Sometimes I get questions like “How can I become a doctor in the US?”, “Does EYUF accept students who are willing to pursue medicine?” and “What are the steps of being a medical student in American universities?”.

Becoming a doctor in the United States is a rigorous and lengthy process, particularly for international students. Here I will try to provide a step-by-step guide to help you understand the pathway:

1. The first thing you have to do is Complete a Bachelor’s Degree
Duration: 4 years
Details: You need to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. While majors in the sciences (such as Biology, Chemistry, or Physics) are common, you can major in any field as long as you complete the necessary pre-medical coursework. Typical prerequisites include:
Biology with lab
General Chemistry with lab
Organic Chemistry with lab
Physics with lab
Mathematics (Calculus and/or Statistics)
English

2. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Details: The MCAT is a standardized, multiple-choice exam that assesses your knowledge of the sciences, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills. High scores are essential for admission to medical school. A good MCAT score is generally considered to be 511 or higher, with no section score below 127.

3. Now you can Apply to Medical Schools
Duration: The application process can take a year
Details: Submit applications through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). Each medical school may also have secondary applications. Components include:
MCAT scores
Undergraduate transcripts
Letters of recommendation
Personal statements
Relevant experience (clinical, research, volunteer work)
Interviews

4. Complete Medical School
Duration: 4 years
Details: Medical education is divided into two phases:
Preclinical (Years 1-2): Classroom learning focusing on basic sciences like anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, and physiology.
Clinical (Years 3-4): Hands-on training through clinical rotations in various medical specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and obstetrics and gynecology.

5. Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1 and 2
Details:
Step 1: Taken after the second year of medical school, assesses understanding of basic medical sciences.
Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge): Taken during the fourth year, tests medical knowledge and clinical science application.
Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills): Evaluates patient-interaction skills (note: as of 2021, Step 2 CS has been discontinued indefinitely).

6. Now you can come back to your home country, but if you want to pursue your career in the USA, there will be many more steps such as applying and completing for Residency, passing USMLE Step 3, obtaining a Medical Licence and taking a Board Certification.

❗️Additional Considerations for International Applicants:
Visa Requirements: Obtain a suitable visa (e.g., F-1 for studying, J-1 for residency).
Certification by the ECFMG: International Medical Graduates (IMGs) must be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) to enter a residency program in the US.