International Students Graduating from American Medical Schools - Horror Stories?

[newdoctorpls]

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Hey all,

I'm an international student studying at a mid-tier US MD school on an F1 visa. I wanted to reach out to my fellow international students at varying stages in the process, and ask if they've heard of any horror stories either from a visa or a financial perspective, so that we may learn of what mistakes to avoid.

Some directional stories:

1. Has anyone heard of reentry issues if you go back to your home country on an F1 visa?
2. Has anyone had any issues moving from an F1 visa to an H1B or a J1 visa?
3. Has anyone had any issues with private loans (I have a cosigner)?
   
4. Has anyone had issues matching? If so, what happened?

With the seemingly awful visa climate, I just want to open up a conversation around difficulties faced by international students which one might not expect.

 

[Batracho]

I am an international MD/PhD student on an F-1 visa at a top-10 US MD school.
All my answers are based on personal experience and things I have heard from fellow students.
1. Nope (but I suspect this heavily depends on your home country)
2. Nope. H1B is more preferable though and it is something that should consider when applying for residencies.
3. Don't know — my program is funded and I haven't spoken to other internationals about this.
4. All international students at my US MD school were more than successful in the match

 

[Docdoc10]

Hey all,

I'm an international student studying at a mid-tier US MD school on an F1 visa. I wanted to reach out to my fellow international students at varying stages in the process, and ask if they've heard of any horror stories either from a visa or a financial perspective, so that we may learn of what mistakes to avoid.

Some directional stories:

1. Has anyone heard of reentry issues if you go back to your home country on an F1 visa?
2. Has anyone had any issues moving from an F1 visa to an H1B or a J1 visa?
3. Has anyone had any issues with private loans (I have a cosigner)?
   
4. Has anyone had issues matching? If so, what happened?

With the seemingly awful visa climate, I just want to open up a conversation around difficulties faced by international students which one might not expect.

Just graduated from a US MD school on a F-1. Other internationals in my year had no problem matching in their specialty of choice at H1B sponsoring programs, with H1B already approved by July (sometimes before the AED card!). They also traveled abroad before graduation and no problems with entry and exit. Not as bad you think.

 

[wonton000]

Hi, I have a similar question, except I am a 3rd year DO student. I'd like to know if matching is going to be an issue for international american DO graduates. Thank you so much!