MD program but not GREENCARD :(

[coconutfarmer]

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Hey Guys,

I have been living in this country for a long time. I did all of my schooling in this country. However, due to snail-like pace of immigration processing, I still do not have my greencard. I was admitted into a Guaranteed Medical program but I had to forfiet the spot becasue I didnt have my green card.

Let's be real... Not having a green card is an incredibly substantial disadvantage. But my question is that should I wait till I get my green card to even apply?

I am already taking a 2 years off now and working with children who come from horrific backgrounds (sexaul abuse, physical abuse etc.) We have been running around behind this greencard for about 8 years now and supposedly we are in the final stages, but we still have no idea when it will come in. So should I just keep working and wait till my greencard comes in or are there enough Medical schools out there that will look at my application before stamping the Scarlet Letter on it for being an "Alien".

Ps. my stats are normal. I am studying for MCATS now. I have a 3.81 gpa and this job is one of my EC's.

What should I do? Where should I apply?

Merry Christmas and I hope everybody gets the perfect Christmast gift this year (an acceptance letter).

Naveen

 

[RogueUnicorn]

i say this somewhat in jest, but the quickest way to a greencard is marriage..

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Hey Guys,

I have been living in this country for a long time. I did all of my schooling in this country. However, due to snail-like pace of immigration processing, I still do not have my greencard. I was admitted into a Guaranteed Medical program but I had to forfiet the spot becasue I didnt have my green card.

Let's be real... Not having a green card is an incredibly substantial disadvantage. But my question is that should I wait till I get my green card to even apply?

I am already taking a 2 years off now and working with children who come from horrific backgrounds (sexaul abuse, physical abuse etc.) We have been running around behind this greencard for about 8 years now and supposedly we are in the final stages, but we still have no idea when it will come in. So should I just keep working and wait till my greencard comes in or are there enough Medical schools out there that will look at my application before stamping the Scarlet Letter on it for being an "Alien".

Ps. my stats are normal. I am studying for MCATS now. I have a 3.81 gpa and this job is one of my EC's.

What should I do? Where should I apply?

Merry Christmas and I hope everybody gets the perfect Christmast gift this year (an acceptance letter).

Naveen

hmm.. im going to agree
marriage is the easiest way of getting a green card, find someone who will consent to a 3 year marriage and you'll be fine.

 

[Catalystik]

Your GPA is above the median for those accepted to allopathic med schools (3.65). If your MCAT is similiarly strong, and you have extraordinary ECs, you could go ahead and apply, accepting that your chances are lower, number of schools willing to consider you significantly less, and much higher tuition. If it were a matter of getting the green card in the next two years, I'd probably wait for the sake of the less expensive education and better access to loans. Meanwhile, you could keep strengthening your ECs, and keep your hand in academically by taking a night class while you work.

 

[Tatastrophy]

I don't get why it is taking you this long to get one. It took my family (3 people) less than a year. You have a legit reason as a student...
I say the only reason you do not have one is because you have not taken the initiative yourself.

In case you think it was easier for us-our paperwork was lost at the INS 3 times. They didn't feel the need to call us/mail us with a notification of this. We called them periodically to monitor the progress. That is how we knew to send in another package. Seriously, nobody is going to hold your hand. Gotta step up to it.

Sorry if this sounds mean but me saying "you poor baby" is not going to help you become an MD, you realizing what your issues are is.

 

[Aromatic Amine]

i say this somewhat in jest, but the quickest way to a greencard is marriage..

 

[amine2086]

Hey Guys,

I have been living in this country for a long time. I did all of my schooling in this country. However, due to snail-like pace of immigration processing, I still do not have my greencard. I was admitted into a Guaranteed Medical program but I had to forfiet the spot becasue I didnt have my green card.

Let's be real... Not having a green card is an incredibly substantial disadvantage. But my question is that should I wait till I get my green card to even apply?

