HOW HARD is it to get into med school as foreign student

I know that there aren’t many med schools that accept foreign students and the acceptance rate is low(if they do accept),
but why is low?
Is it simply because the competition is so harsh? Or are there other factors that discourages the admins from recruiting these students?

There is not even enough space in American medical schools for qualified Americans - why should they recruit foreign students?

When did I ask tht they should accept foreign students in expense of rejecting American students?

Putting aside the thousands and thousands of US students who show up at college on the first day as premeds and change their minds along the way for any number of reasons, of those that actually get to the point of applying, in the last few application cycles, right around 60% or above fail to start med school anywhere. So yes I think you could so the competition is harsh.

But also read following from AAMC as to additional hurdles:
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/article/applying-international-applicant/

You asked why the acceptance rate for international students is low. If they accept more international students, they have to reject more Americans.

Some factors that limit the number of international student in US medical schools–

  1. money

Public medical schools receive substantial funding from state governments with the mission of providing future physicians for that state. Training international students is counter to their mission since there is little or no likelihood those graduates will stay and serve as physicians to the state. State policies and regulations often prohibit or limit the acceptance of international students.

  1. money

Both private and public medical schools receive a substantial funding from the US federal government. This funding is earmarked for training US citizens/PRs.

  1. money

International students are ineligible for US federal student loans and often have difficulty paying for their education. Internationals are much, much more likely to drop out due to financial reasons than domestic students. (Student drop out rates are a factor examined by the LCME for school accreditation and a too high drop out rate can cause a med school to lose its accreditation.)

  1. money

Nearly all residency positions are funded by federal medicare funds.

  1. residency placement

Most residency programs do not sponsor visas for international students. The number of programs that do sponsor visas for medical residencts has been declining sharply. Since international students are difficult to place into residency positions, med schools are very reluctant to accept them since the failure to place grads into residency negatively affects both a med school’s accreditation and its national reputation.

Well, if all goes well, my green card will definitely be out during my med school years. Will that be a positive change?
Also, I thought international admissions and domestic admissions are separate?
My elder sister plans to be my guarantor(is this a right word?) because she will have a pretty good job soon and wants to help my education.She is US citizen by the way

Permanent residents and citizens are on equal footing for medical school admission.

For those schools that do consider international students for admission, international and domestic applicants are considered separately.

Medical schools require cash deposited into US bank in an escrow account in advance of an international student enrolling. The amount varies depending on the policies of the school, but ranges from 1 year’s worth of tuition to 4 years’ worth of tuition and anticipated living expenses. This means your sister needs to have an income that will support the borrowing of up to a $250K in private education loans.

Doubtful, because what if it doesn’t go well? Too much risk.

Now if you get a green card before you apply, that’s a game changer. If taking a gap year or two means applying with a green card I would 100% do that.

Too bad gap year is practically impossible for F1 students…

You have to find an employer to sponsor your OPT or some other way so that you can take a gap year or two until you get your green card. Then you can apply for med school, after quitting that job of course.

Consult with your immigration lawyer.

https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment/optional-practical-training

The other option is apply for a master/Phd degree and keep your F1 status as long as you can. Lots of ppl take master degrees one after another just to keep that F1 status.

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green card will definitely be out during my med school years.


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You need to have your green card when you apply to med school, otherwise you likely will not get accepted.

The issue isn’t whether your sister can guarantee a loan, it’s that int’ls often have to show funds for all four years. Also, it’s unlikely that your sister can qualify for $300k+ of student loans.

Don’t you have a plan to spread out your undergrad with a co-op to give more time for your green card to come thru.

I would definitely advise doing that over applying pre-green card.

Do a stem OPT for 2 years. Only apply once you have your green card. With a green card, you’re on equal footing with citizens. Without it, many med schools won’t even consider your application. Few internationals who hope to go to med school don’t have the green card option. Please seize it.
Also, your stem OPT will allow you to save money and gain possibly relevant experience and will allow you to prepare mire thoroughly foe the MCAT since it won’t be done at the same time as classes and finals.

@MYOS1634 Can you PM Paul and give him more info about this. He really is in a pickle if he doesn’t get his green card before he graduates from college.

I have been thinking about OPT recently, but won’t that be as hard as trying to get internship/Co-OP? I have been researching companies with the list given by engineering career office, but about 1/3 of chem.E employers don’t sponsor F1 visas.

You probably need to send a PM to @MYOS1634 so that you both can discuss this in depth.