Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical School
Please see if the answer to your med school question is listed below. Contact our admissions team for all of your other medical school questions here.
Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP)
Ross is also accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP).
CAAM-HP is the legally constituted body established in 2003 under the aegis of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), empowered to determine and prescribe standards and to accredit programs of medical, dental, veterinary and other health professions education on behalf of the contracting parties in CARICOM.
Accreditation by CAAM-HP is a rigorous, peer review process which examines all aspects of a medical program. The CAAM-HP board, an independent and autonomous body of professionals, only certifies medical schools that are operating at the highest levels of educational standards.
Through this accreditation, the CAAM-HP provides assurance to medical students, graduates, the medical profession, healthcare institutions and the public that programs leading to qualifications in medicine meet appropriate national and international standards for educational quality, and that the graduates have a sufficiently complete and valid educational experience.
Additional Recognition
The World Health Organization includes Ross in its listing of medical schools approved by recognized national authorities.
The Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) granted full accreditation to Ross University School of Medicine’s Simulation Institute in November 2013.
The United States Department of Education, through its National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), has determined that the accreditation standards employed by the Dominica Medical Board are comparable with those used to evaluate programs leading to the MD degree in the United States by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
There is no US accreditor that grants accreditation directly to schools outside the US.
The United States Department of Education, through its National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), has determined that the accreditation standards employed by the CAAM-HP are comparable with those used to evaluate programs leading to the MD degree in the United States by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
Yes. Ross students are eligible to take all of the United States Medical License Examinations (USMLE) by registering with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and are eligible to apply for licensure in all states in the United States.
California
The Medical Board of California has recognized that the resident course of instruction leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree awarded by the Ross University School of Medicine is equivalent to that required by Section 2089 and 2089.5 of the California Business and Professions Code. The medical education program is equivalent to that of a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accredited school. This allows Ross to conduct clinical clerkships in California and enables its graduates to apply for licensure. Many other states defer to California’s recognition for the purpose of physician licensure because most do not have their own review and approval process.
Florida
Under the provision of Chapter 1005, Florida Statutes and Chapter 6E of the Florida Administrative Code, the Commission for Independent Education of the Florida Department of Education licenses RUSM to offer programs of instruction. Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-0400, toll-free 888-224-6684.
New Jersey
The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners has approved Ross to offer clinical clerkship programs in New Jersey hospitals.
New York
The New York State Education Department has approved the program of medical education at Ross that seeks and places students in long-term clinical clerkships in affiliated hospitals in New York State.
Ross graduates receive a Doctor of Medicine degree which is recognized internationally. However, licensure requirements vary in each country. Some countries may require foreign medical graduates to take additional tests before receiving approval to practice.
579 Current and former Ross graduates attained residencies in 2021 in 16 disciplines. View our full 2021 residency list.
Upon completion of the basic sciences curriculum, students receive ongoing advising by the Office of Student and Professional Development to help prepare them for residency. For example, students are guided on the timeline to meet MATCH, requirements for graduation, and how to effectively complete the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).
Additionally, the Office of Student and Professional Development provides feedback on students’ CVs and personal statements and offers mock interviews in preparation for MATCH.
The Basic Sciences campus is located on the island of Barbados.
For 2020, the Step I first-time pass rate is 91%.
institutionally reported data
Medical School Admissions Questions FAQ
Please see if your the answers to your medical school questions are listed below.
When should I submit my application for Admissions?
We do not have any restrictions on when a person can submit their application.
Since we operate under rolling admissions, we continue to accept applications for each semester until all seats for that term are filled. In the event that all seats are filled before an applicant receives a decision, the application is automatically considered for the next available semester.
RUSM has three start dates in September, January and May.
The admissions committee ...
You can submit your application in advance of:
- Sitting for the MCAT
- Receiving your MCAT score
- Completing the essay portion of the application
You can apply directly on the Ross University School of Medicine website: https://medcommunity.rossu.edu/s/application
Once the Admissions Committee determines an applicant is a viable candidate to attend RUSM an interview is scheduled.
Not every applicant is granted an interview.
You can find our tuition & fees schedule here.
Please visit the Financial Aid section to find the options available for Ross.
US citizens and eligible non-citizens must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid® (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to determine their eligibility for a Federal Direct Loan. When completing the FAFSA, be sure to include the appropriate school code: Ross University School of Medicine: G22460. Once the Office of Student Finance has received your FAFSA information from the U.S. Department of Education, you may be required to submit additional information, such as citizenship documentation. The Office of Student Finance will notify you if you are required to submit additional information. If you have a complete file, we will determine your eligibility for the types of student loans listed below. Interest rates on federal student loans are based on the 10-year Treasury note plus a set percentage established by federal law. Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans to find current interest rates and loan fees.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
This is a non-need-based Federal loan which the student can borrow up to the cost of attendance, less other aid. The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS is a credit based loan. If a student does not have remaining eligibility for the
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan(s) because he or she has reached the maximum aggregate Federal Direct loan limit of $138,500, or academic year limit of $20,500, approved borrowers may be eligible for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan program up to their Cost of Attendance. Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans to find current interest rates and loan fees. The federal government does not offer any grants or scholarships for graduate students.
For more information about the terms and repayment obligations, contact the Office of Student Finance at 732-509-3051 or FinAid@RossU.edu
Additionally, DeVry Medical International (DMI), offers a loan program to assist RUSM students in semesters 6-10. The DMI loan is designed to address financial challenges a student may experience after exhausting all other funding sources such as provincial and private loans. Eligible students may cumulatively receive up to $75,000 to cover tuition and fees.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
This is a non-need-based Federal loan with a limit of $10,250 per semester. The Department of Education charges an origination fee on the funds disbursed. Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans to find current interest rates and loan fees.
Canadian students may be eligible for loans through the Canadian government and/or private loan programs. Please refer to the Financial Planning Guide for Canadian Students, which is available online here Canadian Financial Planning Guide, for more information. Other Foreign Nationals may be eligible for assistance in their country.
Additionally, Institutional Loan Program, offers a loan program to assist RUSM students in semesters 6-10. The DMI loan is designed to address financial challenges a student may experience after exhausting all other funding sources such as provincial and private loans. Eligible students may cumulatively receive up to $75,000 to cover tuition and fees.
Yes. Please see the full list of Ross scholarships offered.
The Medical Education Readiness Program (MERP) is a 15-week medical school preparatory program offered to students who have been granted conditional acceptance to Ross University School of Medicine. MERP's dual mission is to provide students from diverse backgrounds with additional academic preparation to foster their success in medical school, and to help determine the readiness of these students to meet the demands of a fast-paced and rigorous medical school curriculum like the one at RUSM.
No. The Admissions Committee of Ross University School of Medicine may grant an applicant conditional acceptance to the university, contingent upon the student's successful completion of MERP, if the Admissions Committee believes that an applicant might benefit from strengthening his or her foundation in the medical sciences before starting as a first semester Ross medical student.
Visit the MERP website at www.medschoolprep.com for more information, including MERP graduate profiles and program information.
Want to know more about what it's like to attend med school in the Caribbean? RUSM answers the most common questions about attending an overseas medical school, Caribbean life and more here
Contact our admissions team for all of your other medical school questions here.
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