Dreaming of a Career as a Practicing Doctor in the United States? Manipal offers a Pathway for High School Graduates

Manipal's American University of Antigua (AUA) medical program is designed for students to initiate their medical education journey in India or Antigua, progress to clinical rotations in the US, and ultimately fulfill their aspiration of becoming licensed doctors in the US, UK, or Canada after successfully clearing the required licensure exams. Manipal's AUA medical program unfolds in three distinct phases. Prospective students can apply for this program after completing their 12th grade or having fulfilled the necessary prerequisites during their Bachelor's degree For detailed admission requirements, please click here.   

Manipal's AUA Pre-med to MD program comprises three phases: Students have the option to begin in either Manipal, India or Antigua and conclude their studies in the USA.

Phase 1: Four Semesters - Pre-Med Program (in India / Antigua):

 This segment spans a two-year pre-medical program, essential for 12th-grade students aspiring to study medicine in the USA. Participants can complete the program either at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) in Manipal, India, or in Antigua. The curriculum takes a comprehensive approach to pre-medical training, with a focus on fostering critical thinking abilities.

Phase 2: Four Semesters - BSIC & MD Program (Pre-clinicals in Antigua):

Upon successful completion of the pre-med program, students transition to the MD program at AUA. If applicants hold a Bachelor's degree with the required prerequisites, they can directly apply for the MD program without undergoing the pre-med phase.

AUA follows a US-based curriculum that reflects the latest advancements in American medical education. The curriculum follows an organ-system-based structure, starting with foundational knowledge in discipline-specific sciences related to organ systems.

This program is fully conducted at AUA's advanced campus in Antigua. AUA's laboratories provide hands-on experiences through advanced Clinical Skills and Anatomy Labs, the Simulated Learning Center, and the interactive Osler Suites, where students interact with standardized patients. The subsequent component of Phase 2 involves a 13-week Basic Sciences Integration Course (BSIC) training program, aimed at preparing students for forthcoming licensure exams. These exams must be successfully cleared before progressing to Clinical Sciences.

Phase 3: Four semesters - Clinical Sciences (Clinical Rotations in the USA/UK/CANNADA):

Students advance to the Clinical Sciences curriculum, completing it at one or more of the 30+ AUA-affiliated clinical sites in the USA. Here, they work alongside residents and attending physicians, gaining practical experience in patient care as integral members of hospital teams. This hands-on interaction with patients allows students to refine their clinical and communication skills within a patient-centric environment. Core and elective rotations occur at these affiliated teaching hospitals, many of which are associated with US medical schools. Students can choose to partake in 4 to 12-week elective rotations in Canada, the UK, and India.

Upon successful completion of the clinical rotations, students graduate as fully-fledged doctors and can subsequently apply for residency positions across any of the 50 states in the USA, as well as the UK or Canada, based on their preferences and after clearing the required licensure exams.

Overview of the program:

• The complete program spans 6.5 years from Pre-Med to MD (for students enrolling after Grade 12).
• Two years for BSc (Pre-Med) at MAHE Manipal, India, or AICASA, Antigua.
• Two and a half years for the MD program at AUA, Antigua.
• Two years dedicated to clinical rotations at affiliated teaching hospitals in the USA, UK, Canada, or India

For further program details or to get in touch with the admissions counselor. Kindly click here and fill out the form.

Key Features of Manipal's AUA:

• AUA holds global recognition and accreditation. It is approved by the New York State Education Department, acknowledged by the Medical Board of California, licensed by the Commission for Independent Education of the Florida Department of Education, and accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP).
• AUA benefits from the esteemed Manipal legacy in medical education and healthcare, spanning 70 years.
• Situated on the secure and picturesque island of Antigua, AUA boasts a modern, technologically advanced campus covering over 150,000 sq. ft.
• With over 3000 alumni practicing worldwide since its establishment in 2004, AUA maintains a strong track record.
• The curriculum is modelled after the US system and emphasizes personalized learning through small batch sizes.
• Various housing options are available, both on and off-campus, catering to diverse preferences.
• AUA collaborates with over 35 clinical sites across the US, Canada, UK, and India.
• Manipal's AUA offers distinctive academic programs in partnership with Florida International University's (FIU) Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM) in Miami, Florida. Qualified AUA students can complete core clinical rotations at clinical sites affiliated with FIU.
• Manipal's AUA has established a transfer agreement with Warwick School of Medicine in the UK.
• AUA’s alumni network is widespread, with alumni currently enrolled in 700+ residency programs across the USA, UK, and Canada.
• AUA has two intakes in a year – Spring intake in April and Fall intake in September

Beyond Academics: Manipal's AUA campus offers a plethora of opportunities for a well-rounded medical education. Apart from classes and studies, students can engage in various student organizations aligned with their personal interests and academic pursuits. Regular community outreach initiatives are also part of the experience. With a variety of athletic activities and access to Antigua's 365 beautiful beaches, there's ample opportunity to relax and enjoy life outside of academics. Manipal's AUA fosters a vibrant student community, making the campus feel like a family.

Admissions & Eligibility

Manipal's AUA employs a holistic admissions approach to select highly motivated students. The process takes into account a range of factors, including 10th and 12th-grade scores, personal interviews, recommendation letters, and extracurricular activities.

For the upcoming Fall August/September 2023 batch of the Pre-med to MD program at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India, applications are closing soon. Limited scholarships are available. For more details on admissions, please click here. 

Note: The views expressed in this article are of Manipal's American University of Antigua and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha