MD FAQ

Ponce Health Sciences University British Virgin Islands School of Medicine has preliminary accreditation status from the Accreditation Commission on Medical Colleges (ACCM).

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is designed to be a 4-year program.
Physicians are also required to complete training in a residency program, which can last up to an additional 7 years, depending on the specialty.

Years 1 and 2 of the MD program are focused on pre-clinical courses with the following core disciplines: Gross Anatomy, Histology and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology/Immunology, and Neurosciences.

Year 3 offers the core clinical clerkships: Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family Medicine, Psychiatry and Surgery.

Year 4 focuses on Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Radiology, and Primary Care Selective with five months of sub-specialty elective rotations.

1. Gather all necessary materials.
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Two letters of recommendation written by professors of individuals familiar with the applicant’s professional work and skills.
• Official MCAT score (Only for US citizens, no minimum score required)
2. Non-refundable $90 application fee*
3. Submit application specific to PHSU BVI campus by deadline.
4. If selected, complete the admissions interview.
5. After acceptance, students must submit the following:
• Confirmation of acceptance
• Deposit of $300 to secure their seat in the upcoming class
• Evidence of up-to-date immunization record (must include Varicella, Td Adult, MMR, and three doses of Hepatitis B)
• Fill out the Policy on Technical Standards

The application process is open now for our inaugural cohort of medical students. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so visit here and submit your application now.

Visit our financial resources page for additional information on options to fund your education at PHSU BVI School of Medicine.

The official deadline to apply for admission is January 30, 2025; however, we encourage you to submit your application early. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Qualified applicants will be invited to interview and will be notified of acceptance on a rolling basis until the class is filled.

Students with non-science/biology majors may apply if they have completed their bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and comply with the other requirements established.

We do consider prerequisite courses taken online as long as the university is accredited.

We consider any of the following courses: Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, and/or Economics.

Spanish is not a requirement for the PHSU-SOM-BVI MD program. All instruction and assessment will be conducted in English.

The Medical Admission Committee highly recommends extracurricular activities and experiences in the health fields such as research, shadowing, and volunteer work. However, it is not required.

Applicants can consider taking a master’s degree in the sciences field such as an MS in Medical Sciences or other related fields. They can also focus on doing more experiences in the health field such as research, shadowing, and volunteer work.

We take into consideration all the degrees that the applicant has conferred. However, your undergraduate GPA and Science GPA must meet the minimum required. 2.70.

Online transcripts can be sent to bvi-admissions@psm.edu

Mailing Address:

H. Lavity Stoutt Community College
CCFC + GQR Paraquita Bay
Tortola, British Virgin Islands

At least two of the letters of recommendation should consist of previous professors and one written by an individual familiar with the applicant’s skills and abilities.

Instruction and assessment are conducted in English. During years three and four, students who are bilingual (English and Spanish) may be considered for clinical rotations at affiliated institutions at which Spanish is the primary language among patients.

PHSU-SOM-BVI anticipates enrolling our first class in Fall 2025, thus we do not yet have USMLE pass rates. PHSU SOM, which has campuses in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and St. Louis, Missouri, USA has an 86% first-time pass rate on USMLE Step 1.

PHSU-SOM-BVI anticipates enrolling our first class in Fall 2025, thus we do not yet have residency acceptance rates. PHSU SOM, which has campuses in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and St. Louis, Missouri, USA matched 87% of eligible MD students.

We have an Associate Dean who works directly with the orientation, assessment, and letters for the application process to residencies.