<p>Hello everybody,</p>
<p>I am currently a second year medical student (undergraduate; 6-year program) in Holland. It has always been my dream to take a year off school and become more independent. I also would love to take courses outside my major (medicine), but that is impossible at my university. I really have a lot of interests, but I cant explore them right now. Next year Im finishing my undergraduate, and I want to take a year off after that and study in the USA (so thats 2012-2013) before I start my clinical rotations (graduate).</p>
<p>I graduated high school cum laude (Im not sure you use this term in the USA, but I think it means a 4.0 GPA or something like that). I also finished my first year of medicine, with a high average. Im also in a research group and recently my first publication was accepted! </p>
<p>Thats why I am hoping to get in a more than average university, but I understand that I have to be realistic and I know its very hard to get in a great university as an international transfer student. Last week I went to my college adviser, and he said I should (although theres little chance of getting in) apply to an Ivy-league school. My university has contact with Upenn, so I could try that. But Im also looking at Brown for example. (I like that its smaller and more rural and the interdisciplinary curriculum)
Do you think I have any chance of getting in? Do you have any advice on how to realize this?</p>
<p>I also want to look at some safety schools. But I have no idea which schools are more willing to accept international transfer students (for one year)! Do you have any suggestions? I have no particular preferences, although I dont really like living in a big city, and I dont like over-competitive students.
About the costs, my college adviser said hes going to help me apply for scholarships and funds etc. here in Holland. Do schools in the USA also give aid to international transfer students or will I have to pay full tuition anyhow? My parents cant support me financially.</p>
<p>Im really looking forward to your response. Sorry for the long post and the many questions. I guess I just want to be prepared. ;)</p>
<p>Elisa</p>
<p>Have you heard of visiting student programs? They are tailored at students like you, who want to spend a year at a different institution and then return to their home university. Penn admits visiting students and so do a number of other top universities (including Harvard). It’s generally much easier to get admitted as a visiting student than a transfer student.</p>
<p>Thanks! But I can’t find a lot of visiting student programs, apart from medical elective programs. But that’s not what I’m looking for. And I really do like the program of Harvard, but a big downside is that you can’t live on campus. </p>
<p>So do you know more universities that offer those visiting student programs?
I know Yale is starting a visiting student program for international students this year, but only available for partner universities. 
But I really like the idea of that program, because you are a fully integrated Yale student, live on campus, take same courses as the other students etc. Are there more of these programs??</p>
<p>Try Rice University.</p>
<p>Yeah, considering all you said - I think your best best is coming to the US as a visiting scholar. I’ll do some research and get back to you!</p>
<p>I do know however, that funding for such short-term study is usually limited, but you can still do some research as there should be some available.</p>
<p>Have you looked at the Fulbright Program? Rotary International? ISEP?</p>
<p>You’re not really an international transfer student, as you are only there for a year, more like an exchange student, or visiting scholar. Many schools in the US have programs like this. Brown, like you mentioned has a pretty good program. So does UPenn, California State U @ Fullerton.</p>
<p>More resources here:
[International</a> Scholarships | Funding for US Study](<a href=“http://www.fundingusstudy.org/]International”>http://www.fundingusstudy.org/)</p>
<p>[So</a> You Want To Be Homesick: Coming to the US as a visiting scholar](<a href=“http://wannabehomesick.blogspot.com/2011/05/coming-to-us-as-visiting-scholar.html]So”>http://wannabehomesick.blogspot.com/2011/05/coming-to-us-as-visiting-scholar.html)</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your help, Femiluv!
One of my problems is however, that a lot of interesting visiting student programs at top universities are only available for students of partner universities. For example, the visiting student program at brown ([International</a> Visiting Scholars Program | International Affairs | Brown University](<a href=“http://www.brown.edu/about/administration/international-affairs/international-visiting-scholars-program]International”>http://www.brown.edu/about/administration/international-affairs/international-visiting-scholars-program)). Or am I wrong? Because I like the idea of spending a year at Brown a lot!! Do you think it would be a good idea to ask my “study abroad counselor” to contact them about the program anyway?
I saw Yale has a similar program, but also only for partner universities. </p>
<p>And it’s not that I’m only looking at Ivies or something, but I do like to apply to one or two!
I am also going to look into some programs at universities where it’s more likely to get in.</p>
<p>And about the funding, I am going to apply for some dutch scholarships too. But I will definitely look into international scholarships.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know most schools usually work a lot with partner institutions. But some schools have exceptions, where they take students who necessarily do not come from partner institutions. Talking some more with your advisor would be of help. I guess if you don’t want to go directly through an institution, the ISEP/Fulbright would be your best bet.</p>