About Us

Avalon University School of Medicine (AUSOM) is a rapidly-growing Caribbean medical school located in the Netherlands Antilles. The members of the Board of Trustees are primarily American physicians who practice and teach clinical medicine and basic sciences in the United States. As American educators, some of the founders of Avalon University School of Medicine repeatedly see bright, hopeful American and Canadian medical school candidates being denied admission into North American medical schools simply because of an overwhelmingly large applicant pool. As a result,a large number of extremely capable individuals are left without admission into medical school every academic year. In light of a clearly evident physician shortage in North America, it is not difficult to realize that intelligent individuals, who are willing to go to great extent in order to fulfill their lifelong dream of practicing medicine, should be given a chance to achieve their ultimate career goal. Subsequently, Avalon University School of Medicine was founded, with the object of granting sound medical education to motivated individuals regardless of their background.

Avalon University School of Medicine is one of the very few Caribbean medical schools whose members of its Board of Trustees are primarily U.S. physicians. We possess experience, knowledge, and resources that are needed to provide our students with thorough basic medical instruction on our campus and clinical rotations in U.S. teaching hospitals.

In most large academic institutions students are just numbers. Here they are known by their first names. Our faculty and staff coach them individually, both in the classroom and after class. We provide them with continuous guidance on how to prepare for Steps 1, 2 and 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examinations; for success in their clinical rotations; and for applying and interviewing for a residency position afterwards. Our students leave well-prepared to succeed in the remainder of their medical studies and later as practicing physicians.

Additionally, Avalon University School of Medicine is the first Caribbean medical school to implement a new technology as a premier teaching tool on its campus, Plastinated Human Organs. These are actual human organs preserved utilizing the technology of plastination yielding accurate, detailed, and durable specimens for use in the classroom and laboratory setting so that crucial anatomical concepts can be taught effectively. Many American medical schools have begun substituting human cadavers with plastinated human organs because of their superiority as teaching tools.

We believe that the pursuit of a career in medicine requires a tremendous amount of sacrifice, patience, and effort to succeed. Students at Avalon University School of Medicine overcome the constant demands and challenges of medical school by taking time to enjoy vibrant Curaçao island life and culture. Some of the reasons the founders of AUSOM chose to establish a medical school in Curaçao include the extremely friendly, outgoing, and supportive nature of Curaçaoans, the safety of the island, the abundance of healthy activities available to take a break from studies, and the stable climate of the island (Curaçao is not in the hurricane belt).

If you are passionate about pursuing a continuously challenging, evolving and rewarding career in medicine, we welcome you to consider the unique experience of studying at Avalon University School of Medicine- a rising leader in international medical education located on a safe and tranquil Caribbean island.

Accreditations

Charter
Avalon University School of Medicine is chartered by Minister of education, Netherlands Antilles. The charter establishes the right for the University to award MD degree for the students who successfully complete the approved curriculum by the university.

Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research/International Medical Education Directory (FAIMER / IMED)
International Medical Education Directory (IMED) is a division of the United States of America's Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Avalon University School of Medicine is recognized by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), so their students and graduates are eligible to apply and sit for any step of the USMLE, in fulfillment of the ECFMG Certification requirements for a U.S. residency position.

World Health Organization (WHO)
Avalon University School of Medicine has been approved and is listed with World Health Organization (WHO).

Medical Council of Canada (MCC)
Avalon University School of Medicine is listed with the Medical Council of Canada (MCC).

Student Resources

Our library provides students with a calm and peaceful environment for studying. The library’s books have been selected to add depth of learning to the specific courses our students take. Free wireless internet is available in the library, as it is throughout the school. Each student has an individual access code. Although all students bring their own laptops to the school, a computer lab is also available for use.

The library is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. till 10 p.m. and on weekends from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. During exam weeks the library is open for extended hours till late at night.

Journals
At Avalon we believe that medical students must understand and evaluate medical research. In keeping with the principles of evidence-based medicine, our library contains the following journals:

• JAMA (Journals of American Medical Association)
• American Journal of Dermatopathology
• Journal Cutis
• Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
• Archives of Internal Medicine
• New England Journal of Medicine
• The American Journal of Medicine
• Internal Medicine New

Student Government Association (SGA)
The Student Government Association at Avalon University School of Medicine is made up of a body of students whose mission is to represent the entire student population at AUSOM. The purpose of SGA is primarily to provide the students at our school with fun filled activities, assistance regarding school issues and a reliable voice that can speak out for them. SGA is the medium through which students and professors can achieve respectable decisions regarding matters of concern.

Although we are at a medical school where education is the priority, SGA reminds us that even medical students need a break! For this reason, we hold culture shows, volleyball and tennis tournaments, and talent shows, trips to the beach as well as various parties and dinners.

Of course, SGA also promotes interest among students regarding their academics. We organize tutoring for students, Health Fairs, Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) lectures; provide study tips, and volunteer work at the local hospital.

Elections for executive positions for SGA are held towards the end of every semester.

Our SGA has been growing more dynamic and exciting each semester. We are enthusiastic about sponsoring an even more impressive record of events for future semesters. Part of our mission is to bring the students together and provide the family at school that most of us do not have on this island.

Without the work of the students, there would be no SGA! We appreciate feedback and are constantly looking to continue to improve our school in many ways. So we welcome any ideas or concerns from students as well as professors. Together, we can make our time at AUSOM more exciting and memorable!

Premed Program

This is a rewarding program for highly motivated students, which involves four semesters of focused pre-medical studies. This program prepares students for the 4 year MD Program. Our typical high school graduates tend to be prepared for residency before the age of 23.

BS-Preparatory Medicine / Biology

Eligibility:

• This Program is only available to students from Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
• 16 months BS program for those with A level {equivalent}
• 2 year BS program for those with O levels {equivalent}

Avalon University ­ School of Medicine and its promotion / project management arm, ALLTERE Education Management Company has joined hands striving to provide students affordable medical education by setting up BS Preparatory Medicine / Biology, Training Centers World wide leading to innovative Pathway to study Doctor of Medicine (MD) programs.

These BS Preparatory Medicine / Biology Training Centers are jointly managed by Avalon University ­School of Medicine & ALLTERE Education Management wherein the student will study the BS program in his home country and then join MD programs in Philippines to complete the MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree. The entire program will be conducted under the aegis of Avalon University ­ School of Medicine who will also issue the BS degree.

MD Program

Avalon University School of Medicine's accelerated program condenses the traditional four year medical school curriculum into 4 years, without compromising the total number of contact hours involved in basic (80 weeks) and clinical (72 weeks) medical science training. This is made possible due to our trimester schedule. Twenty months of pre-clinical courses in biomedical sciences are combined with Clinical Board Series utilizing patient and physician educators to maximize the experience for each student.

This is followed by 72 weeks of clinical opportunities in core and elective clerkships, as well as clinical research. The curriculum has sufficient flexibility for students to do extensive research, pursue advanced degrees, participate in special tracks or explore other avenues of professional growth.

Fifth Semester

The fifth semester at Avalon University School of Medicine serves as a bridge between the Basic Medical Sciences and the Clinical Sciences. This semester has three main components: Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM), Getting into Residency (GIR), and KAPLAN review. Our fifth semester is 8-weeks in duration and is conducted in Youngstown, Ohio.

The Fifth Semester always begins on the Monday following the start of classes in Curaçao.

Credits are awarded as follows:

• ICM – 8 credit hours
• GIR - 2 credit hours
• USMLE Review – 12 credit hours

In addition, we also cover the following topics by lectures throughout the MD 5 semester to assist the students as they begin through the Clinical Phase of their education.

• Basic Life Saving/CPR Certification
• Certification in Blood Borne Pathogens
• HIPPA Certification
• Applying to the USMLE Step Exams

Below is an Outline of the 5th semester components:

Orientation to MD 5 & Clinicals:
Students are to report to the US admission office at 10:00 am on the first day. During orientation, students are given an overview of the 5th semester schedule, and are given an introduction to the Clinical Sciences by our Chief Clinical Coordinator, Ms. Schultz. Students are advised of Clinical requirements, and are given the Clinical Science handbook.

ICM Sessions:
Students are all together with physician preceptor in the office, and are being given instruction on patient interactions. Students are provided with practical experience in History and Physical taking, Charting, and general office guidelines for patient contact. We have preceptors in four disciplines who work with the students. The exposure to the different specialties allows the students to see how to tailor the clinical techniques based on the varying patient groups, and also allows them to experience multiple physician techniques on interviewing, presentation, and history gathering. Students will work through the specialties of OB/GYN, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and General Surgery. Lectures are also given by the preceptors to explain the differences in the specialties and their approach.

Students are divided up into smaller groups with the preceptors to work through actually applying the clinical skills. Preceptor assignments will be discussed at orientation. Preceptors will work with the students individually to evaluate and refine patient contact skills. Hours are assigned by the Precepting physicians. At the conclusion of the course, students are given an evaluation of their performance during ICM, and a grade is awarded.

