International Student Considering Med School

[miu2015]

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Hello Everyone,

Here is a little bit about my background:

I am a 24 years old international student from Vietnam.
I received an academic excellence scholarship and came to China to study from 2010-2014. I got a Master's degree in Chinese Language Education in July, 2014.

My parents are U.S. permanent residents. My older sister is a naturalized citizen.

I came to the U.S. 5 months ago. So far, I have finished the intensive English program and met the English requirement to attend to a local university. I will officially become a freshman this Fall 2015.
I select Chemistry-Health Sciences as my undergraduate major. I am interested in Chemistry.
I cannot work outside of the campus while I am on F1 visa, so I am planning to volunteer this summer. I know medical school in the U.S is extremely competitive, and that's why I want to plan early.

Is Chemistry a good idea? I have to think about plan B if I do not get accepted. What can I do with a degree in Chemistry?

I am on a waiting list for an immigration visa sponsored by my dad. Hopefully I will become a permanent resident in 5 years.

What do I need to do to prepare for medical school beside getting good grades?
Do I need to study Spanish to improve my chance of getting acceptance? Does medical school care about an applicant's language skills?

Thank you

 

[alphamine]

You're in the wrong forum. You're in the high school one. As for your question, you can study spanish to improve chances, sure. But you'll find that people on here will tell you to, first and foremost, get plenty of clinical experience (whether that may be through volunteering or getting a clinical job--many of which require certification), shadow doctors, research experience, other work experience, non-clinical volunteering, develop a great relationship with your professors and mentors in your other experiences for great letters of recommendation, and finally, study for and do well on the MCAT.

 

[miu2015]

Thank you. How do I move my thread to another forum?

 

[Winged Scapula]

I'll move it for you.

 

[miu2015]

I'll move it for you.

Thank you.

 

[damvinhhungday]

I feel you. I think it help more if quoc tich or residence first. the tuition would lower and chance would increase.

 

[miu2015]

I feel you. I think it help more if quoc tich or residence first. the tuition would lower and chance would increase.

Are you in a similar situation? It is extremely difficult for international students to get accepted to medical schools. I plan to apply when I get my green card.

 

[damvinhhungday]

Similar but not similar Miu oi. I'm famous in VN, and here I am studying college here with visa. You probably don't know me since you left vn to china young but your parents might hear me sing (why did you go to TQ but not Singapore, did you enjoy your time there though?) Anyway, I m coming to internet to ask a few questions, nhung ko hieu sao may nguoi khong friendly lam! Good luck nha Miu.

 

[kunkun]

Hello Everyone,

Here is a little bit about my background:

I am a 24 years old international student from Vietnam.
I received an academic excellence scholarship and came to China to study from 2010-2014. I got a Master's degree in Chinese Language Education in July, 2014.

My parents are U.S. permanent residents. My older sister is a naturalized citizen.

I came to the U.S. 5 months ago. So far, I have finished the intensive English program and met the English requirement to attend to a local university. I will officially become a freshman this Fall 2015.
I select Chemistry-Health Sciences as my undergraduate major. I am interested in Chemistry.
I cannot work outside of the campus while I am on F1 visa, so I am planning to volunteer this summer. I know medical school in the U.S is extremely competitive, and that's why I want to plan early.

Is Chemistry a good idea? I have to think about plan B if I do not get accepted. What can I do with a degree in Chemistry?

I am on a waiting list for an immigration visa sponsored by my dad. Hopefully I will become a permanent resident in 5 years.

What do I need to do to prepare for medical school beside getting good grades?
Do I need to study Spanish to improve my chance of getting acceptance? Does medical school care about an applicant's language skills?

Thank you

Getting to med school is definitely an uphill battle for international students, but for you it will perhaps only a matter of time since you will get your green card in 5 years. Definitely study what you like most. With a degree in Chem, you can work in research, pharmaceutical industry, even office jobs (I doubt they care very much about your major). Don't worry about job prospects with a degree in science. Even if you change your mind about med school later, health care is a tremendous field: public health, pharmacy, dentistry, OT, PT, nursing...

You don't need to study Spanish to improve your chance in med school, unless you really enjoy learning Spanish. As an immigrant, you will need time and effort to adjust to the system and do very well (aka high GPA), so use your time wisely. You will also need to take the MCAT later so sharpen your language skill early.

I also came from Vietnam for college and applied as a permanent resident. My verbal score was low at first but it got better with practice. I applied this cycle, got 17 interview invites, went to about 10 of them, and got into most of those schools. I will be going to a top ten med school in the fall. I know at least two other Vietnamese kids applying as international students, one got into Yale and one got into WashU. I wish there were someone telling me those success stories as a premed. You will be fine applying to med school. You already have a good story. There are a lot of helpful books about how to get to med schools. I would start with those. Good luck!

 

[docwannabe1008]

hey guys, I'm also an international student from Vietnam trying for US medical schools. Glad to see your posts on here 🙂

 

[NotASerialKiller]

Hello Everyone,

Here is a little bit about my background:

I am a 24 years old international student from Vietnam.
I received an academic excellence scholarship and came to China to study from 2010-2014. I got a Master's degree in Chinese Language Education in July, 2014.

My parents are U.S. permanent residents. My older sister is a naturalized citizen.

I came to the U.S. 5 months ago. So far, I have finished the intensive English program and met the English requirement to attend to a local university. I will officially become a freshman this Fall 2015.
I select Chemistry-Health Sciences as my undergraduate major. I am interested in Chemistry.
I cannot work outside of the campus while I am on F1 visa, so I am planning to volunteer this summer. I know medical school in the U.S is extremely competitive, and that's why I want to plan early.

Is Chemistry a good idea? I have to think about plan B if I do not get accepted. What can I do with a degree in Chemistry?

I am on a waiting list for an immigration visa sponsored by my dad. Hopefully I will become a permanent resident in 5 years.

What do I need to do to prepare for medical school beside getting good grades?
Do I need to study Spanish to improve my chance of getting acceptance? Does medical school care about an applicant's language skills?

Thank you

Your writing skills are better than a lot of native speakers who post here. Good luck!

 

[Glazedonutlove]

Hello Everyone,

Here is a little bit about my background:

I am a 24 years old international student from Vietnam.
I received an academic excellence scholarship and came to China to study from 2010-2014. I got a Master's degree in Chinese Language Education in July, 2014.

My parents are U.S. permanent residents. My older sister is a naturalized citizen.

I came to the U.S. 5 months ago. So far, I have finished the intensive English program and met the English requirement to attend to a local university. I will officially become a freshman this Fall 2015.
I select Chemistry-Health Sciences as my undergraduate major. I am interested in Chemistry.
I cannot work outside of the campus while I am on F1 visa, so I am planning to volunteer this summer. I know medical school in the U.S is extremely competitive, and that's why I want to plan early.

Is Chemistry a good idea? I have to think about plan B if I do not get accepted. What can I do with a degree in Chemistry?

I am on a waiting list for an immigration visa sponsored by my dad. Hopefully I will become a permanent resident in 5 years.

What do I need to do to prepare for medical school beside getting good grades?
Do I need to study Spanish to improve my chance of getting acceptance? Does medical school care about an applicant's language skills?

Thank you

Been in your situation. Chemistry is a good choice; it opens up more opportunities for a back up plan. concentrate on becoming a strong applicant as international spots are much more competitive. Also prepare early for verbal section of mcat.

No, most people don't have Spanish and they do fine. Do it if you want, but focus on your grades, solid extra curriculars, research, etc. and you should be fine. Best case scenario you would have your green card by the time you apply