Medical education in the USA: how to get into medical school

Admission to medical school for a foreign student is not an easy task. First, because less than half of all medical schools in the US accept students from abroad. And even they take very few foreigners, giving preference to local students. Second, because of the high entrance requirements.

The financial question plays an important role. Medical programs in all the countries of the world one of the most expensive, as they require a lot of laboratory work, clinical practice, almost permanent participation of the supervisor. In addition, medical education United States – the most expensive in the world.

The cost of training and scholarships

Training medical business is 11 to 15 years, including undergraduate, and prices in American medical schools are growing every year. So, for the last 10 years, the cost of medical programs increased by more than 40 %. On average, you should focus on the value of $40’000-50’000 and above.

Foreign students in medical schools almost have to rely on scholarships, though rare exceptions to this rule still occur. But given the high competition for a scholarship you need to have a really outstanding knowledge, academic and life achievements, have glowing letters of recommendation, write an exceptional cover letter.

General requirements to applicants, medical schools

General requirements of medical schools for applicants are:

Bachelor's degree with a mandatory study of the biology and chemistry. Some schools also require a number of hours in Humanities, English, mathematics, and natural Sciences.
Good results MCAT is a mandatory test for admission to US medical schools. As needed/optional indicates the results of other standard tests - GRE, GMAT, LSAT.
Good test results on English language proficiency - TOEFL, IELTS or other.

In addition, the applicant should carefully read all requirements of the University, which often will differ from the standard. You may need additional tests, exams and interviews that will be conducted directly by representatives of the University.

Enrollment and admission

Foreign students served uniform application to all US medical schools through the AMCAS system - American Medical College Application Service. Managing application system performs the Association of American medical colleges.

The applicant fills out a standard form that includes personal information about him and his family, all the schools which he attended, subjects studied, assessments, activities directly related to medicine, the existing letters of recommendation.

Then the applicant indicates medical schools, which plans to send a request. Then add a motivational essay of one to three depending on the program and level of study. Those entering the program M. D. or Ph.D wanted: personal motivation letter – Personal Comments Essay, master's or doctoral essays - M. D./ Ph.D. essay, and essay with a description of the student research experience - Significant Research Experience essay.

Training

The medical school the US lasts 4 years, followed by studies from 3 to 7 years. After that, for those wishing to broaden or deepen their specialization, to strengthen their practical skills there are additional programs that last from one to four years and lead to the award of degrees. Students should be prepared for a huge and diverse loads – many hours of classes in classrooms, laboratories and anatomical theater, a practice in the clinics.

To obtain a medical diploma, students must pass a comprehensive exam United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), or Board exam, which consists of three steps:

The first exam is taken at the end of the second year of medical school
Second – during the fourth year of study,
Third – after the first year of residency.

These exams differ in structure and content, but all together they ensure that the knowledge and skills of the young specialist meets the standards of American medical education.