Frequently Asked Questions Saint James School of Medicine Accreditation
Admission Formalities
The MD Program
Clinical Rotation Program
Quality of Medical Training
Length of the Curriculum
USMLE Step 1 and Step 2
Living in Bonaire
On Applying for Residency
Saint James School of Medicine Accreditation
Q.) Is SJSM a recognized medical school? If so by whom and what is the nature of that accreditation?
A.) SJSM is accredited by the Government of Bonaire, and Government of the Netherlands-Antilles. SJSM is also recognized by the World Health Organization(WHO) and is listed in the "AVICENNA directories", which is a global directory of educational institutions of health professions. AVICENNA is a partnership of WHO and the University of Copenhagen. SJSM Students are also permitted by the Educational Commision for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) to take their respective country's licensure examinations, the USMLE Steps 1,2 and 3 in the United States and the MCCEE in Canada. Please refer to the Accreditation section for more details. SJSM students are also eligible to take the PLAB examinations in the United Kingdom. The Government of Israel has also approved our students to take its licensing examinations. Success in the respective licensure exams makes SJSM students eligible to apply for residency and practice in all of these countries. Q.) Even though SJSM has completed the process of accreditation, as a foreign medical school, is there any authority that monitors the practices of the school and uses checks and balances as a controlling measure?
A.) SJSM operates under a charter granted by the The Government of Bonaire and is approved to operate as a medical school by both The Government of Bonaire and the Government of Netherlands-Antilles. Therefore, the school is under their jurisdiction and must comply with all regulations governing the operation of an educational institution. Q.) How can a medical graduate from SJSM get a license to practice in the United States or Canada?
A.) During their medical education at SJSM, students become eligible to take the United States Medical Licensure Examination or the USMLE Steps I and II. After successful completion of these two examinations, students are able to enter residency programs in the USA. Residents of Canada are required to take the Canadian licensing examination or the MCCEE, successful completion will allow students to seek residency in Canada. Admission Formalities
Q.) How many times a year are students admitted into SJSM?
A.) Semesters begin in January, May and September each year. Students are accepted in the MD program in all semesters. However, premedical students are accepted only in September. Q.) What are the deadlines for applications?
A.) Deadlines may vary from year to year. In general deadlines are as follows:
Spring semester: November 1st
Summer semester: March 1st
Fall semester: July 1st Q.) What documents are required when submitting an application?
A.) A completed application form; official transcripts documenting all coursework covered to date; two letters of recommendation; one page brief resume; a $50 application fee; and a personal essay explaining the reasons for wanting to be a physician. Q.) How long do I have to wait for a decision?
A.) A decision is normally communicated within 2-3 weeks from application. Q.) Can I reserve my place in a particular semester?
A.) Yes. Provided you apply early and are accepted, you may reserve a place in a semester of your choice with a payment of $1000 dollars. This amount is credited towards your tuition at the time of final admission. Q.) What are the admission requirements for the MD program?
A.) Applicants from the United States: A bachelor’s degree or at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate education. Non-U.S. applicants: Applicants from countries where credit hours cannot be determined will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Generally, applicants with three years of college education are eligible to apply. Q.) Do you require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)?
A.) MCAT's are optional. Q.) Do you accept transfer students from other medical schools?
A.) Yes. However, each application is reviewed on a case by case basis. In general, the student must be transferring from an accredited medical school. Transfer students are encouraged to include a copy of the school curriculum to help us in determining eligibility for transfer. Q.) Do you have special programs for physician’s assistants, nurses, physiotherapists, etc.?
A.) Unfortunately, most licensing boards in the U.S. do not allow advanced standing to be granted from allied health professions such as chiropractic medicine, podiatry, acupuncture, etc. Students from these areas are however welcome to apply for the Basic Sciences program as a freshman. Q.) Is there a special program for applicants who already have a PhD?
A.) SJSM has a work-study program if the PhD is in a medically relevant field. Such students teach at the medical school and at the same time take courses for the MD program. Candidates are allowed to take two courses per semester and can usually complete the basic sciences program in three years. Tuition is waived for the whole program in these cases. These candidates are paid a stipend during the Basic Sciences program. No stipend is paid during clinical rotations. The MD Program
Q.) What is the duration of the MD program?
A.) 10 semesters. This includes four semesters of basic sciences (taught in on the Bonaire campus) and six semesters of clinical rotations which are completed in affiliated hospitals in the United States. Q.) How long is each semester?
A.) About 16 weeks (four months) with 10-14 days of vacation between semesters. Q.) Will the Basic Science program prepare me for USMLE?
