I wanted to share my experience with everyone who is thinking of attending MUA, or other caribbean school.
I am currently finishing clinicals and have applied to match, I will hopefully start residency next July.
There is a LOT of bad info about caribbean schools, and a lot of exaggerations and misconceptions. So heres the truth.
I started MUA with a class of 109 people, by Med 5 we had 34 people in my class from our original class. Most failed out, some transferred or just went home to do something else. Of those 34, over 10 (not sure exact number) failed the comprehensive final, meaning they had to return to take it again and pass before taking the USMLE STEP1. Of the 20 or so people who passed Comp, I personally know 8. 2 passed the USMLE STEP1 with below a 210, (BAD). 6 have passed the STEP1 with above a 230 (according to them, they might be lying). I don't know anyone who has passed comp and then failed the STEP1, although I do know people who know people who have failed.
I personally did well on STEP1, and will be fine. Once you pass STEP1, clinicals are easy enough, but residency match is insane. the statistics say about 56% of IMGs will get a residency, and I believe those stats. through this process I have seen just how challenging it is for IMGs, especially ones who don't speak proper english. I have friends who were not able to even apply to dozens of residency spots because they are not a US citizen. I have one friend who has a 240 on STEP1 and he hasn't gotten a single interview (he is indian and needs sponsorship). If you need sponsorship into the US, whether you're canadian or other, it will be HARD for you to match. MANY residency "people" I have spoken to have told me that I will be fine based on my english skills and US citizenship. I know this may not be fair, but its the truth and something to consider before jumping into a caribbean school.
MUA itself is a decent school, and it will give you the opportunity to become a physician, but its a challenge. I know a lot of people who were paramedics and RNs who ended up failing out Med3 and Med4. Its a lot of work and its hard.
So, my advice to you, think long and hard before attending medical school. Its a LOT of work, and a LOT of stress, and its not guaranteed you will be a physician. I received a biology degree before attending, and honestly MUA was harder than university. MUA is a decent school and the professors are nice, but you will have to do a LOT of work on your own.
Read the book First Aid, and gather "docs" and "review" material from students in higher Meds than you.
AGAIN, This is a decision that may not be the right one for you. If you can see yourself doing ANY other career, then don't go to medical school. You have to REALLY want it. My professor the first day of class said to me "half of the people in your class with you will not graduate" and he was right. I honestly didn't believe him, but now I do. I feel really bad for the friends I made who ended up wasting a lot of time and money.
