Webinar: What's It Like to Be an AUC Student?
Why Should You Become an AUC Medical Student
Trying to decide where to go to medical school? Look no further than AUC!
Located on the island of Sint Maarten, AUC offers a fully accredited MD Program recognized by the United States Department of Education as having a curriculum that is comparable to U.S-based medical schools. AUC students sit for the USMLE the same as students from other medical schools do, and AUC is proud of its 94 percent first-time pass rate for USMLE Step 1 in 2020. AUC medical students are able to obtain residency and licensure in all 50 states in the US, as well as in multiple international countries.
The biggest difference between AUC and other medical students is the focus we put on making sure AUC medical students can receive individualized attention inside the classroom, as well as outside the classroom, instead of maximizing the number of students per class. It’s very important to have that kind of focus and support when embarking on a journey like completing the MD program.
Helping AUC medical students along this journey are the highly qualified faculty members, made up of a number of talented individuals with their MD and PhDs. Many of AUC’s professors have clinical practice and experience, which they are eager to share with AUC medical students.
AUC Medical School Student Community
The first five semesters of the MD program are spent on campus. During this time, AUC medical students will get a first-hand look at what sets AUC apart from other medical schools - its built in support system. At every point in the program, there are multiple people from different departments reaching out and staying in touch.
From the moment you begin the AUC medical school admissions process, a member of the Admissions department will reach out to ensure all of the proper steps and documents are taken care of. And Faculty and Clinical advisers will be there to help you with the academic aspects of your journey. AUC will still be there to help you even after you obtain your MD, and prepare to begin the residency portion of your career.
Beyond academic support, there are plenty of AUC medical student activities students can use to find community, fellowship and support. There are two types of student organizations available to incoming AUC medical students, those that focus on academic pursuits and social clubs. The first type includes groups with a focus on medical specialties such as the Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Interest Groups. The other groups and clubs you’ll find on campus are social clubs, like the The Frontline club, which provides a forum for students to keep abreast of new developments in the medical field, or the Spouses Organization, which is more family oriented and designed for couples.
As with everyone on campus, AUC medical students are big believers in giving back to the local community which welcomed them with open arms. It’s part of the reason why so many participate in the Community Action Day that happens each semester. While AUC medical students are focused on their academics, putting the books down and helping out can do wonders for you studying, and for your own personal benefit. AUC medical students have the opportunity to show their dedication to the community, to the institution, to their future patients. Participating in community outreach will also help students become better physicians in the future, since it gives them another chance to interact with people from all walks of life.
What It's Like to Live at AUC
AUC medical students can expect a smooth transition when they arrive at St. Maarten to begin their medical career. Despite blending Dutch, French, African, and American culture, English is spoken across the island, and the dollar is accepted everywhere.
AUC medical school in St. Maarten campus overlooks the beautiful Simpson Bay Lagoon and is adjacent to the 18-hole championship Mullet Bay Golf Course and Mullet Bay Beach. Our campus location enables AUC medical school students and their families to access stunning beaches, excellent diving, sailing, and sports activities, and countless local markets and duty-free shopping.
Students can also relax on one of the many beautiful beaches on the island. Some of the more popular beaches for medical school students and their families include Sunset Beach, Mullet Bay Beach, and Orient Beach, which are popular destinations for snorkeling, jet skiing, kite surfing, windsurfing, and parasailing. St. Maarten also features movie theaters, golf, and mini-golf.
Shopping is one of the most popular aspects of St. Maarten, thanks in large part to the island’s completely duty-free status. Whether you’re strolling down Front Street in Philipsburg, in a boutique in Marigot, or at a shopping center on the Dutch side of the island, you will enjoy great bargains on anything from cosmetics and jewelry to cigars and electronics. St. Maarten offers a vibrant nightlife scene featuring live entertainment venues and nightclubs.
The sheer amount of diversity found on St. Maarten leads to a wide variety of restaurants, meaning you could eat out every day of the year and never dine at the same place twice. In fact, with cuisine offerings that include first class French fare, Italian, Tex-Mex, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, as well as local BBQ ribs and chicken, St. Maarten features the widest array of cuisine and prices of any other island in the world.