How to Get Into St. George’s University School of Medicine: The Definitive Guide

Part 1: Introduction

St. George’s University School of Medicine will take students beyond the borders of the United States all the way to the West Indies. If you’re looking for an opportunity to study medicine in Grenada, keep reading to learn all about this university and everything it has to offer. 

St. George’s University School of Medicine is home to nine different colleges, all of which offer the same foundation to students: preparing them for residency and their futures as doctors. St. George’s University has a unique system for its traditional MD program, allowing students to choose between four-year, five-year, six-year and seven-year MD programs, as well as offering dual-degree programs. 

The first two years of a student’s time at St. George’s University will include all the basic science courses. Then, students will have the opportunity to travel for clinical experiences. Locations include the Caribbean, the United States and the United Kingdom. The university is partnered with numerous universities and hospital programs, creating a program for students with flexible options. 

Here at International Medical Aid, we’re committed to providing you with as many resources as possible to help you succeed on your road to becoming a doctor. That’s why we’ve created a series of definitive guides to help you comb through medical schools to find the ones that fit. 

In this article, we’ll help you comb through St. George’s University School of Medicine by discussing the programs they offer, the cost of attendance, admissions requirements, secondary essay questions (with samples) and the interview process. Since the university isn’t located in the United States, we’ll include information that’s pertinent to each country. 

Part 2: Medical Programs at St. George’s University

• Doctor of Medicine
• Doctor of Medicine / Master of Science (MD/MSc)
• Doctor of Medicine / Master of Public Health (MD/MPH)
• Medical Ph.D. Degree

There are four different Doctor of Medicine (MD) programs available at St. George’s University.

Four-Year MD Program

St. George’s University School of Medicine offers the traditional, four-year MD program that’s common in the United States. Students will spend their first two years at either the Grenada True Blue campus or the Northumbria campus, where they will take the following basic science courses.

Year One

• Basic Principles of Medicine I
  Foundation to Medicine (6 weeks)
  Musculoskeletal System (4 weeks)
  Cardiovascular, Renal and Pulmonary Systems (7 weeks)
• Basic Principles of Medicine II
  Endocrinology and Reproduction (3 weeks)
  Digestion and Metabolism (5 weeks)
  Nervous System and Behavioral Sciences (10 weeks)

Year Two

• Basic Principles of Medicine III
  Basics of Immunology and Microbiology
  Public Health Assessment Tools
  Cultural and Societal Issues / Physician-Patient Relationship
  Ethics, Professionalism and Medical Jurisprudence
• Principles of Clinical Medicine I
  General Principles
  Renal and Cardiovascular Systems
  Respiratory and Hematopoietic Systems
  Digestive, Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
  Principles of Clinical Medicine II

Years 3 and 4 are spent in core rotations, sub-internships and electives. 

• Internal Medicine
• Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics / Gynecology
• Psychiatry
• Family Medicine
• Medicine Subinternship
• Medicine Electives
• Additional Electives

For more information on any of these rotations, sub-internships or the MD program in general, go here.

Five-Year MD Program

Have you already earned your bachelor’s degree, or do you have an advanced-level education? Maybe the desire to become a doctor didn’t surface until later on. If this is you, St. George’s University School of Medicine designed this program with you in mind. The first year of this program has you taking preliminary classes to fill in the gaps and to prepare you for the same curriculum that other MD students complete. Years 2-5 will be spent in the same program that’s listed for MD students who are enrolled in the four-year program.

The first year of the five-year program is as follows:

• Genetics
• Molecular Biology and Lab
• Microbiology
• Physiology and Lab
• Human Anatomy
• Biochemistry and Lab
• Learning Strategies for Pre Professional Programs
• Communication for the Health Professions I and II
• Clinical Cases
• Interpreting Health Science Research
• Intro to Psychopathology
• Social Sciences and Medicine

To qualify for the five-year program, the following courses need to be taken.

• 3 Advanced Levels: A minimum B- in Chemistry, Biology and Math/Physics (choose between the two)
• CAPE Units 1 and 2: A minimum grade of 2 in Chemistry, Biology, and Math/Physics
• Full IB Diploma: Excellent grades are required; a minimum of 2HL science courses with 3HL courses are recommended.
• Associate degree: 60 credits with an Associate of Science degree. Biology, chemistry and math courses are required.
• 10+2 for India and Nepal: must score 80% or above in all classes

In addition to these requirements, the various qualifications and board exams that many countries require are also required for admission.  

