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Caribbean Medical School Interview: SGU, Ross, AUC, Saba
Caribbean medical schools like SGU, Ross, AUC and Saba interview US applicants after a first review of the application, often by video call with one member of the admissions team, for about 30 to 60 minutes. Expect questions on why medicine, why the Caribbean and this school, how you will adapt to island life and any academic setbacks. Ross and AUC want US applicants' MCAT scores before the interview, and all six schools here start classes three times a year.
How Caribbean schools interview
Most Caribbean schools admit on a rolling basis, so the interview can come within days of applying. SGU sums up the order most of them follow: “The admission process is comprised of three stages: initial review, interview, and final review.” At Ross, “Not every applicant is granted an interview.” Trinity is the exception and puts its interview first. Interviews are with admissions staff or committee members, and many run online. Our virtual interview tips cover the setup.
Have your MCAT done early if you are a US applicant. Ross says “The MCAT is required for all U.S. applicants prior to interview.” AUC asks for MCAT scores “to be submitted by all U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. permanent residents prior to the interview”. For prerequisites and the rest of the application, see Caribbean medical school requirements. Each school's MCAT rule, including who is exempt, is in Caribbean medical schools without the MCAT, and how to compare the schools is in best Caribbean medical schools.
Interviews at six Caribbean schools
What six schools say about their interviews on their own admissions pages, read October 26, 2026.
| School | Its admissions page says |
|---|---|
| SGUAfter initial review | Invites usually come within 5 business days of the first review. You talk with its interview team, so test your camera first. Source |
| RossStructured interview | Several interview conversations with a trained admissions representative on why medicine, your goals, your academics and why Ross. Source |
| AUCOne-on-one, about 30 min | With an admissions committee member, often virtual for international applicants. Decisions come about three weeks later. Source |
| SabaVideo call, 45-60 min | With a member of the admissions team, usually online. A decision usually takes two to four weeks after the interview. Source |
| MUA30 to 60 minutes | With one or more Admissions Committee members. Covers why medicine, your academics, clinical experience and the MUA program. Source |
| TrinityInterview comes first | Trinity interviews at the start of the process, not the end. After the file review you hear back in about one week. Source |
Start terms for 2027
Each school starts new classes three times a year. Ross says “Ross Med operates on rolling admissions and accepts applications year-round until classes fill.” Saba lists a “Rolling admissions process.” Apply early for the term you want, since the interview usually follows within days or weeks.
- SGU. January 18, April 7 and August 16, 2027. Source
- Ross. January 11, May 10 and September 6, 2027. Apply by December 11, April 16 and August 13 for each. Source
- AUC. January, May and September, with applications year-round. Source
- Saba. January, May and September, with rolling admissions. Source
- MUA. September, January and May, with applications all year. Source
- Trinity. January, May and September. Source
What the schools look for
These schools describe a holistic review, and their pages name the qualities the interview is meant to bring out. AUC says “The interviewer evaluates the applicant's motivation for studying medicine in the Caribbean, understanding of the AUC program, personal qualities such as maturity and adaptability, and any gaps in prerequisite coursework.” It adds “We seek students with resilience and a genuine commitment to care.” Ross writes “We look for persistence, adaptability, and commitment to becoming a physician.”
Trinity uses the interview for “assessing interpersonal skills, alignment with the school's values, communication abilities, motivation for pursuing medicine, problem-solving skills, and capacity to handle stress”. Saba says the interview is there to “more thoroughly explore the applicant's skills, credentials and passion for medicine”. MUA puts it from your side: “This is an opportunity for the candidate to advocate for their credentials and address any items within their application which the student would like to elaborate.” SGU asks you to “explore the lessons you have learned from your challenges”.
Interview questions by theme
Caribbean school interviews tend to cover these six themes. Each one has common versions of the question and how to approach it. For the wider list, see our medical school interview questions, and for the first question most interviews ask, our guide to why medicine.
Why medicine
- Why do you want to be a doctor?
- What experience made you sure about medicine?
- What have you seen of a physician's day that appeals to you?
Pick one or two real moments, say what you did and what you learned about the work, and tie them to the doctor you want to become.
Why the Caribbean and why this school
- Why do you want to study medicine in the Caribbean?
- Why our school in particular?
- What do you know about our program and campus?
Name specific things from the school's own pages, like its start terms, curriculum or clinical sites, and say why they fit your plans.
Living and studying abroad
- How will you adjust to life on an island?
- Who will support you while you are away from home?
- Tell me about a time you adapted to a new place.
Show a plan: where you will live, how you will study, how you will stay in touch with family and how you have handled change before.
Academic setbacks and the MCAT
- Walk me through a semester that did not go well.
- What would you do differently in your coursework?
- How do you know you are ready for medical school now?
Own the result in a sentence, explain what changed in how you study and point to later grades or work that show it.
USMLE and residency plans
- How will you prepare for USMLE Step 1?
- What specialty interests you right now?
- Where do you hope to train after graduation?
Keep it concrete and open: a study habit you already use, a field you are curious about and why, and that you will use the school's advising.
You as a future colleague
- Tell me about a time you worked on a team under pressure.
- How do you handle stress?
- What will you add to our class?
Use one short story per answer with what you did, how it turned out and what you would carry into medical school.
“Why do you want to attend a medical school in the Caribbean?”
A strong answer gives your real reasons, names what drew you to this school's program and shows you have thought through living and studying on the island.
How to prepare
SGU's own advice is a good start: “Review our student selection criteria and think of examples of how your academic preparation, interests, and life experiences align with these attributes.” It also says “Be prepared to discuss what you have learned from any academic challenges you have experienced”, and to “test your device for camera and sound quality”. Then work through these steps.
- Reread your application. Interviewers have your file, so know every activity, grade and line of your personal statement.
- Learn the school. Read its admissions pages, curriculum and campus pages so your why this school answer is specific.
- Plan your setback story. Have a short, honest account of any low grade or MCAT score and what you changed after it.
- Set up for video. Most of these interviews can happen online, so test your camera, sound and a quiet room the day before.
- Practice out loud. Answer the themes above out loud and time yourself, then bring two or three questions of your own.
For a grade or score you need to explain, our guide to the weakness question shows how to frame it, and how to prepare for medical school interviews has a full plan. Trinity puts it simply: “The admissions interview is your opportunity to tell us your story.”
Sources: the admissions pages of St. George's University, Ross University School of Medicine (admissions, requirements, how to apply, FAQ), American University of the Caribbean (admissions, requirements), Saba University School of Medicine (admissions, FAQ), Medical University of the Americas and Trinity School of Medicine. All checked October 26, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Caribbean medical school applicant get an interview?
No. SGU, Ross, AUC and MUA review your file first and then invite applicants to interview. Trinity is different and puts the interview at the start of its process.
Are Caribbean medical school interviews virtual?
Many are. Saba interviews usually happen by online video call, AUC often interviews international applicants virtually and SGU asks you to test your camera and sound. Check your invitation for the format.
Do I need my MCAT score before the interview?
At Ross and AUC, yes for US applicants. Both ask US citizens, nationals and permanent residents to submit MCAT scores before the interview.
How long after the interview will I hear back?
It depends on the school. AUC says about three weeks, Saba two to four weeks, MUA within 10 business days and Trinity about one week after its file review.
When do Caribbean medical schools start classes?
Most of these schools start classes three times a year and review applications on a rolling basis. SGU starts in January, April and August, and Ross, AUC, Saba, MUA and Trinity in January, May and September.