A Step-by-Step Guide for International Students Applying to U.S. Medical Schools

International students can and do regularly matriculate to medical school in the United States. However, applying as an international student presents unique challenges. According to MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) and AACOM (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine), only 42 U.S. MD schools and 27 U.S. DO schools accept international applicants. This means that only about a quarter of U.S. MD schools are available to international applicants, and specific requirements vary widely. Some schools require applicants to have attended college in the U.S. or Canada, while others only require proof of English proficiency. Because these policies are school-specific, we highly recommend that international applicants thoroughly review MSAR and individual school websites to understand their options.

Step 1: Researching Schools and Understanding Eligibility

Before anything else, international students should identify medical schools that accept international applicants. Factors to consider include:

• Whether the school requires a U.S. or Canadian undergraduate degree.
• Additional financial considerations, as many schools require proof of ability to pay tuition for all four years for international students who can’t receive federal student loans.
• Any additional requirements, such as English proficiency tests.

Because international applicants face a highly competitive landscape, it’s important to be strategic about selecting schools where you have a realistic chance of acceptance even with the more limited list that comes from being an international applicant.

Step 2: Gaining Clinical and Research Experience

One of the biggest challenges for international applicants is securing clinical experience. Many medical schools outside the U.S. do not require direct clinical exposure, and opportunities like hospital volunteering or shadowing may be more difficult to access without the infrastructure that exists for student volunteers in the US. Additionally many common premed clinical jobs like EMS or Medical Assisting have more stringent certification requirements outside of the US.

To strengthen your application:

• Seek out shadowing opportunities with physicians in your home country or in the U.S. if possible.
• Volunteer at healthcare-related organizations that offer patient interaction.
• Gain research experience, as many top-tier schools place a strong emphasis on research involvement.

Some schools strongly prefer clinical experience within the U.S., so if you are able to travel or attend college in the U.S., prioritize these experiences.

Step 3: Securing Strong Letters of Recommendation

U.S. medical schools place a heavy emphasis on letters of recommendation (LORs). Strong letters come from professors, physicians, or mentors who know you well and can speak to your abilities, character, and potential as a physician.

To ensure strong recommendations:

• Build relationships with professors by attending office hours and engaging in coursework.
• Seek out physicians or researchers who can vouch for your clinical and academic abilities.
• If your school offers a committee letter work to develop a relationship with your pre-health advisor to make sure they can advocate for you.

Step 4: Crafting a Compelling Personal Statement

Your personal statement is your opportunity to tell your story and explain why you are pursuing medicine in the U.S. A strong statement should:

• Include a compelling hook to capture the reader’s attention.
• Clearly articulate your motivation for medicine.
• Explain why you want to train in the U.S., addressing any concerns about long-term career plans.
• Highlight your unique experiences as an international student, including how they will contribute to the diversity and mission of a medical school.

Admissions committees want to see clear, genuine reasons for why applicants are choosing the U.S. over other potential training locations. We find that successful international applicants to U.S. Medical Schools have strong and clear personal statements. If you’re struggling with your personal statement we offer online help with personal statement writing and editing.

Step 5: Preparing for the MCAT as an International Applicant

The MCAT is one of the most critical components of the medical school application, and for international students, achieving a competitive score is even more important. In the 2023-2024 application cycle, the average MCAT score for accepted international students was 514.7—almost three points higher than the average for U.S. students (AAMC data).

To prepare effectively:

• Use high-yield resources like UWorld, Anki, and the AAMC practice bundle.
• Develop a structured study plan—whether it’s a 1-month, 3-month, or 6-month timeline.
• Understand MCAT percentiles and how your score compares to accepted students at your target schools.

If you’re looking to further boost your MCAT score to meet the requirements for acceptance into Medical School in the United States, we offer online MCAT tutoring. You can purchase a trial session or schedule a free consultation to learn more about how personalized MCAT tutoring can help you succeed.

Final Thoughts

Applying to medical school as an international student is challenging but entirely possible with strong preparation.

The most critical elements are:

• Achieving a high MCAT score through structured preparation and tutoring if needed.
• Gaining meaningful clinical and research experiences.
• Securing strong letters of recommendation.
• Crafting a compelling personal statement that highlights your motivation for training in the U.S.

By taking a strategic approach and preparing thoroughly, international students can position themselves as competitive applicants for U.S. medical schools.