FAQ

Once students have completed the first 2 years of basic science courses, there will be ongoing assistance for the following 2-year period to help students succeed in their MATCH and the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). The Office of Student Affairs will work with the Academic Dean’s office to review student CVs and personal statements and practice in mock interviews.

Once a student has secured residency, they will work with the Registrar to complete required licensure packages for the state where they will be completing residency and supply the hospital with any required documentation.

The ACSOM Preparatory Program is designed to help incoming students acclimate to the rigors of medical school. It includes foundational courses in basic sciences, study skills workshops, and orientation sessions to ensure students are well-prepared for their medical education.

Yes, many grocery stores in the area offer a variety of dietary options, including gluten-free, kosher, and halal products. Larger supermarkets and specialty stores cater to these dietary needs.

There are several mobile phone plan options available, ranging from prepaid to contract plans. Major carriers and local providers offer a variety of plans to suit different needs, including unlimited data, international calling, and family plans.

Housing options are located within walking distance of the school and academic facilities, allowing students an easy commute to and from campus. Whether students prefer a 1, 2, or occasionally 3-bedroom apartment, inventory of apartments and Safe Haven Realty will meet student needs and preferences. Review the Housing Brochure for more information – ACSOM-Housing-Brochure.pdf

ACSOM has contracted with Safe Haven Realty to provide incoming students with various housing options in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. All incoming students are required to work with Safe Haven Realty. Quality, best value and price, security, and housing standards that meet the needs of medical students are assured, and any housing issues that arise are addressed in a systematic way through Safe Haven Realty. Student Support Services office is here to offer guidance and advice on individual housing issues and work with Safe Haven Realty on changes in the needs of the student body.

Applications should be submitted as early as possible, ideally several months before the intended start date. Check the ACSOM website for specific deadlines for each intake period.

The Admissions Committee holistically reviews each qualified application. The following information is required to be considered for review:  ACSOM application form, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and MCAT scores. . All students must have the following:

• A bachelor’s degree (no specific major required),
• MCAT scores (no minimum set)
• Fluent in English,
• A record of good conduct
• Complete the following prerequisite courses
  • 3 semesters – general or higher biology (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, etc.)
  • 2 semesters – general chemistry
  • 1 semester – organic chemistry
  • 1 semester – algebra or biostatistics
  • 1 semester – physics

ACSOM offers a range of clinical opportunities, including clerkships, rotations in various medical specialties, and hands-on training at affiliated hospitals and clinics. Go to the ACSOM Clinical Rotations website for specific information regarding clinical rotations.

To submit your application, you will need to provide your academic transcripts, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and any other documents specified by the admissions office.

Yes, applicants who meet the initial admissions criteria are typically invited for an interview as part of the selection process. Make sure to respond to communications from your admissions advisor so you do not miss an interview invitation.

Applicants are automatically reviewed and considered for an award by the Admissions Committee for all available institutional scholarships based on the strength of the applicant’s file and potential to contribute to our rigorous academic community. No additional scholarship application is required. Financial aid options vary depending on the needs of each student and include a combination of private student loans, institutional grants and scholarships, and the ACSOM loan program. . https://www.acsom.edu.dm/admissions/tuition-financial-aid/ Contact our Financial Aid department to discuss the specific options for you. finaid@acsom.edu.dm or 1-631-452-5579

Yes, ACSOM accepts transfer students from other accredited medical schools, subject to space availability and meet all of the documentation requirements of a new applicant.

Students wishing to transfer directly to the Clinical Rotation program will need to have passed the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) Step 1 or the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) from the first attempt.

Students who wish to transfer but have not yet passed or taken Step 1, do not be discouraged. Apply to ACSOM as new student for the first year of study and discuss options with the admissions advisor. Official and current transcript(s) from medical school(s) attended must be provided, in addition to additional documentation and records requested by the Admissions Committee.

Yes, ACSOM has a faculty-student mentoring program to provide academic guidance, career advice, and personal support to students throughout their medical education. The small group classroom of no more than 10 students per faculty is ideally created to provide that mentorship and access to your physician medical educators.

ACSOM has two semesters each year. Students are admitted on a rolling basis, and you can be admitted as late as 1 month prior to the start of a semester. Check the academic calendar for specific start dates.

ACSOM values transparency and accuracy in reporting costs so there are no surprises or hidden costs.

Year 1-2 Tuition (per year): $50,000 USD (tuition only)*
Year 3-4 Tuition (per year): $57,000 USD (tuition only)*
*Subject to Change

Take a look at the estimated cost of attendance on our tuition and financial aid page. Talk with your Admissions Advisor if you have any specific questions about the cost of attendance or tuition and fees.

