International Students

International Students and Admission to Medical Schools

 (Those not having a green card.)

  • When applying to US medical schools, students who are non-US citizens, but who are permanent residents (i.e., green card holders) may be treated the same as US citizens and qualify as an in-state applicant for public, as well as some private, medical schools.
  • Those not having a green card, i.e., international students, have a more serious problem, since not all medical schools will consider international applicants.  Of those schools that will accept international applicants, some have particular requirements that must be met by international applicants who are accepted to the school.  For example, some schools require that international students provide proof that they are able to meet the cost of four years of medical school and living expenses.  As a general rule, no federal financial aid is available for non-U.S. citizens.  However, international students may be eligible for merit scholarships or other school specific funding.  Some schools with MD/PhD programs have some slots that may be awarded to international students.  However, applicants should only pursue MD/PhD programs if they have a genuine interest in research as a primary activity in their future.  

Matriculation of International Students to US Medical Schools

  • 2021, 51 schools indicated in the Medical School Admission Requirements that they accept applications from international applicants. You can research an individual medical school’s admissions policies on its website or within the “Application Deadlines and Requirements” section in the Medical School Admission Requirements.
  • In the 2019 application cycle, 1,890 foreign applicants applied to M.D. granting programs in the United States and 325 of those applicants were accepted. Of those accepted, 272 matriculated into medical school. (This includes applicants who applied via AMCAS and TMDSAS).

Excerpted from AAMC article

Financial Assistance for International Students

  • The options for international students seeking financial assistance for medical school are very limited. Loan programs from the US federal government are not available to international students. While previously loans from private banks were available to international students, due to current market conditions, these loans may no longer be a viable option. For the vast majority of international students, their only means of financing medical school is through self-pay.
  • International students may have the opportunity to receive financial assistance from schools if they are pursuing an MD/PhD. This dual degree program is for students with a strong research background who want to pursue a career in academic medicine. This is not an option for international students pursuing a career in clinical medicine seeking a way to finance an MD degree. While international students are not eligible for government funding for the MD/PhD degree, non-governmental funding is available at some institutions.4 International students should check with individual medical schools before applying (more information on MD/PhD programs is available at: https://students-residents.aamc.org/md-phd-dual-degree-training/md-phd-dual-degree-training).

Excerpted from: AMA Council on Medical Education "Advance Tuition Payment Requirements for International Students Enrolled in US Medical Schools."