An MBBS is a 4-year program in the USA and is equivalent to an MD (Doctor of Medicine) program. Students willing to pursue MBBS in the USA can explore top colleges, eligibility criteria, fees structure, scholarships, etc., through this article.
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An MBBS degree in the United States is a postgraduate program, unlike the one in India, where it is a bachelor's degree. If you are looking to pursue an MBBS in USA with scholarship, you have landed at the right place. In the USA, the duration of this program is four years and is equivalent to an MD (Doctor of Medicine).
International students first need to complete a pre-medical degree (BS degree) from a US university in order to pursue an MBBS program in the United States. In addition, after completing an MD, you must complete a residency program for 3-5 years before you can practice medicine. Thus, the total time required to pursue an MBBS program in the USA is between 7 to 9 years.
Cost is a crucial factor that you need to consider for pursuing an MBBS in the United States. You should definitely look into different scholarships and grants that are available for this course. This article is a guide to pursue MBBS in USA with scholarship. Learn about the top MBBS colleges, course structure, admission process, scholarships, and more.
Top Scholarships for MBBS in the USA
Several medical schools and external agencies in the United States offer a wide range of scholarships for international students to pursue MBBS in USA with scholarship. This makes it possible for students to complete their studies without any financial burden. The table given below provides the list of the top medical scholarships that are available to international students, along with the details of amounts and other benefits:
| Scholarship | Awarded by | Amount/Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard Medical School Scholarship | Harvard University | Complete tuition fee waiver |
| Stanford Institutional Aid | Stanford University | Full or partial tuition fee waiver |
| Financial Aid for Non-US Medical Students | John Hopkins University | Full or partial tuition fee waiver |
| Vagelos Scholarship | Columbia University | Tuition fees + living costs |
| AHIMA Foundation Merit Scholarship | AHIMA Foundation | Full or partial tuition fee waiver |
| AMTIE Student Scholarship | American Medical Technologists (AMT) | Financial aid up to USD 500 |
| ASAHP Scholarship of Excellence | Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions and CastleBranch | Financial aid of USD 1000 |
Top Medical Colleges in USA for Indian Students
The United States is home to some of the best medical schools with globally recognized degrees. Given below are some of the top medical schools for studying MBBS in USA with scholarship, along with the latest QS rankings and duration of the programs:
| University | QS World University Rankings 2022 | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 5 | 5 |
| Stanford University | 3 | 6 |
| John Hopkins University | 25 | 4 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 40 | 4 |
| Yale University | 14 | 4 |
| University of California, San Francisco | - | 4 |
| Columbia University | 19 | 4 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 13 | 4 |
| Duke University | 52 | 4 |
| University of California, San Diego | 48 | 4 |
Why Study MBBS in the USA?
Throughout history, the USA has been a world leader in technological and medical research. The country has a number of facilities and resources to promote research and learning. Let us look at some of the facts that highlight the benefits of studying an MBBS in the USA:
- There is expected to be a 7% growth in job opportunities for physicians and surgeons in the USA from 2018 to 2028. In comparison to the national average of 5% for all other occupations, this is much faster.
- It is estimated that a high number of job opportunities will be created for psychiatrists in the United States until 2028, followed by family practitioners and general practitioners.
- As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Report, physicians and surgeons earn the highest average salary of all other occupations in the United States (around 208,000 USD per annum)
Course Structure and Duration
In the USA, medical degrees are considered a second degree, so students must have a first degree, that is, Bachelor of Science (BS) in biology, chemistry, or some other relevant discipline in order to apply for a Doctor of Medicine (MD) in the country. The BS degree is also known as a pre-medical degree. Upon completing their MD, students are eligible to apply for residency programs based on their chosen specialization. We have discussed every stage of the course structure in detail:
Pre-Medical Course
It is a foundation course in which the curriculum is designed to teach students the basics of medical science. Domestic students pursue this course after their 10th grade, and it takes them 4 years to complete. Due to the fact that Indian students apply for MBBS after 10+2, they must also complete a BS program of 16 months (or 4 trimesters).
In the case of students who already hold a BS degree in a medical field or who studied MBBS for one or two years in India, they might not need to enroll in a pre-medical course in the USA. However, this decision completely lies in the hands of the college that you have applied for.
Some of the major subjects in the pre-medical program are english, physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, sociology, anatomy, and medical terminology.
MD Program
After completing the pre-medical program, students can enroll for the MD degree, which is considered as MBBS in the USA. The program is divided into two phases, each lasting two years.
- Theoretical Stage: In this course, students gain advanced knowledge of medical science theory. Some of the subjects taught during this stage include histology, anatomy, medical ethics, biochemistry, pathology, clinical science, neuroanatomy, and microbiology, among others. Students need to take USMLE 1 (United States Medical Licensing Examination) to become eligible for the second phase of this MD program.
