Almost every Indian medical aspirant’s dream is to study MBBS in USA or settle in the United States of America, ignoring the current scenario, it is a great choice for Indian students, given that they have adequate funds and confidence to survive in the big country. We all know USD is mighty against INR and that creates a big financial constraint for every dreamy-eyed student in India. USA, the country of the best technological university – MIT and home of most of the top universities of the world- Harvard, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, Samford, etc.
Most of the Indian students wish to pursue an MBBS from the USA but the eligibility requirements and then even the duration of the course is too excruciating and too much for them. Because of that, most of them drop the idea of going to America and choose less expensive and less flashy but academically adequate countries like the Philippines, MBBS in Ukraine, China, etc.
But, for all the students who are confident enough that they stand at a point or their family stand at a point where the student can be supported then this is the article for you. But for our loyal readers, study everything thoroughly before deciding on America as the country for your MBBS. We would suggest otherwise.
On this page on MBBS in USA, you will know about the following:
Table of Contents
MBBS in USA Eligibility Requirement
Now, we know the list of eligibility requirements can be a bit of a bummer for most of the students but we have the duty to inform you so you can make a calculated decision regarding your future.
Let’s look at what American would ask of you-
⇒ A student has to graduate with a 4-year course of science stream. Subjects like Physics and Chemistry should be there in the course. You can’t apply for MBBS in USA right after 12th. There is no MBBS in USA directly after 12th.
⇒ Students should clear the NEET exam, which is compulsory for every Indian student wanting to apply for MBBS.
⇒ The students have to clear the entrance exam of America called MCAT, which will help in applying for universities of choice.
⇒ As America is an English language country, the students also have to clear the English Proficiency Exams like TOEFL and IELTS. Minimum 7.0 in IELTS or 700 in TOEFL.
Note: The eligibility criteria can differ for different universities in America, be sure to check their official websites before applying.
MBBS in USA Duration
Like everything has suggested, MBBS in USA is not a typical MBBS from any other country. It requires and also provides different and unique aspects of MBBS from and for international students.
MBBS in USA is for 4 years but it doesn’t end there. Then the students are required to complete the residency which is for about 3-7 years. But, usually, residency is done when a student completes the MD degree, that is, a postgraduate degree.
What is Residency?
Residency ranges for 3-11 years(11 for MD course) in which the fresh out of medical school graduates receive specialized training by shadowing a skilled doctor or an established physical educator.
MBBS in USA Admission Process
Follow the steps of eligibility criteria and give the MCAT exam because ultimately it is the only thing that would let you apply in medical schools.
If you score well in MCAT, then be sure to hurry up and apply for the schools. Then, there will be the process of documentations and apart from the basic documents, you would require a good Letter of Recommendations and Statement of Purpose.
Without these two things, your chance of getting a sure shot admission is quite low. Mind you, the before-mentioned criteria will let you apply for the universities and also influence the admission process but without those two things above, you will be as good as a normal student, trying to apply in the biggest medical school of the world.
MBBS in USA Important Exams
To successfully apply for a medical school in the USA, or to do an MBBS from USA, a student has to pass some compulsory exams, as mentioned above. Now, let’s study those exams in brief-
- NEET
The National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test is a compulsory exam for all the Indian students wishing to study medicine or dentistry. NEET passing certificate will be asked by every university in the world.
- MCAT
The Medical College Admission Test is a computer-based test in which a student’s reasoning, aptitude and comprehension skills are tested. The test lasts for 7.5 hours and is conducted about 15 times a year. The maximum score is 528 and the median is 500.
- English Proficiency Exams
Under this, a student has to pass any of the 2 exams- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
These both exams test a student’s ability of reading, listening, speaking and writing the English language.
MBBS in USA Documents Required
- Transcripts of class 10, 10+2 and graduation
- Passing certificate of NEET
- Letter of Recommendations and Statement of Purpose
- Photographs
- Travel insurance
- Copy of Birth Certificate
- Identification
- Valid passport with visa
- NOC
- Document proving your financial status
If you have all things with strong LORs and great MCAT score, nothing can stop you from getting admission in the top medical school, well, except the fee.
MBBS in USA Fee Structure
The USA is home to some of the greatest schools in the world. The best university for MBBS is Harvard. The fee structure is not lenient at all.
According to the universities, the highest fee asked by the universities can be around INR 51 lakhs/year.