A.) The basic science courses have been designed with the USMLE in mind, particularly the USMLE Step 1. Most students take the USMLE Step 1 within the first four months of completing the Basic Sciences program. The USMLE step 2 is a clinically oriented exam and is usually taken towards the middle or end of the Clinical Science program. Q.) Is there a decelerated program for the Basic Sciences?
A.) Students may have an option of taking a lighter course load. Q.) What is the class size?
A.) Our classes have been limited to a maximum of 50 students per class so we can ensure each student received one-on-one attention from our highly qualified faculty. Clinical Rotation Program
Q.) How long is the clinical rotations program?
A.) 96 weeks (six semesters). This includes 48 weeks of core rotation and 48 weeks of elective rotations. Please consult the clinical rotations curriculum page for details. Q.) Do I have to set up my own rotations?
A.) No. SJSM is responsible for setting up all of your rotations. However, if you would like to do a rotation in a particular hospital where you know a physician who might be interested in working with you, you may inform the Office of the Dean of Clinical Affairs, and they will work with you to try to arrange your request. Q.) Where can I complete my clinical rotations?
A.) Students can be placed in several states across the U.S. for their clinical rotations. Please contact our offices for up to date information on which states and/or countries currently have available rotations. Q.) Do you accept transfer students directly into the clinical rotations program?
A.) Only students from an accredited medical school may be accepted for transfer. An opinion on whether a direct transfer into the clinical program is possible only after reviewing official transcripts from the current medical institution. Quality of Medical Training
Q.) It is said that quality of medical training in foreign medical schools is not up to the standard of the United States and Canada. Is this true?
A.) Foreign medical graduates are monitered by the ECFMG in the U.S. and the MCC in Canada. The examinations conducted by the USMLE and the MCCEE, respectively, are a very effective regulatory mechanism of the quality of medical training. No student will be allowed to practice in these countries unless these examinations are cleared. The entire SJSM curriculum and its problem-solving teaching methods are specially designed to prepare students to pass these licensing examinations. Any student who passes these tests meets the standards of the U.S. and Canada and therefore, is eligible to compete for residency slots and internships in these countries. Length of the Curriculum
Q.) How long is the MD program of SJSM as compared to USA and Canada?
A.) The entire MD program has a duration of ten semesters, each semester being four months long. The program is divided into 16 months of basic sciences, conducted in Bonaire, on completion of which students return to the USA to pursue 96 weeks of clinical training in affiliated teaching hospitals. USMLE Step 1 and Step 2
Q.) Are the students eligible to take the USMLE Examination?
A.) Yes. The ECFMG which is the regulatory body for all foreign medical graduates has granted permission to SJSM making our students eligible to take the USMLE Step 1, 2 and 3. Q.) When do students take the USMLE Step 1 and 2?
A.) Step 1 is usually taken by students within four months of completing the Basic Sciences program. Step 2 is taken towards the end of the clinical rotations. Living in Bonaire
Q.) What is the monthly cost of living on the island?
A.) $1000 dollars a month on average including rent. Q.) How much is the airfare from the USA to Bonaire?
A.) A round trip ticket costs between $600-800. This may vary according to season and availability. Q.) Will I need health insurance?
A.) Check with your health care insurance plan to see whether they will cover you while out of the United States or Canada. Q.) What about traveling around the island? Do I need a car?
A.) SJSM is located in the capital of Bonaire, Kralendijk. Most locations in or around Kralendijk are within walking distance. There is a private bus service for students, while some students prefer to cycle. Mopeds and cars are also available for rent, and monthly rental plans if necessary are also available. Q.) Will my electronic devices from the US or Canada work in Bonaire?
A.) Yes. No voltage adapters are necessary. On Applying for Residency
Q.) When do I start applying for residency?
A.) You should start planning for your residency in the 3rd year of medical school. By then you should have narrowed down the areas of medicine in which you would like to apply for residency. Q.) What is the process of application for residency?
A.) Currently the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) regulates the placements in a large percentage of the residency slots in the U.S. This is a computerized matching program where students are matched to available residency slots around the country based on the student’s credentials and the requirements of residency programs. Through this service the student may be granted several interviews based on which the final selection is done by the individual program directors. The Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS) handles the application materials. While there is a wealth of information on the Internet concerning residency and the NRPM, the following sites may be of assistance to the student in learning more about the residency application procedure:
www.aamc.org/students/eras
www.aamc.org/students/medstudents
www.nrmp.org
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