A common belief among foreign medical school applicants is that they have slim chances of getting into US medical schools. On the contrary, a lot of medical schools are looking to diversify their student body, and they do this by admitting people of different races and nationalities.
The medical school application process for foreign students is not that complicated, and it is actually quite similar to that of US citizens. The only difference is that foreign students are required to submit additional documents, some of which are mandated by statutory laws. Below is a simple guide to medical school application for foreign students:
1. Choosing an institution
Gathering information on the programs and application processes for various medical schools should be easy enough with the help of the Internet. For foreign students, however, there are additional factors to take into consideration. Most foreign students opt for medical schools which are located in areas they are familiar with, or where they have relatives living near the area.
Next to location, it’s also important to consider the tuition and everyday expenses. A lot of medical schools in the US charge higher tuition rates for foreign students as compared to those paid by US residents. For foreign students seeking to apply for financial aid, they should also check if their desired institution offers such aid because they are not covered by the US government-funded scholarships and grants.
2. Residency and lodging
A lot of medical schools have dorms and boarding houses within the campus. This is a good option for foreign students especially among those who don’t have any relatives living in the US. However, if there are no such lodging options, foreign students can also opt to live in apartments within the vicinity of the campus. These apartments usually have student discounts to make the rates affordable to students.
3. Requirements for residents and non-residents
As mentioned, most of the medical school application requirements are the same for both American citizens and foreign students. Some of these common requirements include:
* Resume or CV
* Transcript of college records
* Recommendation letters
* Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores
* Personal statement medical school
The personal statement is one of the most important requirements in applying for medical school. For foreign students, their personal statement medical school should include an explanation why they chose to study in the US. You can check out sample medical school personal statements found on the Internet to give you a general idea of how to write one.
4. Additional requirements for foreign students
Most medical schools require foreign students to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. Because you’ll be studying in the US, where the national language is English, proficiency and ability to communicate in English is a must. In some cases, taking the TOEFL may be waived if the foreign student has studied in US or Canada for at least one year.
Photo Credit : LoveButter
