Med schools that accept international students

[iwutitan]

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I seriously need advice about which schools to appy since I am very worried about my chance of getting into a med school. The problem is that I am foreign (not a permanent resident in the US) even though I am doing undergraduate in the U.S. Pretty much when I realize I want to become a doctor, I try everything I could to make me a good candidate. Double major bio + chem, cumulative GPA > 3.8, science GPA > 3.7, have research experience in both biology and chemistry (have been doing research since freshman year) and have 2 publications so far; have lots of volunteering experience in both campus and community (years), have several leadership positions and have received several awards in leadership, in service and in academia.... honor societies, dean's list this and that. I have experience as a TA and tutor too. I have been shadowed couple doctors too and really enjoy it. For all three summers since after freshman year, I manage to get in some internships and this year I am going to do an internship in my first choice of med school.
So I guess you can tell that I am pretty desperate. I went through website of every single med school in the U.S. to check out their policy about international students... doesn't seem very hopeful: not many accept international students, most of schools that do accept, don't give out financial aid. I would love to do MD/PhD which will take care of the financial part.
Do you guys have any advice for me? or if you know any schools that are more open to foreigners? I know Wash U is, but it is so hard to get it (I will still try though). Any advice is welcome except the advice that I should get married and get the U.S. citizenship one which I've heard alot. Thanks a bunch!

 

[Mixer_Vik]

which universitys have you found that allow you and dont allow you ?

 

[iwutitan]

which universitys have you found that allow you and dont allow you ?

Thanks for replying. I've found around 6 schools to apply: Albert Einstein, Columbia, Upstate, U of Penn, Vanderbilt and Wash U. and a tons that have a big red flag no: Boston U., George Washington, Loyola, Mayo, Temple... and many more... and some other say I will be considered but have to show them $200,000 in my bank account (or enough to pay for 4 years)... which you know... just the amount i have in my pocket. 🙁

 

[Mixer_Vik]

do u know if the same applies if you are not on a student visa but a business visa - as my family has a business in the states ? which country are you from ? i want to apply to a floridian medical school .. as i really wanna stay in state . know anything about any florida universitys ?

 

[iwutitan]

do u know if the same applies if you are not on a student visa but a business visa - as my family has a business in the states ? which country are you from ? i want to apply to a floridian medical school .. as i really wanna stay in state . know anything about any florida universitys ?

I think your Visa type doesn't matter... but check to make sure you are a resident or not because if you are then no worry, you will be considered just like any U.S citizen. One of my friend was in a business visa and just got her green card couple months ago so she is all set.
Florida schools usually favor (VERY much if you look at their student profile) in state residents over any other applicants so if you are a resident of FL then you are advantaged. So check your residency status. There is no FL school that accepts international student.
I wonder ... so really are Americans afraid of competition since they don't even consider foreign for admission?
Bush policy of cutting down in research grant doesnt' help me either

 

[Mixer_Vik]

thanks for the help !! next port of call .. to find out wheather ill be a resdient or not - you think an "attorney" will know this information ?

 

[iwutitan]

If you have a green card then you are a resident

 

[Mixer_Vik]

i dont but apparently i will have "non alien resident" status

 

[kramerfan]

I seriously need advice about which schools to appy since I am very worried about my chance of getting into a med school. The problem is that I am foreign (not a permanent resident in the US) even though I am doing undergraduate in the U.S. Pretty much when I realize I want to become a doctor, I try everything I could to make me a good candidate. Double major bio + chem, cumulative GPA > 3.8, science GPA > 3.7, have research experience in both biology and chemistry (have been doing research since freshman year) and have 2 publications so far; have lots of volunteering experience in both campus and community (years), have several leadership positions and have received several awards in leadership, in service and in academia.... honor societies, dean's list this and that. I have experience as a TA and tutor too. I have been shadowed couple doctors too and really enjoy it. For all three summers since after freshman year, I manage to get in some internships and this year I am going to do an internship in my first choice of med school.
So I guess you can tell that I am pretty desperate. I went through website of every single med school in the U.S. to check out their policy about international students... doesn't seem very hopeful: not many accept international students, most of schools that do accept, don't give out financial aid. I would love to do MD/PhD which will take care of the financial part.
Do you guys have any advice for me? or if you know any schools that are more open to foreigners? I know Wash U is, but it is so hard to get it (I will still try though). Any advice is welcome except the advice that I should get married and get the U.S. citizenship one which I've heard alot. Thanks a bunch!

I was in the exact same position- international student, did undergrad here and applied to med school. I know from personal experience that Jefferson, Medical College of Wisconsin, Vanderbilt and Emory are very open to international students and apart from Jefferson all offer int students scholarships.

