Admission Process
Admission Policy
Saint James School of Medicine prides itself in being at the forefront of medical education programs in the Caribbean at an affordable price to those individuals who are passionate about becoming successful physicians, irrespective of their ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
We are similarly proud to have some of the most diverse campuses across the Caribbean. SJSM meets and complies with all equality requirements set forth by different governing bodies across the Caribbean and North America. This includes marketing and recruitment efforts of students from all locations in the U.S. and Canada, with countless life experiences, cultural identities and socioeconomic backgrounds.
We Stand Against
Discrimination
SJSM does not discriminate in any manner and opens its admission to students of all races, genders, religions, disabilities, marital statuses, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. We at SJSM strongly enforce our admission policy, making sure all applicants are treated fairly and with respect not only during the admission process but throughout the entire duration of their medical education.
Application Documents
Our applicants are initially screened by the Admissions Department and then ultimately by the Admissions Committee, so candidates must submit the following credentials:
- Application Form
- Educational Qualifications
- Interview
- Letters of Recommendation
- Resumé
- Personal Essay
- Showing Completion of at least 90 credit hours from a regionally accredited school
- Undergraduate GPA
In addition to the above, all candidates are screened for academic excellence, leadership abilities, research and volunteer work, life experiences, competency and seriousness.
International Applicants
The Admissions Committee will evaluate applicants from countries with educational standards comparable to the United States on a case-by-case basis. All coursework and diplomas submitted should be translated into English. Applicants whose native language is not English may be required to take TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
Transfer Students
Students from an accredited medical school may be considered for advanced standing in the MD program. Students may transfer into the Basic Science or Clinical Clerkship Components depending on the transfer credits granted by the Admissions Committee.
Transfer requests must be supported by original transcripts from the present medical school. In some cases, detailed course descriptions may be required. If 1-2 specific courses are required by Saint James School of Medicine and not part of the transfer credits, the student will be charged a fee of $2000.00 per course. If three or more courses are required, the full tuition will be charged.
SJSM does not accept transfer students into its fourth year of the program nor does itaccommodate visiting students.
Final Step
If you’re accepted into Saint James, you then pay your first semester’s fees to complete your enrollment. You also need to ensure your immigration papers are in order so that you can study the Basic Sciences at one of our two Caribbean medical school campuses. Your admissions advisor will be able to give you help and advice with the immigration process.
Packing For The Caribbean
Here is some advice from SJSM on packing for your time studying medicine in the Caribbean:
- Pack light! It’s difficult to travel with multiple bags, and if this is your first time going to the islands you’ll want to keep it simple. Unfortunately the smaller connecting flights between islands are notorious for delays and cancelations!
- Pack medications. Stock up as prescription medications cost more on the islands and are harder to find. Usually we recommend students bring at least a four month (semester) supply.
- Pack your books, especially the MD1 books for new starters. To save space most students use E-books as they are easier for travel. There are no bookstores on the islands.
- Pack some light sweaters. The islands are hot, but it gets cold in the anatomy labs and classrooms.
- Pack a business formal outfit for making presentations.
- Bring a laptop-with plenty of space. An external hard drive is a great idea.
- Power strips for electronics are useful.
Please note if you are studying at our St. Vincent campus you will need adapters. Electricity is 220 volts. US standard appliances (110 V) work with a transformer. - Pack some basic classroom starter items, including notebooks, pens, post its and binders. Some students tell us they are hard to come by on the islands.
Md Program Enrollment Dates
You can start your medical studies in January, May and September. Our academic calendar has semester dates for the next two years. If you miss the enrollment cut-off date for your preferred semester, please contact us directly. A few places may remain. However places are limited.
'Nowhere Do You Get The Ability To
Touch Lives The Way You Do In Medicine.'
'I’ve had the opportunity to save people...Nothing will ever compare to that.'
