Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes. Trinity School of Medicine carries multiple accreditations, national and international. Trinity is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP), the legally-constituted body established to accredit medical programs in the Caribbean. The standards used by CAAM-HP are based on the United States medical school accreditation program as outlined by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). These standards are also recognized by the U.S. Department of Education’s NCFMEA

 

Trinity has also been registered with the National Accreditation Board (NAB) of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines since 2008. Concurrently, the Government granted Trinity School of Medicine a charter with exclusive rights to use Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for its medical school and the Doctor of Medicine preparatory program.

 

Trinity School of Medicine is also listed by the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) in its World Directory of Medical Schools since September 19, 2008. This listing in FAIMER and the assignment of a code, provides the sanction for Trinity students to register for and take the USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 examinations. Students who successfully complete Step 1 and Step 2 CK, and otherwise meet the requirements for graduation from Trinity, are then authorized by the ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) to register for and participate in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP), as well as the Canadian Resident Matching Matching Service (CaRMS). 

 

Trinity is the only CAAM-HP accredited medical school in St. Vincent.

Yes. As of January 1, 2020, graduates of Trinity School of Medicine can match into residencies and obtain medical licenses in California. To read more on the topic, click here.

This is a common source of confusion for people considering a Caribbean medical school.

States don’t actually offer accreditation, nor does the United States accredit foreign medical schools. There are, however, federally recognized international accreditation authorities. In that respect, Trinity’s accreditation is valid in all 50 states.

However, in some states, there is the matter of independent medical board approvals. The number of states utilizing this system is shrinking as more and more states recognize ECFMG and NCFMEA decisions as sufficient standards of quality. State independent medical boards do not only offer “approved” or “unapproved” statuses; there is also “unevaluated.” In most states, graduates from an unevaluated school can still obtain a license or match into a residency.

Trinity School of Medicine has an exceptionally high volume of clinical training. There are two main phases to Trinity’s formal clinical offering. The first is in St. Vincent, the second is in the United States. Trinity students spend their first five terms in St. Vincent, utilizing the classrooms and labs on campus while also gaining practical experience at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, a 230-bed teaching hospital affiliated with the campus.

The second phase of Trinity School of Medicine’s MD program consists of clinical clerkships in the U.S., conducted in hospitals and medical facilities where students utilize what they’ve learned in the basic science courses and the Introduction to Clinical and Community Medicine courses. Under the supervision of faculty physicians, students participate in 48 weeks of required core clerkships and 27 weeks of elective clerkships. From the different clerkships, students obtain clinical expertise in the basic disciplines in preparation for advanced training during their residencies. There are no waiting lists for core rotations at Trinity School of Medicine. No student is admitted to the school without us knowing there is a slot available for them when they start their rotations. 

The 27 weeks of elective clerkships are strategically chosen on an individual basis to strengthen students’ skills and visibility within specialties or geographies of specific interests for their postgraduate education (residency).

As is the case with any medical school, the students are busy. While the students are bright and competitive, the stereotype of the cutthroat medical student is largely absent at Trinity. This is by design. Trinity’s small class size and supportive atmosphere is cultivated to create a safe, distraction-free environment where students can meet their full potential as future doctors.

 

Trinity’s small class sizes also mean students aren’t just building knowledge – they are building friendships. Building strong and lasting friendships is impossible at most medical schools, where students are in a sea of hundreds. Trinity is proud to provide a setting where students can build friendships and benefit from the constant support only close peer groups provide.

 

Although the majority of students’ time is focused on their studies, St. Vincent provides a beautiful, tropical background with ecotourism opportunities, beautiful beaches, and wonderfully welcoming people. There are many opportunities to explore the island, participate in group activities, and relax between exams.

For a full list of official student groups and activities, click here.

Trinity students have a cumulative residency placement rate of 94%, with many graduates going on to become chief residents within their programs. 

Yes. Trinity has students in residency and/or practicing in provinces across Canada.


Trinity is recognized by the government of Canada as a Designated Educational Institution and students can obtain Canadian Student Loans (federal and provincial) to cover the cost of tuition. As a Canadian student, your MCAT score may qualify you for scholarships. Our Canadian graduates face no barriers in applying for residency or licensure in the U.S. or Canada. Read more on Canadian student success here.

Prior to matriculation, Trinity’s MD program requires:

  • 90 credit hours (or equivalent) from a regionally-accredited undergraduate institution
  • Verifiable score(s) on the MCAT exam
  • One year each of:
      • Biology w/lab
      • General chemistry w/lab
      • Organic chemistry w/lab (one semester may be substituted with biochemistry)
      • Physics (while not required it strongly recommended)
  • And one semester each of:
      • Mathematics
      • English

Academic performance is obviously an important factor. That said, Trinity places a premium on student experience, character, leadership, communication skills, drive, and passion, recognizing that sometimes grades don’t paint the entire picture. While GPA plays a major part in student selection criteria, we consider trajectory and consistency of grades and examine an applicant’s BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math) GPA independently of other course work. We are also open to explanations of context and a clear narrative of personal growth.


