3 Residency Factors When Considering International Medical Schools
American premedical students may consider attending medical school overseas for a number of reasons, including more affordable tuition in certain countries, the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture and more flexible entrance requirements in some countries compared with U.S. medical schools.
But they also need to think long term before deciding to study overseas. Earning a medical degree outside the U.S. could lead to challenges with securing a residency placement.
[Learn about whether to consider medical school abroad.]
Here are three residency factors to keep in mind when considering international medical schools.
1. Desired U.S. residency: Given the anticipated 2020 merger of allopathic and osteopathic residency programs, as well as the current -- and presumably continued -- insufficient number of available U.S. residency spots, matching in the U.S. will likely become more difficult for all medical school graduates in the coming years.
Attending an international medical school could further increase your difficulty in securing a U.S. residency. One reason is that internationally trained medical school students do not match as well as their American-trained counterparts.
As an international medical student, you might find it difficult to balance your academic requirements with those of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE, if your school's curriculum significantly diverges from that of a U.S. school. Residency programs may also not look favorably on graduates of international medical schools.
If you are considering a U.S. residency after studying overseas for medical school, first ensure that your prospective medical program will appropriately prepare you for the USMLE.
Then research the reputation of each prospective medical school. Is it well regarded in the U.S.? Is it licensed in its home country? Are its instructors appropriately educated and respected?
[Consider the pros and cons of attending medical school in Europe.]
2. Intended medical specialty: If you have a specific specialty in mind, consider how attending an international medical school will help or harm your career goals.
Will instruction abroad enhance your understanding of your intended field in some way? For instance, if you are considering a career that involves primary care, will working with a particular underserved population abroad help you cultivate skills that you cannot imagine developing as a domestic student?
Your international experiences may allow you to build a rich personal statement or curriculum vitae for your residency application.
As you weigh whether to attend an international medical school, think about where you see yourself as a resident, and then explore whether an overseas medical education will benefit you during that residency.
[Explore the top global universities for clinical medicine research.]
3. Social and cultural factors: As you consider your life as an international medical school graduate, ask yourself how the program's location will influence your residency applications.
For example, are you planning to study in a predominantly Spanish-speaking country with the intention of matching for a residency in an American region with a large Spanish-speaking population? Will you attend medical school in a country with a specific underserved population, giving you the opportunity to acquire skills that will help a similar population back in the U.S.?
Is your prospective medical school heavily connected to the surrounding community and situated so that students are able to be experiential learners within that community? Special skills, like familiarity with a second or third language, may help you distinguish your residency application from others.
Given the stiff competition for residency placements, it is critical to identify the unique benefits your prospective international medical school will provide to prepare you for postgraduation success.
Cassie Kosarek is a professional tutor with Varsity Tutors, a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Bryn Mawr College and is a member of the Class of 2020 at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College.
