UMHS Lowers ARP Tuition by 35% to Advance Student Success in Medical School

Reduced cost and expanded scholarships increase access to UMHS's signature Accelerated Review Program, building the confidence, skills, and academic foundation future physicians need to thrive

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student success and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada, today announced a 35% reduction in tuition for its Accelerated Review Program (ARP), effective May 2026. The new ARP tuition rate will be $7,000.

Designed to help students strengthen foundational science knowledge and develop the study strategies needed to succeed in medical school, the one-semester ARP has become a cornerstone of UMHS's student success model and reflects the university's commitment to individualized medical education. The program supports students as they transition into the rigor of medical school while contributing to UMHS's 96% student retention rate and 94% overall residency Match rate.

Many successful UMHS graduates credit ARP with helping them build the discipline, confidence, and academic skills that prepared them to excel not only in medical school, but also during clinical rotations, residency training, and their careers as physicians.

What's New:

• UMHS is reducing tuition for the Accelerated Review Program by 35%, lowering the cost to $7,000 beginning May 2026.
• Students who earn a grade of B or higher in ARP automatically qualify for a $7,000 ARP Success Scholarship applied toward UMHS tuition in the Basic Sciences program.
• ARP students who successfully complete the program automatically progress into Semester 1 of the UMHS MD program.

Why it Matters:

Medical school is academically demanding, and students who enter with strong study habits, confidence, and foundational knowledge are better positioned for long-term success. UMHS developed ARP to help students build those skills before beginning the MD curriculum through targeted academic preparation, individualized support, and early exposure to the pace and expectations of medical school.

The program is especially valuable for non-traditional students, career changers, students returning to academics after time away, and applicants who would benefit from additional preparation before beginning medical school.

Unlike many post-baccalaureate or master's programs that require one to two years of additional coursework without guaranteeing admission to medical school, ARP can be completed in 15 weeks and provides direct progression into the UMHS MD program upon successful completion.

Students work closely with faculty in a highly personalized learning environment while strengthening competency in foundational sciences, medical terminology, study strategies, test-taking skills, professionalism, and wellness. ARP students also gain early exposure to the same systems-based curriculum and faculty they will encounter throughout the Basic Sciences program.

By lowering tuition for ARP, UMHS aims to make the program more accessible while helping students reduce debt before entering medical school.

What it delivers:

• A direct pathway into medical school – Students who successfully complete ARP automatically matriculate into Semester 1 of the UMHS MD program.
• Preparation for long-term success – ARP equips students with the study strategies, discipline, confidence, and academic foundation necessary to thrive throughout medical school and residency.
• Support for non-traditional and academically diverse students – The program helps students strengthen time management, critical thinking, test-taking, and learning skills before beginning medical school coursework.
• An accelerated alternative to post-bacc and master's programs – ARP can be completed in one semester rather than one to two years.
• Personalized instruction and faculty mentorship – Students learn from the same experienced faculty who teach in the Basic Sciences program in a highly supportive, small-class environment.
• Flexible learning options – Students may attend ARP online from home or in person at the UMHS state-of-the-art campus in St. Kitts, with access to anatomy labs, libraries, and academic support resources.
• A head start on life in St. Kitts – ARP students have the opportunity to experience life on the island before beginning the MD program, building friendships, connecting with faculty and staff, and developing a strong support network that helps ease the transition into medical school.

"Medical school is challenging, and students deserve every opportunity to succeed from the moment they begin their journey," said Warren Ross. "The Accelerated Review Program has helped students build the confidence, discipline, and academic foundation needed to thrive in medical school and beyond. By reducing tuition, we are expanding access to a program that has already transformed outcomes for many aspiring physicians."

Students interested in applying to UMHS or learning more about the Accelerated Review Program can begin the application process online are encouraged to visit the UMHS Accelerated Review Program page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

• What is the Accelerated Review Program (ARP)?
  The ARP is a one-semester preparatory program designed to help students strengthen their academic foundation and develop the study skills needed to succeed in medical school. Students receive individualized academic support, faculty mentorship, and personalized guidance while completing coursework across foundational Basic Science disciplines.
• Who is the ARP designed for?
  The program is ideal for students seeking additional preparation before beginning medical school, including non-traditional students, career changers, students returning to academics after time away, and applicants looking to strengthen their academic readiness before entering a rigorous MD curriculum.
• How does ARP differ from a post-baccalaureate or master's program?
  Unlike many post-bacc or master's programs that can take one to two years and do not guarantee admission to medical school, ARP is completed in 15 weeks and provides direct progression into the UMHS MD program for students who complete it successfully.
• What makes UMHS different from other Caribbean medical schools?
  UMHS emphasizes personalized medical education through small class sizes, individualized student support, and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students receive direct access to faculty, mentors, learning specialists, and academic advisors throughout medical school, along with extensive USMLE preparation and clinical training opportunities across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.
• What is UMHS' student retention rate?
  UMHS has a 96% student retention rate, one of the highest among Caribbean medical schools. The university attributes this success to its supportive learning environment, faculty accessibility, mentorship, and long-term investment in student success.
• What is UMHS' residency Match rate?
  UMHS has achieved a 94% overall residency Match rate, with graduates securing residency placements throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada, including competitive residency programs and premier teaching hospitals.

About UMHS
The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS) is a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada. UMHS was founded in 2007 by medical education pioneers Warren Ross and Robert Ross to deliver a highly personalized school experience. Graduates of UMHS earn a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) and qualify to practice medicine throughout the United States and Canada. Students begin their Basic Science studies in St. Kitts and Nevis and complete their clinical training in the United States and Canada. With an unprecedented 96% student retention rate, the vast majority of students who begin their medical studies at UMHS go on to obtain residencies. For more information, visit the UMHS Official Website.

SOURCE University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts