START STRONG. PURSUE YOUR MD JOURNEY AT ROSS MED

Grow into a medical leader with a global mindset, developing the skills to practice in diverse patient care environments.

US modeled complete organ systems-based curriculum allows you to address the processes of health and disease holistically. Learn how the physiological, anatomical, and biochemical processes of each organ system work together simultaneously, providing you with an integrated view of human health in biomedical, clinical and community health contexts.
A dynamic cross-cultural medical school opportunity with hands-on experiences caring for patients alongside physicians outside of the classroom, and across the Barbados community within weeks as an MD student.
A curriculum that will prepare you to be practice-ready in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Diverse career options. In 2023, over half of our graduates attained residencies in 7 primary care specialties, while others pursued specialties across 18 non-primary care disciplines.

MD VS. DO: How does an MD differ from a DO?

Real Talk. The academic and licensure differences between Doctors of Medicine (MD) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) continues to shrink. MDs and DOs are fully licensed physicians with medical degrees and post-doctoral residency training that enables them to practice in any medical specialty.
While the decision is highly personal, there are several factors that could help determine which path you wish to pursue:

MD and DO curriculums are similar. Both MDs and DOs follow a four-year curriculum. In the first two years, students learn about the human body, diseases, treatments and how to examine a patient. Clinical experience (rotations) occurs during the third and fourth years. DO programs have additional curriculum hours in musculoskeletal/holistic care.
DOs tend to pursue primary care and more MDs tend to go into specialized fields
A DO degree may have limited international recognition and opportunities to practice outside of the U.S. may be narrowed.
MDs practice an allopathic approach to care. An allopathic physician focuses on contemporary, research-based medicine, and often uses medications or surgery to treat and manage symptoms.
An osteopathic doctor focuses on the whole body, with DOs often focusing on preventive care.

The similarities and differences between MDs and DOs don’t necessarily define the way they practice medicine. There has been a shift in focus to more holistic approaches to care within many allopathic medical schools and MDs often provide whole-person and preventive care as do DOs. In fact, You may notice MDs and DOs practicing side-by-side in physician offices.
No matter which path you choose to take, you should consider the school and curriculum that best suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can MDs and DOs practice internationally?

International opportunities are a significant difference between an MD and a DO. International opportunities will vary by country for a DO.

What undergraduate prerequisites do I need as an MD and DO?

As a prospective undergraduate, you should:

Complete a bachelor’s degree with a strong emphasis on coursework including chemistry, biology and physics
Take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), and
Gain additional experience through work/volunteer experiences and related extracurricular activities

How are MD and DO medical schools similar?

Most allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) programs feature:

Competitive admissions process
Four years of didactic and clinical training, followed by residencies
Similar coursework including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and more.

What are MD and DO licensing requirements?

What are MD and DO licensing requirements? The licensing requirements for MDs and DOs are the same:

Both can prescribe medication
Both can practice in all 50 U.S. states
Both can pursue all medical specialties

What additional training do DOs receive?

In addition to receiving the same medical training as other physicians, osteopathic medical students are trained in osteopathic principles and practice and receive 200+ hours of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM).

What is required for medical school?

Applying to Caribbean medical schools is very similar to a U.S. medical school. At Ross Med, our Admissions team looks at a variety of factors when reviewing your application to medical school, including:

Academic achievement (GPA and MCAT score)
Course Requirements – The minimum prerequisite requirements are:
- Inorganic or General Chemistry: Two semesters (eight semester hours) with laboratories
- Organic Chemistry: Two semesters (eight semester hours) with laboratories
- General Biology or Zoology: Two semesters of biology or zoology with laboratories
- Physics: One semester (four semester hours) with laboratory
- Mathematics: One semester of college-level mathematics (three semester hours), preferably calculus or statistics
- English: Two semesters (six semester hours)
  - Canadian students may satisfy the English requirements in 3 possible ways: (1) 2 semesters of University humanities where essays composed at least 40% of the overall mark, (2) International Baccalaureate English and (3) Advanced Placement English.
Extracurriculars, including clinical experience, community service, and/or involvement in clubs or other organizations
Personal qualities, such as compassion and leadership

As medical school admissions criteria may vary slightly, it is important for applicants to become knowledgeable about each institution’s requirements prior to applying.
A full list of Ross Med’s application requirements can be found here.