I am already taking a 2 years off now and working with children who come from horrific backgrounds (sexaul abuse, physical abuse etc.) We have been running around behind this greencard for about 8 years now and supposedly we are in the final stages, but we still have no idea when it will come in. So should I just keep working and wait till my greencard comes in or are there enough Medical schools out there that will look at my application before stamping the Scarlet Letter on it for being an "Alien".

Ps. my stats are normal. I am studying for MCATS now. I have a 3.81 gpa and this job is one of my EC's.

What should I do? Where should I apply?

Merry Christmas and I hope everybody gets the perfect Christmast gift this year (an acceptance letter).

Naveen

My advice would be to wait until you receive your green card. Having dealt with the immigration process myself, I can relate to what you are going through. There are very few schools even allow you to apply without being a permanent resident or U.S. citizen. Given that, if you apply now the super-competitive medical school admission process is going to become even more competitive for you. I think you should concentrate on ECs and MCAT until you receive your green card.

 

[Tutmos]

Keep in mind that medical schools, for the most part, are heavily taxpayer funded. Taxpayers don't have a lot of interest in paying for the expensive education of the rest of the world, it's bad enough with grad students. The mandate publically funded medical schools have is to train its own population to care for its own citizens. Any other considerations are secondary.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

I don't get why it is taking you this long to get one. It took my family (3 people) less than a year. You have a legit reason as a student...
I say the only reason you do not have one is because you have not taken the initiative yourself.

In case you think it was easier for us-our paperwork was lost at the INS 3 times. They didn't feel the need to call us/mail us with a notification of this. We called them periodically to monitor the progress. That is how we knew to send in another package. Seriously, nobody is going to hold your hand. Gotta step up to it.

Sorry if this sounds mean but me saying "you poor baby" is not going to help you become an MD, you realizing what your issues are is.

ok, your experience is NOT typical. at all. trust me.

 

[Tatastrophy]

ok, your experience is NOT typical. at all. trust me.

I know that not everyone gets a card in less than a year but I know 10+ people who have had to go through the process and none of them took...8 years. Worst I heard is 5.
OP-all I am saying is that "doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity" so if you really want that GC-do something different: talk to an immigration lawyer, talk to INS to see what the issue is with your file....there are many ways to move your file along. I am on your side-I know it isn't easy and at times it feels like they use your file as a coaster for their coffee mugs...you cannot control their actions, but you can change yours.
Oh and please do not marry anyone just to get one. It is a fraud and I've seen it fail more than once. End is not pretty.

 

[ITreat]

I am sorry but 3.81 and "Good" MCAT is just not good enough to apply as international student. You can look at chance threads. Some international student has 4.0 and almost 40 on MCAT and was still having a hard time getting in. Wait for your Greencard. Give them more calls and ask whats is going on...consult lawyer if needed.

Your GPA is above the median for those accepted to allopathic med schools (3.65). If your MCAT is similiarly strong, and you have extraordinary ECs, you could go ahead and apply, accepting that your chances are lower, number of schools willing to consider you significantly less, and much higher tuition. If it were a matter of getting the green card in the next two years, I'd probably wait for the sake of the less expensive education and better access to loans. Meanwhile, you could keep strengthening your ECs, and keep your hand in academically by taking a night class while you work.

 

[yearn4ivy]

I'm an international student and I was recently accepted into a US Medical School.

Like every other applicant, you have to strive to set yourself about from other cadidates in your personal statement,secondary essays and ECs, since many applicants are academically prepared.

Naveen, I think want you have to worry about is how to pay for medical school. Can your family afford it? Can you get a US co-signer for at least $200,000 that you need to get through school?
If you answer yes to the above questions, then you need to prepare you application and apply. Most importantly, choose your schools carefully. There are medical schools known for accepting large number (as in 5 - 15) international students each year.

What is your immigration status? Are you considered a quasi-resident and thus, given resident privileges such as in-state tuition? I say this because refugees seeking asylum are considered resident pending their green card application.

Like tatastrophy said, you have to be proactive. Do your research on immigration. Check on your application. Look for nonprofit agencies that give legal aid to immigrants.