- Practical Stage: Alternatively, it's called a Clinical Rotation, externship, or clerkship. The fundamentals of treating patients and other operations of the hospital are taught at this stage by doctors and experts. After completion of this stage, students can apply for USMLE 2.
Residency Program
The residency program is open to USMLE 2 qualified students. Depending on the specialization chosen, this program typically lasts between 3 to 5 years.
As a part of this program, students need to work in hospitals and gain expertise in their respective fields. The USMLE 3, also called the Licensee Exam, is the final examination that you need to take. If you pass this exam, you can practice medicine in the USA and in other countries that recognize the US education system.
MBBS Admission Process in the USA
In order to apply for MD, international students need to complete a pre-medical program and have required MCAT scores. The USA universities accept MBBS applications during the autumn and spring semesters. Students can apply for the course through AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service). There are some universities that accept applications directly through their websites as well. Let us now understand the eligibility criteria and the important documents required for applying to top medical colleges in the USA.
Eligibility Criteria
The basic requirement of admission into US medical schools is that you should hold a four-year bachelor's degree from a recognized university with majors like physics, chemistry, and biology. In addition, applicants meet the following requirements to pursue MBBS in USA with scholarship:
- Students must have completed class 10th and 12th
- BSc degree in chemistry, biology, or any other relevant medical field as a pre-medical program
- MCAT and NEET test scores are required
- English language proficiency proof (IELTS: 6.5 to 7.0, TOEFL (iBT): 90 to 100)
Most top-ranked universities in the United States do not specify a minimum MCAT score requirement. However, students with scores of at least 510 have a higher chance of being admitted. Your MCAT score cannot be older than 4 years.
Documents Required
International applicants must keep their documents ready beforehand in order to avoid last-minute delays and to increase their chances of securing admission to their desired medical college. Find the list of the important documents below:
- Academic transcripts
- Relevant test scores
- Copy of valid passport
- Letters of references
- Statement of purpose
- An updated resume
- Criminal background check of the candidate
- Student visa
- Passport size photographs
Cost to Pursue MBBS in the USA
Studying in the United States is a costly affair for international students. Students must be familiar with all types of costs that will be incurred for studying MBBS in the USA. Given below is a list of different costs that students need to consider:
Pre-arrival Cost
The table given below shows the various types of expenses that International students need to bear before arriving in the United States for pursuing pre-medical programs:
| Type of Fees | Cost (in USD) |
|---|---|
| AMCAS | 170 |
| USA Student Visa | 160 |
| MCAT | 315 |
| NEET | 20 |
| IELTS | 185-190 |
| TOEFL | 160-250 |
Tuition Fees
There are two parts to the tuition fees for MBBS in the USA: the cost of studying a BS degree program and tuition fees for the MD course. The average annual tuition fees for BS degree programs are 20,000 USD to 50,000 USD. In contrast, the average fee of MD courses is around 64,984 USD to 18,442 USD annually. The following table provides an overview of the annual average fee structure of the top medical colleges in the USA:
| University | Average Total Fees (in USD) | Average Total Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 325,000 | 2.42 crores |
| Stanford University | 482,000 | 3.59 crores |
| John Hopkins University | 214,000 | 1.59 crore |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 105,300 | 78.54 lakhs |
| Yale University | 252,000 | 1.87 crore |
| University of California, San Francisco | 187,100 | 1.39 crore |
| Columbia University | 73,800 | 55.04 lakhs |
| University of Pennsylvania | 240,000 | 1.79 crore |
| Duke University | 248,000 | 1.84 crore |
| University of California, San Diego | 165,500 | 1.23 crore |
Cost of Living
On average, international students typically pay around USD 10,000 to USD 25,000 per year as living expenses in the United States. While budgeting for living expenses, students must note that costs may vary from city to city. Here are some general estimates of monthly expenses:
- Accommodation - $200.
- Groceries - $200
- Food and Beverages - $150
- Travel - $100
- Entertainment and shopping - $250
- International calls - $15
Job Opportunities and Salary After MBBS in the USA
Once you have completed your MBBS at a US university, you can either work in a government or private hospital or open your own clinic. Doctors and surgeons in the USA earn an average salary of 208,000 USD per year. Compared to the national average of 38,640 USD per year, this is much higher. We have compiled a list of average salaries and job roles for different specializations:
| Specialization | Average Salary Per Annum (in USD) |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologists | 267,020 |
| Family and General Physician | 211,780 |
| General Internists | 196,490 |
| Obstetricians and Gynaecologists | 238,320 |
| General Pediatricians | 183,240 |
| Psychiatrists | 220,380 |
| Surgeons | 255,110 |
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