Global Perspective, Local Impact: Clinical Return Home Offer

Spend your first 2 years in Barbados and return home for clinical training. Ross Med is guaranteeing a limited number of Year 3 core clerkships at five of our regional affiliate hospitals.* This is an opportunity for aspiring students who would like to eventually practice in their home community.

*There is a limited number of guaranteed spots available at each site per term, and Ross Med cannot guarantee that all eligible students will be placed at the designated site in their home area. In addition to applying to Ross Med, being accepted, and paying the seat deposit before guaranteed clerkship seats are filled, students must meet all eligibility requirements listed below. Ross Med offers three start dates per year in {{:threeStartDates}}. New seats will become available for each start. An applicant may have the option to choose a later start if spots have been filled.

Learn How to Return Home

Benefits of Pursuing Your MD at Ross Med

Modern, technologically advanced classrooms, laboratories, simulation centers, and study areas
Early hands-on clinical experiences that will carry over to you professionally working with patients
A variety of teaching methods including lectures, laboratories, case-based seminars, team-based learning, and early community-based clinical opportunities
Personalized student supports with your success in mind-from your first day through residency
A diverse community, with dedicated, caring faculty and students from all over the globe

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RUSM students’ five-year cumulative first-time pass rate for the USMLE® Step 1 exam is 86.8% from 2019-2023.*

*First-time pass rate is the number of students passing the USMLE Step 1 exam on the first attempt divided by the number of students whose first attempt was in 2019-2023. In order to sit for the USMLE Step 1 exam students must successfully complete the Medical Sciences curriculum and earn a satisfactory score on the NBME CBSE exam as listed in the student handbook.

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RUSM students' five-year cumulative first-time pass rate for the USMLE® Step 2 CK exam is 93.6% from 2019-2023.*

*First-time pass rate is the number of students passing the USMLE Step 2 CK exam on the first attempt divided by the number of students whose first attempt was in 2019-2023. In order to sit for the exam students must earn an acceptable score on the NBME CCSE as listed in the catalog.

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98% first-time residency attainment rate in 2024**

**First-time residency attainment rate is the percent of students attaining a 2024-25 residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2023-24 who were active applicants in the 2024 NRMP match or who attained a residency position outside the NRMP match. The current rate for 2025 is 95% as of Apr 22.

¹According to 2020–2021 AOA figures, nearly 57% of DOs practice in primary care specialties: 30% are family physicians, 19% are internists and 7.5% are pediatricians.
By comparison, 28% of active U.S. physicians with MDs practice in primary care specialties: 11% are family physicians or in general practice, 10.4% are internists and 6.8% are pediatricians. This data comes from the Association of American Medical Colleges.

$100M+

With a total value of over $100 million USD awarded in Scholarships and Grants since 2020, let us invest in you.

15,000+ alumni

Practicing throughout U.S. and Canada

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Specialties including Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, Surgery, Neurology, Pathology, Radiation Oncology, and more through 40 U.S. states and territories

Why Wait? 3 Flexible Start Dates

With three start dates to choose from, you can pursue your MD when it’s convenient for you and your own personal journey. Session starts are available in {{:threeStartDates}}. Talk to our supportive admission advisors to learn more

Upcoming Start Dates

Which start date is right for you?

Our three flexible start dates help you begin -and finish- your medical education on your schedule.

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Our Accreditation Makes It Possible

Ross University School of Medicine is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP, www.caam-hp.org). As a Ross Med graduate, you’ll be eligible for Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates® (ECFMG®) certification and can apply for U.S. and Canadian residencies and licensure.

Choose the MD Path at Ross Med

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