What is the Procedure to
Do MBBS IN
USA?
It’s a common dream to study MBBS in USA for Indians. However, the system to pursue
medical study in USA is absolutely different than the one followed by most of the European-like
Russia / Ukraine / Georgia or Asian countries like China or Philippines. The first question that
comes to the mind of the student is how to study MBBS in USA.
How to do MBBS
in
USA
In order to get
the
direct admission in MBBS in USA, the student should have studied the Pre- Medical course leading to Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program before attempting to study further
in
medical colleges in USA. The medical education system is well defined by USMLE 
(Unites States Medical
Licensing Examination) ).
(Unites States Medical
Licensing Examination) ).
The standard route to MBBS in USA
Every year, huge number of students from USA and international arena give MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), an entrance exam for MBBS in USA to get the admission to top
medical colleges in USA. There are more than 350+ medical universities in USA. The exam is
monitored and scores are released by AAMC (Association of
American Medical Colleges).
These are funded by the US government which costs you lesser for the bachelor level MD
program. However, just like India, it is highly competitive to get through MCAT. All the local
students give this exam to get admission to the top medical schools in
USA. Accordingly, getting a MCAT score to get into the state medical universities is also the aim of every American appearing for MCAT. You can give MCAT after completion of Pre- Medical course. This is an extremely difficult way and quite an expensive road map to pursue
MBBS in USA. You may download Brochure for MCAT exam in case you wish to take this
route.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION &
ROADMAP TO COMPLETE Medical
Licensure In
USA.
The National Board of Medical examinations is responsible for conducting various examinations
and
allowing you to become a licensed medical practitioner in USA. They have divided the
process into 3 steps to complete this process.All 3 steps Comes Under USMLE.
What is USMLE?
The United States Medical Licensing Examination ® (USMLE®) is a three-step examination
for
medical licensure in the United States and is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®).
The USMLE assesses a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills, that are important in health and disease and that
constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care. Each of the three Steps of the USMLE
complements the others; no Step can stand alone in the assessment of readiness for medical licensure.
The USMLE®, or the United States Medical
Licensing Examination® program, is owned by two entities: the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical
Examiners® (NBME®).
Who Governs USMLE?
USMLE is governed by a committee that
includes members from the ECFMG, FSMB, NBME,
and
the public. This committee is responsible for the overall direction of the program, identifying and approving procedures for scoring and determining the pass/fail standard, and all significant policies and procedures.
Why One National Examination?
USMLE was created in response
to the need for one path to medical licensure for allopathic
physicians in the United States. Before USMLE, multiple examinations (the NBME Parts
examination and the Federation Licensing Examination [FLEX]) offered paths to medical
licensure. It was desirable to create one examination system accepted in every state, to ensure
that
all licensed MDs had passed the same assessment standards – no matter in which school or
which country they had trained. Today all state medical boards utilize a national examination – USMLE for allopathic physicians, COMLEX-USA for osteopathic physicians.
Eligibility to appear for
USMLE:
A medical student officially enrolled in, or
a graduate of a US or Canadian medical school program leading to the MD degree that
is
accredited by the Liaison Committee on
Medical Education (LCME).
A medical student officially enrolled in, or
a graduate of a medical school outside the United
States and Canada and eligible for examination by the ECFMG – Indian MBBS students after
completion their 2nd year.
A medical student officially enrolled in, or
a graduate of a US medical school leading to the
DO degree that
is
accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
STEP – 1.
On completion of this B.S. degree (conducted for 4 Trimesters – 16 months), the students have to
go
through 4 years of Bachelor level
program leading to M.D. degree. On completion of the first
2 years of this course (Basic Science stage), the students from various top medical schools in USA need to give another competitive exam namely USMLE-1. The student quality filtration
begins at this stage.
The next 2 years spent in the hospitals and is also called Clinical Rotation (Also named
as Externship / Clerkship) to get the Bachelor degree. This MD degree, is equivalent to MBBS in USA and is not equivalent to PG in India (Do not get confused with the nomenclature). MD Degree is also not sufficient for you to practice as a medical practitioner in USA! The student would give USMLE-2 (CK and CS) at this stage. The system is same even if you are studying in top medical university in USA.
STEP – 2 (Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS).
On completion of the first 4 years program & USMLE 2, the students have to pursue PG level program (Also called as Residency). The first part of USMLE Step 2 CK is a computer based exam. The student can appear from across the world. The last
part Step 2 CS needs to be given from USA since it is a practical exam. Generally all the students from the top medical universities in USA pass this exam without much problem since it is not a competitive
exam. Step 2 is just a qualifying exam.
