Overview

Studying MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) in the USA can be a bit more complex for international students, including those from India, compared to other countries.

Studying MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) in the USA can be a bit more complex for international students, including those from India, compared to other countries. In the USA, medical education is typically longer compared to many other countries. US medical schools often have a limited number of seats for international students, and the application process can be rigorous.

Medical education in the USA can be expensive, and international students often pay higher tuition fees compared to in-state students. Scholarships and financial aid options for international students might be limited. International students will need to obtain a student visa (usually an F-1 visa) to study in the USA. Visa regulations can vary, so it is important to stay updated on the latest requirements.

International Students also get an option to extend their residential program from 1 to 4 years as per preference to enhance their knowledge and training.
Duration of the medical study in the US is about 4 years followed by a residential program which runs from 3 to 7 years. The students undergo highly supervised training in their choice of the field.
Medical aspirants who want to pursue MBBS from the USA must fulfill the eligibility criteria. These eligibility criteria are the entry barrier to studying MBBS in the USA.
Programs Details
Process
Graduation is the prerequisite to apply for studying medicine in the US.
Candidate should have studied Bachelor of Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
NEET– Candidate must be NEET-UG qualified, conducted by National Testing Agency.
MCAT– Candidates who are seeking admission in American medical colleges, must qualify MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).
Applicant should qualify TOEFL/IELTS (English proficiency test).
MCAT determines the ability of the applicants with respect to critical thinking, problem-solving ability, written communication, and evaluation of the scientific knowledge and assess the overall knowledge.
A good score in MCATis required to secures a seat to study MBBS in US.
After qualifying MCAT the next step includes sending your application to the desired Medical School in the US.
Admission to medical schools in the USA is highly competitive, both for domestic and international students.
US medical schools often have a limited number of seats for international students, and the application process can be rigorous.

MBBS in USA Admission Process

Create a list of medical schools to shortlist the right one

Once you get a good/qualifying MCAT score, start your hunt to create the list of medical schools in the US.

Make sure to research well and gain a clear understanding of all medical schools in the US you wish to apply for as some medical schools in US do not enrol international students. The selection process slightly differs from one college to another. For instance, a few schools enrol students who graduated in the Arts field.

Internet is the best place to search, gather information, filter, and shortlist medical schools. The applicants are advised to refer to the official websites of each medical school to get authentic information.

MBBS in USA Application Form

After you have shortlisted the medical schools in US, the next step is to send the application form. Most of the medical schools that enrol international students allow application through AMCAS and AACOMAS

  • AMCAS – American Medical College Application Service
  • AACOMAS – American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service

  • Application through AMCAS is time-saving process. These sites allow you to upload the recommendation letter through a third-party link interfolio.com, where your application can be sent along with the letter of recommendation.

    Department Contact Info

    MBBS IN USA

    AMCAS – American Medical College Application Service
  • AMCAS rules out the difficulties pertaining to application for medical study in the US.
  • International students can send their application to multiple schools in the US. All you must do is fill out the application form without any errors. AMCAS will send your application to the selected medical schools.
  • AMCAS is run by the Association of American Medical Colleges to meet the standards laid by the US medical education for selecting the right candidate. Students must ensure that they understand the service offered by AMCAS.
  • AACOMAS – American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service
  • Certify yourself that you read the instructions provided by AMCAS. Read the instructions carefully and understand the terms to fill the application easily.
  • Create a user account with AMCAS.
  • General Identification Information – Name, age, sex, ID numbers, and alternate ID numbers (alphanumeric code) with which AMCAS members can match your all the transcripts.
  • Next, enter the information about your schools and colleges where you studied. It must be a complete list of all educational institutions you attended.
  • Biographical Information – Location, address, contact information, languages you know, citizenship status, etc.
  • Next step – Grades you earned during your academic curriculum from high school to graduation. All the information provided by you will be cross verified by AMCAS officials.
  • In the next step record your work experiences that are relevant to the medical field.
  • You can write about the letter of recommendations in the next step, which AMCAS mails to the selected medical schools along with the application.
  • Select the medical schools you want to apply to. Before doing this, you should do some homework about the international policies on admission.
  • You need to write essays based on the course type you select and the college you select.
  • The last step, enter your MCAT scores, and scores from other tests like GMAT, GRE, etc.
  • Your application shall be verified by the officials. You can log in and check the status anytime.
  • AMCAS Application Process to Study MBBS in US

    AACOMAS is an extended application form or version designed for students who wish to apply to Osteopathic medical schools along with other medical colleges through the same application.

    You must send the letter or recommendations on your own. Other than this aspect, everything else is taken care of by AACOMAS. This service is created by the non-profit organization, American Association of Colleges of Osteopaths.

