Ross University School of Medicine: Tuition, Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements

If you’re considering attending a Caribbean medical school, you’re probably already familiar with the Ross University School of Medicine. While some Caribbean medical schools have a terrible reputation, Ross stands out for producing well-trained physicians who enter U.S. residencies and go on to successful careers in medicine.

Ross University School of Medicine, widely regarded as one of the best medical schools in the Caribbean, attracts many students with low stats who were denied admission to U.S. medical schools, which are becoming increasingly competitive but are nevertheless driven to practice medicine.

Ross University School of Medicine has been training doctors for nearly 40 years and has an alumni network of over 14,000 physicians. Graduates can practice medicine in all 50 states and 900 countries across the world.

If you’ve applied unsuccessfully to U.S. MD and DO schools and are seeking for another way to get a medical degree, Ross University School of Medicine provides an opportunity to pursue your ambition of becoming a physician. However, before applying, you should be aware of the differences between Ross and a medical school in the United States.

Here, we’ll look at everything about Ross Medical School to see if it’s something you should consider.

Ross University School of Medicine Fees

Ross Medical School students are eligible for non-need-based loans from the US federal government. This is a key characteristic that sets Ross apart from many other Caribbean medical programs.

It also provides merit-based scholarships to its students, which can range up to the cost of one semester’s tuition. In addition, students enrolled in the MD/MPH program can apply for a scholarship that will pay 100% of their total tuition.

What is the Ross University School of Medicine acceptance rate?

Ross University School of Medicine’s acceptance rate is 42.7%. 48% of newly admitted students are men, while 52% are women. 98 percent of all students are citizens of the United States or Canada.

It has three different start periods each year: September, January, and May. The September start attracts the most new students, so those who want lower cohort sizes can enroll in May or January.

Ross University School of Medicine Attrition Rate

The attrition rate is the number of students who drop out of a program. The typical attrition rate at US medical schools is around 3%. However, at Ross University School of Medicine, the attrition rate is nearly 20%.

Ross has received criticism for this. As a for-profit university, opponents accuse Ross of accepting medical students who struggle academically, even though those students have a low likelihood of graduating.

It’s worth knowing that Ross enrolls approximately 900 new students each year, which is significantly bigger than the class size at most US medical schools. It means that students receive less personalized attention from lecturers and face-to-face advice from advisors. Receiving less academic and professional support makes it difficult for students to be successful.

However, keep in mind that the majority of Ross students were not admitted into medical schools in the United States. Because they suffered academically in the first place, it stands to reason that they will have a more difficult time completing the rigorous program. As a result, Ross Medical School provides a bridge program to its lower-achieving applicants to better prepare them for the demanding curriculum.

The Medical Education Readiness curriculum (MERP) is a 15-week curriculum for Ross Medical School’s conditionally accepted students. Its purpose is to give extra academic support to students who are likely to struggle in their medical studies.

Students who engage in MERP improve their basic science foundations, learn established study practices, and form support networks with other new Ross students.

MERP is a valuable program for students who are interested in medicine but require further academic preparation to succeed on the path to becoming a physician. Students who finish the program, while having lower undergrad stats, attain comparable GPAs and graduation rates to the rest of the Ross Medical Student body.

While Ross University School of Medicine’s attrition percentage is concerning, keep in mind that 80 percent of its students successfully finish the program. And the majority of those students are accepted into residences. You can succeed at Ross if you are willing to work hard and advocate for yourself to receive the required support.

However, you may expect to face additional challenges when matching into the specialized residency placement of your choice.

Ross University School of Medicine Requirements

Applicants must have taken the MCAT within five years of the semester they want to enroll at Ross. To be considered for admission, applicants from non-English colleges must present TOEFL results.

Here’s a list of Ross University School of Medicine application requirements.

• Ross online application or a PDF copy of your AMCAS or AACOMAS application.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and professional schools attended.
• Minimum of two letters of recommendation
• One letter from a premed professor
• One letter from a physician (preferred) or an employer
• MCAT scores

Even though Ross Medical School’s GPA and MCAT score criteria are lower than those of U.S. medical schools, admittance is not assured. When applying, keep in mind the type of student Ross is seeking to position yourself as a strong prospect.

Ross University School of Medicine seeks students who share its goals of promoting global health and making a positive difference in underprivileged regions. The ideal Ross medical student is dedicated to making medicine more accessible and working as a primary care physician in an area with a healthcare need. If these are your values, you’ll have an advantage over other Ross Medical School applicants. Of course, even if Ross was not your first choice, you should not start your essay with that. You can use your statement to demonstrate that you have what it takes to thrive at Ross and enhance their reputation by pursuing a successful career in medicine.

Ross University School of Medicine Accreditation

RUSM is accredited by the following agencies:

• Barbados Medical Council (BMC)
• Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP)

It is recognized by:

• The National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) through the US Department of Education allows American students to participate in the US Federal Direct Student Loan Program.
• World Directory of Medical Schools.
• The General Medical Council of Great Britain
• Florida, California, New Jersey, Indiana, and New York have all granted the university state-specific recognition or permission. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has approved RUSM to allow students to conduct clinical clerkships lasting more than 12 weeks in New York State. It is one of eight Caribbean medical schools accredited by the NYSED.

Ross University School of Medicine Interview

After you submit your application to Ross Medical School, the admissions committee will review your credentials on a rolling basis. If your credentials and experience please them, you will be invited to a personal medical school interview with an admissions representative at one of Ross’ regional offices around the United States.

To prepare for the interview, do an extensive study on Ross Medical School and be prepared to address what aspects of the program interest you. Interviewers understand that Ross isn’t the first pick for many of its applicants.

However, they still want to accept students who are excited to attend Ross and grateful for the opportunity to continue pursuing a medical profession after being rejected by other medical schools.

Be prepared to explain previous rejections from US MD and/or DO programs. However, you should try to express them in a way that shows your maturity. Consider what you’ve learned about yourself and how terrible situations have shaped you. Prepare to highlight how overcoming challenges has strengthened your dedication to medicine and determination to become a doctor.

You can read the “Interview Feedback” for Ross Medical School on their Student Doctor Network page to learn about the types of questions students are asked during their interviews and prepare your responses. As with every medical school interview, be prepared to talk about your extracurricular activities and explain any red flags on your application.

Remember, your interview is your best chance to make a strong impression on the admissions committee and boost your chances of being accepted to Ross University School of Medicine.

Conclusion

Ross University School of Medicine is a fantastic choice for students who desire to be doctors but may struggle with the difficult admissions procedure at most US-based schools. Ross is a realistic option for many candidates due to its rolling admissions policy and reduced MCAT and GPA requirements. However, prestige and competition for residency spaces with US graduates can be problematic.