Post Bacc International Students

[lilyp]

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Hi everyone,

I understand it is borderline impossible for an international student to get into the US medical schools... maybe that is why I am having the hardest time finding more information about people who are/were in my boat.

I am looking for stories (success or not) that are like mine. I am not a Canadian or a permanent resident, but I've been going to school in the US for 7 years now. I graduated high school in the US, went to college for something completely unrelated to science (I did media production), but I developed my passion for the medical career. I am looking into post-bacc programs.

My father has agreed he would loan me money to attend medical school in the US if I do get in (he is still in my home country), and my English is impeccable - you would not know I wasn't a native speaker if I didn't tell you. I am also completely Americanized. I don't know if financial/cultural reasons are why med schools don't like international students.

Is anyone out there even in a similar situation as me? I just want to know if I'd be walking down the path completely by myself, or if I could get even a small piece of advice from someone. I would appreciate any kind of feedback (except for "it's hard for international kids to get in" because I already know this.)

Thank you so much! Happy holidays.

 

[Nuggles]

People have walked down your path before. Unfortunately, as you said, it really is an uphill battle for international students to get into a US medical school. Part of the reason may be cultural but to my understanding, another reason is that med schools here in the US are interested in training physicians who will stay in the US after their education. It's very easy for international students to say "yea I'll definitely stay here" only to pick up and return back to their home countries after residency.

I doubt financial reasons work against international students, since most overseas students tend to come from wealthy families--so if anything, finances actually 'help' international students.

This isn't to say that acceptance is impossible though: one of my mentors from college did get accepted into a MD/PhD program without US residency status or citizenship, however, even she admitted that this was a very rare occurrence (and she's been on admissions committees before). So much so that when I told her I was interested in pursuing medicine, one of the first questions she asked me was: "are you a US citizen?" The implication being: if I wasn't, I should instead focus on applying back in my 'home country.'

So to answer your question: there are people who have been in similiar situations. I know of two people who have done it; however, both of their applications were quite literally flawless (awards, honors, research, gpa, mcat, etc.). I would consider my future application to be semi-competitive for med schools; however, compared to theirs, mine is like dried pigeon turd (sad but true lol).

If I was in your situation, I wouldn't even bother applying to US state schools (focus on private schools), I would also apply broadly to medical schools back in your home country (and its surrounding region)--depending on which country you are from, you may not even need a post-bacc (e.g. Hong Kong medical schools mostly accept students straight from high school, so applicants only need to have a working high school knowledge of science). But yea, your path will unfortunately be tougher because of your lack of citizenship/residency. I'm not too familiar with the laws, but is it possible for you to get either of those statuses within a reasonable timeframe? That would probably be your best bet if you are completely adamant on staying in the US for med school. Best of luck!

 

[fuyulee]

I am in a similar situation. Went to America schools abroad most of my life and four years of US college. Also not Canadian.

I've known people with really good apps get into very good school on MD or MD/PhD programs. Also from this forum, I met someone who had a borderline Stats that also got into Medschool after a SMP.

I myself also have borderline stats so I plan on going into a SMP and then apply. I actually don't know anyone who actually tried very hard to get in and didn't. Most people tend to give up half way through the process without exhausting all means. It could also be just people who didn't succeed aren't as vocal.

After these recent posts I am again worried and might consider again applying in my home country... BUT I still would really prefer to go to the US.

 

[Nuggles]

Most people tend to give up half way through the process without exhausting all means.

I completely agree with this; international students probably also realize at some point that it'll be easier for them to apply back in their home countries. You shouldn't give up on applying to US med schools though, it's definitely possible, just harder. What it comes down to is realistically evaluating your strengths and weaknesses and asking yourself if it is enough for med schools here to choose you over a US citizen.

And yea, if you're an international student, I really think you should also consider applying back to your home country as a backup plan. It's still possible for foreign graduates to practice in the US if that is your ultimate goal (provided they redo their residency here in the US). A friend of a friend is currently practicing here, despite having gone to medical school in Ireland (or some other European country, I forget).

 

[lilyp]

Thank you so much for all your replies! It really helped me a lot.

I do have one more question. If you are an in a post bacc program on an F-1 visa, how do you deal with the glide year? Do the post bacc programs let you stay as a full time student during the leap year?

If you have any information on that, I would be very thankful. Even more so than I am now!

 

[lizzo76]

Please see my post on the "undergraduate outside the US, post-bacc in the US" thread. You are in better shape than that poster, but there is still an uphill battle. You might find some info, including a link I posted, interesting.

 

[dudeveritas]

Hi

can one join post bac pre med program on an F1 visa. I ask this question because the student visa is only granted if you are pursuing work towards a degree. Please let me know if you have any information on this.

Deepak

 

[MN27]

I know it been 8 years, hope you have got answers for all those queries by now. Can you guide me with some inputs on the same? 🙂