International Students

Eligibility
Applicants with foreign credentials equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an American college or university may be admitted to the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program. U.S. medical schools, however, prefer applicants who received their undergraduate training, especially in the premedical sciences, from institutions of higher education in the United States. In many cases it may be necessary for international students to complete a bachelor's degree in the United States before applying to medical school. All international students should be aware that they may need to repeat previous work in the sciences and that they must ordinarily complete at least one year of college English at Columbia.

Upon admission, international students who are not U.S. citizens must complete the Application for Visa Certificate.  Please note that international students who must maintain an F1 Visa must register for a full-time course load of at least 12 credits.  You must maintain full-time status each semester that you are enrolled in the Program.

Undergraduate Training
U.S. medical schools prefer applicants who received their undergraduate training, especially in the premedical sciences, from institutions of higher education in the United States. In many cases it may be necessary for international students to complete a bachelor's degree in the United States before applying to medical school. All international students should be aware that they may need to repeat previous work in the sciences and that they must ordinarily complete at least one year of college English at Columbia.

English Placement Test
Applicants who are not native speakers of English must also take the English Placement Examination administered by the University’s American Language Program, and some students may be required to complete course work in English before being allowed to begin the premedical curriculum.

Applying to Medical School
It is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for applicants to secure a place in a United States medical school if the applicant is not a permanent resident at the time of filing the medical school application.

Financing Medical School
The MSAR guide notes that foreign applicants will not be eligible for any financial assistance for medical school and will be expected to provide a plan for how they plan to finance their tuition. It notes that many countries impose severe restrictions on exportation of currency.

No federal financial aid is available for students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States either for postbaccalaureate or medical school costs.