Let’s take a look at some of the fees asked by universities-
| University | Fee Structure/Year |
| Harvard University | INR 45 Lakhs |
| Dartmouth College | INR 48 Lakhs |
| Tufts University | INR 46 Lakhs |
| Brown University | INR 47 Lakhs |
| University of California | INR 48 Lakhs |
| Columbia University | INR 50 Lakhs |
| Duke University | INR 46 Lakhs |
Please check the university websites as well to check the latest fee structures. Some other universities for MBBS are-
⇒ John Hopkins University
⇒ University of Pennsylvania
⇒ Cornell University
⇒ University of Michigan
⇒ Mayo Medical School
⇒ New York University
⇒ Boston University
⇒ Emory University
Not only the fee structure is high but the cost of living is also too high for Indian students. Without a hostel, one can expect to shed INR 4-5 lakhs/year(on the lower side) which consists of books, clothes, lodging, entertainment, travel, cell phones, internet and groceries.
After jumping through so many hoops- graduation, 3-4 exams, scholarship exams, choosing a university and then licensing exams and above that the fee structure, that’s why most of the Indian students don’t choose The United States of America as their country of choice for MBBS because per year, a family can expect to shed INR 50 lakhs at least on everything.
But, if you are hell-bent on doing an MBBS from America and you have the financial and emotional support too then it is a great bet as it is a great investment for the future. With a degree from America, the world is your ball and you can kick it anywhere. Plus, you won’t get this level of exposure from any other country. Let’s look at the advantages of studying MBBS from the USA-
Advantages of MBBS from USA
⇒ The quality of education in the USA is excellent. The perfect blend of academic and practical knowledge helps students in obtaining a job anywhere in the world.
⇒ The US is home to some of the top universities in the world. Their degrees mean a lot in all of the countries.
⇒ Doctors from the USA are in great demand all over the world.
⇒ The USA is the most diverse country after India.
⇒ Medium of teaching is English which is our second language, if not the first.
⇒ Students can easily get a post-school job to aid their expenses.
⇒ Professors of America are revered worldwide.
So, we have noted the disadvantages above and now we have noted the advantages too. Advantages are more on the academic side and the disadvantages are more on the financial one. If you can overcome that hurdle, then America can be the best choice for your MBBS.
But, the FMGE passing percentage is absolutely nil for the years 2015-18. It can mean that in this time frame, no Indian students have applied for MBBS in the USA or students have applied but have not come back to sit for the FMGE exam, that is, have decided to stay and practice in the United States only. Whatever it is, this decision is yours and of your family. Good Luck!
Only MBBS from USA = FMGE
Please note that if you study MBBS in USA and come back to India, you are required to sit for FMGE. Here is what FMGE Information Bulletin 2019 states –
“Candidate seeking provisional or permanent registration shall not have to qualify the Screening Test if he/she holds an Under Graduate medical qualification from Australia/Canada/New Zealand/United Kingdom/United States of America and the holder thereof has also been awarded a Post Graduate medical qualification in Australia/Canada/New Zealand/ United Kingdom/United States of America and has been recognized for enrolment as a medical practitioner in that country. “
You will be exempted from FMGE only if you study MBBS + PG from the USA and get registered as a medical practitioner there.
MCI Recognised Medical Colleges in USA
- American Board of Cosmetic Surgery,USA
- American Board of Emergency Medicine
- American Board of Family Medicine
- American Board of Hospic and Palliative Medicine
- American Board of Otolaryngology
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- American Board of Thoracic Surgery
- American University Of Saint Vincent, Kingstown
- American University of the Caribben, School of Medicine
- Case Western Reserve University
- Emory University, Atlanta
- Harvard University, Boston
- Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia of Thomas Jefferson University
- Massachusetts Harvard Medical School
- Mayo Medical School, Rochester
- New York Medical College
- New York University
- NorthWestern University, East Chicago
- State University of New York, Brooklyn
- Temple University, School of Medicine, Philadelphia
- The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery
- The American Board of Internal Medicine
- The American Board of Ophthalmolgy
- The American Board of Pediatrics
- The American Board of Surgery
- The Johns hopkins University
- The University of Alabama, Birmingham
- The University of Illinois at Chicago
- The University of North Carolina
- The University of the State of New York
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
- University of California
- University of Colorado School of Medicine
- University of Florida
- University of Massachusetts Medical School
- University of Medicine and Denistry of New Jersey
- University of Minnesota
- University of Southern California
- University of Tennessee Health Science Centre
- University of Texas South Western Medical Centre
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Washington University
- Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
More practical options
Let’s face it, studying MBBS in USA will not be possible for 99.99% of the candidates. The course duration is 8 years, that is if you can afford it and if you manage to clear the exams. If you come back to India after only MBBS, then you have to sit for the screening test. Therefore, you must go for PG as well. This means that after the 8 years, you have to study for at least 3 more years.
It makes more sense to do the 5-year MBBS course in India if have that budget. If you are a brilliant student then you will get a seat in India and become a doctor in less time. In the other case, if you have the budget of ₹1-2 crore then you will get a private seat in India. If you don’t get a seat in India and you don’t have the budget then the more practical and the more chose options are as follows: