Undergraduate outside of US, pre-med post-bacc in US, then US Medical School?

[Hopes2BMD]

Hi,

I would like to know if it is possible to study medicine in the USA after completing a bachelors (undergraduate) degree overseas.
I’ve heard that US medical schools do not recognize foreign undergraduate degrees and that it’s recommended for such graduates from foreign undergraduate programs to complete a pre-medical post-baccalaureate program in the US first and then, apply to medical school in the US.

To be more precise, I am an Australian citizen and I was wondering if it is possible to complete an undergraduate bachelor’s program in Australia and then enter a pre-medical post-baccalaureate program in the US?

Upon completing the pre-medical post-baccalaureate program, is it possible to apply for a US medical school?

What are the chances of being accepted to a US medical school as a non US citizen, but with the completed pre-medical post-baccalaureate program (with all the prerequisites for US medical school completed)?

Is it possible to complete the pre-medical post-baccalaureate program (and all the prerequisites for US medical schools) in one year?

What would be the shortest amount of time needed for an Australian citizen with an undergraduate bachelors degree completed in Australia to enter medical school in the USA upon graduating from the undergraduate bachelors program in Australia (one year, two year etc.), if possible at all?

I know that for someone who is a non US citizen and wishes to study medicine in the USA, the best pathway would be to complete an undergraduate degree in the USA and then apply to med school in the US…
But, would the second best pathway/option for the same person be to complete an undergraduate degree outside of USA (Australia), then complete a pre-medical post-baccalaureate program in the US and then, apply to medical school in the US (what I’ve already mentioned in this post)?
I’ve heard that this (“the second best pathway/option”?) is still a better option than completing medicine entirely outside of USA and then applying for residency in the USA as one would be considered as an FMG in that case (if I am correct) and would not be given a chance to enter medical specialties such as surgery or other more competitive specialties in the USA… Is this true?
Will this “second best pathway/option”(IF it is that at all) provide higher chances of getting into a residency program of one’s choice (surgical specialty or other more competitive specialties) in the USA?

I read somewhere on these forums that the situation is tougher for FMGs in the US because they may decide to return to their home countries for residency after graduating from med school in the US (if I am correct)… Is there a way to prove to US universities that an FMG is strongly determined to do residency in the USA upon graduating from a US medical school?
I assume the main reason why an FMG would apply to med school in the US would be to get into a residency program in the US upon graduating from med school and most likely practice medicine later in the USA as well…

I would really appreciate if someone could answer all of these questions for me.

Thanks in advance.

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[lizzo76]

I'm sure others can give their own personal experiences. It's not true that you cannot have an undergraduate degree from outside of the USA, but most schools I have looked at have restrictions for those who have undergraduate degrees from outside the USA and Canada.

Harvard, for instance, says this:

"I am a foreign student. Will that affect my chances of getting in to HMS?
Foreign students who have studied for at least one year at an accredited institution in the United States or Canada, and have completed the requirements, are eligible to apply at HMS. International applicants should make every effort to take the majority of required courses at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. Foreign students who do not have a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an institution in the U.S. or Canada are rarely offered admission."

Columbia says this:

"Entrance Requirements

Attendance for at least three full academic years at an accredited college in the U.S. or Canada.

It is rare for individuals who have received premedical education at schools outside of the United States and Canada to be offered admission to P&S. This is primarily because the Committee on Admissions has no satisfactory means of evaluating the caliber of premedical education available at many other colleges and universities throughout the world. For such applicants we require that at least one year of premedical training be taken at an institution in the United States. The MCAT also must be taken."

It seems like completing a post-bac program in the US (and repeating the prereqs you have already taken) would be helpful. However, there are other considerations besides the school's inability to judge the rigor of your program. Generally the schools do not offer financial aid to foreigners and require you to carefully document how you will pay for tuition and have an acceptable amount to cover living expenses. Some will even require you to pay up front. I have the experience of completing a masters degree at McGill University in Canada, although I am American. There were fewer payment issues because Canadian universities are set-up to accept American government loans (Stafford loans) for students, and because Canadian universities are quite inexpensive, my Stafford loan was able to cover both tuition and living expenses. Had I been from a country outside North America, it would have been more complicated. But there was still much more documentation needed than there otherwise would be.

You may find this link helpful, although it is from 2005 (and you may have already seen it.)

http://www2.fiu.edu/~preprofc/International_Students_School_Policies.htm

Another option to consider... I have two doctors I see regularly. One is my primary care physician, and another one is a specialist. My PCP is from India, and completed both med school and a residency in India. She then completed another residency in the US and is board-certified in the US. My specialist is from China, went to med school in China, and as with the other doctor, did a residency there, and then a second residency in the US. That's a long route, but it worked for both of them.

Edit to add - I reread your post and I see you are wary of this last option. My specialist is an endocrinologist, an in-demand specialty right now.