Frequently Asked Questions

Please ensure that you submit the following documents as part of the admissions process:

• Transcripts: Official transcript(s) from each college/university or professional school you have attended. Student-issued copies may be acceptable temporarily, but official transcripts are ultimately required. 
• Personal Statement: Your personal statement should address the following points:
  • Your motivation for pursuing a career in medicine.
  • How you believe you can contribute to the Saba University School of Medicine community and the field of medicine more broadly. Include any notable achievements, activities, personal interests, or unique aspects of your preparation to become a practicing medical doctor.
  • Any additional information that you believe would assist the Admissions Committee in evaluating your application. We recommend limiting your personal statement to a maximum of 500 words. You can attach your personal statement to your online application. 
• Letters of recommendation: You are required to submit two letters of recommendation. One letter should be from a professional acquaintance and the other from an academic instructor.
• MCAT Scores: U.S. students are required to submit their MCAT results. It is recommended that all other students do so as well.

Learn more about our MD program admissions requirements. 

As English is the primary language of instruction at SUSOM, it is crucial for applicants to be prepared to engage with the curriculum and communicate effectively. If English is not the applicant’s first language, they may be asked to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or comparable examination.

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required for all applicants who are U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents. Applicants can submit their MCAT exam scores through the online THx system as soon as they are available at the AAMC.

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis, meaning we accept applications throughout the year. To ensure a smooth enrollment process, we recommend that students submit their applications at least two months before the January, May or September semester they intend to join. If an application is received after a class has reached its maximum capacity, it will be automatically considered for the next available semester.

After we receive your application and conduct a personal interview, it usually takes approximately two (2) to four (4)weeks to process your complete application.

The purpose of the admissions interview is to more thoroughly explore the applicant’s skills, credentials and passion for medicine. The interview also enables the Admissions Committee to learn more about the candidate’s personality and for the candidate to learn more about SUSOM. The interview is usually conducted via a video streaming platform and can last up to 60 minutes.

Upon completion of the admissions interview, the interviewer compiles a synopsis of the interview and forwards it to the Admissions Committee for review. During the review, the Admissions Committee may ask for clarification or share follow-up questions. In the event the Committee has additional questions, your interviewer will contact you.

Upon final review of the application, the Committee renders their decision and the candidate is contacted via email. You will be directed to your student portal within the application module where a formal decision letter will be located. All Committee decisions are final.

Upon being accepted, you will find all the information and required paperwork in your student portal. Please be sure to read all materials and note all requirements and deadlines. Please note, our Admissions office will assist in directing students through the immunization, police background check and visa application processes.

The first items that will be due are your signed Letter of Intent and your $750 USD non-refundable Seat Deposit. These items secure your spot in the class and serve as formal notification from the student that the offer of admission is accepted. There is no waiving of the Seat Deposit fee, however it will be applied to your tuition. Please note that failure to submit your Letter of Intent and Seat Deposit on time may result in the withdrawal of your acceptance.

Since SUSOM is located outside of the United States and Canada, applicants cannot submit their application materials directly through AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS/OMSAS. However, candidates may apply by submitting a PDF copy of that application directly to Saba University School of Medicine, through our common application.

The Saba University School of Medicine Admissions Committee takes a holistic view of each candidate. Every application is reviewed on its own merit. While GPA is of course important, the committee also considers life experience, MCAT scores and direct medical volunteer experience.

Over three years, from 2021 to 2023, Saba students averaged a 99% USMLE Step 1 first-time pass rate* and a 99% USMLE Step 2 CK first-time pass rate**.

*Based on 2021-2023 data. 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 2021 to 2023. 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.

**Based on 2021-2023 data. 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 between the calendar years 2021 to 2023.  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.

All faculty members at SUSOM hold an advanced medical degree or doctorate (MD, MBBS, PhD) in the field they teach, are experienced instructors and remain committed to delivering individualized support as needed. To learn more about our faculty, click here.

A typical MD program Basic Science class at SUSOM is 40-60 students. This makes it possible for us to offer dedicated and personalized support to each student. This is substantially different from other medical schools, where students experience large, impersonal classroom settings.

SUSOM MD program students dissect real cadavers in Gross Anatomy. There are typically eight or fewer students assigned per cadaver.

Saba University School of Medicine has three semesters per year.

We have a Fall semester, culminating prior to the middle of December, a Spring semester that ends in mid-April and a Summer semester that ends in mid-August. There are approximately two to three weeks for students to have a break between semesters.