Best of Luck

 

[luckyducky87]

I don't get why it is taking you this long to get one. It took my family (3 people) less than a year. You have a legit reason as a student...
I say the only reason you do not have one is because you have not taken the initiative yourself.

I have to disagree as well -- I think you lucked out. My dad's company's lawyers were all over our case for applying for a green card -- it still took us (4 people altogether) eight years to get a green card. I heard so many of the same stories from families around us, so 8 years around here wasn't atypical.

Luckily, I got it the February before my application cycle started (Feb of 2008), so I didn't quite have this dilemma of whether to wait till the green card comes out or not :-/ I would wait though. Besides the tough admissions (check out the MSAR stats on international admissions), as already mentioned by others, the financial issues involved isn't so great.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Man it would suck to lose a guaranteed medicine position because of that. I have regularly seen and heard of the process to take 10 years. 3 years if definitely not typical. I would just take the two years and make the best of it and apply again.

 

[Bernoull]

Keep in mind that medical schools, for the most part, are heavily taxpayer funded. Taxpayers don't have a lot of interest in paying for the expensive education of the rest of the world, it's bad enough with grad students. The mandate publically funded medical schools have is to train its own population to care for its own citizens. Any other considerations are secondary.

Apparently, you are equating citizenship/permanent residency to taxpaying. Noncitizens and nongreencard-holders do pay taxes. There's a myriad of immigration-statuses that allow people to work and they pay income taxes, also virtually every person in the US pays sales taxes..

 

[Ilovewater]

Woah...I didn't know it takes that long at all! My family of four got our green cards after 4 months! I feel incredibly lucky now!

Good luck to you, OP!

 

[alexlex143]

I don't get why it is taking you this long to get one. It took my family (3 people) less than a year. You have a legit reason as a student...
I say the only reason you do not have one is because you have not taken the initiative yourself.

In case you think it was easier for us-our paperwork was lost at the INS 3 times. They didn't feel the need to call us/mail us with a notification of this. We called them periodically to monitor the progress. That is how we knew to send in another package. Seriously, nobody is going to hold your hand. Gotta step up to it.

Sorry if this sounds mean but me saying "you poor baby" is not going to help you become an MD, you realizing what your issues are is.

I think you're being somewhat presumptuous about the process of getting a green card. You got yours in less that a year? You got freakin lucky dude, because it takes on average SEVERAL years to receive a green card. You're assuming it's a quick process. It's DEFINITELY not for everyone...

There are several different programs you apply for to get a green card. It's not everyone applying to one program. I was born in El Salvador, moved here when I was 2 and didn't get my green card until 2003. My mom applied immediately when we came here to a program called NACARA (it was somewhere along the process of getting ASYLUM). She was always on point with it. It has nothing to do with you after applying, unless of course they do lose your paperwork (which hardly ever happens mind you). My dad has been here longer than my mom and I and still doesn't have his. It's a long process. Some people get lucky. You can't assume, just because your family received theirs quickly, that it's always that way or that the OP is being irresponsible. People wait decades sometimes to be approved for a green card. All my aunts have had to wait several years to receive theirs. And it isn't because they weren't trying. Some things are out of your hands. You don't have control in a process such as this. IMS is extremely selective of who gets a green card. I don't you should be assuming that the OP isn't taking initiative because, frankly, it's really out of their hands.

OP, I'm not quite sure how far along you are in the process of getting a green card, but if you've been informed that have been approved or have some information that has led you to believe you will be getting your green card soon, definitely apply to MD schools. If you're accepted, you can inform the school that you are still in the process of getting your green card and have been informed that you will be getting one soon. The worse that could happen would be that they would tell you to return when you do have it. You never know. Stay positive! This process can be long and I wish you all the best of luck! I've been through this process and it definitely wasn't quick or easy.

 

[artx2008]

I think you're being somewhat presumptuous about the process of getting a green card. You got yours in less that a year? You got freakin lucky dude, because it takes on average SEVERAL years to receive a green card. You're assuming it's a quick process. It's DEFINITELY not for everyone...