STEP – 3.
The doctor of Medicine would need to work in a hospital for 3 to 6 years (On average it is 4 years except for surgical – MS degree). The number of years depend on the specialisation
chosen. Finally the students give licensing exam namely STEP – 3 (Licensure exam) to become
eligible to work as a doctor or a medical practitioner in USA. This completes the program of
MBBS degree in USA along with the PG level
program. On completion of this the Indian students can work in USA.
Accordingly, the total MBBS course duration in USA is around 9 years assuming that you
cleared all your exams in first attempt. The exams are conducted by NBME (National Board for
Medical Examinations).
EXAM FORMAT:
To study MBBS in USA, it is important to study at USMLE and NRMP listed college degree. Further, the exams conducted by the USMLE which decides the successful roadmap of the student.
Exam. Objective. When to give. Year.
nd
USMLE-1 Competitive Exam 2
year
of Basic
3rd
Science
nd
USMLE-2 CK / CS
Qualifying Exam 2
year
of Clinical
5th
Rotation
USMLE – 3 Licensure Exam During Residency 8th
Alternative route for Admission to MBBS in USA
Just like India, all the local
medical aspirants find it difficult to find their place in the best
medical schools in USA through MCAT. The cost of top medical universities in USA, mainly in private medical
colleges, is extremely high just like in India. Hence, MBBS colleges in USA for Indian students built in Caribbean Islands have become a popular route by now.
The USA medical college fees comes down drastically once they follow this route to initiate the route for medical colleges in USA. The universities in Caribbean Islands provides education only for the first 3 years
(leading to B.S. Degree till USMLE-1 Exam) and balance 6 years would be
in
the mainland of USA. You may apply for admission to MBBS in USA with Scholarships since
it
is available for Indian students at Trinity School of Medicine. .
SELECTION OF UNIVERSITY TO STUDY MEDICINE IN USA.
In India, the students are misguided due to the low level
of awareness of the parents. There are
3 most important issues that you must see, before ensuring that you can select the university for a
successful medical career
in
USA.
1. MCI Approval of the University.
2.
Approval by CAAM-HP for the university.
3. Unconditional listing on the university on “World Directory of Medical Schools” (wdoms).
PROGRAM FORMAT FOR INDIAN STUDENTS
2017.
Since the Indian students opting to study MBBS in USA do not appear for MCAT (since they have not completed their B.S. degree in India), they need to do their first 3 years including Pre- Medical and Basic Science program at St
Vincent Islands at
medical universities (Listed by
USMLE). From there onward, they move to mainland of USA for 6 years up to the MD / MS in USA to conduct the Clinical Rotation at the top hospitals affiliated with the University as well as PG level
residency.
At the various universities present on these islands the programs required for admission to MBBS in USA for Indian students is conducted. The student is prepared for MCQ based USMLE Step 1 during this 3 years program and the board conducts exam for them at the end of their first 3 years. This is the main competitive exam for the students. Generally Indian students
are
able to crack this due
to
their educational skills gathered in India.
GREEN BOOK ROTATION AT ACGME TEACHING HOSPITALS.
The next 2 years to complete the MBBS course in USA are Clinical Rotation within the
mainland of USA such as Baltimore in a hospital covered as per
Greenbook Rotation of
USMLE authorities. Again, you have an option to do first year Core rotation of 48 weeks) at
St.
Vincent and the last year (Elective rotation consisting of 28 weeks + 4 weeks of mandatory
rotation in Neuro department). At the end of the Clinical Rotation, the students need to give
USMLE Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge – written exam) and USMLE Step
2 CS (Clinical Skills
– Oral) and they proceed to the Residency at an ACGME approved hospital. .
EARNING BACK IN PG WHAT YOU SPENT AT MBBS LEVEL.
During Residency (PG Level) You start earning around US$ 4,500 to US$ 6,500 depending on the hospital as stipend for the next 4 years which takes care of all your living cost + gives back
the
money that you spent during the Bachelor program. This is the best part of doing Medical program in USA. The total
duration of MBBS in USA is thus around 9 years up to PG level, just
like
in India to takes 8.5 years.
Many students feel
that
the
cost of studying MBBS in USA is very high. However, the reality is
your overall medical college fees in USA is ZERO up to PG. The initial
cost up to bachelor level
is higher compared to other countries such as China, Russia, Ukraine. Since the cost to study in
Indian private colleges is very high, it has become more favourable to study MBBS in USA for
Indian students.
HOW TO GET RESIDENCY IN USA AFTER MD PROGRAM?
