Pre-Medical Program
Who should consider the Pre-Medical Program at Trinity School of Medicine?
The Pre-Medical program is specifically designed to provide students with the 90 credit hours of prerequisite curriculum required by Trinity School of Medicine's Doctor of Medicine Degree (MD) program. The Pre-Medical and Doctor of Medicine programs, when combined, form an all encompassing Medical Degree program for students from Europe, Asia and other parts of the globe where their six year medical programs traditionally begin directly after secondary school.
How long is the Pre-Medical Program?
There are 90 credit hours required for matriculation into the Medical Doctor program. Because educational standards, courses of study, and instructional methods vary from nation to nation, each student seeking admission to the Pre-Medical program will apply with unique academic credentials. Students who have earned college level credit concurrently during the completion of secondary school or attained credits from undergraduate institutions are encouraged to apply to the Pre-Medical program as these credits will be considered in the admissions process. Most students entering Trinity School of Medicine's Pre-Medical program directly from secondary school will require a minimum of 5 years to attain their MD degree. Students will generally attend three consecutive terms per year. The year-round format reduces the length of time required compared to other programs. Students may choose to take a term off between the programs and again in preparation for the Step 1 board exam, with faculty approval. The timeline below shows the entire program in consecutive terms:
Is acceptance into the MD or Doctor of Medicine program automatic if I pass my Pre-Medical courses?
Like any other undergraduate program, certain criteria must be met in order to be enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine program, these include: the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) and a sufficient Grade Point Average in the core sciences. Students who successfully complete all requirements of the Pre-Medical program with a minimum of a 3.4 cumulative grade point average with no more than three (3) grades lower than a B will be offered admission into Trinity School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine degree program, a ten (10) Term program that prepares students for licensure as a physician in the United States.
Is there an advantage to Trinity School of Medicine's Pre-Medical Program?
Enrollment in Trinity School of Medicine's Pre-Medical Program will better prepare you for success at Trinity School of Medicine. If you can pass the course work with the proper GPA we know you will be well qualified for the medical doctor curriculum. The class sizes at Trinity School of Medicine Pre-Medical program are limited to 25 students. You will attend classes year round and matriculate into the MD program a year earlier than comparable European and Asian universities and two years earlier than most North American institutions. The curriculum was designed with the same pre-requisites US students complete to offer you a level playing field for Step 1, Step 2 and residency. Other advantages include:
- Instruction from, and interaction with, the MD faculty and students
- Classes held on the Medical School campus
- Testing and preparation beginning in the Pre-Medical program to better prepare you for a strong score on your Step 1 exam
- Earlier acclimation to the island, climate, faculty, and school, prior to the more demanding MD curriculum
- Opportunities to shadow faculty and students at the hospital, and be mentored by medical students and tutors who have mastered the basic science coursework of the MD program
- Ability to determine early in your studies if medicine is the right choice for you
I have attended an undergraduate university and only need a few courses to meet the prerequisite, can I attain those credits at Trinity School of Medicine?
You do have the option of completing your prerequisite credits in Trinity School of Medicine Pre-Medical program. While obtaining these credits at Trinity School of Medicine does have many of the same advantages mentioned above, obtaining only a few credits may be accomplished less expensively in your home country. We will be happy to consult with you after reviewing your application as to the best course of action to meet your needs.
Do I need to fill out both the Trinity School of Medicine application and the World Education Services (WES) application if I am a student in Europe, Canada or Asia?
If you are a Pre-Medical student anywhere outside the United States, you will need to complete both the Trinity School of Medicine application as well as the WES application. US students do not need to submit their credentials to WES; credentials should be sent to the office of admissions only.
Additional Pre-Medical Program Information
Most courses and instruction in the Pre-Medical program are offered at Trinity School of Medicine's campus in Ratho Mill, St. Vincent and The Grenadines. Instruction is only offered in English.
Applicants from the United States
Individuals who have graduated from a US high school may apply directly to Trinity's Pre-Medical program. Transcripts from all secondary schools attended are required as part of the admissions process. For admission purposes, Trinity accepts scores from both the College Board (SAT) and the American College Testing Service (ACT).
International (Non-US) Applicants
Applicants from nations outside the United States must have their educational credentials evaluated by World Education Services (WES) an accredited member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. See our application page for more details. Once the WES evaluation of your academic credentials has been received, a decision on your application for admission can be made. Accepted applicants whose previous academic work is determined to be equivalent to courses in the Pre-Medical curriculum will be granted credit for those courses and exempted from taking courses that cover topics and disciplines the student has mastered. You must complete the Trinity School of Medicine Pre-Medical Program application in addition to the WES application.
Notice to International Applicants:
Because all medical school clerkships are in the United States, no students will be considered for matriculation into any Trinity School of Medicine program from countries that are under sanctions by the United States Government or have Travel Advisories listed by the United States Government website. These sanctions and/or travel advisories may restrict a student's ability to obtain the required Visa for entry into the United States to perform their clerkships.
Enrollment Periods
Applicants for admission to the Pre-Medical program may apply to start in January, May or September of any given year. Each term is approximately 15 weeks in length.
Class Size and Deferred Admissions
Class size is presently limited to no more than 25 students. Once a class is filled, applicants seeking admission to that class may be deferred to the next Term. For this reason it is recommended that interested persons apply for admission as early as possible.