Clueless International student

[rapbang]

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Hello there,

I really need some advice on my status.
I'm INTERNATIONAL STUDENT.
I'm graduating with a BS in Biology ( GPA is would be likely around 3.59-3.65). i took MCAT In Febuary and I got 37. Maybe I'll apply next cycle.

EC:
Research in diabetes ( have one PNAS publication. 4th author out of 12)
leadership ( just start as director at a student-run clinic for underserved population)
Next year ( i will join some lab testing drug in clinical trial and stem cell research)

Should i consider Post BA ? is it a good route? if you can advise me on the school lists, that would be helpful also.

Thank you for your time

 

[Amygdarya]

Congrats on your MCAT score!

What do you mean by "international student"? Are you getting your undergrad degree from abroad? Are you on a visa?
If you're graduating from a US or Canadian school and have already taken all the prereqs, you're all set. If, however, your prereqs were taken abroad, you will almost certainly need to retake at least some of them at a US undergraduate college. There are some exceptions, but most schools require prereqs to be taken at US undergraduate schools, and there is a fair number of schools that require more than just prereqs - up to 90 undergrad credits in some cases like TX state schools.
The best idea is to ask schools directly whether they accept foreign credits. Most of the ones that replied to me though said they didn't (the only exception was Rosy Franklin, and you need to have your foreign credits evaluated by a service like WES for that one - which is not difficult).

Another issue is financing your med school. If you're, for example, a green card holder, you're eligible to apply for federal loans; if you're on a visa, however, there are very few private loans available and most schools like to see the money right away.
Unless, of course, you have other sources of funding, in which case good for you 🙂

That being said, if you read SDN, nothing seems impossible 🙂 Keep on reading, search older threads on internationals. Most importantly, research individual schools (some schools don't accept foreigners - i.e., non-green card holders - period).