International student. Applying for premed.

[jesuspportillo]

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I'm a second year medical student at University of Zulia, Venezuela. My family is currently living in Northwest Houston with an L-Visa. I will be moving by the end of my academic year (April 2013).

I have to complete 90 credits of undergraduate course requirements, but I don't know if I will have to complete a 4 year bachelor degree.

Should I apply to all universities on the state of Texas, or just a few?
To how many premed universities should I apply?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

 

[PotentialDok]

+1

 

[487806]

I'm a second year medical student at University of Zulia, Venezuela. My family is currently living in Northwest Houston with an L-Visa. I will be moving by the end of my academic year (April 2013).

I have to complete 90 credits of undergraduate course requirements, but I don't know if I will have to complete a 4 year bachelor degree.

Should I apply to all universities on the state of Texas, or just a few?
To how many premed universities should I apply?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Why are you applying to college when you're already in medical school?

 

[jesuspportillo]

Because my dad is working in Texas and everyone I asked recommended pursuing education in USA because of higher quality and prestige than education in my country

 

[gyngyn]

I would suggest posting on the International Forum on the home page. There is a Latin American sub section. Suerte.

 

[jesuspportillo]

I would suggest posting on the International Forum on the home page. There is a Latin American sub section. Suerte.

I don't think thats the right forum beacuse I will live in Texas and study on a US university

 

[darklabel]

You will be at a huge disadvantage applying to Medical Schools with only 90 credits. Most usually require a 4 year degree and even those that say they allow 90 credits as the minimum don't usually take anyone short of a baccalaureate degree. Only ones that do are the Caribbean based schools and that is certainly not recommended. So I'm afraid you're looking at maybe 3+ years. Once you come here, if you decide not to pursue FMG status then you'll have to do it like the rest of us.

 

[jesuspportillo]

You will be at a huge disadvantage applying to Medical Schools with only 90 credits. Most usually require a 4 year degree and even those that say they allow 90 credits as the minimum don't usually take anyone short of a baccalaureate degree. Only ones that do are the Caribbean based schools and that is certainly not recommended. So I'm afraid you're looking at maybe 3+ years. Once you come here, if you decide not to pursue FMG status then you'll have to do it like the rest of us.

Well that's excellent anyway, I just want to know to how many universities it is common to apply?

All of them, 10, 5?

 

[plumhill]

Well there are 160+ medical schools in the USA so applying to all of them would not be feasible.

I recommend calling medical schools that you'd be interested in attending (perhaps some near your place of residence?) to see if you would qualify to be considered for admission.

 

[jesuspportillo]

Well there are 160+ medical schools in the USA so applying to all of them would not be feasible.

I recommend calling medical schools that you'd be interested in attending (perhaps some near your place of residence?) to see if you would qualify to be considered for admission.

Thank you for your answer. I can't apply to medical schools right now, but to any university that offers natural science degrees compatible with premed.

I have no counselor/advisor, I just want to know what did you do to get to a premed career in first place and the number of universities is it common to apply to. There are only 4 public universities in Houston.

 

[487806]

Thank you for your answer. I can't apply to medical schools right now, but to any university that offers natural science degrees compatible with premed.

I have no counselor/advisor, I just want to know what did you do to get to a premed career in first place and the number of universities is it common to apply to. There are only 4 public universities in Houston.

Being a premed isn't a career. Just apply to any college you want, get your premed requirements completed (i.e. physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, english etc./ see MSAR for more info.), get good EC's.. and you're good. There will be an advisor once you get into college, otherwise use SDN.

 

[jesuspportillo]

Being a premed isn't a career. Just apply to any college you want, get your premed requirements completed (i.e. physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, english etc./ see MSAR for more info.), get good EC's.. and you're good. There will be an advisor once you get into college, otherwise use SDN.

Is not a career but darklabel and many others have told me that I had to get a 4 year bachelor degree + the 90 credits

 

[487806]

Is not a career but darklabel and many others have told me that I had to get a 4 year bachelor degree + the 90 credits

That's a requirement before going into med school, not a career.

 

[jesuspportillo]

Ok thanks. So it is right to apply to just 4?

 

[487806]

Ok thanks. So it is right to apply to just 4?

Yep. 4 years is generally standard for college, but if you are dedicated, you can finish it in 3 years. For now, just mention 4 years. Good luck.

 

[jesuspportillo]

Sorry for my english, I meaned 4 universities

 

[jesuspportillo]

Thank you all for your answers so far. Every little thing you can tell me means a lot to me because I know very little about the process. I really appreciate it

 

[487806]

Thank you all for your answers so far. Every little thing you can tell me means a lot to me because I know very little about the process. I really appreciate it

Not a problem. If you have any other questions, please stop by at SDN and we will help to answer them.

 

[487806]

Sorry for my english, I meaned 4 universities

You can apply to more than 4 if you want to. My safe bet is between 4-8, but as long as you're comfortable with 4, you're good. 👍

 

[notbobtrustme]

First, since you aren't a permanent resident, there are only a few medical schools you can apply to. Second, since you have already matriculated to a medical school, that list becomes even narrower. Most schools in the US flat-out do not accept international students. Most schools do not accept any student who has already matriculated to any medical school. As a non-citizen/non-permanent resident, you do not have access to federal loans, meaning you or your parents will have to front the cost of your undergraduate and medical education, which can be quite sizable.

http://www.naahp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2564

This is a good resource for you to read. Basically, if you aren't a superstar or Canadian, forget about it.