Basic Eligibility

The prerequisite to apply for medicine in the US is different from other international destinations. Before any international student applies to medical school in the US we must ensure that they have completed graduation.

It is not possible for medical aspirant was just completed the higher secondary school to apply for MBBS in the US. The minimum entry requirement or the basic eligibility criteria to apply for MBBS is graduation.

Also the students must have studied science courses in their graduation stream. Top medical schools in USA graduation with science as a major subject. However there are a few medical schools that doesn’t mandate International students that doesn’t mandate a graduation degree in science.

MCAT – Medical College Admission Test

The applicant must also become qualified in the MCAT. The Medical College Admission Test determines the ability of the applicants with respect to critical thinking, problem solving ability, written communication, and evaluation of the scientific knowledge and assessing the overall knowledge.

A good score in MCAT test secures a seat to study MBBS in US.

So, if you have graduation and qualifying MCAT score, the next step is sending application to the Medical School you wish to study in the US.

Many instances international students are considered a disadvantage to the local students, which are the natural phenomena. Admission of candidates to study medicine in any of the medical school in US is a very strict process for both local students and international students.

Create a list of medical schools to shortlist the right one

If you gain high MCAT score or qualifying score, start your hunt to create the list of medical schools in the US.

Make sure you investigate and gain clear understanding of all medical schools in the US you wish to apply to study MBBS in USA. Some medical schools in US do not enroll international students. Also, the selection process slightly differs with a few medical schools. For instance, if you have a graduation in the arts field, there are several medical schools that can enroll you.

MBBS in USA Application Form – AMCAS

Once you have shortlisted the medical schools in US, next step is sending the application form.

Most of the medical schools that enroll international students allow you to apply through AMCAS and AACOMAS

• AMCAS – American Medical College Application Service
• AACOMAS – American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service.

AMCAS – American Medical College Application Service

Students must thank AMCAS for ruling out the difficulties in the applying to the medical study in the US.

International students, who wish to do MD in the US medical schools, can send their application to multiple schools in the US. All you have to do is filling the application form without any errors. AMCAS will send your application to the selected medical schools. Isn’t it easy?

AMCAS is run by the Association of the American Medical Colleges to meet the standards laid by the US medical education for selecting the right candidate. Students must ensure that they understand the service offered by AMCAS.

Application Process in AMCAS to Study MBBS in US

• Certify yourself that you read the instructions provided by AMCAS. Read the instructions foully and understand the terms which eases filling application.
• Create a user account with AMCAS.
• General Identification Information – Name, age, sex, ID numbers, and alternate ID numbers with which AMCAS members can match you all the transcripts. Alternate ID is nothing but alphanumeric code.
• Next, enter the information about your schools and colleges you studied. It must be complete with list of all educational institutions you attended.
• Biographical Information – Location, address, contact information, languages you know, citizenship status etc.
• Next step – Grades you earned during your academic curriculum from high school to graduation. All information you provide will be cross verified by AMCAS officials.
• In the next step record your work experiences that are relevant to the medical field.
• You can write about the letter of recommendations in the next step, which AMCAS mail to the selected medical schools along with the application.
• Select the medical schools you want to apply. Before doing this, you should do some homework about the international policies on admission.
• You need to write essays based on the course type you select and the college you select.
• Last step, enroll your MCAT scores, and other test like GMAT, GRE etc.

Your application shall be verified by the officials. You can login and check the status anytime.

AACOMAS – American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service

AACOMAS is an extended application form or version designed for the students who wish to apply to the Osteopathic medical schools along with the same application.

You have to send the letter or recommendations on your own. Other than this aspect, everything else is taken care by AACOMAS. This service is created by the non-profit organization, American Association of Colleges of Osteopaths.

Application Process in AACOMAS

• Biographical information – Address, contact information, citizenship, etc
• Information about the family – general questions related to family members
• Personal information – Personal questions, and demographic information
• Personal statement – a convincing letter why you would want to study
• Work experience
• Other activities – Volunteering, service, extracurricular activities that are relevant to the medical field.
• Additional academic credentials
• MCAT information

Top Medical Colleges in USA to Study Medicine

Here is top medical colleges/universities in USA to study MBBS for Indian students.

