Before you get a medical education in the USA, you need to apply. For this, foreign students must have a bachelor's degree with the necessary level of specialization for a particular medical educational institution. The prerequisites are different, but they must include the following scientific courses: biology, general and organic chemistry. Some institutions require applicants to study other humanitarian, mathematical and natural subjects, so you need to know these requirements in advance in order to study them at a Russian university.
Basic entry requirements
All applicants who wish to receive a medical education in the USA will need to pass the MCAT test, which determines the ability to think critically, solve problems, and write clearly in English. The test allows you to evaluate the knowledge of various scientific concepts at the applicant. A good MCAT score is the key to enrollment.
After a bachelor's degree and a sufficient MCAT score, the next step is to apply. A foreign student, unfortunately, is always at a disadvantage compared to local applicants. Many state-funded colleges are required to direct part or all of their public funds to students who are state residents. This is mainly done so that there are enough doctors in the area, but this puts foreign students at a disadvantage in the selection process.
Foreigners seeking a medical degree in the United States may apply to private universities, but tuition will be much more expensive. Each applicant will have to weigh the pros and cons of each available option and choose which suits him. There are 172 medical schools in the USA that offer a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
Requirements vary across institutions, so check them out before submitting an application. All medical universities in the United States require not only a bachelor's degree in the relevant subject, but also scientific knowledge in the field of biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry. For example, the University of California requires that during the preparation of candidates in the medical field, they study general chemistry for one year in the laboratory, organic chemistry for two quarters, physics for one year and general biology for one year.
Practical training
US medical schools require foreign applicants to take a course in America before applying. Some require a year of study in the United States, while others ask that all the prerequisites for the right school be met in the states.
Before getting a medical education in the USA, it will be necessary to complete education in this country at the level of one or two years with an emphasis on prerequisites and biology courses for senior classes. They take these courses in a four-year institution, and not in college. The undergraduate program is a good option and is acceptable in many schools.
Applicants will also need to gain clinical experience working in hospitals with doctors, and it is imperative to continue this activity in the United States until applying to a medical school. This is necessary in order to demonstrate to medical schools that the applicant is familiar with the American health care system and work culture in the country. Such experience will help improve language skills, develop strong communication abilities in communicating with the patient, which are crucial for success as a medical student.
English proficiency
A sufficient level of English will affect study at a medical school; it will also play a key role in academic performance. In the sections of the MCAT “Critical analysis and the ability to reason”, as well as in the sections “Psychological, social and biological foundations of behavior”, an applicant must be able to read, understand and analyze English text on a wide range of topics. Applicants will need to work hard to improve their language skills by attending English writing and literature courses, reading books in English, and developing their communication skills.
In the AMCAS application, the applicant indicates the languages spoken. Most U.S. medical schools require the College of Medicine Entrance Exam (MCAT) for admission. The exam is held several times a year in many places in the United States and abroad. A complete list of countries and specific testing locations can be found on the MCAT website.
The exam is always conducted in English, regardless of the country of residence. The name for registering and passing the exam is also issued in English, and it should be displayed in the same way as on the MCAT-Accepted ID.
Transcripts and term papers
Some American medical schools accept and enroll a small number of foreign applicants in their programs. Medical schools in the United States have different rules for accepting international applications, so it’s important to clarify the policies of each school before applying. In 2018, 49 schools indicated in the Entry Requirements that they accept applications from foreign applicants. You can find the admission policy on the specialized website in the section "Application deadlines and requirements."
Most U.S. facilities use the American School of Medicine Admission Service (AMCAS) to streamline the application process. Keep in mind that AMCAS does not accept foreign transcripts (or translated / evaluated transcripts) or term papers if they have not been accepted by an accredited US territorial or Canadian institution of higher education.
Such works can be presented with the understanding that they will not be verified and will not fall into the average score of AMCAS (GPA). However, individual medical schools may ask an applicant to provide a transcript through their secondary application. The curriculum systems are different from foreign schools, and medical schools need to evaluate the progress of applicants in the program at a US-accredited four-year educational institution.
Citizenship and Visa Status
For applicants coming to the United States, three different student visas are available:
- F1 visa - issued to individuals for visiting the academic program and is valid until its completion.
- J1 Visa - issued to students under the exchange program.
- M1 visa - for students who plan to attend non-academic (technical) or vocational schools.
Medical schools generally require an F1 visa, as it is the most common student visa in the USA.
Applicants must meet several strict criteria:
- Students must have a place of residence in their country, where they must return after graduation.
- Students can only study at an accredited institution.
- Applicants must demonstrate the necessary financial support. Unfortunately, the required monthly amount is not officially determined.
- Students must demonstrate that they have close ties with their home country, for example, a letter of job offer after graduation, personal assets.
- Proficiency in English is not required for a visa, but it is necessary for admission to the university.
An application for a visa will require the following:
- Certificate of eligibility for student status, not an immigrant (F-1), received from the university, SEVIS fee ($ 200).
- Receipt of a paid application fee of 160 dollars. in the country of residence.
- DS-160 online form for a non-immigrant visa.
- Passport.
- Documents confirming the financial situation (bank statement) or financial support during training.
- Standardized latest digital color photo.
- School transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates.
Student visa is valid for the period of study. After completing their studies in the USA, students are allowed to stay in the country for another 60 days. Students with an F1 visa can only get part-time jobs on campus. Applicants will be allowed to arrive in the United States 30 days before the start of classes. If he cannot complete the program at a predetermined time, an international consultant can help request an extension of the program. If the passport expires, the consulate or embassy of the home country can help him renew it.