English

If your country has a primary language other than English, you’ll need to prove your competency in English. The following scores are accepted.

• IELTS bands: you must score a 7.0 on each.
• TOEFL: 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (internet-based) score
• Password-Skills: Direct entry scores are graded with the same criteria as IELTS bands.
• C1 Advanced: A minimum 186 overall score for direct entry
• PTE Academic: A minimum 85 overall score direct entry

St. George’s University School of Medicine is currently accommodating students who are unable to take these exams because of COVID-19. Go here and scroll to Temporary English Test Arrangements for more information.

Successful completion of the first year will qualify students to continue to the second year. 

Six-Year MD Program

The six-year MD program is designed for students who have AS Levels and Matric Examination Qualifications in South Africa or Australia. These students generally need to learn basic and clinical sciences to be prepared for the bulk of the MD program. The admissions requirements are as follows.

• AS Levels “Advanced Subsidiary Levels”
• Baccalaureate
• Matric for both South Africa and Australia
• Higher School Exam
• Irish Leaving Certificate
• Senior Certificate

All the requirements that are listed for the five-year MD program are also required for the six-year program. The following courses comprise the first year of the six-year program. Year 2 of the six-year program is the same as Year 1 of the five-year program, and Years 3-6 are composed of the traditional MD curriculum.  

• Anatomy and Physiology I and II
• Organic Chemistry I and II with Labs
• Public Speaking
• Statistics
• Nutrition
• Physics for Life Sciences
• Health Psychology
• Public Health

Successful completion of the first year will qualify students to continue to the second year. 

Seven-Year MD Program

The seven-year MD program is the equivalent to completing your bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in science in three years and then completing an MD program in four years. If you are interested, check with Admissions to see if you qualify for St. George’s University’s Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine dual degree. 

The program consists of:

• Preclinical coursework: 3 years
• Basic Science Coursework: 2 years
• Clinical Training in Hospitals: 2 years

The first year of the seven-year programs consists of the following courses.

• General Biology
• Human Biology
• General Chemistry I and II with Labs
• Computer Concepts (or an elective)
• Intro to College Writing or College English II
• College Math or Math for Physical Sciences
• Intro to Psychology
• Arts and Humanities elective
• Community Health

St. George’s University School of Medicine is unique in the way they offer the MD program to students. They meet you where you are academically and help you prepare for the rigor of the MD program through preparatory classes. Your highest level of education and test scores determine where you fall on the four-to-seven-year path. 

Now that we’ve covered the differences in the MD program timelines, let’s look at the dual degrees that St. George’s University School of Medicine offers.

Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Medicine Dual Degree

This degree is ideal for students who don’t have an undergraduate education, or, in other terms, don’t have a first degree. If you want to earn your Bachelor of Science degree and your Doctor of Medicine degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine, we recommend applying for this program. 

For students who matriculate into this program, a bachelor’s degree will be awarded to you after the first year of your medical phase. 

For in-depth details and program restrictions, visit this page on the St. George’s University School of Medicine website.

Doctor of Medicine / Master of Public Health Dual Degree

Please note that this degree is separate from the MD program options to earn a dual degree during a five-year, six-year or seven-year MD program.

St. George’s University offers the Master of Public Health program in conjunction with the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. This program operates online, so you can complete this year of your education remotely. 

To view the timeline and specific courses required for the MD/MPH degree, go here.

Doctor of Medicine / Master of Science Dual Degree

If you want to be a doctor and a researcher, you’ll want to apply to this dual-degree program. The Master of Science degree will allow you to focus on medical research in addition to your profession as a doctor. You’ll be equipped to conduct research in the following areas.

• Anatomy
• Bioethics
• Biomedical Research
• Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Physiology
• Tropical Medicine

The MD/MSc program is completed in five years. Students enrolled in this program stay for one additional term and one summer semester to complete the Master of Science portion of the curriculum. 

Medical Ph.D. Degree

This dual-degree will make you a Doctor of Medicine and a Doctor of Philosophy. St. George’s University School of Medicine offers the following concentrations for the Ph.D. portion of the program. 

• Medical Ph.D. in Anatomical Education
• Medical Ph.D. in Anatomical Sciences
• Medical Ph.D. in Microbiology
• Medical Ph.D. in Physiology and Neuroscience

To earn the Ph.D. portion of this degree, you’ll need to produce and defend a doctoral thesis. For more information on this dual-degree program, go here.

Cost of Attendance at St. George’s University School of Medicine

St. George’s University School of Medicine certainly doesn’t disappoint with the programs they offer. So, just how much does it cost to attend this medical school? Here are some numbers.

• Basic Sciences total: $146,745
• Clinical Courses total: $172,465
• School of Medicine total: $319,210

Go here for the exact numbers for the program(s) you’re interested in.

Because St. George’s University School of Medicine has students who come from all over the world and because they have nine different colleges in different locations, they can’t provide an estimate of living costs. Our recommendation is to research the area around the school you’ll be attending to estimate your housing, transportation and food costs. 

While $300,000 isn’t cheap, it’s a good deal for a four-year MD program. St. George’s University does offer financial aid and scholarships.

• Humanitarian Scholarship
• Legacy of Excellence Scholarship Program
• The Chancellor’s Circle Legacy of Excellence Scholarship (CCLOE)
• Legacy Grant
• Veteran Grant
• Sibling Grant
• Summer Academy Scholarship
• Health Professions Grant
• CityDoctors Scholarships Program

For information on these scholarships, click here. 

Part 3: Admissions Requirements for St. George’s University School of Medicine

Candidates from the United States and Canada

To qualify for the four-year MD program, you’ll need to have earned your bachelor’s degree. While a Bachelor of Science degree isn’t required, the following courses are.

• General Biology or Zoology with Lab (1 Year)
• General or Physical Inorganic Chemistry (1 Year)
• Organic Chemistry with Lab (1 Year)
• Physics with Lab (1 semester)
• Calculus, Computer Science or Stats (1 semester)
• English (1 semester)

The following courses are not required, but they are highly recommended.

• Physics (1 more semester, for 1 total year)
• Psychology, Sociology or another Social Science (1 year)
• Biochemistry, Microbiology and Physiology courses

In addition to these courses, you’ll need to know how to use a computer, and you’ll need to take the MCAT exam. St. George’s University School of Medicine accepts MCAT from the last three years. 

Candidates from Other Countries

If you come from a country other than the United States or Canada, these are the requirements for acceptance into the four-year MD program. 

You’ll need to have your bachelor’s degree. While it’s not required to major in science, it’s recommended. A strong science background is crucial for success in the program.

You’ll also need to speak English fluently since the program is taught in English. If your country’s primary language isn’t English, you’ll need to prove your English literacy with one of the following scores.

• IELTS bands: you must score a 7.0 on each.
• TOEFL: 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (internet-based) score
• Password-Skills: Direct entry scores are graded with the same criteria as IELTS bands.
• C1 Advanced: A minimum 186 overall score for direct entry
• PTE Academic: A minimum 85 overall score direct entry

Finally, you’ll need to take the UKCAT exam, which is the closest you’ll get to the U.S.-based CASPer test.  

Application Process

St. George’s University School of Medicine does things a little differently. After you’ve submitted your applications (which are equivalent to U.S. primary and secondary applications), you’ll be contacted by an admissions counselor, who will take the following steps with you.

1. Review your application to ensure you aren’t missing any documents.
2. Inform you of when the admissions committee is reviewing your application.
3. Inform you of whether the committee has decided to interview you.

We’ll discuss the interview process in Part 5. Now that we’ve looked at the admissions requirements and process, it’s time to look at the essays you’ll be required to write as part of your application. 

Part 4: Essays Questions for St. George’s University School of Medicine

You’ll be asked the following questions as part of your application process to St. George’s University School of Medicine.

Question #1
Write a personal statement. Include unique information that we can’t gather from other parts of your application. (1,500 words maximum)

For your personal statement, you’ll want to have an introduction paragraph, the body of your letter, and your “why”–the reason you want to become a doctor. Your “why” statement should be hinted at and alluded to throughout your personal statement. Additionally, you’ll want to make strong statements that truly show why you want to become a doctor. Saying “I want to be a doctor because doctors help save lives” isn’t as strong as “After a doctor saved my life, I realized that I had a purpose, and I wanted to use that purpose to pay it forward and help save lives, too.” 

