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College of Arts and
Sciences
Pre-Health Professions Advising Center
International
Students
Florida International
University has a large number of international students. If
you are an international student, you know that the primary
difference at the undergraduate level is the cost of tuition
as an out-of-state resident. However, when it comes to
applying to medical school, you will find a great difference
due to your international student status. As difficult as the
competitive path to medical school is, it is even more
difficult for international students to gain admission to
American Medical Schools. This web page will give you a brief
overview of the special problems facing international
students, as well as possible solutions.
I.
Getting Accepted to a US Medical
School
a. The number of
medical schools that will consider international students is
limited. Only approximately 50 out of the 125 M.D. programs in
the United States will even consider the application of an
international applicant. Most public, state supported schools
will not even consider International applicants. Private
medical schools may consider international students, but
usually are more competitive and more expensive. Many FIU
students would like to stay in Miami for medical education;
however, the University of Miami does not accept international
student applications. Check the Medical School Admissions
Requirements (MSAR) book as well as the websites for those
schools which accept international students.
b. Of the medical
schools that will even consider international applications,
they are all reluctant to accept international applicants due
to Visa and monetary concerns.
c.
If you are in the process of becoming a permanent resident but
do not have your card, you should wait to apply to medical
school.
This
article written by Dr. Kay Singer of Duke University will
give you more information on the policies at medical schools
(MD and DO) with regard to international students.
II.
Financing a US Medical Education
a. Due to the fact
that US government Federal loans that finance most medical
students’ educations are not available to international
students, medical schools that accept international students
generally require proof that the money required for tuition
and fees is set up in advance in an escrow bank account. This
policy varies among medical schools, as some require proof of
only the first years’ tuition, while some even require that
the international students have an account with the full
amount equal to 4 years’ tuition and fees.
b. One option
international medical students have for financing a medical
education is to ask their home government for funding. Many
governments will fund their citizens’ medical education here
in the United States in return for a set period of time when
the student will come back to their home country and practice
medicine.
c. Another option is
to apply for scholarships that are open to international
students. It is unlikely, however, that these scholarships
will be enough to cover all tuition and fees.
d. Another option is
to secure loans from a private bank with a cosigner who is a
U.S. citizen or permanent resident. These loans generally give
up to twenty years to repay. The following links provide more
information on this option:
http://www.internationalstudentloan.com/intl_student
http://www.estudentloan.com/content/begin/international.asp
http://www.teri.org
e. Some international
students consider MD/PhD programs. These programs offer
funding to any student, regardless of citizenship. The funding
comes from the institution offering the programs. However,
these programs are highly competitive and require
undergraduate research experience. The applicant must prove
that he/she is interested in the MD/PhD program and not just
the funding that comes along with the program.
III.
Options for Medical Education Outside the
US
a. If it is possible,
the student may return to his/her home country and use the
medical education system there. However, this may not be
possible due to the economic or political reasons for which
the student came to the US for college, or for which the
student's family came to the US.The student may also not even
consider returning home an option. Many international students
have sacrificed a great deal just to attend college in the US,
and have dreamed of pursuing a medical career in the US as
well. The international student who returns home, also has
certain educational problems, due to the fact that in most
non-U.S. medical institutions students enter medical school
directly after high school preparation, and not after the
bachelors degree.
b. Another option is
to consider applying to international medical schools. In
fact, some Caribbean islands award free tuition scholarships
for residents of those islands to attend international medical
schools on other islands. Many US citizens and residents also
apply to international programs. For further information on
international programs, see http://www.fiu.edu/~preprofc/International_medicine.htm.
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