International student seeking advice

[pkteen]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hello everyone.
I've posted a few questions of mine on here a few times now for information. And after considerable thought, I've decided to try to persue a medical career in the US. I realise that this is too early to ask as I haven't even started college yet. (Was on gap year. Applying this fall). But as an international student, I need to know what I'm getting into. I plan to attempt to enter an MD/PhD program but will definitely be applying to MD programs as well. But I wanted to ask exactly how difficult is it to get admitted. I'm ready to work as hard as I possibly can and more. Paying for school isn't a problem. And just so it's clear, I'm proper 'alien' international and not a permanent resident or a green card holder.
Any tips or info would be highly appreciated.
-Shahrez

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

Hello everyone.
I've posted a few questions of mine on here a few times now for information. And after considerable thought, I've decided to try to persue a medical career in the US. I realise that this is too early to ask as I haven't even started college yet. (Was on gap year. Applying this fall). But as an international student, I need to know what I'm getting into. I plan to attempt to enter an MD/PhD program but will definitely be applying to MD programs as well. But I wanted to ask exactly how difficult is it to get admitted. I'm ready to work as hard as I possibly can and more. Paying for school isn't a problem. And just so it's clear, I'm proper 'alien' international and not a permanent resident or a green card holder.
Any tips or info would be highly appreciated.
-Shahrez

Will you attend a us college or one in Pakistan?

 

[Lollygag]

Please try to attend college in the U.S. It will make things significantly easier for you and if money isn't an issue then it would be ideal for you to get your bachelor's degree in the U.S. instead of Pakistan.

 

[dpan4]

I'm an international who just got multiple acceptances to MD/PhD this year. It's not easy. Actually I can tell you that it is be very hard and I think it will become harder for the next few years since more and more international students are coming to the US. It's hard for 2 reasons.

1) Limited spots. I think there's about ~20 spots for international students among the top 50 schools (roughly 1 per "international friendly" school)
2) The "achiever dilemma". If you are applying as international, chances are you will be an achiever. In which case the not too stella schools are very likely to consider you uninterested in them (they assume that you'd get an offer from a better school ) therefore making you unattractive for the schools ranked >50. On the other hand, the top schools are flooded with achievers, so it will still be hard to standout.

So it will be a shot in the dark. On the other hand, most private medical schools in the US do not have restrictions in the number of MD spots offered to international so if that is what you want, you will be fine as long as you work hard.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Moving to hSDN

 

[pkteen]

I'm going to be studying in the us.

 

[Medstart108]

It is very difficult to get into a MD program let alone MD PhD. I would just try for MD programs and then do a PhD separately on my own time after residency.

 

[pkteen]

It is very difficult to get into a MD program let alone MD PhD. I would just try for MD programs and then do a PhD separately on my own time after residency.

As I said, I plan to apply to a mix of both programs. I'm going for it. I'm eligible for the UNFCU student loan+aid combination. So paying for school isn't going to be a problem. Obviously this will depend upon how hard I work in undergrad. If I do, are there good chances? Am I doing the right thing or am I being overly optimistic. I don't know what the future will hold for me but I'm willing to work my ***** off.

 

[Medstart108]

Read your post, saying you got into AKU in pakistan. If you can get into medical school in Pakistan, i trust that you are a very smart hardworking guy. In that case, you aren't being overly optimistic. I say go for it. Come to the US, work your ass off and you will get something for sure.

 

[pkteen]

Thanks a lot for the advice. Really. Applying this fall! 🙂

 

[PapaGuava]

Thanks a lot for the advice. Really. Applying this fall! 🙂

Most the advice has been given but i wish you goodluck!😀