The entire MD program consists of ten semesters. The first five semesters of Basic Science courses are taught on the island of Saba. Students then complete their clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals, clinics and medical centers in the U.S. (core and electives) and Canada (select electives).

Saba University School of Medicine makes it possible for students to earn their degree in under 4 years, spending 20 months in Basic Science on our Saba campus, completing an 8-week research module and culminating with 72 weeks of North American clinical rotations.

To learn more about our curriculum, click here.

For the four-year period from 2020-2024, SUSOM graduates achieved a 97% Residency Placement Rate*.

*97% Four Year Residency Placement Rate is the percent of students attaining a residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 who were active applicants in the NRMP match or attained a residency outside the NRMP match.

Yes, our MD program graduates achieve residencies in both the U.S. and Canada. They are also eligible to practice in Canada after completing the requisite licensing exams.

Yes, SUSOM graduates are eligible to enter residency and eventually practice medicine independently in the United States, once they pass the requisite licensing examinations.

Saba University School of Medicine is committed to providing facilities that support efficient, effective learning. We offer a modern anatomy lab and a full complement of well-equipped learning spaces with the latest multimedia technologies. The entire campus is wireless. First-semester students live in comfortable dorms adjacent to campus.

SUSOM MD program students undertake clinical rotations at associated teaching hospitals, clinics and medical centers in the U.S. (including ACGME-approved locations), and at select elective rotation sites in Canada. 

To learn more about clinical rotations, click here.

You can find our tuition and fees information here.

Yes! Canadian students entering the 4 Year MD program in the September 2025 semester or later are eligible to pay tuition and administrative fee costs in Canadian currency. Given the fluctuating exchange rate, this makes it much easier to plan your payments over the 10 semesters of the MD program and creates significant savings. If you have any questions about paying in CAD, contact admissions@saba.edu.

Yes, SUSOM students from the U.S. and Canada who have been accepted into the MD program are eligible for government financial aid.

In the U.S., SUSOM has been approved to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford and Grad PLUS Loan programs, which are both administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

Saba University School of Medicine is also approved by the Canadian Ministry of Education, entitling eligible students to receive Canadian government loans.

Yes, SUSOM offers financial support to MD program students, including the Academic Merit Scholarship and Opportunity Grant. Learn more.

Saba University School of Medicine accepts payments for tuition and fees via wire, money order or personal checks. Learn more under Tuition Payment Policies on this page.

Saba University School of Medicine is located on the Caribbean island of Saba, in the northeastern Caribbean Sea.

The first twenty months of our MD program’s Basic Science curriculum are completed on our campus on the island of Saba. Following that, you will spend 72 weeks completing clinical rotations at our affiliated clinical sites in the United States core and electives) and Canada (select electives). 

Yes, you can typically bring your family or a companion with you to Saba while studying at Saba University School of Medicine. The Admissions team can assist you with securing a visa for both yourself and your companion(s).

The majority of our MD program participants come from the United States and Canada, with the rest coming from a variety of different international locations.

The island of Saba is 28 miles south of St. Maarten, which is a major point of entry to the Caribbean and is served by direct flights from numerous locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. From St. Maarten, Saba is a 15-minute flight or a 90-minute ferry ride.

The Saba campus is a short ride from either the airport or the ferry.

Many things make Saba an extremely desirable place to attend medical school. The island is both safe and beautiful, featuring many opportunities for fun when you’re taking a study break, including snorkeling, hiking and local amenities. Visitors have long appreciated Saba for its diving, restaurants, charming inns and stunning Caribbean vistas.

To learn more about life on Saba, click here.

The island of Saba has a well-developed communications infrastructure with landline, cell phone, internet and island-wide wi-fi services. To communicate back home while avoiding international phone rates, many students take advantage of internet-based options such as WhatsApp.

There are a wide range of housing options for students on the island of Saba.

To ease your transition, unaccompanied first-semester students are encourgaed to live in dorms adjacent to the campus, built exclusively for our students. Dorms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

After the first semester, students live off campus—and there are a wide range of options available. All properties are privately owned, and therefore the price of rentals and utilities varies. Electricity is generally a separate cost.

Visit Housing for more information.

The Saba Housing Coordinator will assist you in finding off-campus housing:

Contact the Housing Coordinator

Telephone: 011-599-416-3456
Fax: 011-599-416-3458
Email: housing@saba.edu