There are several different programs you apply for to get a green card. It's not everyone applying to one program. I was born in El Salvador, moved here when I was 2 and didn't get my green card until 2003. My mom applied immediately when we came here to a program called NACARA (it was somewhere along the process of getting ASYLUM). She was always on point with it. It has nothing to do with you after applying, unless of course they do lose your paperwork (which hardly ever happens mind you). My dad has been here longer than my mom and I and still doesn't have his. It's a long process. Some people get lucky. You can't assume, just because your family received theirs quickly, that it's always that way or that the OP is being irresponsible. People wait decades sometimes to be approved for a green card. All my aunts have had to wait several years to receive theirs. And it isn't because they weren't trying. Some things are out of your hands. You don't have control in a process such as this. IMS is extremely selective of who gets a green card. I don't you should be assuming that the OP isn't taking initiative because, frankly, it's really out of their hands.

OP, I'm not quite sure how far along you are in the process of getting a green card, but if you've been informed that have been approved or have some information that has led you to believe you will be getting your green card soon, definitely apply to MD schools. If you're accepted, you can inform the school that you are still in the process of getting your green card and have been informed that you will be getting one soon. The worse that could happen would be that they would tell you to return when you do have it. You never know. Stay positive! This process can be long and I wish you all the best of luck! I've been through this process and it definitely wasn't quick or easy.

It depends on your status when you enter the United States. If you come on an immigrant visa, the process of getting the green card is pretty straightforward and fast. If you come under different circumstances, it takes longer to convert you from one status to another. Most likely, there is nothing OP can do to speed up the process.

 

[whimsical]

I don't get why it is taking you this long to get one. It took my family (3 people) less than a year. You have a legit reason as a student...
I say the only reason you do not have one is because you have not taken the initiative yourself.

In case you think it was easier for us-our paperwork was lost at the INS 3 times. They didn't feel the need to call us/mail us with a notification of this. We called them periodically to monitor the progress. That is how we knew to send in another package. Seriously, nobody is going to hold your hand. Gotta step up to it.

Sorry if this sounds mean but me saying "you poor baby" is not going to help you become an MD, you realizing what your issues are is.

For the record, I'm in the same place as the OP - and not because of not taking "initiative". The visa you first entered the country under, as well as other factors, can greatly delay the process to getting a green card. This was rather insensitive, especially since you've been in the process. I'm glad that you were lucky, but I know plenty of other families that are in the same place.

 

[alexlex143]

It depends on your status when you enter the United States. If you come on an immigrant visa, the process of getting the green card is pretty straightforward and fast. If you come under different circumstances, it takes longer to convert you from one status to another. Most likely, there is nothing OP can do to speed up the process.

exactly. but even then, obtaining an immigrant visa isn't necessarily a walk in the park. But yeah, like I said, one doesn't really have control over how fast it takes to process the application. My parents came here with a work permit, applied for asylum, and have been here ever since. Hopefully my dad will get his soon

just be patient OP.

 

[Ilovewater]

It depends on your status when you enter the United States. If you come on an immigrant visa, the process of getting the green card is pretty straightforward and fast. If you come under different circumstances, it takes longer to convert you from one status to another. Most likely, there is nothing OP can do to speed up the process.

Agreed. Just found out from my dad that the program/status in which you enter the US determines how quickly you get through the process.... All these processes (naturalization, green card, etc.) tend to take a very loooong time though. Good luck, OP! I hope you get something soon.

 

[Tatastrophy]

I have to disagree as well -- I think you lucked out. My dad's company's lawyers were all over our case for applying for a green card -- it still took us (4 people altogether) eight years to get a green card. I heard so many of the same stories from families around us, so 8 years around here wasn't atypical.

Luckily, I got it the February before my application cycle started (Feb of 2008), so I didn't quite have this dilemma of whether to wait till the green card comes out or not :-/ I would wait though. Besides the tough admissions (check out the MSAR stats on international admissions), as already mentioned by others, the financial issues involved isn't so great.

I think you're being somewhat presumptuous about the process of getting a green card. You got yours in less that a year? You got freakin lucky dude, because it takes on average SEVERAL years to receive a green card. You're assuming it's a quick process. It's DEFINITELY not for everyone...

There are several different programs you apply for to get a green card. It's not everyone applying to one program. I was born in El Salvador, moved here when I was 2 and didn't get my green card until 2003. My mom applied immediately when we came here to a program called NACARA (it was somewhere along the process of getting ASYLUM). She was always on point with it. It has nothing to do with you after applying, unless of course they do lose your paperwork (which hardly ever happens mind you). My dad has been here longer than my mom and I and still doesn't have his. It's a long process. Some people get lucky. You can't assume, just because your family received theirs quickly, that it's always that way or that the OP is being irresponsible. People wait decades sometimes to be approved for a green card. All my aunts have had to wait several years to receive theirs. And it isn't because they weren't trying. Some things are out of your hands. You don't have control in a process such as this. IMS is extremely selective of who gets a green card. I don't you should be assuming that the OP isn't taking initiative because, frankly, it's really out of their hands.

OP, I'm not quite sure how far along you are in the process of getting a green card, but if you've been informed that have been approved or have some information that has led you to believe you will be getting your green card soon, definitely apply to MD schools. If you're accepted, you can inform the school that you are still in the process of getting your green card and have been informed that you will be getting one soon. The worse that could happen would be that they would tell you to return when you do have it. You never know. Stay positive! This process can be long and I wish you all the best of luck! I've been through this process and it definitely wasn't quick or easy.

For the record, I'm in the same place as the OP - and not because of not taking "initiative". The visa you first entered the country under, as well as other factors, can greatly delay the process to getting a green card. This was rather insensitive, especially since you've been in the process. I'm glad that you were lucky, but I know plenty of other families that are in the same place.

OP and everyone else-I am sorry if you feel offended by my urgings to do something new about your situation. I do hope that you get to fulfill your dream-you are facing a lot more work than native borns and already naturalized applicants but you have gotten this far and that takes some serious determination.
I absolutely do not think that my family "lucked out"-we worked very hard to get our green cards.

 

[Buzz Me]

How did you get into a "guaranteed" med school without an MCAT score?

 

[LuciusVorenus]

I know that not everyone gets a card in less than a year but I know 10+ people who have had to go through the process and none of them took...8 years. Worst I heard is 5.
OP-all I am saying is that "doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity" so if you really want that GC-do something different: talk to an immigration lawyer, talk to INS to see what the issue is with your file....there are many ways to move your file along. I am on your side-I know it isn't easy and at times it feels like they use your file as a coaster for their coffee mugs...you cannot control their actions, but you can change yours.
Oh and please do not marry anyone just to get one. It is a fraud and I've seen it fail more than once. End is not pretty.

Our family got ours in 3 years as well, but keep in mind that was before 9/11. Also keep in mind you're Russian 😛 I'm surprised no one has said anything yet but I know lots of family members who have been waiting for 8+ years for their green card because they might come from not very "savory" countries, and guessing from the OPs name, neither does he. I know that sounds kind of ridiculous but even in the late 90s when my family got ours we were still asked some pretty weird questions about past associations.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

How did you get into a "guaranteed" med school without an MCAT score?

There are programs that accept you into the guaranteed medicine programs based on your high school grades and volunteering. If you get accepted into the guaranteed program, then you will never take the MCAT, unless you want to go to a school other than the one that you are guaranteed into. VCU is one of the schools that does this.

Pretty good deal if you get into that program I would say.

 

[Tatastrophy]

Our family got ours in 3 years as well, but keep in mind that was before 9/11. Also keep in mind you're Russian 😛 I'm surprised no one has said anything yet but I know lots of family members who have been waiting for 8+ years for their green card because they might come from not very "savory" countries, and guessing from the OPs name, neither does he. I know that sounds kind of ridiculous but even in the late 90s when my family got ours we were still asked some pretty weird questions about past associations.

