Applying to medical school is an exciting time in your life. It may also come with many questions that might leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. With so many factors to consider—and requirements to meet—where should you begin?

This month, Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba is putting your concerns to rest as we walk through our unique and streamlined admissions process that can bring you one step closer to making your dream of becoming a doctor a reality. Let’s get started.

Why our process focuses on you—not just your grades

We know there is so much more to you than a grade point average or test score. That’s why we take a holistic approach when selecting students for admission that focuses on experiences, attributes and academic metrics. We want to know who you are, inside and out of the classroom, and why you want to be a doctor. This is where your personal statement comes into play.

  • Personal statement—Your personal statement should tell your story—as well as any challenges you’ve faced along the way—so we can get a better understanding of who you are. Being honest and genuine is the key to presenting yourself in the best possible light via your personal statement. (No judging here.) Just be sure to be as specific and detailed as possible. Choose to write about an experience that changed your perspective about medicine, a mentor that inspired you, an obstacle or challenge that changed your educational pursuits. And don’t forget to proofread and revise, revise, revise! A few other tips to writing a good personal statement:
    • Keep it interesting by using personal detail that shows who you really are.
    • Be concise and keep it focused.
    • Avoid cliches.
    • Show don’t tell

When to apply

Xavier University School of Medicine is among the institutions that accepts applications on a rolling basis for three intake periods throughout the year—January, May and September. We suggest applicants apply well before the start of the semester they anticipate attending, but we will accept applications right up until the semester begins.

Are you considering a Caribbean medical school? Check out our blog, “Caribbean Medical Schools: Choosing the Best One for Your Future.”

Check out our blog about the benefits of Xavier: “Why Choose Xavier Over Other Medical Schools.”

The admissions process

Our admissions process is straightforward. We’ve made it as easy as possible in order for you to focus on what really matters: Taking the next steps toward your future. And the best part is that we do not require an application fee. Applying to Xavier is free!

Here are the steps for applying to Xavier:

  1. Complete your application—The admissions application is easy. Simply answer some questions about yourself so that we can get to know more about you and your academic history. Apply here.
  2. Upload your unofficial transcript—Either upload your unofficial transcript to the application portal or send it via email to your admissions representative.
  3. Upload supporting documents—Additional supporting documents should be uploaded to your profile. These include letters of recommendation, your résumé, and personal statement.
  4. Schedule your admissions interview—Your next step is to schedule your admissions interview. Your admissions representative will contact you to set an appointment, which typically takes place on weekday afternoons (EST) via Zoom with one of our admissions faculty members.
  5. Attend your admissions interview—The admissions interview is an integral part of the admissions process. Here, a member of our faculty will get to know you, discuss your academic history, and review your transcript. Remember: It’s a conversation, so it’s important to be yourself and let your personality shine through. (And be sure to have some questions ready for us, too!)
  6. Receive your admissions decision—You will receive your admissions decision within one-to-two weeks after your interview. If accepted, you will receive next steps regarding finance, immigration, housing, and arrival information for Aruba.

Admission requirements—MD Program

All applicants applying for a four-year MD program are required to have completed 90 credit hours of undergraduate study.

In addition, the following prerequisites are required:

  • Eight semester hours of Inorganic or General Chemistry (with labs)
  • Eight semester hours of Organic Chemistry (with labs)
  • Eight semester hours of General Biology (with labs)
  • Eight semester hours of Physics (with labs)
  • Three semester hours of English
  • Three semester hours of Pre-Calculus or Statistics
  • Three hours of Behavior or Social Science

Admission requirements—Pre-Med Program

At Xavier, we believe every student should have the opportunity to pursue his or her dreams. That’s why we offer an accelerated five- and half-year pre-med program for students who might not meet all of the criteria for the four-year MD program.

Here are the prerequisites that are required:

  • High School diploma
  • GPA: 3.0
  • SAT: 1800 or ACT: 26
  • TOEFL: 231 (for other than USA, UK, or Canadian students)
  • IELTS: 6.0 (for other than USA, UK, or Canadian students)

Why Xavier is the best choice for your future

We understand how choosing a medical school is a big decision. And, yes, there are several factors to consider. That’s why Xavier offers what some other medical schools don’t. Oh, did we mention that we are located in paradise? Here are some key reasons why choosing Xavier over other medical schools can be your pathway to a bright future:

Are you excited about applying to medical school? Learn some great tips in our blog, “Best Ways to Prepare for Medical School.”

Is becoming a doctor in your future? If you have a passion for medicine but aren’t sure how you can make your dream a reality, then now is the time to think about applying to a Caribbean medical school like Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba. Our graduates have obtained ACGME-accredited residency appointments in nearly every medical specialty and subspecialty at world-renowned teaching hospitals and leading medical centers across the U.S. and Canada. Don’t take our word for it – hear directly from our alumni about their successes.

Have specific questions? You can schedule a 1:1 Zoom meeting with our Director of Admissions at any time and get all your questions answered. We can’t wait to hear from you!