• The Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Harvard Medical School
• University of California San Francisco
• Baylor college of Medicine
• Stanford University School of Medicine
• Perelman School of Medicine
• New York University School of Medicine
• Boston University School of Medicine
• Washington University School of Medicine

A Note to Remember for MBBS in USA

The Federal government has to ensure that they have enough doctors for the respective localities which post a huge disadvantage to the international students. The choice of securing admission in the public Medical School in US very thin. However, the international Students can always apply to study in private medical colleges which is literally expensive on the other hand.

MBBS in USA duration

Duration of the medicine study in the US takes about 4 years for completion. It is followed by a residential program which runs from 3 to 7 years. The students undergo highly supervised training with the choice of field they choose.

International Students also get an option to extend their residential program from 1 to 4 years according to the preference to gain more knowledge and training. During this phase 1 and also do a fellowship program and also sub specialize in any of the preferred fields of study.

• Students have to memorize a lot of things with respect to different subject from Histology biochemistry to anatomy during the first year of study.
• The classes of generally a combination of Classroom lectures combined with lab based practical teaching.
• They gain both academic knowledge as well as the first hand training with the human body.
• The teaching module extensive that ensures all students is equipped with great understanding and practical knowledge. For instance one hour lab lecture is followed by several hours of hands-on training in an anatomic session.
• Throughout the education the students undergo multiple clinical rotations to gain knowledge in different specializations.
• Apart from this students also gain and inside about how to interact with the patients which is quite important for a rewarding career in the medicine.

USMLE – United States Medical Licensing Examination

There is another major requisite to complete the medical studies in US. Before you on the medical degree you will have to qualify in the USMLE test. The test is conducted in three phases at different intervals during your academics throughout the course period.

• the first part of the test generally conducted during the second year of your medical graduation
• the second part of the test conducted during the fourth year of your medical graduation
• the third and final part of the test is conducted during the first year of your residential program

The USMLE test ensures that you have sufficient qualification to meet the standards derived by the US educational system to become a doctor.

Cost of Medical School – How much it cost to Study medicine in the US (MBBS in USA)

International students do not get any financial aid from the medical schools in the US. The admission process also includes a prerequisite where you must show your financial support or evidence that you have enough money to fund your education and expenses.

This means that you should have allocated funds for your study with solid proof which range from $50000 to $200000 even before you get admission.

Most of the international students are admitted in the private medical schools in the US, which literally increases the overall cost of MBBS study in US.

If you can afford the tuition fee along with other expenses, you are in the right phase. After all, with a medical degree from the United States, you can practice your profession in any part of the world.

Study MBBS in USA with Scholarship

Special scholarship programs are provided to all international students. Students with high score in USMLE course can easily avail scholarships to support their finance. Every year, 1000 students from foreign countries are provided with scholarships. The total amount allocated to scholarship is 2 million US dollars.

Careers in Medicine after MBBS in USA

Benefits of studying MBBS in USA for Indian Students
You can find a number of careers in the medical field for a qualified doctor in the industry. A professional doctor makes a lot of money, more than any other profession. Similarly, when you qualify from US, with globally accepted degree and recognition, it provides you a well-rewarding and reputable career throughout your life.

A doctor or a medical professional is a common term that covers a myriad of medical careers. Based on your interest, capability, field of study etc you can choose your career.

• Family physicians – A general physician treats people of all ages, practice individually
• Hospitalist – A hospitalist is a doctor who is employed in a hospital
• Surgeon – the highest paying career in the medicine industry
• Dermatologist – the most sought after field of study, specializing in Skin.
• Anesthesiologist – highly responsible physician and highly in demand.

Who make the right candidate for the medical degree in US

There are many passionate international students the way to first you everything career with the promising medical degree from reputed Medical School in US. However, duration of the course followed by the residential programs, difficulty level of tests, of education and over challenge in completing the study in US makes it difficult. On a simple note studying medicine in USA is not everyone’s cup of tea.

International students with the real passion and who loves to face all the challenges without any fear along with financially strong background make the right candidate. Financial status is very important because a lot of international students fees at toll during the first 4 years.