mcat

Definitely agree with above by mside.

In the first place, if you look at US M.D. programs alone there are relatively few places with “entering class lows” on the MCAT greater than 25. Admittedly, there are likely several mitigating factors favoring those who get into top 25 schools with MCATs in the mid 20s…however, it’s certainly not impossible. I don’t know what your particular situation is; if you went to a non-competitive lower tier state college and you have absolutely no extracurriculars nor a demonstrated interest in medicine then your assessment of “no chance of US medical school” may be correct.

With a more characteristic applicant profile…if you live in one of the unfortunate states without a connection to a public medical school and would only be applying privately, you may indeed have a fairly low chance as well. If you do have residence in a state with a state-supported medical school connection I would certainly apply with some expectation of admission.

DO programs are wise to the fact that “less competitive” students view their institutions as “backup plans” and at the very least you would be wise to know something about the philosophy of osteopathic medicine and be able to explain why it appeals to you in a coherent fashion if you want to apply to one of them.

That being said, a DO from an American program is far more valuable than a Caribbean MD; I would only apply to foreign programs after exhausting US options several years in a row (unless you’re a resident of a foreign nation; that might provide justification for your attendance at one of that nation’s medical schools–even then I’d be careful). With a Caribbean doctorate, there are several specialties that I would regard as hopeless for you: among them, dermatology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, neurologic surgery, urology. Radiology and general surgery would be very tough as well. As for the rest of specialties, the best programs won’t give a Caribbean graduate the time of day, the next tier may interview you but will rank you low, and the rest will leave you hoping for a spot in U.S. medical Siberia or at a program with serious problems.

I won’t universally condemn Caribbean graduates; however, you should only go that way with a realistic view of your future. US residency in the specialties that will accept you, at a place that will accept you. Your chances of an academic career with that profile: low. If you want to be in private practice for sure, if you need to start med school right now for personal reasons, if you don’t much care where you end up working, and if you’re okay with a likely career in primary care then and only then would I consider an offshore program. If all of those don’t apply, I would honestly urge you to look into PA or nursing programs before going the offshore route.

Physician-resident