Ever thought of yourself as someone who would be a part of the revolution in medicine and would be saving lives? If yes, then pursuing MBBS in the USA may help you in accomplishing that vision. All around the world, the American system of education is appreciated and respected because of its tough educational courses, modern infrastructures and first-class practical exposure. Before we dive into the challenges faced during this journey, let us help you with information that will guide you in choosing the right path in your medical career.
The International Perspective of MBBS in the USA Certainly, the consideration of studying MBBS in the USA is not only geographical. Such recognition alongside the american approved licensure gives one a great wealth of prospects and access to an expanding medical marketplace. With a higher number of trained professionals required in the United States and the rest of the world, this It’s clear that MBBS from a US university is an automatic ticket to opportunities.
Understanding the significance: What makes MBBS in USA unique
We can say with utter conviction that pursuing MBBS from USA is a lifetime opportunity as it opens doors to a number of benefits which isn’t availing when applying for other medical institutions:
Superb Quality of Education: United States is known for providing extensive medical training all over the globe. You’ll be educated at elite institutions and utilize world class facilities which means you will be prepared for almost everything that is relevant in modern medicine.
Global Acceptance: It is a known fact that a medical degree acquired from an accredited American University is accepted in virtually every country. With this worldwide acceptance, one can practice medicine in various counties such as India without actually having to sit any extra examinations like the FMGE or other medical qualifying examinations.
Advanced Research Opportunities: American medical institutions are known for conducting extensive research meaning that in American institutions students are also actively involved in medical related inventions and innovations.
Practical Clinical Training: The structure of the syllabus in the USA revolves around applying practical skills in modern and advanced healthcare systems. Such opportunities and exposure gives you the ability and confidence necessary to succeed in any niche of medicine you want to pursue.
Immersive and Explansive Patient Exposure: You will engage with culturally enriching patient populations because the United States is a culturally rich country. Strengthening your skills in providing care that is both kind and culturally accommodating is a priceless lesson.
Exploring the Terrain: Steps That Are Involved In Attaining An MBBS in The USA
Even though the process of obtaining an MBBS from a US college may seem difficult, it is Not impossible. To start this journey, you should fulfill the following conditions:
Educational Qualification
Bachelor's Degree: In contrast to the regular MBBS course in India, the American system expects you to pursue a four year bachelor’s degree prior in the field of biology, chemistry, or any other pre-medical course.
MCAT (Medical College Admission Test): It is a standardized test conducted to evaluate one’s reasoning, problem solving and scientific understanding. One should aim for a competitive score, typically over 510, in order to be able to cover the admission requirements for competitive medical schools.
Quality Education: Getting a quality education is one of the key requirements as you would need a reasonable Grade Point Average which should not be less than 3.7 on a standard 4 point GPA system in order to be notice in the highly competitive applicants.
English Proficiency
Since English is the official language used in American medical schools, you are required to show an acceptable level of the language. This can be demonstrated by obtaining the following scores:
IELTS: a band score of 6.5 – 7.0
TOEFL: a score of 90 -100
Additional Requirements
As you have already noted above, apart from academic and language requirements, you will be expected to provide the following documents:
Academic certificates
Recommendation letters
Personal essay
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé
One or more recent passport photographs
Criminal record statement
The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting accepted into a prominent American medical school is a dog eat dog situation, but with the right advice and preparedness, you stand a better chance at succeeding. Below is a step-wise approach for the entire application process:
Research and Shortlist Universities: It is the first thing that you have to do, study and derive a list of universities that match your academic requirements and personal preferences. Some of the considerations would be rankings, programs offered, faculty, and international student life.
Prepare for the MCAT: Set aside enough time and resources to get ready to take the MCAT examination. Get mentorship from qualified tutors or take prep courses so that you have a better chance of scoring highly.
Gather Required Documents: All academic and personal achievements must be documented and shown by transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and tests you physically sat for.
Apply through AMCAS: For the majority of US medical schools, applications for admission are submitted through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), a unified service that makes the application easier and more consistent.
Attend Interviews (if invited): There may be some medical colleges that require prospective students to undergo an interview as part of the selection process. Tension comes naturally at this stage, it is only important to remember your strengths and let them shine through.
Explore Scholarship Opportunities: The cost of living and studying MBBS in the USA is relatively high. Seek out the numerous scholarships that are available from different universities as well as external organizations and agencies.
Embracing the Journey: MBBS in the USA After 12th Grade
After finishing 12th grade, the procedure for Indian students who wish to pursue their MBBS degree in the USA is a little different as getting a place in American medical schools requires a bachelor’s degree first. A prerequisite to taking up the MBBS program is therefore the completion of a pre medical program.
The Pre-Medical Program
International students needing 12th school grade qualification can target certain pre medical programs across American universities. Such programs are designed for students looking to pursue medicine and span 1-2 years during which students take courses like biology, chemistry, physics as well as English.