Someone just provided some info on another thread that may help with your research into the "international-friendly" schools. You can get to it via this link:

http://www.temple.edu/healthadvising/fornstd.html

 

[kuralia]

I was in the exact same position- international student, did undergrad here and applied to med school. I know from personal experience that Jefferson, Medical College of Wisconsin, Vanderbilt and Emory are very open to international students and apart from Jefferson all offer int students scholarships.

Someone just provided some info on another thread that may help with your research into the "international-friendly" schools. You can get to it via this link:

http://www.temple.edu/healthadvising/fornstd.html

That will be your best bet as greencard will help.MD/PhD you have to be a US citizen or green card holder as it is publically funded

 

[Scottish Chap]

Whether you're on a student or a business visa, you are classified "international" by medical schools and will not be treated as a state resident applicant until you have your green card in hand. Iwutitan: I personally know folks who have successfully been admitted to U.S. medical schools as internationals. It happens more frequently than you'd think - as long as your undergaduate degree is from the U.S. or Canada. Most, as you've pointed out, do tend to be private medical schools. You can do it. Good luck!

 

[Scottish Chap]

i dont but apparently i will have "non alien resident" status

This means "international" as far as medical school applications go. You'll only be a resident alien once you have the green card in hand.

 

[Reimat]

Maybe this is a dumb inquiry- but if you're planning on getting your MD in the US- or even an MD/PhD, aren't you planning on becoming a resident? Certainly if you hope to do an MD/PhD it would be with the intention of doing research primarily in the US. I guess I wonder if you are in the process of becoming a permanent resident or if you have no intention of becoming one. I don't mean this post to be a criticism of any sort- just wonder what your intentions are- because my advice would be to become a citizen.

 

[nockamura]

I know Wake Forest accepts international students.

 

[iwutitan]

Thank you!!! Hopefully I will get in somewhere.
To Karulia: I know alot of MSTP are funded by NIH but some are not ... (unfortunately they are the big and top schools) but I willt try anyhow.

 

[ellgh1]

dude, i have exactly the same problem as you. im an international student..bio and chem double major with a high gpa both cummulative and science wise. I really want to do an MD/Phd. I have done research in previous summers and will be doing research at upitts this summer. Most of the MD/Phd programs outrightly state that int. students on F-1 Visa shouldnt apply. I have called a few schools to verify whether i am eligible or not....these schools take int. students on F-1 VISA: UT southwestern,Baylor, columbia, cornell,emory, cornell......i have a long list of schools i will call soon to verify and i'll let u know their response later. all my friends say i should get married so i can a greencard but i don't know about that. im really worried inspite of my good academic record...if u find any helpful info..please post it up.

 

[ocean11]

Rosalind Franklin also accepts international students, so does NYMC... got into both and am a Canadian.

If you're Canadian it's abit easier... at Rosalind Franklin there is a girl from Albania, 10 Canadians in my class, and a few from England...

Good Luck

 

[Mixer_Vik]

. I guess I wonder if you are in the process of becoming a permanent resident or if you have no intention of becoming one. I don't mean this post to be a criticism of any sort- just wonder what your intentions are- because my advice would be to become a citizen.

I do want to become a citizen .. i want to live in the states for the rest of my life .

 

[iwutitan]

Maybe this is a dumb inquiry- but if you're planning on getting your MD in the US- or even an MD/PhD, aren't you planning on becoming a resident? Certainly if you hope to do an MD/PhD it would be with the intention of doing research primarily in the US. I guess I wonder if you are in the process of becoming a permanent resident or if you have no intention of becoming one. I don't mean this post to be a criticism of any sort- just wonder what your intentions are- because my advice would be to become a citizen.

Good question. Here is my answer. I love my country but the U.S. is a great place for education. A M.D. Ph.D. degree from the U.S. is much more pretigious than the one I would get if I were at home. However, I am not sure I would stay here for good, I like the country but I disagree with couple issues e.g. foreign affairs and politics in general. I am willing to go to any part of the world wherever people need me so where I am going to practice medicine is still a question.
Plus the only way I can get the citizenship in the U.S. right now is to get married which I am way to young to make such a big commitment (not planning to until I turn 30). Bottom line: it is a cheap way to get in med school.

 

[Nirs90]

🙁

 

[Raziela]

1. MD/PhD programs don't want you to apply just because it saves you money. You should definitely have a desire to pursue research, and the experience to back up that claim (See Neuronix's thread in the MD/PhD forum). Remember, the four years you take off to pursue an PhD ultimately means four years less of pay as a fully qualified MD!

2. There are definitely MD/PhD programs that accept international students, I had a quick look for you and found that both UPenn's and Columbia's MSTP programs fully fund international students (albeit, probably not from their government funding... 😛)

Good luck 🙂

Edit: As with most medical schools, MSTP programs appear to require some undergraduate schooling in the US.