International students undergo a rigorous yet rewarding MBBS curriculum to study medicine in USA. Unlike in India, studying medicine in the USA is equivalent to pursuing a postgraduate program or an MD. International students looking forward to studying medicine in the USA will complete a pre-medical course from any US university/college.
While MBBS is a four-year course in the country, the total duration required to pursue it is seven to nine years. Students will also have to apply for a residency program for three-five years to practice as a doctor.
The primary reason to study medicine in USA is its world-class medical schools that have earned the highest world rankings. Other than the highest global rankings, medical schools in the United States are most preferred by international students because of the financial resources they offer through scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid for students with financial crises.
The United States is one of the few countries where you witness the integration of advanced technologies into medicine; therefore, through education abroad in the USA, students can get a chance to explore and serve one of the world's best healthcare systems.
To study medicine in USA, international students must submit all the necessary documents that are examined thoroughly during admissions. Students must provide recent academic grades and transcripts (high school certificates, college certificates, college transcripts), proof of identity and citizenship through a valid visa, and proof of English proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, or CAE scores.
Students must also submit their MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) scores and additional supportive documents like letters of recommendation.
Required Examinations for Medical School Eligibility in USA
If you are wondering how you can study medicine in USA, these are the required examinations that can prepare you for medical school.
1. IELTS, PTE, TOEFL
The most popular English proficiency tests worldwide, IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL, are standardized tests designed to test the proficiency of non-native English speakers seeking study abroad opportunities. These proficiency tests focus on examining your speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills, which are mandatory to succeed in an English-speaking environment.
2. MCAT
The Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, is a competitive entrance examination that every student wanting to pursue a medical degree in the United States must pass. The MCAT assesses your understanding of social and natural sciences and necessary skills, such as problem-solving and critical thinking.
3. NEET
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test or NEET is a common competitive entrance examination designed for Indian students wanting to pursue medical degrees in their country or abroad. This entrance test is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), consists of multiple-choice questions, and assesses the student’s understanding of scientific subjects, including biology, chemistry, and physics.
4. Pre-medical Course
Pre-med courses are a series of undergraduate courses that prepare students for a post-graduate medical degree like the Doctor of Medicine (MD) in the USA. These courses also prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to clear the MCAT exam.
5. Completion of 10th and 12th
To pursue a medical degree in the USA, completing 10th and 12th is a primary requirement. These grades prepare students for undergraduate studies that further prepare them for postgraduate medicine programs and practice.
Required Documents for Medical School Admission in USA
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Criminal background verification
Curriculum vitae (CV)
Evaluation of foreign transcript by an accredited agency
High school certificate
TOEFL score of 90-100 or IELTS score of 6.0-7.5
UG degree in the science stream with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Application Process and How to Study Medicine in USA
To apply for MBBS, you’ll first have to complete a course in the science stream and then appear for MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). Aspirants can apply to the universities via American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS, a central application processing service). Please note that few universities also accept applications directly.
Best Universities and Colleges for Medicine in USA
Studying medicine in the USA is quite competitive, given the sheer volume of aspirants and the reputation of US medical colleges. Here’s the list of top medical schools in the USA-:
The best part about pursuing a medical degree in the USA is you have numerous options to choose from undergraduate and postgraduate courses. M Universities like Harvard, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and Yale are leading universities for studying medicine, ranked within the top 10 medical schools in the United States and worldwide. Therefore, pursuing a medical degree can become your best decision ever.
Undergraduate Medical Courses in USA for International Students
The best undergraduate medical courses international students can pursue in the USA are:-
Anesthesiology
Cell Biology
Dermatology
Psychobiology
Neuroscience
Immunobiology
Laboratory Medicine
Internal Medicine
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Postgraduate Medicine Courses in USA for International Students
The best post-graduate medical courses international students can pursue in the USA are:-
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
MD-PhD in Medicine
Physician Associate Program
Master of Health Science
Residency and Fellowship Program
Pre-med Courses in USA for International Students
The list of pre-med programs international students can pursue to study medicine in USA are as follows:-
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Cell Biology
Immunobiology
Internal Medicine
Medicine, Science, and Humanities
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Neuroscience
Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Costs of Studying Medicine in USA
The average cost of studying medicine in the USA is approximately $94,168 per year. This cost varies from one medical school to the other, as well as the type of scholarships and tuition aid offered.