Elementary Schools in Portsmouth (about 5 to 8 minutes away from campus):

Roosevelt Douglas Primary School (Public School)

• Location: Portsmouth
• Principal: Mr. Pierre
• Telephone Number: (767) 276-7921
• Email Address: rdps@education.gov.dm

St. John’s Primary School (Private Catholic School)

• Principal: Mrs. Glenda Peters
• Email: sjcs.secretary@gmail.com
• Telephone Number: (767) 445-4548

High Schools in Portsmouth:

Portsmouth Secondary School (Public School)

• Location: Portsmouth
• Principal: Mr. Danley James
• Email: pssprincipal@education.gov.dm
• Telephone: (767) 277-3729

Arthur Waldron Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School (Private SDA School)

• Location: Glanvillia, Portsmouth
• Telephone Number: (767) 445-5152
• Email: awsdaacademy@gmail.com
• Principal: Mrs. Challenger

Yes. Students may bring pets with them. However, pet policies vary by housing complex. Likewise, bringing a pet to Dominica requires the animal to meet required documentation that are:

Blood Work

• rabies antibody titer
• Proof that dog is free from internal and external parasites.

Vaccines

• Canine distemper
• Parvovirus
• Leptospirosis
• Corana Virus
• Lyme disease
• Icterohaemorrhagiae

Vaccines certificate and documentation should come from a reputable provider such as a government provider and should be emailed to livestockdevunit@dominica.gov.dm prior to arrival for approval.  A more complete review and contact information for the Commonwealth of Dominica may be found here. Students should also secure housing that allows pets and pay all appropriate fees.  Please contact Student Support Services if you have further questions (studentservices@acsom.edu.dm).

The American College of School of Medicine (ACSOM) is a medical school dedicated to providing high-quality medical education. It is located in the Commonwealth of Dominica, Picard, St. John’s parish.

ACSOM is fully accredited by the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR)  and holds preliminary accreditation from the Accreditation Commission on College of Medicine (ACCM) both  World Federation of Medical Education (WFME) recognized accreditors, Accreditation Commission on College of Medicine (ACCM) and Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR). ACSOM is listed in the World Directory, where sponsor notes can be found granting ACSOM students and graduates of this medical school are eligible to apply to ECFMG for ECFMG Certification and examination and Medical degrees obtained from this medical school are acceptable to the provincial/territorial medical regulatory authorities in Canada, and therefore acceptable to all medical organizations in Canada.

Our education is small-group driven rather than lecture-based. Typically, students will spend their day on campus in a group of 8-10, with one faculty member. When in clinic, generally 2-4 students are paired with each physician. Learn more about the curriculum modules and threads, as well as clinical rotations here.

Health insurance is a mandatory fee, except for citizens of Dominica while on the Island. ASCOM has reviewed multiple student health insurance policies from top-tier US insurance companies and has negotiated a best discounted group fee. The insurance can be utilized internationally and includes medical evacuation in the event of emergency.  ASCOM does not charge any additional administrative fee. Dominica and all clinical US clinical sites require health insurance that can be verified by the school.

ACSOM graduates will receive a Doctor of Medicine degree which is recognized internationally. Licensure requirements vary in each country and may require additional tests or approvals to practice.

Yes. iPad OS 15.0 or later is required. As an ACSOM student, it’s important to stay connected, have access to resources at your fingertips, and maintain the technological edge that’s become integral to modern medical education. To support these aims, all students are required to bring an iPad that operates on iPad OS 15.0 or later along with an iPad keyboard case. This will be your central hub for accessing our interactive and innovative digital curriculum, from textbooks to classroom assignments and more. In addition to your iPad, we also strongly encourage you to bring along any other technology that enhances your study experience. This could be a reliable laptop, desktop, or other technology.

Yes, all students are required to have an active passport and at least 1 year left before it expires to travel to Dominica for their Basic Sciences or to the US for their Clinical Rotation.

Student Support Services provide a mandatory pre-depature orientation to help students stay informed of all required steps prior to transition to study in Dominica. Student orientation and check-in will occur the week before the start of classes in August or January. For more information, please reach out to Student Support Services at studentservices@acsom.edu.dm

All students have live classes. The education process is facilitated in accordance with safety requirements. All students and faculty members are required to wash hands frequently, use sanitizers, and maintain social distance. Masks are distributed to students by ACSOM staff. Sanitizers are available on Campus. Vaccination is a requirement for all faculty, staff, and students. Requirements will depend on the current epidemiological recommendations, which could be different for the classroom and clinical situations. We will keep students updated.

The requirements are the same for all applicants. WES or NARIC evaluations are required for international students. Additionally, if English is their second language a TOEFL test score must be provided.

The ACSOM campus is staffed 24 hours a day by security who monitor and check everyone who comes to the campus. There are modern security cameras across campus and a shuttle can take you to and from campus if you study late in the evening. Health and Safety protocols are in place and operational in the event of any emergency, whether it be illness, injury, inclement weather, or criminal activity. We work with local healthcare providers for student illnesses and injuries. ACSOM incorporates typical US requirements like Clery protocols.

As a new school, we are partnering with the Student Government Association to establish clubs, organizations, associations, and opportunities for sports recreation and social gatherings. It is important to spend time on one’s academics and take some downtime for healthy distractions. We have hosted social events like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and beach days, and there have been a number of community events like service days for World Mental Health Day and World Diabetes Day. More to come with your input and participation.