Applicant-Friendly Admission to a MD Program in the Caribbean

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At Texila American University (TAU) Guyana, we have an admissions process that prioritizes the needs of our applicants, accepting students to our medical program on a rolling basis. Applicants from U.S. and Canada are admitted for the Fall and Spring semesters, and are not just limited to the Fall semester.

We take a one-of-a-kind, holistic approach to assessing applications. We don’t just look at your past academic performance. We look at you as a whole person and assess your potential based on a combination of factors like your life experiences, background, academic records, hobbies, and extracurriculars. In this article, we detail how our unique admissions process works and what’s required for admission to our MD and premed programs. 

Application Process

For most of the programs at Texila American University Guyana, you will need to do the following to apply for admission:

1. Fill out an online application and pay the required application fee.
2. Upload your personal statement.
3. Submit the results of qualifying exams. Please note that required exams differ based on program.
4. Provide academic transcripts from all previous institutions.
5. Submit two letters of recommendation. At least one of your recommenders should be a previous teacher, professor, academic mentor, or academic advisor.
6. Share one color copy of your passport and two copies of color passport photos. This helps us verify your identity and background information.
7. Provide any additional requested supplemental documents. These will be requested on our application portal.
8. Take the Texila Medical Admission Test (TMAT).
9. Attend Multiple Mini Interviews.
10. Receive your final admissions decision.

Advice for Writing Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement is your chance to introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee. It should be under 1,500 words and should address: your academic history, your achievements, and why you wish to study medicine. Let your personality shine and be yourself in your statement. Avoid generic statements or writing what you think the Admissions Committee wants to read. Your statement should capture what is unique about you and tell the story of how your background would make you excel as a medical student.

Criteria for 4-Year MD Program Admission

The admission process for best Caribbean medical schools like TAU Guyana is competitive. The Admissions Committee, which includes faculty members and student representatives, is responsible for picking qualified candidates for the MD program. The number of accepted applicants each year depends on the number of available seats. To be accepted, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Academic Credentials:

• An associate or bachelor’s degree or an equivalent in Health Sciences or Life Sciences
• A minimum of 90 college-level credits with a GPA of at least 2.70 on a 4.0 scale

Prerequisite Courses:

• Inorganic or General Chemistry (with labs)
• Organic Chemistry (with labs)
• General Biology (with labs)
• Physics (with labs)
• English proficiency (TOEFL or equivalent for non-native English speakers)
• Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or Statistics

In addition to the requirements listed above, admission to MD studies is also contingent upon passing the TMAT exam and successful completion of Multi Mini Interviews (MMIs).

What Is the TMAT?

TAU Guyana MD applicants have the option to take the Texila Medical Admission Test (TMAT) instead of the MCAT as a part of their admissions process. The TMAT is an MCQ-based test comprised of 200 basic science questions. The exam’s questions are divided into the following areas: Medical Terminology (10%), Human Anatomy (25%), Basic Physiology (25%), Basic Biochemistry (25%), Biology (5%), Psychology (5%), Essential Organic Chemistry (5%). A 70% score on the TMAT is necessary to pass. The TMAT is something that makes us unique and attractive to many applicants among other, premier accredited medical schools in the Caribbean.

What Are Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)?

Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) are an important component of the admission process for best Caribbean medical schools like TAU Guyana. MMIs are five, brief assessments conducted by faculty members on the Admissions Committee. MMIs assess your practical skills, and the duration of each of them is around 10 minutes. Before each mini interview, you will receive a scenario to respond to and formulate your response based on provided instructions. Including several interviewers and multiple scenarios, MMIs are designed to offer a balanced assessment and reduce bias. To pass the MMIs, you must receive at least a 70% score.

The MMIs are designed to evaluate applicants on skills like:

• Critical Thinking
• Ethics
• Reasoning
• Psychological Knowledge
• Communication

Criteria for 5-Year MD Program Admission

The 5-Year MD Program at Texila American University Guyana allows students to enroll in a 90-credit program before starting their MD studies. This allows them to finish their MD requirements in five years. It’s ideal for students from countries with a 10+2 education system. The admissions requirements for the 5-year course of study include:

• CAPE Units 1 and 2: Chemistry, Biology, and either Math or Physics
• 3 Advanced Levels in Biology, Chemistry, and either Physics or Math
• IB Diploma with strong grades; 2HL mandatory.

5-Year MD Program applicants should contact the admissions office for more information about specific entry exams and qualifications required by their home countries.

Criteria for Premed Program Admissions

Texila American University Guyana’s premedical students are exposed to critical coursework and experiences that prepare them to enter medical school once they complete their studies. Specific admissions requirements for the premed program differ based on your country of origin and academic background, but here are some of the common prerequisites for admissions:
Texila American University Guyana’s premedical students are exposed to critical coursework and experiences that prepare them to enter medical school once they complete their studies. Specific admissions requirements for the premed program differ based on your country of origin and academic background, but here are some of the common prerequisites for admissions:

• U.S. high school diploma with above-average academic records and high SAT scores
• Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) with top marks in subjects including Chemistry, Biology, Math, Physics, English, and additional electives.
• Five O-level credit passes (NECO/WAE) in Chemistry, Biology, Math, English, and Physics
• Passing score on recognized secondary school examination covering Science, Math, and English
• For a 30-credit transfer, CAPE Unit I or II exams with grades I to III

Transfer Students

TAU Guyana is one of the few accredited medical schools in the Caribbean that accepts transfer applicants, and our program is a very popular choice for students transferring from schools in the U.S. and Canada. MD transfer applicants must come from an institution recognized by the World Directory of Medical Schools and should plan to apply prior to enrollment in the clinical portion of their studies. Our Admissions team works with transfer students to give them credit for past, applicable coursework and ensure a smooth transition to our school.

Our Admissions team is ready to assist you as you start out on your journey to becoming a medical student at TAU Guyana. Contact us and let us know how we can help!