Why Studying Medicine in the Caribbean is a Bad Idea

Even if you are unable to get into a US Medical School, there are some options to consider if you are still determined to become a medical doctor.  Some students may try to reinforce their resumes by seeking more volunteering opportunities or more clinical research. Some may even opt to retake the MCAT exam in order to increase their scores. Sometimes, these efforts will be sufficient if you are on the cusp of admissions into the US Medical school.  

For those students who are much further away from such a decision, it is unrealistic to think that even a strong MCAT score on a retake can offset a poor GPA, a lack of extracurricular activities, or insufficient volunteering. For some, the US  may be off the table if you are seeking a traditional M.D. degree.  

A student can apply to various Doctor of Osteopathic (DO) programs throughout the US, attend medical schools in the Caribbean, or seek a location in a foreign country, perhaps in South America or Europe, to continue their studies.

In this article, I will present arguments in favor of picking alternative options like DO school or school in other international markets, and share my take on why you should not consider a Caribbean Medical School whatever you do.  

Why a DO Degree Could be a Good Choice For You

If a US based M.D. degree is out of question, the best potential option for you to consider would be trying to enroll into a DO program in the United States.  This is the "easiest route" to follow in order to get into a US hospital and achieve your ultimate gold of becoming a doctor in the United States. Most DO programs have requirements that are slightly below the MCAT scores and GPA averages that you would need in a US Medical School program.  

DO programs are continuing to grow in popularity in the United States health care system, and as of 2015, 96,000 DO candidates could be found practicing medicine in the United States.

If you are unfamiliar with the differences between an MD and a DO degree, the differences depend mostly on philosophy in the treatment of a patient. An MD will traditionally look at one sickness and do his or her best to alleviate the symptoms, whereas a DO will view an ailment as an imbalance involving the entire body. A sore back could result in a simple prescription for NSAIDS from an MD doctor, whereas a DO may choose to do various manipulation exercises targeting the knees, shoulders, and back in order to relieve a patient's pain in the lower back.  

Traditionally, there was a divide in the medical community that caused doctors with MD degrees to view their peers with DO qualifications as inferior doctors, because DO programs contained easier courses. Hospital residences would be divided to segregate MD from DO programs, but as more DOs make up the medical community, it is common to see a DO in charge of a hospital's Board of Directors. There have also been talks recently to dispose of the different residency programs and allow MD and DO residents to train together before they achieve their certifications.