Asylum Status and Med school admissions

[MCAT1982]

Hi,

I just came to know about the Citizenship criteria being weird for "Asylum" status as well.

I am not a citizen or have a green card (working towards it) - but I am a legal resident who can stay indefinitely in the US because of my Asylum status - I have all the benefits as a green card holder, though I am not one.

It is soo weird that the schools do not want to accept Asylees. I dont need a student visa/nor I am international.

Currently I am getting all the Resident benefits at the school I am going to with no issues, but seems like Medical schools would screen me out based on that - Seriously I feel sad - after soo much effort !!

Any suggestions on anything that could be done ? anything would help..any info !

Thanks

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[Isentropic]

You may want to apply for green card soon.

From Dept. of Homeland Security website:

"As a refugee, you are required by law to apply for permanent resident status 1 year after being admitted to the United States. As an asylee, you are not required to apply for permanent resident status after being granted asylum for 1 year, although it may be in your best interest to do so."

If you apply and and receive a green card, hopefully this will help gain admission to medical school.

Link: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=3416a6c515083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Hope this helps

 

[MCAT1982]

You may want to apply for green card soon.

From Dept. of Homeland Security website:

"As a refugee, you are required by law to apply for permanent resident status 1 year after being admitted to the United States. As an asylee, you are not required to apply for permanent resident status after being granted asylum for 1 year, although it may be in your best interest to do so."

If you apply and and receive a green card, hopefully this will help gain admission to medical school.

Link: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=3416a6c515083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Hope this helps

Thanks for the response - my Asylum was approved in Feb 2013 - so its been only around 4 months now. Have to wait another 8 months to apply for Green card.

I was planning to apply for this Application cycle - seems like schools I wanted to apply are mostly out of scope now - except may be a handful.

Every schools have this policy to make sure that the student completes the full coursework, and not stop in between and leave.
For me it does not make sense that I cannot apply, because I received my Asylum for the sole reason to be in United States forever !

Anyways hoping for the best !

Thanks

 

[Woland]

Thanks for the response - my Asylum was approved in Feb 2013 - so its been only around 4 months now. Have to wait another 8 months to apply for Green card.

I was planning to apply for this Application cycle - seems like schools I wanted to apply are mostly out of scope now - except may be a handful.

Every schools have this policy to make sure that the student completes the full coursework, and not stop in between and leave.
For me it does not make sense that I cannot apply, because I received my Asylum for the sole reason to be in United States forever !

Anyways hoping for the best !

Thanks

You must wait until you have received a permanent resident status before you submit your application. Otherwise you will be considered an international applicant.

 

[MCAT1982]

You must wait until you have received a permanent resident status before you submit your application. Otherwise you will be considered an international applicant.

Seriously thats not the right thing to do - as I am not on a Visa or International - As the word Asylum itself means someone who has moved from somewhere else to be permanently in the US.

I am getting all the benefits like a Green card holder when it comes to job/school etc. Not sure why only Medical schools doubts this stuation.

Few schools does accept asylum applicants too - like Univ. of Rochester.

 

[destinedtoserve]

Hi,

I just came to know about the Citizenship criteria being weird for "Asylum" status as well.

I am not a citizen or have a green card (working towards it) - but I am a legal resident who can stay indefinitely in the US because of my Asylum status - I have all the benefits as a green card holder, though I am not one.

It is soo weird that the schools do not want to accept Asylees. I dont need a student visa/nor I am international.

Currently I am getting all the Resident benefits at the school I am going to with no issues, but seems like Medical schools would screen me out based on that - Seriously I feel sad - after soo much effort !!

Any suggestions on anything that could be done ? anything would help..any info !

Thanks

hey! I am in the same boat as you. Have you had any positive responses from any schools so far?

 

[CW 2010]

Did you complete your prerequisites in the U.S.?
And you do need at least a Green Card to apply (and be considered for an admission). The best is to be a citizen, though.

 

[DrMidlife]

And you do need at least a Green Card to apply (and be considered for an admission). The best is to be a citizen, though.

Incorrect. International students get in, in small numbers, mostly Canadians.

Facts here for MD: https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/

 

[QofQuimica]

Any suggestions on anything that could be done ? anything would help..any info !

I doubt that you, as a nontrad asylee, need any of us to tell you that life ain't fair. Fortunately for you, this is a problem with a relatively obvious solution: don't apply this year, get your green card when eligible, and apply next year. The only question, I guess, is what you do this year. I assume you are eligible to get a job as a refugee during your gap year? If so, I'd start looking for one. And don't despair. You will be a doc for the next few decades. One year delay in the whole scheme of things is not a big deal.

 

[CW 2010]

Incorrect. International students get in, in small numbers, mostly Canadians.

Facts here for MD: https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/

In very small numbers Having a Green Card somewhat equalizes you to other applicants.

 

[salsa17]

Hi,

I just came to know about the Citizenship criteria being weird for "Asylum" status as well.

I am not a citizen or have a green card (working towards it) - but I am a legal resident who can stay indefinitely in the US because of my Asylum status - I have all the benefits as a green card holder, though I am not one.

It is soo weird that the schools do not want to accept Asylees. I dont need a student visa/nor I am international.

Currently I am getting all the Resident benefits at the school I am going to with no issues, but seems like Medical schools would screen me out based on that - Seriously I feel sad - after soo much effort !!

Any suggestions on anything that could be done ? anything would help..any info !

Thanks

Hi

Your question was a while ago, but did you resolve your case? I'm in the same boat as you now and would love to know how it turned out for you!

 

[Lolaaa]

I'm in the same boat! Can anybody share how things went for them? I'm on my second gap year and there's no way I'm getting a greencard anytime soon

 

[Goro]

I'm in the same boat! Can anybody share how things went for them? I'm on my second gap year and there's no way I'm getting a greencard anytime soon

OP was last seen in Oct 2019.