How much of a disadvantage is it to be an international applicant who went to a CC and state school?

[Jaigantic]

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I am an international applicant and went to a community college for one year and then transferred to a non prestigious state school.

Almost all of the international applicants I know who have gotten accepted have gone to ivy leagues for undergrad and looking at the chart of what most schools prefer in applicants, prestige of undergrad institution is ranked high, especially for private schools (which is the majority of my school list as they are the ones who consider internationals most often)

My GPA at the CC was 4.0 and at the 4 year was >3.9. I did my physics and gen chem pre reqs at the CC and all the rest at the 4 year, as well as many upper level bio courses, all of which I did well in.

So given this, I'm just wondering how much of a detriment this will be to my app, as a whole.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Qrtpcr]

Not going to lie. Being an international applicant is going to put you in significant disadvantage particularly when it comes to state med schools. However, you have a degree from a US undergraduate school which helps you not be practically disqualified. Your application needs to be better in terms of ECs and LORs than your native peers because med schools are heavily baiased against international applicants. You should still apply when you feel your ECs are strong and if your application doesn’t work out the first time maybe consider a masters degree from a more prestigious program before reaplying. You will probably have a easier time getting into a DO program than MD but there is nothing necessarily disqualifying you from getting to your dream med school if your application (MCAT, ECs, etc.) is stellar. Good luck!

 

[Jaigantic]

Not going to lie. Being an international applicant is going to put you in significant disadvantage particularly when it comes to state med schools. However, you have a degree from a US undergraduate school which helps you not be practically disqualified. Your application needs to be better in terms of ECs and LORs than your native peers because med schools are heavily baiased against international applicants. You should still apply when you feel your ECs are strong and if your application doesn’t work out the first time maybe consider a masters degree from a more prestigious program before reaplying. You will probably have a easier time getting into a DO program than MD but there is nothing necessarily disqualifying you from getting to your dream med school if your application (MCAT, ECs, etc.) is stellar. Good luck!

In 2018 AMCAS cycle, of 1195 international applicants 97 matriculated, or about 8%

Thank you, but...I'm asking specifically about the effect of undergrad institution the applicant attended and the particulars of my situation.

 

[M&L]

the CC and state school is definitely not the problem, especially if you score high of MCAT, the problem is your status. I am an immigrant, but i already got my citizenship by the time I applied. There are two problems with the being an international: first, some schools simply do not accept them. Buy MSAR access and you will be able to see which schools do, and which do not. Second problem, - you cannot use financial aid (i believe). So financing the education might be difficult, depending on your particular situation.

 

[Arturiase]

In addition some schools require you to have proof of funds avaliable for all 4 years in an escrow or similar. It's hard to give advice on your chances but if you were to score 520+ then you'd have a comparable chance.

 

[M&L]

if there is a chance for you to get a citizenship or green card some time soon, - in the next few years, - i would definitely wait till then.

 

[Jaigantic]

if there is a chance for you to get a citizenship or green card some time soon, - in the next few years, - i would definitely wait till then.

There is no chance.

And I was specifically commenting to your already stated observation as below. If you already know that this is true, as AAMC survey data has shown, then the lack of a prestigious UG institution is likely to lower your chances at the majority of private medical schools that may consider international students. I believe there are about 65 medical schools that consider international students which mean that on average, each of these schools matriculate 0 to 2 international students per year

Thank you. Do you have an idea of how many of these matriculants, if any, to those 65 schools are from lower ranked schools?

 

[PentuPenguin]

Hey feel free to PM me, I am international and received 2 offers this cycle! Don't lose hope, it is hard road but possible. I also know other internationals who got accepted this cycle at other schools 🙂

 

[deleted804295]

There was this guy with a 528 and international that was on here a couple years back and his cycle was difficult.

Just aim to be perfect. Being an international student is tough with admissions.

 

[PentuPenguin]

There was this guy with a 528 and international that was on here a couple years back and his cycle was difficult.

Just aim to be perfect. Being an international student is tough with admissions.

I had an OK but not wow MCAT score and an OK GPA too! LM 68-69, to give you an idea. I advise you to rock all the academics because the higher the better, but I am convinced that for internationals your story matters *a lot* - Making an argument as to why you want to study medicine in the US is important, and more so is SHOWING your potential to be a leader in your country (and the US too) through your activities. My interviewers - all of them really - emphasized that they enjoyed learning about how I brought what I learned/did in the US to my country. I believe that they interpret such themes as "look, we can nurture a global leader here!". In sum, stand out with your story and unique activities - and walk schools in secondaries about how you expect to be a game changer for the people of where you come from. Don't lose hope, know the challenges, but hey, a shot is always worth it

 

[PentuPenguin]

Thank you. Do you have an idea of how many of these matriculants, if any, to those 65 schools are from lower ranked schools?
[/QUOTE]

Invest on the MSAR. This gave me an idea of which schools interviewed internationals and putative conversions to acceptances!