American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine: A Comprehensive Overview
The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), established in 1978, stands as one of the oldest Caribbean medical schools, dedicated to providing a high-quality medical education to a diverse student body. AUC's mission is to train tomorrow's physicians, whose service to their communities and their patients is enhanced by international learning experiences, a diverse learning community, and an emphasis on social accountability and engagement. AUC believes that the complex healthcare landscape of tomorrow will require a different type of doctor - one capable of working as part of a cohesive team to deliver empathetic, extraordinary care to patients and that we can accomplish more together than we ever could on our own.
History and Location
Founded in 1978 by American educator Dr. Paul Tien, AUC initially resided on the island of Montserrat. The university was later evacuated in 1995 due to volcanic activity in the Soufrière Hills. In July 1996, AUC purchased land in Cupecoy, St. Martin, and construction of a permanent campus began. The new campus opened on May 1, 1998, featuring classrooms, laboratories, an imaging anatomy lab, a microbiology lab, and a medical library. While Hurricane Irma caused minor damage to the campus in September 2017, students were sheltered in a building designed to withstand a category 5 hurricane, and supplies were distributed to those in need.
Curriculum and Clinical Training
AUC utilizes an integrated organ systems-based curriculum grounded in authentic clinical case-based teaching that begins in the first semester. The four-year Medical Doctor (MD) degree program comprises 10 semesters: five semesters of medical sciences on the Sint Maarten campus and five semesters of clinical sciences at affiliated hospitals.
After completing the initial 5 semesters (20 months) of study in the Medical Sciences portion on AUC's St. Maarten campus, students then conduct 4.5 semesters (18 months) of training in the Clinical Sciences portion (also known as the Clinical Years) at AUC's affiliated community hospitals, whereby the students may choose between community hospitals in the United States or The United Kingdom. Both the required core rotations (Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, and Psychiatry) and elective rotations in any specialty may be taken at one or several different clinical sites. BronxCare Hospital System is the largest clinical site that AUC has a contract with.
Since 2019, AUC has partnered with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to offer two distinct points of entry to enable non-US citizen students to earn an AUC medical degree, with at least part of their education in the United Kingdom (UK).
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Admissions
AUC operates under a rolling admissions policy with three start dates - January, May, and September. This gives you the freedom to start medical school when it's right for you with exceptional education and caring culture. It is currently accepting applications for all three terms.
The Admissions Committee considers several factors, including undergraduate performance and MCAT score, intellectual and social maturity, critical judgment, adaptability, volunteer work, life experiences, and graduate school performance (if applicable). Evaluation for admission is conducted on an individual basis.
Prerequisites
- A bachelor’s degree with a strong science background is preferred
- Two semesters (8 credit hours) including labs for each of the following:
- General biology
- General chemistry
- Organic chemistry or biochemistry
- One semester of:
- General physics
- Calculus, or statistics
Requirements
- MCAT Score
- CV or Resume
- Personal Statement of no longer than 750 words. AMCAS personal statements are accepted.
- Letters of Recommendation:
- A minimum of one letter from an individual academic professor who taught you (science preferred, but not required), and one professional letter.
- A pre-medical advisory committee letter (if applicable) meets the admissions requirement in lieu of the one academic and one professional letters.
- Two academic letters can be submitted if a professional letter cannot be obtained.
- Two professional letters can be submitted on a case-by-case basis for consideration with an exception request if an academic letter cannot be obtained.
Accreditation and Approvals
Since 1995, AUC has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Colleges of Medicine (ACCM). AUC is included in the list of approved schools recognized by the Medical Board of California and is listed with the World Directory of Medical Schools’ directory, indicating that students and graduates are eligible to apply to ECFMG for Certification. AUC is approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to allow students to complete more than 12 weeks of clinical clerkships in New York State and is one of eight Caribbean medical schools approved by NYSED. Additionally, Florida has approved AUC to allow medical students to do clinical rotations in that state.
Outcomes
AUC is proud to have more than 7,500 alumni in all 50 of the United States, across Canada, and abroad. Some have gone on to become chief residents, department chairs, program directors, researchers, entrepreneurs, and community advocates. Each year, AUC graduates apply for and obtain residencies in a variety of postgraduate training programs throughout the United States and Canada.
The 3-year first-time residency attainment rate is the weighted average of the 2022-23, through 2024-25 academic years. For each year, the rate is the percent of students attaining a residency out of all graduates or expected graduates in the year who were active applicants in the NRMP match in that year or who attained a residency outside the NRMP match in that year. The 1-year first-time residency attainment rate is 95% for 2024-2025 graduates.
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First-time pass rate is the number of students passing the USMLE Step 1 exam on the first attempt divided by the number of students whose first attempt was in 2020-2024.
Student Life
AUC provides students with resources to help them find housing that is safe, comfortable, and conducive to study. Explore on-campus housing options with single or double rooms, as well as off-campus housing options.
Financial Aid
AUC School of Medicine is committed to providing medical students with information to help them fund their education through institutional scholarships, student loan programs and medical school financial aid. Various in-school tuition payment options are also available. AUC is approved for participation in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loans). Students who wish to participate are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).
The US Department of Education reported that the median total student loan debt for Americans who completed the AUC medical program was $331,634 (as of 2019). The default rate as of 2016 was 0.7%. The US DOE also reported 63.49% on time completion for those completing the program.
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