The good news is that foreign students like you have an equal chance to qualify for a US medical school. American medical schools are more interested in the student’s medical and academic potential, than in their religion and ethnicity. If you are an excellent student, especially in the sciences, you have a strong chance in getting into a US medical school. However, you need to read the following points to know what can further strengthen your application.
Speak the language
While race is not an issue, not being able to speak English can be a big problem. Even if you are gifted with a brilliant mind, you cannot learn in a US medical school if you do not speak or understand English. English is the language used for instruction, medical oral reports and written case studies. So, you have to practice your written and spoken English first before applying into medical school. Your English courses prior to medical school must be quite advanced. Note that you have to learn more technical terms; not knowing English in general will heighten your confusion. Even in practical exercises, such as dissections, you will deal with English instructions from your professor. You will be needing the language not only in keeping up with your lessons but also with socialization. Life in the US can be very lonely if you cannot communicate with its people.
State your case
Even your medical application essay requires proper understanding of English. Remember that you will be competing against American candidates who have the benefit of having English as their first language and of being used to an American education. Foreign students, on the other hand, have the advantage of being able to a show a different perspective. Write well to communicate your unique point of view. Express your reasons for choosing an American medical school instead of one from your own country. Give some insights as to the state of the medical profession in your own country. Your application essay must be unique, interesting, written well, and honest.
In the end, if equipped with the English language, you have as much chance as an American to get into a US medical school. Your origins will not be held against you. You can do your part by submitting an excellent medical application essay together with all other requirements.
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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.
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