In addition to the pre medical program, the MCAT is also required for the MD programs in American medical schools.
Top Universities for Pre-Medical Programs
Indian scholars should have no issues at all finding their ideal pre med university as several American institutions offer excellent pre medical programs. Top of the list is:
Stanford University (Stanford, California)
Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois)
Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island)
Students are able to gain important medical and hospital experience along with a strong emphasis on academic excellence in the sciences which fortifies their applications to medical school.
Scholarship Options: Funding Your Dream
Enrolling for an MBBS Degree in USA can be pricey, but there are a number of scholarships available that if adequately applied for, can make the process less financially straining even for students from India. Some of them include the following:
Harvard Medical School Scholarships: These opportunities are provided by the Harvard University and they pay full tuition and all relevant mandatory fees for reasonable eligible students.
Stanford University Financial Assistance: Aid Packages are tailored by Stanford University according to the individual needs of the student and the student’s financial status.
Vagelos Scholarship: It is one of the Dr. P. Roy and Diana Vagelos Scholarships and it pays full cost of education for eligible students in full.
ASAHP Scholarship of Excellence: This scholarship is administered by ‘Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions’ and awarded to students in the form of a 1,000 dollar grant for students who are needy.
AMTIE Scholarship: Scholarships ranging from $500 and upwards are available through the American Medical Technologists for medical students.
In addition, there are several medical schools in the United States, such as the USA University, which award scholarships such as the Provost Scholarship, Dean's Achievement Scholarship and many more to all their students in order to appreciate their academic efforts and diminish their educational expenses.
Understanding Different Routes: Study MBBS in USA without NEET
Although NEET is the requirement for gaining a place in medical college in India, US medical colleges do not require it for admission. Rather, these institutions have their own selection requirements, often structured as follows:
MCAT (Medical College Admission Test ): As emphasized, it is mandatory to have taken MCAT to get chances to be accepted into almost all medical colleges across the United States and work towards a nursing career. A competitive score is over 510, but the applicants should try to score even higher to be on the safer side.
Language Proficiency Tests: You will need to demonstrate a certain level of English language skills by taking national standardized tests like TOEFL, IELTS and meeting the cutoff points of the respective tests.
Indeed, there is no need to submit the NEET as an admission requirement, but it is crucial to point out that the requirements for US-medical colleges are high, and hence a person must be able to meet those requirements to be successful.
The Dollars: Cost of an MBBS Degree in the USA
Studying MBBS in the USA is not the least expensive option, as living expenses and tuition fees are two of the major elements that affect the cost. Here is a cost breakdown to be informed of:
Tuition Fees
Medical school tuition appears to be the most outrageous expense here, as MBBS programs across various medical colleges in USA range from approximately USD 24,509 (INR 20.5 lakhs) to USD 71,935 (INR 60.19 lakhs) annually. Here’s a look at some of the best med schools and their respective tuition fees:
Harvard University - $69,300 (INR 57.98 lakhs)
Stanford University - $65,343 (INR 54.67 lakhs)
University of Pennsylvania $71,935 (INR 60.19 lakhs)
Cornell University - $61,100 (INR 51.12 lakhs)
Yale University - $66,160 (INR 55.36 lakhs)
Columbia University - $45,520 (INR 38.09 lakhs)
Johns Hopkins University - $62,850 (INR 52.59 lakhs)
University of California Los Angeles - $24,509 (INR 20.5 lakhs)
Duke University - $62,620 (INR 52.39 lakhs)
University of California San Diego - $32,574 (INR 27.25 lakhs)
University of California San Francisco (UCSF) - $52,465 (INR 43.9 lakhs)
Living Expenses
On the other hand, apart from tuition fees, the students which belong to the international community should be prepared to spend anything in between 47000 to 50000 USD (approx. INR 38 to 41 lakhs) for various living expenses which includes accommodation, food, health insurance, travel, and other personal costs.
Planning and budgeting is crucial for this expensive vast commitment regarding the information on the MBBS in USA in case one is considering to move abroad for the purpose of medicine.
Job Opportunities and Growth
Graduates of an MBBS (MD) in the USA have a lavish opportunity waiting for them outside. The American Medical healthcare system in the future will run out of professionals looking to find a job in that field due to how intensive the demand will become.
Popular Career Paths
Below are some of the career options embraced by the MBBS graduates of US medical schools:
Research Scientist: Median annual wage is reported to be $101,668 (85.07 lakhs in INR)
Physician: Median annual wage is reported to be $190,344 (1.59 crore in INR)
Neurologist: Median annual wage is reported to be $244,054 (2.04 crore in INR)
Pathologist: Median annual wage is reported to be $216,000 (1.77 crore in INR)
Family Physician: Median annual wage is reported to be $265,555 (2.22 crore in INR)
Psychiatrist: Median annual wage is reported to be $252,911 (2.11 crore in INR)
General Surgeon: Median annual wage is reported to be $309,144 (2.58 crore in INR)
Cardiologist: Median annual wage is reported to be $218,968 (1.83 crore in INR)
Neurosurgeon: Median annual wage is reported to be $139,419 (1.16 crore in INR)
This is a clear indication of the good returns and kind of financial security an American mbbs graduate degree can provide.