Different universities have their own admission rules. The university will inform the applicant that he must provide and determine whether you are eligible to study. Among other requirements, it will be necessary to show the university that it has enough money to support itself while studying without the need to work, and will have to show medical insurance to cover any medical expenses if any medical assistance is required. Once the university determines that the application has been completed and the applicant has an academic right, they will issue Form I-20 so that he can apply for a student visa.
American College of Medicine
To apply to most medical schools in the United States, the procedure is performed through the American College of Medicine Application Service (AMCAS). But if you are applying for an MD program at the University of Texas, you must apply to Texas Medical and the Dental School Application Service (TMDSAS).
AMCAS will deliver the application to US medical universities for Russians, including work experience, course transcripts, and extracurricular activities and MCAT results at selected schools. Some schools also request additional material in the form of essays or letters of recommendation. This is known as a secondary application, and fees may apply.
AMCAS's application fee for one medical school is $ 160, and adding additional schools to the application costs another $ 38. Applications open in the first week of May and remain open until June.
MCAT Tests & Scores
A score is a very important requirement for studying medicine in the USA, because it determines the possibility of admission to the university. MCAT tests the critical thinking ability and scientific knowledge of the applicant. You need to take the test a year before you plan to study medicine. Therefore, you need to register for the MCAT on time.
Higher medical education in the United States provides for a 4-year period, then after that there will be a residency for a period of 3 to 7 years, where students undergo training under the supervision of specialists in a specific field. International students may also receive a scholarship. The first year of study will require a large amount of knowledge in anatomy, histology, pathology and biochemistry. These classes will be taught in classrooms and laboratories.
The student will also undergo clinical rotation throughout the entire period of education. This will allow you to more fully learn about the future career of a doctor. Clinical rotations will occur more and more as they approach completion of training.
Before a student can earn a PhD in the United States, he will need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). This test is divided into three parts that the student will take throughout the entire period of study. The first part is usually carried out after the second year of study, the second part - in the fourth year, and the third part - after a year of practice. Each test is different from the other, and is designed to ensure that the student meets certain standards set in the United States.
Medical specialties
In the USA, being a good doctor does not mean just doing an excellent job - it also means honestly caring for the good of the patient in all its aspects. This includes the ability to communicate and listen to your patient, which is required at any school or university in the United States, regardless of the curriculum. According to the requirements of the AMA (American Medical Association), the teaching style is largely focused on the problematic teaching method. The main specialties that you can choose to study in the USA:
- Physiotherapy.
- Public health.
- Veterinary medicine.
- Dentistry
In addition to core courses that you can mainly study at any medical school around the world. In the USA, special attention is paid to training programs that are related to psychology, patient care, interpersonal skills and ethical principles. In addition, some universities also include sociology and foreign language courses in the first and second year of study.
The four-year education process
In the first year, Harvard University focuses on basic and clinical research courses. Students will study biology, chemistry and anatomy. There will be many other subjects for study, because in these courses the student is building his future profession.
During the second year, much time is devoted to consolidating the knowledge gained in the first year in basic sciences. This will be done through clinical practice. In addition to these, new courses will be added: a practical course in clinical skills and a global health course.
In the third academic year, Yale University will focus on clinical rotations, during which the future doctor will become acquainted with the areas of special medicine, such as general medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, neurology, radiology and others. At the 3rd year, the student makes a choice of specialization in which he will practice. At some universities, such as Columbia University, this year is called the year of "Differentiation and Integration."
4th year - practical application of the future medical specialty.
Ranking of the best medical universities in the USA 2019
Research is a fundamental feature of medical schools in the United States, and the American Institute of Higher Education, together with Columbia University, is investing heavily in research. As a student, you can take this great chance to gain access to research resources and advanced technologies and become part of the amazing world discoveries in the field of medicine.
Top 2019 U.S. Medical Schools:
- Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts. Harvard University School of Medicine, application deadline is October 22. Application Fee US $ 61,600.
- Johns Hopkins University of Baltimore, application deadline October 15. Application Fee US $ 53,400.
- California Stanford University School of Medicine, application deadline is October 1. Application Fee $ 58,197.
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, application deadline October 15, tuition fees $ 57,884.
- Columbia University, application deadline October 15, tuition fee 72 110 US dollars.
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Deadline October 15th. Tuition is $ 34,977.
- New York College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, deadline, application deadline is October 15, tuition is $ 61,146.
- School of David Geffen at the University of California, Los Angeles (Geffen), the cost of medical education in the United States - 35 187 dollars.
- Department of Washington University in St. Louis, deadline for applications is December 1. Application Fee US $ 65,044.
- Weil College of Medicine at Cornell, Cornell University (Weil), deadline for application is October 15, tuition is $ 57,050.
- Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix), application deadline is October 1. Application Fee US $ 55,500.
- Yale University, estimated cost of attending students $ 75,925.
Education Advisor
When preparing for admission to a medical school, it is recommended that you work with an admission consultant. This person can help decide which courses to take and when, and provide valuable feedback upon application. If the applicant does not have access to a health consultant at the school of his or her chosen institution of higher education, you can find him on the website at NAACP.
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The definition of financial assistance policies for foreign students in selected schools is even more important, as some schools require four-year tuition, credited to an escrow account (or a third party) or proof of assets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. If schools do not need financial information, they may be needed to apply for an F-1 student visa.
A good place to start your choice is the National Association of Health Care Advisers Association website, which provides an exhaustive list of school-specific rules on how they define “international students” and what opportunities these students may have.
Consider completing some coursework in the USA. Schools accepting foreign candidates usually require a bachelor's degree from an American educational institution, or at least one year of study in the United States. Schools prefer coursework in an American school to take place in the natural sciences.
International students must have solid research experience and devote themselves to the career of a medical doctor. Schools value the career ambitions of applicants, as training for these programs can cost more than $ 350,000. A list of institutions offering positions under the Medical Scientists Training Program is available at the National Institutes of Health.