Why Start Medical School (MD) in May?

Your dream of becoming a doctor could be closer than you think. Spend your summer in Barbados, where you’ll gain invaluable hands-on experience working with real patients—all while pursuing your MD.

Start Practicing in 2030

Don't delay your medical career. Start your MD program in May 2026 and you could meet the requirements for Match Day by March 2030. Be residency-ready (and start practicing!) as early as summer 2030.

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Smaller Class Sizes

Expect smaller incoming class sizes than traditional fall starts*—something we see as a great benefit for our students. Not only does this mean more individualized attention from professors, but with a smaller class, there may be less competition for scholarships.

*Based on average incoming classes from the 2023-2024 academic year.

Hands-On From the Start

Begin in May, and by June, you’ll be in the community, working alongside physicians to care for patients. Your first clinical exposures may include participation in mobile pop-up clinics, home visits, mental health facilities, and more. At Ross Med, hands-on experience starts within weeks, not months.

Extra Flexibility for Exams & Elective Rotations

Starting early gives you a strategic advantage. You’ll have more flexibility to schedule your USMLE^® Step 2 during the summer when there’s usually less competition for test dates. Plus, you may be eligible for summer clinical rotations, making it easier to schedule electives and explore specialties or areas of interest without overlapping schedules.

May Program Highlights

Accelerate your medical career: Start med school immediately after completing your undergrad. With a May start date, you can skip the traditional waiting period .
Beat the competition: Apply for admission in May and increase your chances of securing a spot in medical school, as September is typically the most competitive time to apply.
Increased flexibility for certain exams and electives: May starters might have more flexibility in scheduling Step 2 of the USMLE^® as there may be less competition for testing slots during the summer months. Additionally, some clinical rotations have summer intake dates, making scheduling potentially smoother for May starters.

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Please note: The above example is for sample purposes only. Actual curriculum timeline, including core and elective rotation completion, will vary. 

*All students must complete 48 weeks of core rotations. Each core rotation is either 6 or 12 weeks in length. 

**All students participate in 42 weeks of elective clerkships. Each elective rotation is between 4 - 8 weeks in length.

September Program Highlights

Begin your medical journey with a fresh perspective. Our September start date gives you the time during the summer to relax, rejuvenate, and prepare for the rigorous demands of medical school.

Benefit from a structured and predictable academic calendar that is similar to the traditional medical school timeline.
Increase your student network from the start. September typically our largest incoming class size of the three start terms. Connect with like-minded students from around the world, fostering lifelong friendships and expanding your global perspective.

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Please note: The above example is for sample purposes only. Actual curriculum timeline, including core and elective rotation completion, will vary. 

*All students must complete 48 weeks of core rotations. Each core rotation is either 6 or 12 weeks in length. 

**All students participate in 42 weeks of elective clerkships. Each elective rotation is between 4 - 8 weeks in length.

January Program Highlights

Start sooner, practice sooner: Get an 8-month head start over students who wait to begin in the following fall. This translates to becoming a licensed physician and starting your career sooner.¹
Head start on residency prep: Students who start in January and proceed through the program on schedule have more flexibility and time to study for the USMLE^® 2 CK exams. You may also have more time to schedule clinical electives and take part in extracurricular activities.
Prepare for residency interviews without added academic distractions.  A January start could put you in a position to end your elective rotations shortly after NRMP^®registration opens²—giving you the space and time to focus on acing your residency interviews.

¹Students must successfully pass all courses prescribed in the Ross Med preclinical and clinical curriculum without failing or repeating any courses.  

² Actual curriculum timeline, including core and elective rotation completion, may vary.

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Please note: The above example is for sample purposes only. Actual curriculum timeline, including core and elective rotation completion, will vary. 

*All students must complete 48 weeks of core rotations. Each core rotation is either 6 or 12 weeks in length. 

**All students participate in 42 weeks of elective clerkships. Each elective rotation is between 4 - 8 weeks in length.

Med School Prerequisites

Our MD program requires a bachelor’s degree or higher and completion of prerequisite undergraduate coursework. Candidates must also submit their Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)* exam scores to be considered for the MD program.

*MCAT scores must be submitted by all U.S. Citizens, nationals, or eligible permanent resident applicants prior to the interview. International applicants are not required to submit MCAT scores, but strongly encouraged.

GPA Requirements

More than just numbers, we see the whole person. At Ross Med, we appreciate variety of experiences and perspectives, and value critical thinking, adaptability, volunteer work, and life experiences, alongside your MCAT and GPA.

Application Deadline for a May Start Date

We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible. Admissions deadlines are four weeks before the start of each semester.

Before You Apply for Med School in May

Wondering about your chances of getting into Ross Med? Answer a few simple questions and receive instant feedback on your likelihood of getting into our MD program, helping you make more informed decisions about next steps. Let's unlock your potential together.

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How to Apply

Complete your Ross Med Application OR upload your AMCAS®/AACOMAS®/TMDSAS/OMSAS application. You can return at any time to edit and review your application, however changing application types will require starting a new application. You can track your application and status within the My Ross Med Community Portal.

We review applications year-round, so start your application today.

Learn How to Apply

May 11, 2026

Apply by April 17, 2026

Sept 7, 2026

Apply by August 14, 2026

Jan 12, 2026

Apply by Dec 12, 2025

Accredited

Ross Med is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP, www.caam-hp.org).

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Scholarships Available

More than $140 million (USD) in scholarships and grants have been awarded to students since 2020. Let us invest in you.

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Find Purpose in Paradise

Complete your first two years on our Barbados campus before returning to the U.S. for your clinical rotations within our network of 29 affiliate hospitals.

Learn More About Barbados

Why Start Medical School (MD) in May?

Start Practicing in 2030

Advantages to Starting in May

Smaller Class Sizes

Hands-On From the Start

Extra Flexibility for Exams & Elective Rotations

May Program Highlights

September Program Highlights

January Program Highlights

Med School Prerequisites

GPA Requirements

Application Deadline for a May Start Date

Before You Apply for Med School in May

How to Apply

Apply for One of Our Three Start Dates

Why Ross Med?

Accredited

Scholarships Available

Find Purpose in Paradise