One of the main challenges of applying to medical school as an international student is the fact that you can only apply to a limited number of schools. In Canada, for example, only 82 medical schools accept international students, 64 allopathic and 18 osteopaths. If you're thinking of leaving your home country to study medicine in the United States, you may be wondering if it's possible. The answer is yes – although it may be rare, there are a few medical schools in the US that accept international students.
Before proceeding with your application, make sure you are eligible. You can check your eligibility by researching the specific requirements of the target school. For example, some foreign documentation (transcripts, courses, diplomas, etc.) may need to have your documents approved by an accredited institution. If this is the case, your target school will have information on its website or on the AMCAS website to tell you how to validate your documentation.
Your eligibility may depend on the approval of your documents, so don't skip this step. The medical school to which you apply as an international student will require academic transcripts. AMCAS does not accept international transcripts or verify courses that have not been accredited by a US institution. If your transcripts are from an international school, you must follow the instructions on the AMCAS website to enter the courses and request the transcripts. For more information on how to do this, visit the AMCAS website. You may have federal financial aid available to you as an international student.
To check if you qualify for federal student aid, you can visit the Federal Student Aid website. It is important to consider the different eligibility criteria for non-US individuals. Institutional loans and scholarships may be available to you through your medical school. Most international students access funding through their school or private loans. Check your target school's websites for news about their international student scholarships and funding opportunities.
You must identify your citizenship or visa status on your medical school application. If you are not a US citizen, a student visa is required to study in the US. Make sure your target schools are approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) before applying. For more information on how to obtain a student visa, visit the US Department of State Student Visa Page. Medical schools require a good knowledge of English.
If your first language is not English, you must indicate this in your AMCAS application. Most schools will request an English language proficiency test as part of their application. Be sure to research the target schools to find out what tests they accept. Almost all applicants must take the exam, so the MCAT will also be mandatory for international students. Each medical school has its own individual requirements.
Make sure you have carefully read the international eligibility requirements of your target schools. If you don't, you may need to provide additional documentation. It's important to note that each school's international admission requirements vary depending on where you're applying from. If you're not sure about your target school's international admission requirements, check their website or talk to an admissions counselor. In addition to additional documentation, there are other factors to consider when applying for admission to medical school in the United States for international students – it can be even more competitive than the regular application process.
You'll be competing for limited places against other qualified candidates from around the world, so do your research. Your school will want to know how passionate you are about their program and why it's right for you. When writing your essays and personal statement, be sure to include specific things about the school that interest you and why. The more tailored your responses are to a particular program, the better.
Studying in another country will add expenses, and some may be unexpected. Research things like the average cost of living, rent, food, etc. When considering your costs, you should consider exchange rates – currency can make a significant difference in the affordability of a new country. Your travel expenses should also be included in your budget, including visits home while on vacation.
Medical school will keep you busy, but it's essential to set aside some time to make friends. Having a support system will help you feel welcome in your new home. Here we'll review some of the best medical schools in the United States with more international students – applying to these schools can increase your chances of being accepted into medical school in the US.
Columbia University
, located in New York City and considered one of the best universities in the state, reports that 36% of its 31,077 students come from outside of the US – making it number one on our list of medical schools for international students.Boston University, at number two on our list, reports that 24.8% of its students are international – Boston Med has a long history of medical research and focuses on diversity and inclusion.
University of California San Francisco
, at number three on our list with 23% international students enrolled – UCSF is known for its cutting-edge research and innovative programs.Johns Hopkins University
, at number four with 22% international students enrolled – Johns Hopkins is one of America's oldest research universities and has been ranked among America's top universities for decades.University of Pennsylvania
, at number five with 21% international students enrolled – Penn is one of America's oldest universities and has been ranked among America's top universities for decades.University of California Los Angeles, at number six with 20% international students enrolled – UCLA is known for its cutting-edge research and innovative programs.
University of Michigan
, at number seven with 19% international students enrolled – Michigan is known for its strong academic programs and world-class faculty. Harvard University, at number eight with 18% international students enrolled – Harvard is one of America's oldest universities and has been ranked among America's top universities for decades.Yale University
, at number nine with 17% international students enrolled – Yale is one of America's oldest universities and has been ranked among America's top universities for decades.Stanford University, at number ten with 16% international students enrolled – Stanford is known for its cutting-edge research and innovative programs.
Conclusion
Applying as an international student can be challenging but there are still plenty of options available if you do your research properly. Make sure that when considering which medical school is right for you that they have enough resources available for international students. Additionally make sure that when writing essays or personal statements that they are tailored specifically towards each program.
Lastly make sure that when budgeting that all expenses including travel expenses are taken into account.
Takeaways
- Research:
- Researching eligibility requirements specific to each target school
< ul >< li >Researching financial aid options available
< ul >< li >Researching exchange rates
< ul >< li >Researching average cost of living
< ul >< li >Researching English language proficiency tests accepted by each target school
< ul >< li >Researching best medical schools in US with more international students
< h2 >< b >Final Thoughts < br / > Applying as an international student can be challenging but there are still plenty of options available if done correctly. With proper research and preparation any student can find success when applying as an international student.
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