Congratulations on your acceptance to IAU. As per completing and starting your residency by July 2011 - if you start here in the Fall of 2007, you would finish up down here in Fall of 2008. You would go to Chicago for ICM and then take Kaplan in Spring of 2009. ONLY after completing ICM and Kaplan can you take the Step 1's. Assuming you pass on first try for Step 1 - the Spring of 2009 would be when you start your rotations. 48 weeks of core and 36 weeks of electives (84 weeks total) - which is about a year and a half starting in the Summer of 2009 - which would lead you to about 2011. I'm not sure if you would be able to start your residency in July of 2011, it would be cutting it fairly close.
Sorry if that was kind of muddled, but thats how everything would work out if you came down here. Unfortunately, thats probably how it will work out if you go to any Caribbean school.
As per information on the school - we are still awaiting news about NY accreditation, and as soon as we hear something, we'll be sure to post it up here on ValueMD. If/when we do get NY accreditation, it will make getting residencies in NY a little bit easier, but it also depends on your qualifications (Step 1 scores, etc). California is pretty much out of the question, we are not approved there and getting a residency is not possible (as far as I know). As per other states, some states go on a case by case basis and other are much more stringent about Caribbean students. I would suggest looking up the State Medical Boards of the states you are interested in working in and seeing what requirements/restrictions they have.

It's 16 months here, then about 5 months for ICM, Kaplan, and Step one. Then 48 weeks of core clinicals, step 2, and around 36 weeks of electives. Looks like you won't be done till 2011, and will compete for match in 2012. The clinical weeks are pretty much the same everywhere, although we do have one of the shortest programs "off-shore".

Gaining NY approval will allow the school to obtain all clinical rotations in the state and will help for obtaining residencies, compared to doing only the 12 weeks allowed now...

Here are some helpful links...

Medical Board of California - - Californina
NYS Medicine Application Forms - New York

Thanks, guys. That helps a lot.

Some more random questions from me, Are there any clothing requirements at IAU such a wearing a tie for guys while in school. Also, how far are the apartments from where the school is. I was talking to somebody at the Dallas office and he said IAU has a piece of land where a new campus will eventually be built. Do you guys know when that might be? Last question, do you guys feel that IAU is adequately preparing you for the USMLE step 1? thanks

No there aren't clothing requirements at IAU. The distance of the apartments depends on where you live, though most of the students live within 5 miles of the school. The school does have a lot allocated with the plans and designs for the new school already constructed. However as to when the University will be moving to the new location my guess is probably not till something like 2010. IAU teaches you what you need to know in order to excel on step 1 in my opinion.

Ah, that "New York accreditation" phrase! Often heard everwhere, and at different schools.


Yeah well, dont hold your breath too long...


Have a visit by New York scheduled already? If so, for when????

NY Accreditation team has already visited the school down here in St. Lucia and they will be visiting the Dallas office and our clinical sites shortly. NY visit was last month - please read other threads as this information was already posted before.

Okay, thanks.

Good luck with New York.

There's no required dress code, especially since most students wear normal attire anyways.

Most of the students live in communities about 3 miles away, closer to where the new school location will be. Construction is set to be done in phases which will take place over the next 1-3 years (school, dorm, administration, etc) The blue prints have already been drawn out is available at school if you do visit. The land has been bought with conditions already set with deadlines to meet with the construction of the buildings.

All courses are 8 months long, giving plenty of time to study in lecture classes. Case-based learning helps with integration of all the materials. The early clinical exposure helps with applying the knowledge learned at the school. In the end, we receive the live prep from Kaplan and 7 weeks of clinical medicine rotation. This gives plenty of time to study and pass step one.