Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

The limited availability of seats in government medical colleges, high cost of capitation and tuition fee in private medical colleges are prompting the students to opt for MBBS abroad due to affordable tuition fee, living and food expenses.

So long as the medical school/university is recognized by WHO (world health organization) MCI (Medical Council of India), respective country higher education commission/council, listed in IMED (International Medical Education Directory) it is recommendable to admit the student. However, it is also advisable to evaluate the language of the nation; climatic conditions, safety aspects, quality of teaching and clinical rotations (practical learning) and furtherance of education and professional opportunities etc. are the suggested factors to evaluate a medical school/university

Washington University of Health and Science is accredited, recognized and listed in WHO (World Health Organization), MCI (Medical Council of India), IMED (International Medical Education Directory) FAIMER (Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research, USA), MCC (Medical Council of Canada), NRMP (National Resident Matching Program), ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates), GMC (General Medical Council), NBME(National Board of Medical Examinations, USA).

Even if a seat is not available in India to study MBBS, still students could look forward to best of the medical schools/universities abroad. This includes World-class medical education at Avalon University School of Medicine.

It is located at Willemstad, Curacao, in the Caribbean.

It offers M.D – Doctor of Medicine course, equivalent to MBBS in India.

The course duration is 4 ½ years.

The course comprises of basic sciences taught in Curacao and the clinical rotations as a part of clinical sciences could be either in Curacao itself or at US, Canada or India. Further, the course is classified into:
1st phase has six Semesters and after completing the semesters; students are eligible to appear for USMLE Step-1.After clearing the USMLE Step-1, the student is eligible to appear for Clinical Rotations (core and elective clerkships) in US, Canada, UK or India. After clearing the M.D course, student would appear for USMLE Step-2. After clearing the Step-2, student could apply for Residency (PG course) in US/Canada which offers the student a lucrative stipend ranging from US$4000 – 5000 a month. After completing Residency, student could join the fellowship or sub-specialties. After completing Residency, student could apply for fellowship in sub-specialties or could look forward to an easy settlement options at USA.

Avalon University School of Medicine being a World-Class Medical University, it has stringent norms for admission as detailed below: a. Prospective student should secure at least should secure an aggregate of 70% marks in 12th class or equivalent with Biology/Biotechnology, Chemistry and Physics as the optional subjects. b. Should quality in NEET-2018 c. Should be completing 17 years of age by December 31st 2018 d. Possess a valid passport.

The course comprises of 11 semesters which is divided into Basic Sciences and Clinical Sciences.

Gross and Developmental Anatomy, Medical Physiology, Histology, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Medical Ethics & History taking problem based learning, Neuroscience, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology, Behavioral Science, Genetics, Pharmacology, Physician Clinical Skills, Introduction to Clinical Medicine, Introduction to Clinical Research, Getting into Residency, Comprehensive USMLE review.

Clinical Science is taught in core and in electives. Core Clinical Sciences include Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, and Family Medicine. Elective Clinical Sciences include Cardiology, Radiology, Pulmonologist, Hematology/Oncology, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology, Gastroenterology, Neurology and Dermatology.

In Indian MBBS curriculum follows a traditional pattern, and at Avalon University School of Medicine, they adapt to the integrated curriculum that has an advantage of clinical learning from the beginning of the course. Further, as the curriculum is patterned on USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) which enables the qualified students to join the lucrative Residency programs leading to sub-specialties or Fellowship programs, USMLE is perceived as the Launchpad to the highly rewarding medical sciences in US/Canada.

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States and is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Physicians with an MD degree are required to pass this examination before being permitted to practice medicine in the United States/Canada. The USMLE assesses a physician’s ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, which forms the fundamental patient-centered skills that are important in health and disease that constitutes the basis of safe and effective patient care. All three steps of the USMLE exam must be passed before a physician with an M.D. degree is eligible to apply for an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States/Canada. Students who have graduated from medical schools outside the US and Canada must pass all three steps of the USMLE to be licensed to practice in the US/Canada, regardless of the title of their degree. The Avalon curriculum is integrated with USMLE curriculum and is poised to benefit the students pursuing the MD program as more described in the following chart:

The Step 1 and Step 2 CK could be attempted in Avalon University School of Medicine, Curacao However, Step 2 CS and Step 3 should be attempted only in USA.

After completing M.D from Avalon, student could either register for Residency, if the Step-2 of the USMLE is cleared. Further, the student could appear for NEET-PG or register with MCI to practice in India.

It is not a tough examination. It only evaluates the students’ knowledge on the Science of Medicine.

Yes, it is a mandatory test effective 2019 onwards according to the proposed National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill 2018 for all medical graduates irrespective of the country that awards the basic degree in medicine recognized by Medical Council of India. However, Students who quality in Step 1 &2 are exempted from appearing to the Medical Council of India (MCI) Screening Test or Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) which is likely to be replaced by National Exit Test (NEXT) for practicing as a doctor in India or to appear for PG Medical Entrance Examination.

The Medical Council of India is a regulating body functioning under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, that supervises the curriculum, infrastructure, admission, evaluation and exit norms pertaining to medical education at undergraduate, post graduate and super-specialty levels.

Please refer to schedule 2 of the Medical Council of India (www.mciindia.org) that lists the recognized medical schools/universities abroad.

Tuition fee for the students admitted to Avalon University School of Medicine, Curacao during the academic year 2018-19 is USD 65,000 which is much lesser compared to tuition fee of any private medical college/university in India.

There is quite a number of teaching faculties from India. The Founder Chancellor, Executive Dean, Dean of Basic Sciences, Dean-Clinical Sciences, Dean – Student affairs are all from India.

The cost of living and food expenses per annum would be USD 6,000

The hostels are separate for boys and girls with Indian food.

Yes, the Indian Banks would advance loan for the tuition fee as per the applicable terms and conditions of each of the banks, as per the Indian Banks Association regulations.

No. The students enrolled into MBBS abroad are not allowed to do a part-time work, as their nature of course warrants student’s attendance at the hospitals for clinical postings for practical learning of the science of medicine.

Campus and hostels are much safer. There is 24 hours CCTV surveillance and adequate security is in Place.

Located in the tropics, just 12° north of the Equator, Curacao has a warm, sunny climate year round. The average temperature is about 27° C (in the mid-80s F). Cooling trade winds blow constantly from the east, picking up in the spring months. The rainy season, which is between October – February is usually marked by short, occasional showers, mostly at night, and continued sunny weather during the day. Total annual rainfall averages only 570 mm (22 inches).

The currency of Curacao is Guilders, though all the payments should be remitted only in US Dollars.

We offer a comprehensive end-to-end services viz. pre-admission screening, admission formalities, Visa processing, pre-departure sessions, overseas travel arrangements, accompanying the students to the Medical School at Curacao, placing them in the hostels, introducing them to the University authorities to complete the joining requirements including opening the bank account, timely update to the parents on the academic progress and well-being of the student, assistance to book the yearly return air-tickets to student at their cost. This apart, we propose to offer bridge course (coaching) to appear to the proposed NEXT being conducted by Medical Council of India (MCI).