Thread: Australia versus Caribbean

Hi, I am a US student applying to foreign medical schools, I want to apply to either a Caribbean or an Australian school, the foreign medical school route is the only one I can take. I have heard that there are limited opportunities to stay in Australia versus graduation. That being said what are the benefits and disadvantages of going to an Australian medical school versus a big 3 Caribbean program such as SGU or Ross? From what I know so far Ross and SGU keep a list of students who have matched in US residency programs. I have not seen any similar info for North American graduates of Australian schools. Someone even told me that most North Americans do not even take the Step 1 of the USMLE until their fourth year, is this true? Which would offer me the fastest path back to the USA? Do Australian graduates have any advantages over those who go to SGU or Ross? Or are all IMGS pretty much equal?

As it seems like you want to return to the US, than the Caribbean is much better than Aus. Only because the Caribbean tailors to the US system. You spend 2 years pre-clinical studies on the islands, and then the final 2 years you're doing your clinicals at US hospitals. Also with the Caribbean the first 2 years are designed around the USMLEs, whereas if you go to Australia you'll have to do a lot of extra studying for the USMLEs.

I personally am going to Australia in hopes of being able to stay, but I doubt that will happen so I'll end up in the US. The extra work doesn't really bother me tho because I'd rather the experience of Australia. It all depends if you'd want to put in the extra effort to go to Aus, or if you'd rather get back to the US as quick as possible.

Originally Posted by USIMG2011

From what I know so far Ross and SGU keep a list of students who have matched in US residency programs. I have not seen any similar info for North American graduates of Australian schools.

Of course the caribbean schools would keep those kind of list as the whole point of their existence is to churn out doctors who want to eventually work in the US.

What are requirements to enter australia medical school?

Originally Posted by GEM29

What are requirements to enter australia medical school?

UQ, Melbourne, and Sydney all require MCAT (minimum of 8/8/8) and an interview.

Check out the list of Australian medical schools.

Are they competitive (hard to get into) compared to US schools assuming you can get into a US school?

Those are bare minimums for the Australian Grad Entry programs, successful applicants usually have much better MCAT scores. I was never very keen about going to the Caribbean, they do offer US clinicals set up for you, but I heard a lot of people fail out.

hey friends i m doing my medicine 3rd semester in china and i m not at all interested can any one help me for my admission procvedure and please let me know the procedure of admission into the college