THE PREMIER MEDICAL SCHOOL IN THE CARIBBEAN, PROVIDING MEDICAL EDUCATION PAR EXCELLENCE!

Admission requiremnts

To ensure a successful academic career at the All American Institute of Medical Sciences and to correlate with licensure guidelines, please complete the following prerequisites.

All applicants applying for 4 year MD Program are required to have completed at least 2 academic years and 90 credit hours of undergraduate studies including the following subjects:

  • English (6 credit hours).
  • Biology (8 credit hours).
  • General Chemistry (8 credit hours).
  • Organic Chemistry (8 credit hours).
  • Physics (8 credit hours).
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL): 75/ total on internet-based (IELTS): 6.0 (International students whose academic background is not English). This requirement may be waived based on students other credentials.
  • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): This requirement is not mandatory but you will be given preference if you have MCAT scores.

Students who do not have the above pre-requisites can also complete the required credits by joining our Associate Degree program or the five-year MD program. Non-traditional applicants and prospective students with questions related to determine what entry qualifications are required from your home country, please discuss with our admissions counsellor.

BSc Optometry Admission Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:


A) Be at least 18 years of age in the year of admission.

B) Meet at least one of the criteria below.

Criterion Courses Number of Sittings Special Considerations
Criterion 1 3 CAPE / A-levels (Units I & II) + 5 foundation courses* 1 - 2 Physics is compulsory + any other 2 science subjects + English (Communications studies and Caribbean studies)
Criterion 2 At least 7 CSECs (Grades I - III) / GCEs with 5 foundation courses* 1 Before 1998 - Grades I and II
After 1998 - Grades I, II, III
Criterion 3 At least 8 CSECs / GCEs with 5 foundation courses* 2 or less
Criterion 4 Students age 25 or older with at least 5 CSECs / GCEs with 5 foundation courses* 1 With at least 5 years experience in Health, Education, Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, or Social Services.
Criterion 5 Students age 25 or older Any other combination of qualifications and at least 5 years unique experiences which AAIMS considers sufficient to prepare the applicant for the academic rigor of the program.
Criterion 6 Students with a Natural and Applied Sciences undergraduate degree With award and including 2 or more quantitative courses.
*CSEC Foundation courses includes English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry

Applicants will also be evaluated on the following:

  • An evaluation of the applicant's relevant qualifications and experiences.
  • A graded interview (in-person or online).
  • A medical exam (to be conducted at the applicant’s expense after the applicant has received a qualified written conditional acceptance to the program).
  • A comprehensive eye exam conducted or coordinated by AAIMS.

Note: Medical and eye examinations will assess for any conditions which could affect or undermine safe optometric practice, including:

  • Vision (students must have adequate binocular vision).
  • Color vision (normal color vision is preferred).
  • Hearing (students much have adequate hearing).
  • Speech (students must have adequate clarity of speech).
  • No communicable skin conditions.
  • No other conditions communicable by touch, droplet, or airborne.
  • Seizures or other interruption of consciousness.
  • Upper limb function (students must have functional use of both arms).
  • Fingernails (well-cropped, not extending beyond fingertips, and posing no risk of injury to patients).

Following acceptable results of medical and eye examinations, to determine suitability for matriculation, the Department of Optometry shall also take the following into account:

  • Inclusiveness.
  • Superior academic achievements, especially in Basic Science, Mathematics, and Communication courses.
  • For students aged 26 and older, relevant experience working in Healthcare, Education, Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, or Social Services.
  • A suitable undergraduate degree with (at least 90 credits or a lower-class honors).
  • No criminal record or pending police matters.

Transfer Students

AAIMS welcomes students wishing to transfer from other institutions of higher learning. Such persons must meet all the admission requirements and complete remaining course work at AAIMS to graduate.

Transfer Students are responsible for arranging with the institution they are currently attending to forward the official transcripts to AAIMS. The Admissions Committee will decide which courses can be credited. Courses taken more than eight years prior to the application will be considered at the discretion of the Committee, unless Candidates obtained a Bachelor's Degree.

The Committee also has the discretion to accept students who transfer from complementary Medical School programs. Transfer credits for the MD Program will be given only for those subjects passed successfully at IMED-listed MD programs. All transfer credits must be completed within seven years from the date of graduation from AAIMS .

Students have a choice of a variety of very comfortable, furnished housing accommodations on Campus and off-Campus. Students are given priority for housing on Campus during their first year. Please refer to the Student Services link for further information.

Nationals of CARICOM countries as well as citizens of all Commonwealth Countries are allowed entry to Jamaica without a Student Visa.

Before arriving in Jamaica, you should ensure that your passport is valid to cover at least the period up to the end of the academic year. You should also travel with proof of your student status (that is, a Student ID card) or if a new student, with the official Letter of Offer from the School. At the airport, you will be issued a temporary Visitors Visa.

During the first week of the Semester, a list of all non-Jamaican students, who are citizens of Commonwealth Nations, will be sent to the Immigration Office to enable these students to obtain permits.

Citizens of non-Commonwealth Countries must obtain a valid Student Visa prior to entry into Jamaica. Such persons must make their request at the nearest Jamaican Diplomatic Mission or Consulate. On arrival, you will be granted two weeks landed status. Passports will be submitted by the School to the Immigration Office where they will be endorsed and returned with the notation Student.

If you are not a Jamaican, you must check at the Student Services Office to ensure that your name has been submitted to the Immigration Office.

Jamaica's west coast boasts several miles of white sand beaches and hotels, while its north coast is known for the famous Dunns River Falls located in Ocho Rios, St. Ann as well as other attractions. In the east, there is Reach Falls located in Portland; The south coast provides a stimulating variety of leisure activities including Treasure Beach and Alligator Pond in St. Elizabeth. There are also activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving which are enjoyed by many visitors year round.

The Island is also famous for its reggae music, food, as well as personalities such as Bob Marley, Usain Bolt, Marcus Garvey, Louise Bennett, Shaggy to name a few.