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Important Information for International Students

While admission to medical, dental, and veterinary school can be challenging for even the most highly qualified students, international students who are not U.S. permanent residents face additional challenges. It is extremely difficult for someone who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident to secure a place in medical, dental or veterinary school as well as many other health professional schools. Many of these schools will not consider applications from non-U.S. citizens.  

In recent years, only 1 percent of the 19,000 students entering medical school nationally were not U.S. citizens. Information about which U.S. medical schools accept international students can be found in the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) (online access ).

The medical schools that will consider applications without regard to citizenship will usually require accepted international applicants to pay their tuition up front; sometimes requiring as much as four years’ tuition to be paid in advance of starting medical school. The cost of a four year medical education ranges from $150,000 to $250,000. Because non U.S. citizens are not eligible for U.S. government loans and other U.S. government-sponsored financial aid, the “up-front payment” requirement can make it very difficult for an international student to pay for medical school.

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) prepared some relevant information, “Applying to Medical School as an International Applicant: information for international applicants to U.S. medical schools.” 

Note: For admissions purposes most medical schools do not differentiate between U.S. citizens and non-citizens who are permanent residents.