    AACOMAS Application Process

    1. Biographical Information – Address, contact information, citizenship, etc

    2. Information About the Family – General questions related to family members

    3. Personal Information – Personal questions, and demographic information

    4. Personal Statement – A convincing letter of why you would want to study

    5. Work Experience

    6. Other Activities – Volunteering services, and extracurricular activities that are relevant to the medical field.

    7. Additional Academic Credentials

    8. MCAT Information

    Here are the top medical colleges/universities in the USA to study MBBS for Indian students
  • The Johns Hopkins Hospital
  • Harvard Medical School
  • University of California San Francisco
  • Baylor College of Medicine
  • Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Perelman School of Medicine
  • New York University School of Medicine
  • Boston University School of Medicine
  • Washington University School of Medicine

  • A Note to Remember for MBBS in the USA
  • The Federal government must ensure that they have enough doctors for the respective localities which poses a huge disadvantage to the international students.
  • The chances of securing admission to the public Medical Schools in US are very thin. However, international students can apply to study in private medical colleges which are quite expensive.
  • So, while choosing the Medical School, the students are advised to weigh the pros and cons.
    1. AMCAS Application Process to Study MBBS in US

      International students receive intense education that is packed with a range of activities.

    2. There is intensive study of various subjects ranging from Histology biochemistry to anatomy during the first year of study.
    3. The classes are generally a combination of Classroom lectures and lab-based practical teaching.
    4. Students gain academic knowledge along with first-hand training with the human body.
    5. The teaching module is extensive and ensures that all students are equipped with great theoretical understanding and fine practical knowledge. For instance, a one-hour lab lecture is followed by several hours of hands-on training during an anatomic session.
    6. Throughout his/her educational journey, the students undergo multiple clinical rotations to hone their practical skills pertaining to different specializations.
    7. Apart from this student also gain insight into code of conduct and communicational aspects of dealing with the patients which is quite important for a rewarding career in the medicine.

    8. USMLE – United States Medical Licensing Examination

      There is another major requirement to complete medical studies in the US. Before you start your practice, on the medical degree, you will have to qualify for the USMLE test. The test is conducted in three phases at different intervals during your academics throughout the course period

    9. The first part of the test is generally conducted during the second year of your medical graduation
    10. The second part of the test is conducted during the fourth year of your medical graduation
    11. The third and final part of the test is conducted during the first year of your residential program
    12. The USMLE test ensures that you have sufficient qualifications to meet the standards derived by the US educational system to become a doctor.

    13. Cost of Medical School – How much it cost to Study medicine in the US (MBBS in USA Fees Structure)
    14. International students do not get any financial aid from medical schools in the US. The admission process also includes a prerequisite where you must show your financial support or evidence that you have enough money to fund your education and expenses.
    15. This means that you should have allocated funds for your study with solid proof which ranges from $ 50,000 to $200000 even before you get admission.
    16. Most of the international students are admitted in private medical schools in the US, which literally increases the overall cost of MBBS study in the US.
    17. If you can afford the tuition fee along with other expenses, you are in the right place. After all, with a medical degree from the United States, you can practice your profession in any part of the world.

    18. Study MBBS in USA with Scholarship
    19. Special scholarship programs are provided to all international students. Students with a high score in USMLE can easily avail scholarships to support their finances. Every year, 1000 students from foreign countries are provided scholarships. The total amount allocated to the scholarship is 2 million US dollars.
    20. Careers after MBBS in USA

      Benefits of studying MBBS in USA for Indian Students
      There are several careers in the medical field for a qualified doctor. A professional doctor makes a lot of money, as compared to his counterparts in other professions. Similarly, when you qualify from the US, with a globally accepted degree and recognition, it provides you with a well-rewarding and reputable career.

      A doctor or a medical professional is a common term that covers a myriad of medical careers. Based on your interest, capability, field of study, etc. you can choose your career.
    21. Family physicians – A general physician who treats people of all ages, and generally practices individually.
    22. Hospitalist – A hospitalist is a doctor who is employed at a hospital.
    23. Surgeon – It is the highest-paying career in the medical industry..
    24. Dermatologist –This is the most sought-after field of study, specializing in Skin.
    25. Anaesthesiologist –An extremely responsible physician, and there is quite a high demand for anaesthesiologists in the medical profession.

    26. WHO MAKES THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR THE MEDICAL DEGREE IN US?
    27. There are many passionate international students who want to pursue a promising medical degree from a reputed Medical School in the US. However, the duration of the course in addition to the duration of the residential programs, the difficulty level of tests, and the challenges in completing the study in the US make it a tough course. On a simple note, studying medicine in the USA is not everyone’s cup of tea.
    28. So, international students who are passionate about the medical field and are ready to face these challenges without any fear along with a strong financial background make the right candidate.