Medical school, unlike some graduate programs, has a streamlined application process. Once you’ve completed the forms the first time, you’ll be able to send the same application to any school you like. At least one aspect of medical school is simple!
Before applying to medical school programs in the United States, there are several factors to consider. The first crucial thing to understand is that international students have relatively low admission rates. This is not intended to discourage you from applying. Rather, it is intended to offer you a realistic picture of your prospects of admission. If you’re highly enthusiastic about the concept and believe you have what it takes to be one of the lucky few, keep reading. However, if you have any reservations about attending medical school, you should think long and hard before applying.
Taking the MCAT
The MCAT is the initial stage in the medical school application process. This should be done before you finish your bachelor’s degree. In reality, most students take it as an undergraduate in their junior year. If you do not perform as well as you would want, you will still have opportunity to retake the exam and maybe improve your score. The MCAT exam is fully computer-based and takes 4 to 5 hours to complete.
The findings will provide schools with an overall picture of your science knowledge, as well as your reasoning and writing abilities. It has a rather major influence on whether or not a school will admit you, therefore if you are dissatisfied with your performance on the test, you will have the opportunity to toss the score away soon after you finish it (and before you know the score). However, if you keep the test but are still dissatisfied with your results, you can retake it up to three times each year, with no lifetime limit.
Application Process for Medical School
Once you are satisfied with your MCAT scores, the next stage in the medical school application process is to create a list of schools to which you want to apply. Some colleges do not accept overseas students at all, so be sure you research each college’s admissions policies before applying. The best place to accomplish this is on the internet. You can typically find out if your prospective school accepts overseas students by visiting their websites.
After you’ve narrowed down your list of potential colleges, you’ll need to fill out an application. Most medical schools accept applications through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) for Doctor of Medicine programs, or the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) for Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine programs. Using these services is highly advised because it will save you a significant amount of time.
Almost all medical schools also demand letters of recommendation to be submitted with your application. Fortunately, the AMCAS and AACOMAS allow you to upload your letters to a website called interfolio.com, which is a free service that automatically delivers your letters along with your application to all of the schools you are applying to.
Cost of Medical School
Because there is no financial help available for international students, you will most likely be required to demonstrate to the college that you have sufficient funds laid aside for the first year, or even the full duration of your studies. This means you need have between $30,000 and $200,000 USD set out for tuition costs before you are even enrolled. Furthermore, because the majority of universities that admit international students are private, the cost will be significantly greater.
You should apply if you can afford the high expense of medical school programs and believe you have what it takes to be accepted. You will be able to practice practically anyplace if you have a medical degree from the United States.
