Should i complete A-levels before applying to US universities?

[Researchmum]

<p>

Prior to the expected date of enrollment of Northwestern, students should complete an academic program which would allow them to enter a university in their home country. For example, students in a British-based education system should complete A-level examinations before enrollment. Most applicants will begin the application process during their final year of pre-university preparation. Students who have already enrolled at another postsecondary institution are not eligible for freshmen admission and should apply for transfer admission.</p>

<p>Due to application materials deadlines, applicants should have their schools send predicted scores for university entrance examinations (i.e., A-level, Baccalaureate, Abitur, International Baccalaureate, Australian HSC, etc.) to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Admitted students should send official copies of the final results when they become available. These final scores will be evaluated by the University registrar on an individual basis for the possible award of up to one full year of academic credit.

</p>

<p>OP, you will not need to take a gap year to apply to Northwestern or other unis; see above for Northwestern.</p>

[MYOS1634]

<p>TheRealKVP, for the last year data was available, only 171 international students were admitted. 171 for the entire United States. Op needs to be aware of the data.
“Popping your head into a classroom” is not a valid way to establish who in the class has a visa (typically, F-1). Or you might be confusing international students and permanent residents? (Permanent residents, by and large, can apply wherever they want and their application is treated in the same way as a citizen’s.)
50 medical schools bar international students from applying outright and a dozen more haven’t admitted any in years. That number has been decreasing for the past 10 years but the challenge is still enormous.
As for odds:, I’ll refer you to the links I provided, such as “less than one half of one percent (.004) of the international students who applied to medical school were accepted and enrolled”. - See more at: [Can</a> International Students Attend Medical School in the USA? | Hope College](<a href=“http://hope.edu/admissions/apply/international-students/can-international-students-attend-medical-school-usa#sthash.2DMPMYkA.dpuf]Can”>http://hope.edu/admissions/apply/international-students/can-international-students-attend-medical-school-usa#sthash.2DMPMYkA.dpuf)
This only apply to “pure” MD programs, not to PHD/MD programs.
As for gap year: I agree it’s not necessary. Either apply now or next year, no need to take a gap year.
OP can either apply this year to a specific set of schools, or wait a year and apply during his 2nd Level year to these same schools plus a whole new set of schools. The second solution is likely the best if OP wants to have a fighting chance for med school in the US, but like most freshmen OP will probably change majors anyway.</p>