Russia is savory all of a sudden lol?!?!?
I wish I had known that the times I got called a communist (among other things) it was all a sign of friendly acceptance.
I guess you are right about the pre-9/11...we applied and finally got ours a few months before then. Although, I should point out that we did a lot of work to prepare our file while still...in Russia and applied right away when we moved here. Unfortunately, that is not an option for the OP but there are still things that can be done-there are immigration lawyers if you do not know where else to look. 🙂

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Russia is savory all of a sudden lol?!?!?
I wish I had known that the times I got called a communist (among other things) it was all a sign of friendly acceptance.
I guess you are right about the pre-9/11...we applied and finally got ours a few months before then. Although, I should point out that we did a lot of work to prepare our file while still...in Russia and applied right away when we moved here. Unfortunately, that is not an option for the OP but there are still things that can be done-there are immigration lawyers if you do not know where else to look. 🙂

Haha you got called a communist?
that's pretty terrible
I guess the only savory country after all is Canada ^_^

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Oh and another question for the OP
are you applying with the rest of your family or on your own?
I've HEARD that it might be easier if you apply on your own since you're a student here.

 

[Tatastrophy]

Haha you got called a communist?
that's pretty terrible
I guess the only savory country after all is Canada ^_^

yea...and a teacher actually once got the nerve to call me a "mail order bride"....I was in 7th grade then btws.
Ignorance and viciousness abounds.

 

[whimsical]

OP and everyone else-I am sorry if you feel offended by my urgings to do something new about your situation. I do hope that you get to fulfill your dream-you are facing a lot more work than native borns and already naturalized applicants but you have gotten this far and that takes some serious determination.
I absolutely do not think that my family "lucked out"-we worked very hard to get our green cards.

True - I'm sure your family did work hard. I was just responding to your assumption that this process is only long if you don't push hard. Trust me, we are. It was obviously a misunderstanding and I apologize if I jumped down your throat. I just get that kind of thing a lot and have gotten used to defending myself and other people in the same situation. 🙂

 

[mnoon1]

it definitely depends on your situation, I would wait and do more volunteering, shadowing, start working on your masters (if you graduate before you have your greencard and want to kill time).

You have all the time in the world to get into med school so enjoy your life. I was in tears when I found out in high school that my state didn't let illegal immigrants into college but that changed and here I am.

The others are right, as funny as it sounds, marraige is the fastest way. I am happily married to my husband (wasn't just for the greencard, we were high school sweethearts and have two kids together) and it took about eight months Sept2007-May2008 for my paperwork to go through. My brother in law on the other hand got married in east Asia and it took 2 years for his wife's paperwork to process before she was allowed into the country and finally my long time friend's mom was petitioned for by her sister and they are still waiting to hear back (since 1993). It depends on what country the petitioner and the immigrant they are petitioning for are from, their relationship to one another, and other factors.

Just know that when you are finally on the other side, that great weight you thought would be lifted off your shoulders sort of is but at the same time it sort of isn't, you simply shift your (at least i did) attention/stress to other areas.

Good luck, and just keep yourself busy so you don't think about it (as) much.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Let us know what you decide on doing. I am very curious.

 

[ar2388]

good luck! i know it took me and my family about 10 years to get one..unless you have the money to pay for school by yourself then i would say wait until you get one before applying...

 

[ar2388]

yea...and a teacher actually once got the nerve to call me a "mail order bride"....I was in 7th grade then btws.
Ignorance and viciousness abounds.

hehe i got called communist too.. and although not a mail order bride, but i was called other russian related and vegetable related things.. (i brought veggies for lunch in elementary school lol)

 

[LuciusVorenus]

good luck! i know it took me and my family about 10 years to get one..unless you have the money to pay for school by yourself then i would say wait until you get one before applying...

Your avatar thingy is great. I remember how I couldn't stop laughing when I saw that episode

 

[Tatastrophy]

hehe i got called communist too.. and although not a mail order bride, but i was called other russian related and vegetable related things.. (i brought veggies for lunch in elementary school lol)

btws...I stalked your mdapps and saw you went to Barnard-my best friend from HS goes there 🙂 makes me happy !