Ross Med School Reviews

We are committed to helping you become a compassionate physician dedicated to improving the health and wellness of your patients and community you serve.

Ross Medical School

Probably the best known Caribbean medical school is Ross Medical School, or Ross University School of Medicine.

Basic Information

Ross University School of Medicine is located in Dominica in the Caribbean. This Caribbean medical school was founded in 1978 and has graduated over 7,700 medical doctors in that time.

Admissions

• Rolling admissions. Ross University School of Medicine has rolling admissions, which means that if you graduate in December from college, you could start medical school in Januray. A definite plus.
• Not as competitive as US schools. According to a recent graduate from Ross, most students have about average GPA’s (3.5 or so) and MCAT scores in the 25-27 range. Ross’s website states that they take a more “holistic” approach to choosing their medical school class and do not base their decision solely on academics.

Financial

• Tuition. Tuition varies by year, tution and fees range between $15,968 and $17,812. Click here for full information.
• Eligibility for Aid. US citizens, permanent residents and eligible non-citizens can qualify for
  federal student loans . Canadian and international medical students will have to apply for private loans, potentially through a US bank with a US cosigner. There are few scholarships available, with only one $2,000 scholarship listed on the website for minority medical students. Click here for more info.
• Cost of Living. Rent is affordable, costing around $500 per month for one bedroom, one bath, small kitchen in safe area. Groceries and other living expenses would also be lower than in the USA.

Insider Info

• Most graduates match into primary care specialties with few in competitive subspecialties. To understand which specialties are more competitive, click here and choose specialties in the top right corner. If you review Ross University’s match list here, you will see that most match into
  specialties like family medicine, pediatrics and internal medicine. In the 2011 class, there were very few surgical
  subspecialties with no residents matching into opthalmology, orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology, or otolaryngology. Also, no residents matched into dermatology.

• More difficult to match into competitive residencies. US medical school graduates have top priority in matching in residency programs, making it more difficult for international students to get into competitive programs.
• Feeling of stigma. One recent graduate stated that she felt that she was labeled as “taking the easy way out” and was looked at as a “second class citizen.” Some people do harbor this prejudice, and it is something to be aware of when choosing Ross or any other Caribbean medical school.

Mike’s Take

In my mind, Ross Medical School has similar pros and cons to any Caribbean medical school, which you can view here. In my mind, these schools are a great choice if you are planning on going into a primary care specialty, want a lower cost tuition and do not mind living in an area with a lower standard of living than what you might be used to.

Ross Medical School has a longer history than many Caribbean medical schools and wide hospital affiliations, which puts it at an advantage to other Caribbean medical schools.

Ross University School of Medicine

Ross Med equips future physicians with the knowledge, skills, and values required to make a difference in a dynamic healthcare environment. We are 15,000+ plus strong and determined to make an undeniable impact on the communities we serve.

When you graduate from medical school and earn your medical degree, you should feel prepared for residency. At Ross Med, you can depend on:
Three flexible start datesJanuary, May, and Septemberthat give you the freedom to start medical school when it’s right for you
A rigorous medical education with opportunities for early hands-on clinical experiences in the community
Accreditation that allows you the opportunity to become eligible for Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates® certification and apply for U.S. residencies
A continuum of holistic student supports designed with your success in mind
A diverse cross-cultural MD program experience with opportunities to practice medicine from a global health perspective

We are committed to helping you become a compassionate physician dedicated to improving the health and wellness of your patients and community you serve.

Overview

From The School

Ross Med takes a holistic approach when it comes to considering medical school admission requirements. You’re more than your GPA and MCAT scores. We look also look at your entire achievement history, and your potential, character, and drive to become a physician.
Admissions Requirements:
– Bachelor’s degree or higher
– Undergraduate cumulative GPA and GPA in required premedical course
– Performance in graduate work (if applicable)
– MCAT scores
– Personal statement
– Letters of recommendation, at least one of which is from an academic reference
– Extracurricular activities and accomplishments
– Work history and professional or volunteer experience
– For international applicants: Applicants who have completed their undergraduate studies in countries that have an educational system different from that of the United States or Canada will be evaluated on their merits but will be expected to have completed a premedical curriculum comparable to that completed by US and Canadian students.