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International grades
Here is the relevant section in the AMCAS guide
Independent Attendance, Credits Not Transferred
Courses (other than MD coursework) attempted independently at a foreign institution do not have to be
listed if credit has not been transferred to a U.S. or Canadian institution, except to meet medical school
prerequisites unduplicated by other listed coursework. Such courses include coursework taken in a
foreign country before formally enrolling in a U.S. or Canadian institution as well as coursework taken
independently after enrolling in a U.S. or Canadian institution.
You are not required to list these courses in your AMCAS application, but you may do so if you’d like to
make medical schools aware of them. The AMCAS program will not verify the coursework and will not
include the courses in your AMCAS GPAs.
If you include this coursework in your application:
• Include the foreign institution in Schools Attended, request a transcript exception for the school, and
select Foreign Institution — No credits transferred. Do not send foreign transcripts or certificates to the
AMCAS program.
• Provide all required course data from the foreign institution except credit hours attempted and grades.
Independent Attendance, Credits Not Transferred
Courses (other than MD coursework) attempted independently at a foreign institution do not have to be
listed if credit has not been transferred to a U.S. or Canadian institution, except to meet medical school
prerequisites unduplicated by other listed coursework. Such courses include coursework taken in a
foreign country before formally enrolling in a U.S. or Canadian institution as well as coursework taken
independently after enrolling in a U.S. or Canadian institution.
You are not required to list these courses in your AMCAS application, but you may do so if you’d like to
make medical schools aware of them. The AMCAS program will not verify the coursework and will not
include the courses in your AMCAS GPAs.
If you include this coursework in your application:
• Include the foreign institution in Schools Attended, request a transcript exception for the school, and
select Foreign Institution — No credits transferred. Do not send foreign transcripts or certificates to the
AMCAS program.
• Provide all required course data from the foreign institution except credit hours attempted and grades.
willowedacorn
Full Member
I think I need to upload a Wes equivalency to AMCAS to show that my degree is the foreign equivalent of a US bachelors. My 60 credits in the US were part of a post bacc not second degree.
Do you recommend not listing my courses on my application at all?
Do you recommend not listing my courses on my application at all?
Yes as stated above ask for transcript exception, if unsure message AACOM
willowedacorn
Full Member
Got it. Just clarifying; should I apply to schools like I have a 4.0. Or apply to schools like I have reinvented myself?
In other words; apply exclusively to MD programs, including some t20s. Or apply to reinvention friendly MD schools and DO’s?
In other words; apply exclusively to MD programs, including some t20s. Or apply to reinvention friendly MD schools and DO’s?
Check against MSAR and/or talk with admissions staff about your (potential) application. If you are coming in as an "international applicant," chances are they would prefer to see some grades from accredited US institutions rather than rely on your transcripts from non-US institutions.
willowedacorn
Full Member
I’m a us citizen I just did my undergrad abroad. I’d be classed as a domestic applicant.
Then I presume you had a 4.0 GPA at the postbac program? How many credit hours? This would need transcript verification and would comprise the AMCAS GPA.
I defer to the AMCAS Guide. I don't know if you qualify for a transcript request exception before you submit your AMCAS.
You should focus your personal statement on your story why you want to become a medicine, and provide whatever context as necessary to articulate your journey throughout your application. Breathe some life into the applicant information you provide.
willowedacorn
Full Member
Hi!
According to AMCAS I have two options:
1) Do not list foreign coursework at all.
2) List foreign coursework. I will only be allowed to list the name and level of each course, I cannot include details of grades/ credit hours. I am also required to file for a transcript exception if I go down this route; AMCAS will not accept my transcript.
AACOMAS, on the other hand, will require my transcript and a WES report.
This may put me in an odd category where I’m more competitive for MD Schools than DO schools (although I am applying to both).
Would you recommend option 1 or 2?
And thank you so much for your help so far! I don’t have access to a premed advisor so this has been super helpful.
willowedacorn
Full Member
@Mr.Smile12
Punting to see if other experts can comment. I would check the AMCAS helpdesk. The policy in the AMCAS applicant guide is posted above by wysdoc, so I think you don't need to list any foreign coursework unless a US institution somehow accepts credits for a bachelor's degree. That doesn't sound like this is your situation. But I would check if you qualify for a transcript exemption (as wysdoc also advises above).
I'm not sure if you are more competitive for MD than DO. You'd have to ask the DO schools what they would do with your international transcripts.
