How long has the AUC School of Medicine been in operation? American University of the Caribbean was established in 1978 and has been operating continuously since then. The medical science campus was originally located at Montserrat, however it was relocated to St. Maarten in 1995 when a volcano on the island became active. As a result, AUC's campus in St. Maarten is entirely new and designed specifically to suit the requirements of a modern medical school.

Is AUC School of Medicine accredited? Yes, American University of the Caribbean's medical school facilities and curriculum are accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) according to standards that are comparable to those set by the Liaison Council for Medical Education (LCME). AUC students are therefore eligible to apply for U.S. Federal Student Loans.

How does AUC prepare students for the USMLE?

The entire basic science curriculum is preparation for the USMLE. We prepare students by writing all course examinations in USMLE format; by offering the Kaplan Review Course which is a summary review lasting 16 weeks; and an electronic final exam of seven hours simulating the actual USMLE.

May AUC students undertake clinical rotations in the United States? Yes, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine has affiliated core clinical sites in the U.S. There are also numerous core clinical sites in the U.K. and Ireland that are available to AUC students. Many students find that there is more opportunity for hands-on patient contact and direct supervision by a physician at these hospitals than may be available with American clerkships.

AUC students are generally considered equally prepared for clinical rotations as students participating from U.S. medical schools. All AUC students are required to take the USMLE Step 1 prior to commencing clinical rotations. AUC's clinical coordinators are dedicated to helping students arrange their core and elective clinical rotations.

Are AUC's clinical programs approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)? American University of the Caribbean’s clinical programs in the U.S. are ACGME accredited and are conducted in hospitals that are affiliated with a U.S. medical school. AUC's medical students participate in the same clinical clerkships as U.S. medical students, with the same supervision and controls.

What is AUC's attrition rate? In 2004, the attrition rate for the basic science campus was 11%. The overall attrition rate for the medical school in 2004 was 7.5%.

Does AUC offer placement in a Residency Program? AUC graduates participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) along with graduates of schools in the U.S.

Do AUC students become licensed to practice medicine in the United States? Yes, American University of the Caribbean is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, published by the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. This means that AUC students are eligible to take all of the USMLE examinations under the auspices of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) to obtain licensure in the United States.

Where is the medical science campus located? The newly constructed medical facilities are located in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles. The campus overlooks beautiful Simpson Bay Lagoon and is adjacent to the 18-hole championship Mullet Bay Golf Course.

How would you describe the AUC campus facilities? AUC opened a new medical science complex in 1998, which features up-to-date facilities for comprehensive medical study, including modern classrooms, fully equipped laboratories, an extensive library, state-of-the-art computer center, and a faculty research institute.

How long is the academic program at AUC? A student may graduate in as little as 38 months if all course work is taken continously. American University of the Caribbean offers three 16-week semesters beginning in September, January, and May. The medical curriculum consists of 9.5 semesters, 5 semesters of basic sciences taught at the St. Maarten campus, and 4.5 semesters of clinical rotations taught at affiliated hospitals throughout the U.S., U.K. and Ireland.

Is financial aid available and will it meet the cost of tuition? Yes, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine is approved for the Federal (Stafford) Student Loan program. Therefore subsidized and unsubsidized financial loans are available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Private loans may also be arranged. The Office of Financial Aid, at the Medical Education Administrative Services, is available to discuss any particular requirements.

When is the application deadline? Due to AUC's rolling admissions policy, there is no deadline for applying to American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. However, prospective students should plan on completing their application 4-5 months prior to the semester they would like to enter.

How long do decisions take? Once an application is complete and submitted to the Admission committee for review, a decision is typically made within 6 weeks.