Tuition Fee for Top Medical Universities in USA
The best universities in USA to study medicine are listed below with their rankings and fees:-
Housing some of the best universities around the globe, the United States of America is a dream study abroad destination for MBBS aspirants. The average cost of living in USA may be somewhere near $2,700 per month. Here’s the monthly breakdown of living in the USA-:
Residence
$1,500-1,700
Other living costs
$1,200
Scholarships and Financial Aid for Medical Students in USA
You can only pursue a medical degree through postgraduate study in the United States. Students must complete a four-year pre-med program before applying for medical degrees in their chosen American medical schools. A postgraduate degree in medicine, such as a Doctor of Medicine in the United States, lasts four to six and a half years.
Job Prospects and Salary for Medical Graduates in USA
If you are willing to study medicine in USA after 12th, then you must be aware that the requirements for studying for a medical degree in the USA are much different than in India. Here are some of their common differences:
Features of Differentiation
USA
India
Duration of Study
Obtaining the degree of MD requires 4 years of medical school study along with 3 to 5 years of residency.
The degree of MBBS takes around 5.5 years to complete, including 4.5 years of study and one year of internship.
Entry Requirements
A pre-med or bachelor’s degree and MCAT exam.
NEET or the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test.
Type of Degree Awarded
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Teaching Methods
Problem-based learning and residency training.
Traditional lecture with practical training.
Specializations Post-Degree
Obtaining Fellowship post-residency training.
Obtaining MS (Master of Surgery) or MD (Doctor of Medicine) after MBBS.
The decision to study Medicine in USA enables you to explore theory and hands-on clinical training in the best form. The United States is home to the world's best medical schools that offer globally recognized MD programs.
If you are seeking world-class scientific research and development opportunities along with a world-renowned education system, in that case, there is no better choice for you than the top medical schools in the United States.
FAQs
How to study veterinary medicine in the USA?
To study veterinary medicine in the USA, students must complete at least two semesters in organic chemistry, general chemistry, molecular biology, or biochemistry with a lab.
How many years does it take to study medicine in the USA?
In the United States, a degree in medicine usually takes four years to complete.
Can I study MBBS in the USA after the 12th?
No, in the USA, students cannot directly enroll for an MBBS degree after completing their 12th grade. They must attend a four-year undergraduate degree before applying for the MBBS.
Can foreigners study medicine in the USA?
Yes, international students can pursue a degree in medicine in the United States; however, as medicine is a postgraduate study, students must complete their undergraduate education with a bachelor's degree before applying to US medical schools.
Is NEET accepted in the USA?
NEET is not a mandatory exam for enrolling for an MBBS degree in the USA. Instead, Indian students must clear the MCAT exam to get accepted into an MBBS degree in the USA.
Is it expensive to become a doctor in the USA?
Pursuing a medical degree in the USA and becoming a doctor is expensive. The average medical school cost is around $2,35,827, which is ₹1,96,83,831.
Is studying medicine hard in the USA?
Yes, studying medicine in the USA comes with a lot of challenges. Right from the high competition during admission to the challenging education system focusing on both theory and practical, the rigorous four-year curriculum of the medical degree is quite difficult.
At what age will I become a doctor in the USA?
There is no age bar for becoming a doctor in the USA.
Can I study medicine in the USA for free?
Studying medicine in the USA for free is possible if you are eligible for specific scholarships or universities. For instance, if accepted at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, you can apply for the full-tuition scholarship covering your program's total cost.
Urvi has 3 years of experience as a content writer and marketer. Over years, she has established herself as a study-abroad expert and is adept at crafting compelling and engaging content for students. Self-driven and passionate professional, she likes writing poetry and has authored a poetry book ‘Thoughts of a Wallflower’.
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