KAPLAN:
We have a representative on site from KAPLAN to administer a diagnostic exam with all the students. This serves to test the Basic Science knowledge, and provide the students with feedback on strengths/weaknesses in regards to preparation for the USMLE. Students are also given Kaplan materials and login access information for the KAPLAN Web Prep option.

Upon the results of the diagnostic exams being provided, students are able to log into the online web based Kaplan system to begin preparing for the USMLE. Included in the Kaplan materials are the following:

• 80 hours of online lectures
• Full Length simulated exam
• 3 month access to Kaplan Qbank
• Complete set of Kaplan step 1 notes
• Step 1 QBook with 850 practice questions

Students are required to submit a log of Kaplan time allocated.

Students are able to access the KAPLAN materials for a period of 6 months.

Getting into Residency:
Students are given an overview of the residency application process via a 3 part series of lectures given by Ms. Schultz. Topics to be covered during the lecture series include gearing your rotations toward residency, researching of hospitals/programs, submitting your residency application through ERAS, submission of documents, resources to utilize throughout the application process and interview skills and techniques.

Please direct any questions surrounding Fifth Semester to our Chief Clinical Coordinator, Ms. Kimberly Schultz.

Clinical Science Program

The Clinical Sciences Program is the next step in your pursuit of a Medical Degree. We are glad to offer you clinical rotations that will help you to integrate the Basic Sciences with practical clinical experience.

Clinical Rotations:

• Clinical rotations in the US are guaranteed to qualified students
• Many clinical sites to select from
• Option of completing clinical rotations in one city

The Clinical Science Program is a 2- part program, composed of both Core Rotations, and Electives. The total curriculum for Clinical rotations is 72 weeks which equates to approximately 18 months. Of that time, 48 weeks is spent in Core Clinical Clerkships, and the remaining 24 weeks are spent completing electives of your choice.

Fourth Year Medical Students are required to complete 24 weeks of elective of their choice. Below is a non-inclusive listing of some available electives: Cardiology, Radiology, Pulmonology, Hematology/Oncology, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, and Dermatology.

Admission Process

Why do you want to become a doctor? What experiences have you had that led you to make this challenging career choice? These are important questions and at Avalon University School of Medicine we take them seriously. At Avalon University School of Medicine we want to know these things but we also want to know about you as a person. Ultimately, your unique personality is what will determine the kind of doctor you will be. So, in our evaluation process, we give consideration to every student who shows the potential for handling the rigorous academic challenges of an accelerated medical school. We focus as much on life experience and determination of our candidates as on their academic performance.

Avalon University School of Medicine offers a rolling admission process with no deadline to apply for each semester and students can begin their schooling in any semester. However, seats in each class are competitive and early applicants will have the advantage of securing a place in the semester of their choice. Semesters begin in January, May and September of every year.

In order to apply to Avalon University School of Medicine an applicant needs to fill out an application. Applicants can apply via a web-based application or via a hard copy that can be downloaded. Apply Now

To complete the application process, the following must be sent to the Regional Administrative Office in Ohio.

• Official Transcripts
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Essay
• Two Recent Passport Photos
  

Once these documents are received, the Admissions Committee will review your file and a Personal Interview will be conducted via telephone.

The Personal Interview
Avalon University School of Medicine strongly believes in the value of a personal interview with prospective students. Applicants determined to have met or exceeded the admission criteria will be invited to have a personal interview. Generally within one week after the receipt of the application materials by the administrative staff the student will be contacted for the scheduling of the personal interview. The interview helps assess your overall personal and academic background, maturity, adaptability, character, aptitude, and most importantly, your motivation to become a doctor. However, applicants are advised that being granted an interview is no guarantee of acceptance though the interview itself does play a significant part in the decision by the Admissions Committee.

Please note that upon acceptance into Avalon University School of Medicine, US and Canadian students must apply for a landing permit for temporary residence in Curaçao. The required documentation is found under the Immigration link. This process usually takes one month to complete.
There are some countries that require a visa before going to Curaçao. If you are a Citizen or Resident of any country outside the U.S and Canada please contact the Ohio Administrative Office for information. The Immigration process can take four to six weeks to complete.

Deferral of Admission
The Admissions Committee is generally supportive of proposals that provide for participation in intellectually rewarding opportunities and service programs during time of deferral from Avalon University School of Medicine.

Accepted students who would like to apply for deferral must write to the Dean stating their reason for requesting deferral and their proposed plans for the duration of the deferral. If approved, the deferral is typically granted for one year, though they are routinely renewed for students provided the student reapplies for continuation on an annual basis.

For written inquiries and telephone inquiries, please contact us for contact information.

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