To UHS2002,
I'm a stickler for true facts, and although a lot of what you said in you post to Lumanyika was true, I really want other international students (especially Canadians) to understand their real options. As a Canadian who will be matriculating at a U.S. med school in August, I have done a lot of research and feel that I should pass on some of this knowledge.
Most U.S. medical schools do not look at Canadians the same way that they look at other international students. Meaning that for Canadians they will waive the green card requirement and will apply the out-of-state tuition rates. As a result, at most med schools Canadians are looked at just like out-of-state applicants, and therefore have very good chances for admission.
However, Canadians are out of luck when it comes to government loans and grants...for that you will need to hold a green card.
UHS2002 is right in saying that you need to financially prove at least one years cost of medical education in order to obtain your I-20 form (student visa).
However, UHS2002 was incorrect in stating that as an international student "fellowships, research positions and any kind of paid position in exchange for you[r] work, are out for people on student [F-1] visas."
International students can obtain fellowships, they can (and many do accept research positions) and getting paid for any kind of work is possible, however there are strict rules that must be followed. If you intend to do research or any kind of other paid work (i.e., T.A.ships, administative work, working in the cafe or library) this work must be done ON CAMPUS for at least the first year at school. After the first year, you can apply to the INS for financial hardships, where they may approve you to work off campus. One strict stipulation is that your work, either off or on-campus must not exceed 20 hours per week during the school year, but during breaks you may work full-time.
With regard to international students obtaining loans and credit cards, what UHS2002 states was false. International students can, and many do, obtain credit card from most major banks in the U.S. In addition, international students can obtain private loans for medical school, but the catch here is that the international student will need a U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner. For Canadians, there are a few more options that I discussed in a previous thread.
I purposely did not speak of Fullbright, because from my understanding, in most cases you need to be enrolled in a Canadian institution (or other international school) and the purpose of the Fullbright program is to enhance the study of Canada (or other international country) in the United States or the United States in Canada. Proposed projects, which are only funded for one year durations, must adhere to this aim by including a focus on the United States, Canada or the relationship between the two countries.
I don't know of many med students on student visas who have obtained this type of funding, and you really only have one chance to apply for the award (before you enroll in med school) since applications will NOT be considered from those who are already residing or enrolled in a program in the host country (the U.S.).
However, international medical students are eligible for many fellowships and scholarships based on merit and financial need that are sponsored by the U.S. medical school or other outside sources.
One more point, international students do not have to only apply to private med school with the exorbant tuition. Many state schools will accept international students, you just have to do the research to find out which ones. I, myself, will be matriculating at a state medical school.
I hope this clears up any misunderstanding. My stance is that it is not really that difficult for an international applicant to gain admittance and pay for their medical education in a U.S. medical school. However, I am approaching this from a Canadian perspective and I appreciate the fact that it may be much more difficult for applicants from other international countries.
FYI, I am paying for med school in the States through personal savings, Canadian government loans and a graduate research (paid) assistantship offered to me by my medical school.
Have a good summer!
Originally posted by UHS2002:
Lumanyika,
all things are relative. In your case, the fact that you are not a US citizen will be the thing that will weight more heavily against you when time comes to apply and not your lack of volunteering experience in the US. I don't know your immigration status but I assume, from your post, that you are on a student visa (since you call yourself and "international student"). It pretty much goes like this when applying to med school:
1) US citizens are given top preference
2) Permanent residents ("green card" holders)
3) Holders of student visas with some kind of official sponsorship from back home or LOTS of financial resources.
You mentioned that you are partially sponsored by the UN, so make sure the school knows this, and some official paperwork from them would not hurt you with your secondary applications.Some medical schools may be particularly interested in training you if you are going to be a UN employee, or if the UN is paying the tuition.
Remember, working during medical school to totally support yourself is impossible, so you need a source of income and somebody to pay your tuition.
Fullbright and other kinds of fellowships, research positions and any kind of paid position in exchange for you work, are out for people on student visas, and I am sure you already know this, but others on this forum may not, so I am mentioning it. I would also like to mention, for future reference, that people on a student visa are expected to show that they have all the money needed for 1 year of tuition and living expenses up front, before they can receive the visa and enroll in school. Because they have to apply to the few private schools that will even consider their application, we are talking showing that you have a significant amount of cash before you can enroll. International students are NOT eligible for any kind of federally funded/state funded financial aid, are not eligible for private loans (heck, most banks will not even give them a credit card), and most scholarships from other sources including private usually stipulate US citizen/permanent resident only.
I know this wandered off the subject of your post, which was lack of volunteering experience in the US. However, it seems to me that the visa status/money issue should be your foremost consideration. All the volunteering in the world will not make up for these other things at the time of your application, if they are no solved.
If money and visa are not issues for you, then cut some time off your working schedule or summer class schedule and, by all means, get some volunteering done!
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"A goal without a deadline is, in reality, only a wish"