Applying for the residency in USA is a tedious process. ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign medical graduates) in USA supports you with an on-line system. ERAS (Electronic Residency Application System) guides you to apply for residency once you have completed
your
MD
level.
There are different government organisation which match your profile with the existing residencies available throughout USA. One of the most prominent ones of these is NRMP (national Residency matching program). It
is
almost mandatory for every student to get
registered with.
During the residency in a teaching hospital, you would give USMLE Step 3 exam. Clearing this
exam allows you to get
the
license to practice medicine in USA. This completes your target!
National Resident Matching Program® Main Residency Match (NRMP).
Toll Free (866) 653-NRMP (6767)
In order to apply for the residency programs through ERAS, the eligibility criteria are well
defined by ECFMG, NBME, USMLE and other responsible authorities. The whole on-line
process starts with registering through ERAS as an applicant.
ACCREDITATIONS:
There are many medical colleges in USA for Indian students offered at Caribbean Islands but few universities claim to have accreditation such as CAAM-HP (A very important aspect). Only
6 universities on Caribbean Islands have this kind of high end approvals. Listing on FAIMER,
Approval by USMLE and list
of hospitals in collaboration with the University for conducting the Clinical Rotation are the most important things to be considered. The smallest mistake in
choosing the MD level program can have drastic effect on matching for Residency. So it is advisable not to just go by the cost of study. Choose technically acceptable university from the
point of view of USMLE and its well designed requirements.
SCHOLARSHIP FOR MBBS IN USA FOR INDIAN STUDENTS
2017.
One of the universities (Trinity School of Medicine ) is offering a limited scholarship for Indian
students after 12th to pursue MBBS in USA. The students tend to save around Rs. 35 Lacs if
they apply within the time frame and are eligible for the same. The eligibility for scholarships for
MBBS students is based on Merit and need. The application can be done to the university
through our website. However, before you apply for the scholarship to study MBBS in USA, you
need to ensure that the balance money is available
with you or you are eligible for an education loan. There are 2 ways to get the scholarship for getting the scholarship.
Benefits of MBBS Admission
in USA for Indian
students.
Though among all other options, the medical colleges in USA for Indian students looks to be the
most
expensive medical program. However, in reality studying at the medical college in
USA happens to be the best, optimum and the most economical program.
• Medical Council of India (MCI) permits to get
registered without MCI screening Test for
those who cleared MBBS in America for Indian students.
• The doctors earn US$ 3,500 to US$ 5,500 during residency in USA (4 Years) making the
total cost of the program as ZERO! Due to the Residency being paid, the entire MBBS in America fee structure is earned back at PG level. This way, MBBS in USA for Indian students fees becomes less than Indian costs!
• There are no capitation fees for PG while in India, it touches more than Rs. 2 Cr or other
PG
programs are not approved in India. In fact you earn stipend during this period. It
is not easily believable fact for an Indian student dreaming to pursue education at a top
MBBS colleges in USA. Just click on the link on how you are put into the teaching hospital in USA for Residency!
• The average salary of
a licensed doctor in USA is more than US$ 200,000
per year in any
of the hospitals.
• The MBBS duration in USA is matching with Indian program till PG level.
• From 23rd April, 2016, the government of India has notified that
“NORI” (No obligation
to
Return to India” certificate will not be issued by them if you choose to
pursue MBBS in India and MD in USA. Accordingly, it is better to pursue the program in
medical colleges USA, right from the Bachelor level.
BASIC RULE TO PRACTICE IN USA.
In USA in order to practice, you have to complete your board certified residency (Equivalent to PG in India) and just Bachelor level
MBBS is not sufficient. Accordingly, if you just complete
bachelor level, you would have to give the MCI screening test
in India, even if you are from any of the top medical colleges in USA. Accordingly, you are suggested to start your journey at USMLE approved top medical university of Caribbean Islands –Trinity School of Medicine
However, no one returns back at Bachelor level since the reason to go to USA is PG/Residency.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT UNIVERSITY PROGRAM.
Indian students have many options to go through this route to enter USA after 3.5
years at Caribbean Islands to several MBBS USA universities. However, proper selection based on
accreditation, approvals and hospital affiliations of the university within USA is must else huge amount is at stake. It
is
not only about MBBS fees in USA. The students must be careful in
selection of the university leading to MD / MBBS in USA. The issue of Observership Vs. Clinical rotation is the most important one while deciding the University.
SUCCESS RATIO:
The number of students appearing for USMLE-1 in 2015 is around 65,000
compared to the
available residency seats of 35,000.
The chances of getting through the residency are more than
50%. The passing rate at Trinity School of Medicine at St Vincent is around 84%!