96%
Three-Year Residency Placement Rate1
U.S. Applicants: Start Your MD Journey at SMUSOM
Explore the pathway to medical school success for aspiring physicians from the United States.
Future medical doctors from the U.S. experience many benefits when they choose the St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine (SMUSOM) 4-year MD program or a related pre-medical program.
Examples include U.S. scholarships, Clinical Medicine rotations in the United States, early hands-on training experiences, a variety of academic and personal Support Services, and much more. Added to this, the opportunity to live and study on Grand Cayman (part of the Cayman Islands) during Basic Science means that our students experience the many joys of Caribbean living over five semesters, which helps foster long-lasting friendships and memories.
If you are pursuing a career as a practicing physician, and are considering medical schools in the Caribbean that will help you achieve residency and career success in the United States, St. Matthew’s University is the place for you!
90%
USMLE Step 1 First-Time Pass Rate Over Three Years2
97%
USMLE Step 2 CK First-Time Pass Rate in 20243
2,300+
MD Program Graduates Since
ACCM
Doctor of Medicine Program Accreditor
SMUSOM Accreditation and Recognition
SMUSOM is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM), which is recognized by the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME). WFME standards have been deemed comparable to the standards used to accredit medical schools in the United States by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA).
St. Matthews University is also one of the few Caribbean medical schools with approvals in the key U.S. states of New York, California and Florida.
MD Program Curriculum
The St. Matthew’s University MD program curriculum was designed by U.S.-based faculty and parallels training delivered at U.S. medical schools. It features ten semesters of concentrated academic and clinical studies, split evenly between the Basic Science and Clinical Medicine programs.
Basic Science involves five semesters of classroom and lab-based learning on our Grand Cayman campus, which is followed by five semesters of Clinical Medicine rotations at affiliated teaching hospitals, clinics and medical centers in the United States (with select electives in Canada). This means that SMUSOM students learn in the Caribbean, then go on to train and practice in North America.
SMUSOM Start Dates
St. Matthew’s University has three start dates each year, in January, May and September.
There are two simple ways to submit an application. You can either apply via our online portal, or you can submit a verified copy of your AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS application via our common app form.
Admissions Requirements for U.S. Students
Successful MD program applicants must have completed the following undergraduate coursework:
- General Biology: One academic year with a laboratory component; applicants can substitute a biology-related course for ½ year of general biology. Students who pursue additional courses in the biological sciences should consider genetics, embryology, cell and molecular biology, or comparative anatomy.
- General Chemistry: One academic year with a laboratory component.
- Organic Chemistry: One academic year with a laboratory component.
- English: One year of college-level English literature or composition. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in writing, reading and oral communication.
MD program applications must include the following support documents before any official offer can be tendered:
- MCAT scores
- Official transcript(s)
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Personal statement (500 words or less)
As part of our medical school admissions process, applicants are also required to complete a video interview.
Interested in St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine?
Contact our admissions team today to explore opportunities for U.S. students.
SMUSOM Tuition and Fees
St. Matthew’s University has established tuition and fees that make the cost of studying medicine in the Caribbean more manageable for students from across the United States. No matter your financial circumstances, a career as a practicing physician is within your grasp.
Financial Aid and Scholarships Opportunities
Federal Student Loans
Eligible U.S. students enrolled in the 4-year MD program benefit from U.S. Title IV financial aid availability from the Department of Education. Information about relevant loan programs can be found on the U.S. Department of Education’s website at studentaid.gov.
To apply for a Federal Direct Loan, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through the U.S. Department of Education’s website. SMUSOM’s school code for the FAFSA is 037643.
SMUSOM Scholarships
At St. Matthew’s University, we are proud to support future medical doctors by offering financial support via grants and scholarships.
The Merit Scholarship and Opportunity Grant are available for eligible U.S. students in the 4-year MD program.
Additional scholarship opportunities offered through our institution include the Transfer Scholarship, Jha Family Scholarship and other location-based offerings.
U.S. Alumni Testimonials
Founded in 1997, St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine has provided medical education and hands-on training for 2,300+ MD program graduates. Our alumni practice in the U.S., Canada and internationally.
To learn more about life on Grand Cayman, our welcoming student body and the supportive classroom environment, check out these alumni testimonial videos:
FAQs About St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine
Not all Caribbean medical schools are approved to participate in U.S. federal student loan programs. Beneficially, our approval status makes SMUSOM MD students from the United States eligible to apply for relevant loans through the U.S. Department of Education.
St. Matthew’s University does accept eligible MD program transfer students. Accepting transfer credits is at the sole discretion of our institution, however we strive to evaluate and transfer eligible credits so that you don’t have to restart from the beginning.
Yes, our MD program curriculum was developed by U.S.-trained faculty and is comparable to programs at U.S. medical schools. Students will undertake five semesters of classroom and lab-based learning, followed by five semesters of clinical rotations at affiliated medical teaching hospitals in the U.S. (with select electives in Canada).
Yes, successful MD program students will undertake Clinical Medicine rotations in the U.S. (core and electives) and Canada (select electives). In order to proceed into rotations, MD students must meet all Basic Science requirements and pass the USMLE Step 1 exam.
1. 96% Three-Year Residency Placement Rate is the percent of students attaining a residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 who were active applicants in the NRMP match or attained a residency outside the NRMP match.
2. First-time pass rate defined as total number of students passing the USMLE Step 1 on their first attempt divided by the total number of students taking USMLE Step 1 for the first time during the calendar years 2022-2024. In order to sit for the USMLE Step 1 exam, the student must successfully complete the Basic Science curriculum and such other prerequisites as the school may establish at its discretion.
3. First-time pass rate defined as total number of students passing the USMLE Step 2 CK on their first attempt divided by the total number of students taking USMLE Step 2 CK for the first time in calendar year 2024. In order to sit for the USMLE Step 2 CK exam, the student must successfully complete the Clinical Medicine curriculum and such other prerequisites as the school may establish at its discretion.