by Interstride
There are many prestigious colleges and universities in the US which can be attractive to international students who want to study medicine. However, if you want to study medicine or pre-med in the US, there are some essential facts you need to know.
Requirements to become a doctor in the US
In the US, students cannot study medicine at the undergraduate level. One must do undergraduate school first to earn a bachelor’s degree, and then apply for medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. An M.D., D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), or D.M.D (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) is required to practice medicine in the US. Medical school typically takes four years to complete. Graduates must also complete a residency program which is specialized training under the supervision of a licensed physician. Medical residency can last anywhere from three to eight years.
This process differs from many countries including the UK, where you can start medical school during year one of your undergraduate education. Undergraduate students in the US who plan to apply to medical school after graduation may call themselves “pre-med”.
What is “pre-med”?
The term “pre-med” in the US can be misleading. It’s not an academic major, a department, or a college you apply to. Being pre-med is an intention for your studies. When your undergraduate school knows a student is pre-med, they will help to prepare them for applying to medical school. Academic advisors can provide guidance on the kinds of courses pre-med students should take and how best to study for the MCAT, the medical school admissions test in the US.
Choosing a pre-med major
There is no specific pre-med major, but often students will major in fields in the biomedical sciences such as biology, biochemistry, and neurobiology. However, that is not necessary. A student with a bachelor’s degree in English can still apply to medical school as long as they fulfill the academic requirements needed for medical school. In other words, students studying non-science majors still need to take the relevant general education and science prerequisite courses to qualify. Medical school admissions is very competitive in the US so showing your pre-med intention through a related major may improve your chances of acceptance.
What classes should I take to go to medical school?
These prerequisite courses are generally required across all medical schools in the US.
- General Biology
- General and Organic Chemistry
- Physics
- Calculus and/or Statistics
Pre-med courses that are sometimes required for medical school
Medical school prerequisites vary by program, meaning certain classes may be required at some schools but not at others. Research each individual program to find out the specific requirements for each school.
- English Composition
- Biochemistry
- Psychology
- Sociology
How to apply to and get into medical schools in the US as an international student
When applying to medical schools in the US, you need a bachelor’s degree with a high GPA, especially in science courses, lab experience, and strong MCAT test scores. Medical school admissions are very competitive in the US. Beyond the major you choose, there are several ways to improve your chances of acceptance to medical school:
- Internships
- Research assistantships with a lab or professor
- Preparing for the MCAT
- Letters of recommendation from professors
- Relevant extracurricular activities
Choosing a major that shows your pre-med intent can potentially help when applying to med school. International students are also able to gain experience in the US in the health or medical field through student clubs and internships using CPT or OPT work authorization. Any internship or work you do during school and after you graduate must be related to your academic major. Therefore, in order to qualify for an internship in the medical field, you must choose a related major such as biology or chemistry. This applies to off-campus research assistantships and on-campus research or lab assistant jobs.
Some people work for a few years after undergrad before med school; others go straight from undergrad to med school. OPT allows students to work up to 12 months after graduation or even 36 months with the STEM OPT extension if you are studying a qualifying STEM degree. This gives international students the chance to gain work experience, prepare for the MCAT, and apply multiple times if you do not get into med school right away.
Wrap up on studying medicine in the US for international students
Unlike some European countries, you cannot study medicine in the US in undergraduate school. You must first earn a bachelor’s degree, fulfill certain academic prerequisites, and pass a medical school admissions test. If you are still unsure whether you should study pre-med in the US, consider other options that allow you to work in the medical field such as nursing, which is a highly in-demand occupation in the US. For those whose long-term goal is to work in the US as a doctor, there are many immigration options available for residents and physicians.