MBBS in USA and MBBS in Germany
Germany, for example, has a well organized medical educational system that fulfills the demands of students all over the world. Here is a short comparison between MBBS in the USA and MBBS in Germany. While the USA is one of the preferred countries to pursue an MBBS, majority students are focusing upon learning in the United States of America to get a world class MBBS MD degree as the earning potential is also promising and career wise, a country that has a robust health system and ample of research opportunities is a good option.
Questions People Ask Most
How many years will it take to finish MBBS in USA?
In the USA, MBBS or MD programs can last anywhere between 4 to 6 years, depending on the university and course. Plus, physicians should first complete a 3-5 year residency in order to get their license.
What are the tuition costs of studying MBBS in the USA?
Looking at an international perspective, the expenditure on tuition fees for studying medicine seems quite affordable as it starts from around $24,509 (INR 20 Lakhs) up to around $71,935 (INR 60 Lakhs). Other expenses such as accommodation, feeding among other necessities amounts to around $52000 (INR 43 Lakhs) on a yearly basis.
After 12th, can I do MBBS in the USA?
Yes, it is possible for you to enroll in the medical courses offered in the USA as long as you have completed your 12th grade and are willing to attend a few sessions in a pre-medical program. This program is usually between 12 months to 24 months then you would be eligible for MD programs offered in US medical colleges.
Does an MBBS degree in US hold value in India?
American Universities confer MBBS or MD degrees. Thus Indian medical institutions endorse their degrees as long as they are issued from accredited medical institutions. On mutual recognition of professional qualification, India and American Medical institutions signed an agreement which gives a validation on Indian medical professional degrees earned from reputable institutions in America.
In the United States, what’s the equivalent of an MBBS degree?
In the USA, the professional degree that everyone pursuing the MD or Doctor of Medicine does is known as MD. Although it is not the same as saying MBBS as well, it serves as the functional equivalent to the MBBS degree that is conferred in India and other nations.
Is it plausible to study for an MBBS in the US without taking the NEET?
In the USA, it is possible to pursue the MBBS or the MD programs without the NEET examination. American medical institutes have their separate admission procedures which most of the time include the MCAT, proof of English language proficiency, and other criterias.
Is it possible to get employment after moving to the United States post MBBS?
Yes, It is possible as an individual has to first complete the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and undergo a residency training program after obtaining an MD or an MBBS degree in the USA. Once you have obtained these qualifications you are eligible to work in the United States or in any other nation provided that you fulfill the licensing norms.
As an American citizen, what specializations will I be able to pursue following my MBBS?
Some of the specializations that are most pursued by graduates from the American Medical Chelsea include that of an MBBS and MD to practice in the fields of Dermatology, Neurology, Radiology, Urology, Psychiatry, Oncology and Psychology amongst others.
Conclusion
It's difficult to deny that the path to pursuing an MBBS degree is a satisfying journey. The world can offer you a plethora of career options in the medical field given the fact that you have decided to pursue a degree in medicine. We can tangentially point out that the recognition of the American educational system as unparalleled, the sophisticated infrastructure and equipment, and the great emphasis it places on education and practical training are some of the most important aspects of getting an MBBS education.
Though it does appear that way, the procedure isn’t as complicated if there are specialists who understand how to do so like the ones at Perfect Doctor, we'd like to mention that together you'll be able to navigate through the master's application process quite easily. To us, going down this path requires a certain amount of drive, an infinite amount of patience, and an insatiable love for what you do. What we do need to remind you, however, is that while initially it might feel overwhelming, the results will be worth it as you'll end up being a very qualified medical practitioner who is capable of making a change in this world.
Success does not come without obstacles, but as cliché as it sounds you'll be able to overcome these obstacles with the right state of mind, with the right people around you, and with the desire to succeed. This is not only an opportunity for you to show the world how great of a Medical Practitioner you can be, but a chance for you to make a mark in the field of medicine.
While undergoing training to become a doctor, it is essential to remember that the role is primarily to help people and **never to harm**, so think of it as a chance to work with a purpose, as with a medical degree from the United States you will be able to impact the world in a positive way!
So don't wait until tomorrow, make that first move now and pretend all your goals have been achieved, because MBBS distance education in the USA program is waiting at your fingertips. If you are committed and do not give up, then you would have the opportunities to be trained as one of the best physicians in the world.
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Dr. Deepak S
MBBS, DGO