The reality is that the best doctors aren’t always the best university freshmen. We understand. We think of Trinity as an opportunity to show yourself, and the world, just how great you can be in a focused, supportive environment.

In the past, Caribbean medical accreditation standards were admittedly lax by U.S. and Canadian standards. This is no longer the case (at least, when it comes to CAAM-HP accredited schools). CAAM-HP closely evaluated the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) guidelines and standards for U.S. medical schools and applied them in the Caribbean to demonstrate a commitment to quality.

Yes. As a veteran of the armed forces, students may be eligible for benefits that cover tuition, fees, housing, textbooks, and other supplies. 

 

Trinity is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows degree granting institutions of higher learning to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to fund tuition expenses that exceed the annual VA tuition and fees benefit.

 

Trinity has established a Yellow Ribbon Fund and each qualifying student-veteran receives $7,500 per academic year towards the cost of their tuition. The VA will then match this amount for the same period, resulting in a total annual funding of $15,000 in addition to other benefits offered through the Post 911 GI Bill Program.

 

Veterans can check online or at their regional VA office to confirm eligibility requirements before applying.

Yes. Trinity offers merit scholarships, financial hardship grants, and public service grants, among others. The list is available here.

Southeast of the British Virgin Islands, north of Grenada. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is in the Lesser Antilles Island arc, in the southern portion of the Windward Islands, which lie at the southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea where the latter meets the Atlantic Ocean.

The Argyle International Airport is located about fifteen minutes from campus and is serviced by regional carriers, including Liat and SVG Air as well as Caribbean Airlines and Air Canada. Air Canada flies direct from Toronto and Caribbean Airlines flies direct from New York City. Other international flights are routed first through nearby Barbados before making a connection to St. Vincent. 

No! St. Vincent is a welcoming place that eagerly embraces the Trinity community as both a contributor to the local economy and a great opportunity for cultural exchange (as well as teaching its own future doctors). We have 24-hour security on-site for our campus, school-sponsored residence halls, and apartments.

Yes! Ground-breaking medical innovation starts with research. At Trinity, we offer numerous research opportunities to students driven by their desire to solve a problem. Research at Trinity is not limited to a specific area and students are encouraged to partner with professors, peers and preceptors on publications, projects, and presentations in their interest areas of practice.

Studies have shown that higher academic results are achieved in an inclusive and diverse campus environment. This type of campus culture promotes the ability to hear and understand someone of a different background and creates a higher level of self-awareness that future doctors need to be successful in their practice.

 

Trinity School of Medicine continues to build upon the groundwork of our founders and their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe educating students in environments that value diversity and inclusion has a positive impact on students’ attitudes regarding access to care. Additionally, these environments produce graduates who are better prepared to practice in a variety of communities. This approach is keeping with our mission to improve access to quality healthcare.

Trinity students have a truly unique opportunity to participate in the pediatric care mission of a remarkable organization, the World Pediatric Project (WPP). WPP serves at-risk children throughout the Caribbean region through its teams of volunteer physicians and a world-class operating facility in St. Vincent for specialty surgeries. Trinity students may volunteer to serve supporting roles in surgical cases and participate in care discussions with surgical teams.

 

In addition to WPP, Trinity students have many other opportunities to serve and learn within the medical community. The Rotary Village Doctor program allows the people of St. Vincent the opportunity to be seen by a number of volunteer specialists on a single day, in a single location. Trinity students triage over 100 patients a day at these scheduled events. Early patient interaction and exposure to clinical situations provide a great benefit to Trinity students and also allow the student the opportunity to give back to the community of St. Vincent. 

 

Participating in these unique opportunities provides not only a sense of personal fulfillment – it also strengthens students’ applications to residency by spotlighting qualities of compassion, humanity, and desire to be a force for good.

Trinity has a wide variety of student organizations, all of which lead to deep lasting personal and professional relationships. Beyond that, Trinity’s guest lecturers, visiting faculty, and full-time faculty all take special interest in our students. Small class sizes allow for professional relationships to develop early on, offering both mentorship opportunities and a connection to the greater healthcare community. 


Trinity students spend their 3rd and 4th years in one location for clerkships, where relationships with program directors, hospital administrators, and physicians can be built and nurtured. The ability to spend 4 terms in the same community with the same medical professionals provides the opportunity to build a strong foundation for lifelong relationships. This experience is unique to Trinity due to our clerkship program structure.

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