Here’s an example:

Growing up, my father did most of the cooking. One of his favorite meals to make was steak and potatoes. The aroma of steak sizzling in the frying pan and potatoes baking in the oven filled our house, and I anxiously waited for the food to be ready. I remember one particular Saturday when I was ten years old. When the food was ready, Dad reminded me to chew thoroughly before swallowing. While I planned to, I didn’t chew enough, and I wound up with a piece of steak stuck in my esophagus. It hurt, and I was short of breath. Even though I could breathe, my father was worried about me and chose to take me to the emergency room. 

I remember arriving at the hospital scared and in pain. The more time passed, the more I worried that I would ultimately die because I was a scared, ten-year-old kid who didn’t know that everything would be okay. I was given a warm blanket that had just come out of the dryer. I was wrapped in it, put in a hospital bed, and an X-ray of my esophagus was taken to see what was going on. The piece of steak had gotten through and made its way to my stomach, but it felt like it was still there because my esophagus had been bruised, and there was inflammation there. The inflammation was making it hard to breathe. 

My recovery plan included fasting for 24 hours and then introducing food slowly over the course of a few days. That was supposed to give my esophagus enough time to heal. Only, that wasn’t how things went. My esophagus took a long time to completely heal. My father took me to the pediatrician a week later to see if there were any further steps he and my mother needed to make. At that point, my esophagus was healed. The problem was now mental, not physical. 

My parents chose to operate under the assumption that I was traumatized from having to go to the hospital for the first time, so they took me to a child therapist to help me work through the experience. I don’t remember very much from it, but I remember how loved it made me feel. While my memory is limited, I know I made it through that situation with a respect for the medical community. Whenever I went to the doctor during my adolescent years, I felt like I could trust the medical provider to help me. This included antibiotics when I was sick, birth control when I started dating and vaccinations and blood work when necessary. Instead of it being a dreaded experience, I felt confident going to the doctor.

It amazes me how one experience can leave a lasting impression that affects everything else. I want to be a doctor so that I can provide the same kinds of experiences I’ve had to others. I believe that by providing compassionate and caring healthcare, I can help improve patient lives and help them stay healthy. If they trust me, then they’ll be able to confide in me so I can provide them with the best care possible. Sometimes that will mean listening to them and validating their feelings and concerns, and other times that will mean prescribing medications, sending them in for an X-ray, or admitting them to the hospital for intensive care. 

I believe that the healthcare experience should revolve around making the patient as comfortable as possible while treating everything–from a minor wound to a life-changing diagnosis. I know that becoming a doctor is the right career path for me because I’ve thought about it and done everything I can to prepare for it since I was 13 years old. I became a CNA and EMT in high school. I’ve volunteered with the American Red Cross and the free clinic in my town. I’ve also worked in various healthcare settings throughout my time earning my bachelor’s degree. 

Becoming a doctor is part of becoming myself. Helping to improve the healthcare system through how I treat my patients is what I was born to do. I can’t wait for the day when I earn my Doctor of Medicine degree and can begin my own medical practice.

This personal medical statement comes in at 710 words, so it easily works with the 1,500-word limit. Don’t feel like you have to write more because the words are available to you. A concisely-written statement is better than adding in unnecessary stuff to hit a specific word count. 

This statement hits all the right points. First, the student introduces herself. She takes the reader back in time to when she was a girl and weaves a story about how her experience in healthcare has influenced her in her desire to become a doctor. She then connects her ongoing positive experiences with her desire to create that experience for her own patients. She uses strong statements and ends her essay with a vision of what she’ll get to do with her MD degree.

Question #2 (Optional)
If you’re not a traditional student, tell the admissions committee why you’re now applying to medical school.

Many medical school applications list an essay as “optional.” And we usually recommend writing all the optional essays to make your application as strong as possible. However, if you’re a traditional student, this question is specific enough that it won’t apply to you. In that case, skip this question. 

If you are a non-traditional student, or if there’s something on your application that you want to explain, use this space to detail that. St. George’s University School of Medicine doesn’t list a word count minimum or maximum, so explain your background simply and clearly. 

Here’s an example:

I began working as a receptionist when I was 16 years old. It began as a summer job in high school and ended up becoming my full-time job when I graduated high school. I got married and had a child, and I lived happily like that for over 20 years. But now my daughter is in college, and I’m tired of being a receptionist. 

