Opprtunities exist worldwide for Americans to study medicine overseas.
Citing the competitive admission policies of the nation's top medical schools and high costs involved in studying for an M.D. program in the United States, some American students are opting to pursue their medical degrees overseas. While numerous institutions worldwide accept Americans into their medical school programs, not all boast the same reputations and revered affiliations.
St. George's University, Grenada
The Caribbean boasts several well-established medical schools open to Americans.
The School of Medicine at St. George's University offers a comprehensive four-year Doctor of Medicine program -- open to U.S. students -- at its True Blue campus on the island of Grenada, located in the heart of the British West Indies.
St. George's takes a multinational approach to its academic programs and admissions policies. As such, officials encourage applications from students comprising diverse ethnic backgrounds and faculty, who number in excess of 800, herald from myriad nations, though predominantly the U.S., the U.K. and former Commonwealth regions. Classes at St. George's are taught solely in English.
Those who pursue an M.D. degree at St. George spend two years at the Grenada-based campus learning basic medical sciences. The final two years of study comprise Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved residency training at affiliated hospitals and Clinical Centers in the U.S. and U.K. According to the university's website, the program results in "a 99 percent U.S. residency placement rate for our eligible U.S. graduates."
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with School of Medicine classes beginning annually in August and January. All American applicants must submit MCAT scores with their completed application, which is due June 15 for fall consideration and November 15 for the winter term, beginning each January.
Eligible U.S. students may apply for Federal Stafford Loans to offset the cost of tuition. In addition, American students may also elect to pursue scholarship and those with good credit, private student loans.
St. George's University
Office of Admission
c/o The North American Correspondent
University Support Services, LLC
One East Main Street
Bay Shore, NY 11706-8399
800-899-6337 ext. 9 280
sgu.edu
Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (UAG), Mexico
Mexico's oldest and largest private university in Guadalajara accepts American medical students.
Founded in 1935, UAG is the oldest and largest private university in Mexico. While 80 percent of students herald from Mexico, American students wishing to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree overseas are encouraged to apply to the institutions five-year M.D. equivalent program. Classes are given at the Guadalajara-based campus and instruction is in English for the first two years; years three and four are taught solely in Spanish.
While many similarities exist between the Mexican and U.S.-based medical programs, UAG offers students the opportunity to participate in clinical rotations from the beginning of the studies. Universities in America begin rotations during the third year of study. In addition, UAG features a fifth year of studies spent entirely engaged in an internship in an affiliated university hospital or institution in either Mexico, Puerto Rico or the United States. Upon successful completion of coursework, internship and professional exam, students earn a medical degree: Título de Médico-Cirujano (Degree of Physician-Surgeon).
American applicants must posses at least a 3.0 grade point average and all "pre-medical requirements necessary for entrance into a U.S. medical school," according to UAG's website. Applicants must also furnish MCAT scores. Applications are considered on a rolling basis with classes beginning annually in August and January.
UAG
San Antonio Office
110 Gallery Circle
San Antonio, TX 78258
210-366-1611
uag.edu
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Ireland's highly regarded Royal College of Surgeons accepts a limited number of international students.
Founded in 1784 to train surgeons, today RCSI is a leading international medical institution with a student body comprising 80 percent non-European Union citizens from more than 60 countries. RCSI boats campuses in Dublin, Dubai, Bahrain and Malaysia.
The university's medical school offers six-, five- and four-year degree programs but does not accept transfer students who have already enrolled in a medical school elsewhere. RCSI's undergraduate program consists of pre-med and M.D. program training. Those who hold a B.S. degree or equivalent and MCAT test scores are eligible to apply for the school's four-year M.D. program. Applicants are judges on several criteria, including grade point average scores.
Those who study at the Dublin campus may enroll in elective courses at affiliated medical schools around the world, including several in the United States: Colombia University, University of Pennsylvania, Tufts University, John Hopkins University and Mayo Clinic.
For non-European Union citizens, tuition and fees are comparable to those of American medical schools, though competition for acceptance is tough.
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2
Ireland
011-353-1-402-2100
rcsi.ie
Tags: medical school, medical schools, American students, College Surgeons, George University, Royal College, Royal College Surgeons