Medical Education in the USA

Getting a medical education in the United States takes an average of 11 to 16 years of study. Getting for a bachelor’s degree (undergraduate school) takes 4 years, another four years of medical school, as well as from 3 to 8 years of secondary specialization in a particular field. Moreover, you need to get all the licenses required by law and undergo continuous medical practice.

Entering a medical school requires a sufficient number of academic hours in such subjects as mathematics, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics.

The schedule of education at a medical school is as follows: the first two years, students study anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, pathology, and pharmacology. The curriculum in primary courses will include disciplines on the behavior of individuals and groups, medical examination techniques and medical history.

Primary specialization begins with the third year of medical school. At this stage, they study internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, psychiatry, obstetrics, and pediatrics. Usually, the last studying year of a medical school is medical practice, visiting hospitals, participating in examinations of patients. This stage includes also elective courses.

After that, graduates go through a secondary specialization (residency). Exams for a license for medical practice are taken during this period.

How is the process of enrolling in a US medical school organized?

The American Medical Association (AMA) plays a key role in determining the admission process. The AMA website has a university application system. In addition to a diploma, letters of recommendation, you must pass the MCAT – a special standardized exam for applicants to medical schools. This is a kind of GRE/GMAT for medical schools. The final stage of admission to medical school is an interview.

Before the interview

• The average score in science and mathematics (GPA);
• Average GPA for all subjects;
• MCAT score;
• Letters of recommendation;
• Volunteer work in the field of healthcare;
• Motivation letter;
• Medical work experience;
• Non-medical volunteer work;
• After the interview.

Results of the interview

• Letters of recommendation;
• Grade point average for science and math (GPA);
• Voluntary work (especially in the field of healthcare);
• Total score;
• MCAT score;
• Introductory essay;
• Work experience (related to medicine).

Documents for admission to the American Medical School

• Certificate of complete secondary education;
• Transcript ratings;
• Diploma of pre-medical study or secondary special education in the field of health (recommended by most universities);
• Bachelor’s degree (for admission to the magistracy);
• IELTS or TOEFL language exam certificate;
• MCAT certificate (at the request of the institution);
• PCAT certificate (for admission to pharmaceutical departments);
• CGFNS certificate (for nursing students);
• NBDE certificate (for admission to the dental department);
• Additional diploma and certificates (if any);
• Motivational essay letters of recommendation;
• Student resume (at the request of the university).

In the vast majority of American universities, there is a huge competition for places in medical schools. If you are a foreign student, you are required to pass many local applicants in the competition, proving excellent English proficiency, high academic performance and a serious intention to work in the field of medicine. That is why it is important to pass specialized entrance tests and, in some cases, undergo an interview with the admissions committee of the university.

Top 3 Medical Schools in America

Medical education is one of the longest and most expensive in the world, including the United States. However, here you can find suitable training options. We present to you 3 American universities offering relatively affordable medical education and scholarships for international students.

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

IUPUI was formed at the merger of the two leading Indiana universities. Today it educates more than 30,000 students, 12% of whom are foreigners. A distinctive feature of the university is a large number of educational programs that are offered on the basis of 17 schools, and extensive scholarship opportunities.

Medical disciplines at the university can be studied at the School of Dentistry, the School of Health and Rehabilitation, the School of Medicine and the Nursing School. At the same time, IUPUI is included in the Top 20 universities with the best teaching at the undergraduate level, university programs in nursing are also included in the Top 20 US courses in this discipline.

On the basis of the university’s schools, one can get specialization in almost any medical discipline, including the most popular: anesthesia, biochemistry, molecular genetics, psychiatry, urology, gynecology, surgery, and much more.

Students get full access to practical classes, as well as research activities. In total, IUPUI attracts more than $336 million of research investments, grants, and awards.

Average year fee: $25,000

Saint Louis University

The University of St. Louis is a medium-sized university that educates 13,000 students and has two campuses, in American Missouri and Spanish Madrid. For almost 200 years, this university has been offering students not only a wide selection of training courses but also comprehensive support and accommodation on an equipped campus.

The university includes the Educational Dental Center, the Center for Ethics and Health, the College of Medical Sciences, the School of Medicine and the Nursing School. Here you can study endocrinology, surgery, plastic surgery, pediatrics, neurology, dermatology, anesthesiology and much more.

During the practice, students undergo mandatory clinical practice and get the opportunity to engage in research in various fields, including biomedicine and genetics.

Average year fee: $20,000

University of Utah

The University of Utah is a major university in Salt Lake City and educates around 30,000 students. The educational institution is included in the Top 100 universities of the world. It is famous for high-quality teaching, various scholarship programs, organization of interesting leisure for students and placement of students on a beautiful campus.

The University’s medical school has educated most Utah practitioners, and graduates also work across America. The school offers many programs in various fields of medicine and healthcare and also conducts research in the field of genetics, cancer treatment, biomedicine, and modern technical medical developments.

Popular specializations include: family medicine, psychiatry, oncology, pediatrics, biochemistry, dermatology, etc. The university also has a College of Health and a Nursing College, on the basis of which you can get professional qualifications.

Annual year fee: $22,500