Ross University School of Medicine offers students opportunities to study medicine in the Caribbean

John Nwafor, Ross University School of Medicine’s Associate Director of Admissions, came to speak at ESU. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki
John Nwafor, Ross University School of Medicine’s Associate Director of Admissions, came to speak at ESU. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki
John Nwafor, Ross University School of Medicine’s Associate Director of Admissions, came to speak at ESU.
Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki

By Ronald Hanaki
SC Staff Writer

On April 1, an information session was held about Ross University’s School of Medicine.

The session was hosted by Ross University School of Medicine’s Associate Director of Admissions, John Nwafor, and was intended for students  interested in applying to medical school after ESU.

Ross University’s School of Medicine is located on the Caribbean island of Dominica.

Nwafor said that by the year 2020, there will be a shortage of medical school applicants, so this could be an opportunity for students to fill that shortage.

Founded in the Caribbean nation of Dominica in 1978, Ross University School of Medicine is one of the oldest and most established Caribbean medical schools.

What makes Ross University unique is the school takes a holistic approach to its admissions process and its medical school curriculum.

Nwafor said, “Our graduates have attained the most U.S. residencies over the last 5 years than any other medical school in the world.”

In 2012, Ross University School of Medicine students achieved a 96 percent pass rate on the crucial USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) Step 1.

There are 3 steps, and passing all three steps of the USMLEs is required of those who want to become medical doctors.

Ross University School of Medicine’s clinical rotations can take place at more than 40 U.S. teaching hospitals.

Their graduates are eligible to practice in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Typically, a student trying to get into medical school must have at least a 3.5 GPA and an MCAT score of 35 just to get an interview, but because Ross University’s School of Medicine takes a holistic approach, there is not a set criteria to get into its medical school.

The curriculum at the Ross University School of Medicine is equivalent to U.S. medical schools, and financial aid is available through U.S. federal loans.

The student will spend the first two years at Ross University’s School of Medicine studying the foundations of medicine.

Beginning in her or his third year, the student will be introduced to clinical medicine and begin her or his clinical rotations.

Students in their fourth year of medical school will continue with their clinical rotations. They must also pass USMLE Step 2 and think about where they want to do their residencies.

The course content is organized by organ systems and functional groupings.

The Ross University School of Medicine features highly advanced lecture halls that are equipped with thin-film HD plasma and LCD overhead screens.

The anatomy labs have life-like crash-test dummies and mannequins that can sweat, cry, talk, breathe, and even urinate.

These labs allow students to quickly assess emergency cases in order to stabilize the patient as soon as possible.

Ross University’s School of Medicine features small group learning, a peer-tutoring program, and faculty mentoring.

Ross University’s introduction to advanced clinical medicine features 9 weeks of M.D.-supervised instruction and hands-on training with patients.

Demographically, 98 percent of students that attend Ross University’s School of Medicine are from the U.S. and Canada.

It is a culturally diverse campus that includes people who have changed careers from health-related professions such as EMTs, nurses and pharmacists to medicine.

Ross University requires the applicant to submit letters of recommendation, a personal essay, any medical-related experience, GPA, and MCAT scores.

Ross accepts applicants who have MCAT scores in the mid to high 20s or low 30s.

In terms of its undergraduate curriculum requirements, Ross’s requirements are the same as other U.S.-based medical schools.

The university has three start dates per year, so students can choose to begin in January, May, or September.

Ross University offers a 16-month accelerated medical school program over 4 semesters or a 20-month program over 5 semesters.

The tuition costs about $204,680. The approximate cost of living in Dominica is $70,000, so the total cost for attending Ross University’s School of Medicine is $274,680.

Moreover, Ross University’s School of Medicine has a 13-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Their acceptance rate is 30 percent. Students who are interested in applying to its medical school should feel free to contact John Nwafor at the following e-mail address:

johndeanenwafor@rossu.edu

Email Ronald at:
rhanaki@live.esu.edu