affiliated hospitals in the United States.

As U.S. citizens, eligible students from Puerto Rico are eligible to apply for federal student loans. Our financial aid team can confirm your specific eligibility.

Applicants are generally required to submit:

  • Official MCAT scores
  • A minimum of 90 undergraduate credit hours
  • Letters of recommendation
  • A personal statement
  • Information about relevant clinical, volunteer, research, leadership, or work experiences

While many applicants hold a bachelor’s degree, WUSOM primarily requires completion of at least 90 undergraduate credit hours and the necessary prerequisite coursework.

Every year, many qualified students from Puerto Rico compete for a limited number of seats at highly competitive local and mainland programs. WUSOM offers an alternative pathway for students who remain committed to pursuing a career in medicine.

WUSOM maintains small class sizes with an approximately 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized academic support and faculty mentorship.

Our U.S.-based curriculum incorporates dedicated USMLE preparation throughout the basic sciences program, helping students build the knowledge and skills needed for licensing examinations.

Students receive individualized residency advising, personal statement guidance, application support, interview preparation, and mentorship throughout the residency match process, including guidance on pursuing residency in Puerto Rico or the mainland U.S.

WUSOM offers multiple start dates each year, with intakes in September, January, and May, providing flexibility for students who want to begin their medical education sooner.

Yes. Eligible students from Puerto Rico may explore merit-based scholarships, federal financial aid, and private educational loan options. Our admissions team can help applicants understand the financing resources available to them.

Yes. Students benefit from academic advising, faculty mentorship, clinical guidance, and residency support from enrollment through graduation.

The 4-year MD program includes basic sciences training followed by clinical rotations. Program length may vary based on individual progression, completion of examinations, and clinical requirements.

Getting started is simple. Click “Apply Now” and submit your information. Our admissions advisor will guide you through the next steps, including financial aid eligibility, and answer any questions about the application process.

REQUEST MORE INFORMATION

Complete this form to request more information.

Completing and submitting this form provides consent without obligation for Windsor University of Medicine to call, text, and/or email you about your education by automated means or prerecorded messages at the number and/or email address you provide. You may withdraw consent at any time.