I’m applying to medical school because I’m ready for something more. I’m three-fourths of the way through my undergraduate degree, and I believe that your five-year or six-year MD program would be the perfect way for me to complete my education and become a doctor. I want to become an OB/GYN and be directly involved in the process of bringing lives into this world. I want to work in women’s healthcare and do my part to make it a better place.

This statement is short and sweet, but it gets the point across, and that’s what matters. Many doctors have taken non-traditional paths to get where they are today. That’s something to be encouraged and celebrated. St. George’s University School of Medicine isn’t asking you this question because they want you to justify your reason for becoming a doctor. Instead, they’re seeking to understand you and your background better, all while determining if you’re a good fit for the school. So, if you write this essay, write it confidently, knowing that your unique path to medical school matters. 

Now that we’ve covered both essay topics, it’s time to dive into the final section of our definitive guide: your interview at St. George’s University School of Medicine.

Part 5: Your Interview at St. George’s University School of Medicine

Congratulations! A medical school interview is a big deal. Now that you’ve made it through all the applications and essays, it’s time to let your personality shine through. The admissions committee can only get to know you in person so well, which is why they want to interview you. It will help them have a more complete picture of you as an individual and as a prospective student. 

The interview also allows you to ask questions and learn more about St. George’s University School of Medicine. After all, if you’re going to spend several years of your life attending school and earning your MD (or whichever degree you choose), you’ll probably have some questions for your interviewer. 

So, what can you expect on your interview day? 

St. George’s University School of Medicine holds all applicants to high standards. While COVID-19 has forced them to move all interviews to a virtual setting, they make it clear that you need to be professional. This includes having a quiet background, dressing professionally and setting up an appropriate backdrop. Make sure your internet connection, microphone and video settings are working properly before the interview begins. During your interview, try to look at the camera as if you’re looking it in the eye. For the interviewer, you will appear to be looking directly at them. Be sure to answer all questions the same way that you would if you were at the interview in person. 

After your interview, it won’t be long before you find out if you’ve been accepted into St. George’s University School of Medicine. St. George’s University School of Medicine has several contingent acceptance offers. They are as follows.

• Admit MD
  – Congrats! You’re in!
• Admit MD/Academic Enhancement Program (AEP)
  – You’ll take some additional courses that supplement the MD program.
• Admit MD/Medical Academic Communication (MAC)
  – You’ll take a weekly class that will get you caught up on medical terminology and professional communication using the English language.
• Admit MD/English for Medicine Pathway (EMP)
  – You’ll begin with pre-matriculation courses in Science and English to help you understand both subjects in English as they pertain to medicine.
• Provisional Admit/Medical School Assessment Program (MSAP)
  – This is a fast-paced, month-long, online-based program that St. George’s University School of Medicine assigns to students with test scores that fall just shy of where they need to be. Students are admitted into the MD program upon successful completion.
• Not Admit/Admit to Charter Foundation Program (CFP)
  – The CFP is similar to the MSAP, only it takes place at one of St. George’s University’s campuses and lasts for one semester.
• Not Admit
  – Unfortunately, you were not accepted.

Those are the decisions that the School of Medicine makes for students who are enrolling in the traditional, four-year MD program. Similar decisions are made for students enrolling in the five-year, six-year and seven-year MD programs. 

If you’re serious about applying for St. George’s University School of Medicine but have questions, we recommend attending a virtual information session with them. 

International Medical Aid is here for you.

International Medical Aid is here to help you, wherever you are in the medical school application process. If you’re still deciding whether medicine is the right career field for you, consider going on an international trip with us. We go to South America, East Africa and the Caribbean to provide medical care to underserved communities. 

We offer consulting services for medical school applicants. We can review your primary and secondary applications, read your essays and provide constructive feedback, conduct a mock interview with you or do a combination of all those things. You can easily schedule an appointment with us on our website.

Finally, we recommend applying to a lot of medical schools to increase your chances of being accepted. Because of this, we’ve created a ton of definitive guides on how to get into different schools. Check them out.

• George Washington University School of Medicine
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania
• Western University of Health Sciences in California
• Wake Forest University School of Medicine
• Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Yale School of Medicine
• Georgetown University School of Medicine
• Perelman School of Medicine
• NYU Medical School
• UCLA Medical School
• Washington University School of Medicine
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• Brown Medical School

We add to our blog all the time, so be sure to check back frequently to see our latest guides.

Good luck with your medical school applications. If you ever need any help, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you, that you’re accepted into the school of your dreams!