Meeting prerequisites for a Caribbean med school is generally considered easier than U.S. medical schools, offering a more accessible path for students who may not meet the stringent requirements of U.S. medical schools. Many top Caribbean med schools have more flexible admission criteria, such as low GPA and MCAT score requirements, giving students a second chance — especially those who didn’t meet the super-high academic thresholds of medical schools in the U.S. and Canada.
However, Caribbean med schools usually ask for the same application components as schools in Canada and the US. Many Caribbean medical schools take a more holistic approach to evaluating applicants, focusing on their academic potential, passion for medicine, and willingness to work hard.
There are numerous requirements and prerequisites medical school applicants should meet so they can get a spot in accredited Caribbean medical schools. Meeting top Caribbean med school requirements involves more than completing premed coursework. To be admitted to a Caribbean medical school, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree, strong performance in prerequisite science courses (biology, chemistry, physics, math), a qualifying MCAT score, and potentially English proficiency tests, letters of recommendation, and clinical experience.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of prerequisites for a Caribbean medical school:
Academic Prerequisites
The admissions team of Caribbean medical schools check the previous academic records and experience of applicants to see if they are the right choice for the institution. The admissions team will assess your major subject, course work, and the degree earned during your undergraduate studies.
• Bachelor’s Degree
Every Caribbean med school requires the completion of a bachelor’s degree to join the MD program. While the specific field of study isn’t always a strict requirement, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is generally expected.
• Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites for a Caribbean medical school varies from institution to institution. So, it is advised to visit the school’s website to meet a certain set of courses. WUSOM website lists the general courses you need to complete includes:
- 2 semesters or 8 credit hours of General Biology or Zoology with laboratory work
- 2 semesters or 8 credit hours of General or Inorganic Chemistry with laboratory work
- 2 semesters or 8 credit hours of Organic chemistry or Biochemistry with laboratory work
- 2 semesters or 8 credit hours of Physics with laboratory work
- 1 semester or 3 credit hours of Mathematics (Calculus or Statistics)
- 2 semesters or 6 credit hours of English or Humanities
You need to take these courses to satisfy med school requirements and become a strong applicant for WUSOM. It is always a great idea to research the website of medical schools you are most interested in so that you can satisfy the specific requirements and maximize your admission chances.
GPA Requirements
A strong undergraduate GPA is crucial, as Caribbean medical schools, while generally having higher acceptance rates than US schools, still look for academically strong applicants. Medical school curriculum is quite challenging and covers a vast amount of course material.
The admissions committees consider GPA as an important factor to decide whether or not applicants can handle the rigors of medical school. The admissions team prefers students with a good GPA as they can handle the toughness of the MD program. However, you can still get an admission to the best medical school with a low GPA.
Many Caribbean medical schools don’t mention a minimum GPA requirement as they believe in holistic admissions. Most schools send you a secondary application once the primary application is verified – regardless of your GPA or MCAT score.
MCAT Score Requirements
Many accredited Caribbean medical schools require the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). For U.S. students, submitting your MCAT scores is mandatory. Develop a great MCAT study schedule to achieve a certain minimum MCAT score to get into an MD program.
English Proficiency Tests
Depending on the school and your background, you may need to demonstrate English language proficiency through tests like TOEFL or IELTS. It is required for non-native English speakers.
Letters of Recommendation
Like coursework, clinical experience, GPA and MCAT requirements, applicants also need to submit strong letters of recommendation from professors and mentors. Applicants are required to submit at least two letters from science professors or academic references. You can also get recommendations from physicians, clinical supervisors or individuals who have supervised you in clinical settings, research labs or extracurricular settings.
So, cultivate strong relationships with your professors and mentors, provide them with all the necessary materials so that they can write strong letters for you. It will definitely maximize your chances of medical school acceptance.
Resume/CV
A well-structured resume that explains your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and clinical experience is important. List your education, clinical experience, volunteer work, research, leadership roles, and other relevant activities.
Personal Statement
A compelling personal statement showcasing your reasons for pursuing medicine and your suitability for the program is also important. Outlines motivation for studying medicine. Highlight your soft skills, relevant experiences and long-term goals. It will help the admissions committees to assess your motivation, commitment to medicine.
Clinical Experience Prerequisites
While not always mandatory, clinical experience is strongly recommended and often essential to strengthen a Caribbean medical school application. Clinical experience shows your commitment to the field of medicine and helps you understand the realities of healthcare. Gaining some clinical experience can strengthen your personal statement and help you get more interview invitations.
Types of Relevant Experience Required:
- Shadowing physicians in hospitals or clinics
- Volunteering in different healthcare settings and research labs
- Working as a medical scribe, EMT, or medical assistant
- Participating in medical mission trips
- Internships in health-related fields
Prerequisites for WUSOM
WUSOM requires applicants to submit a set of documents as part of the admission process. These typically include:
- Completed Application Form
- Official transcript
- MCAT scores (US Students ONLY).
- Two official letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Curriculum Vitae
- Two passport sized photos
- Official credential evaluation report of transcript through WES (Non-U.S./ non-Canadian applicants ONLY)
- Official report of TOEFL or (IELTS) for (Non-U.S./ non-Canadian applicants ONLY)
Submit Your Med School Application
Pursuing your MD at a Caribbean med school is an amazing opportunity to get high-quality medical education. Now you know the prerequisites for a Caribbean med school, you can confidently build your medical school application and gather the right documents to gain admission to the Medical Sciences program. Start your medical school journey and apply online.
