Working as a doctor in America is one of the most elite and highly paid professions. According to statistics, the average salary of a doctor in America is $ 300,000 per year, and a narrow specialist receives about $ 20,000 more.
Work in the field of medicine is very promising, especially if you get an education abroad. However, this is quite expensive education.
How to get Medical Degree in USA?
For those who want to get a medical degree in the USA, there are very few basic ways to get a doctor's license. The first and most common way is to completely go through the chain of American medical education. This is the most reliable option, but very expensive.
What does the "chain of medical education" look like?
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First, you need to get a bachelor's degree (with a bias in chemistry and biology - for a duration of 4 years)
To enroll in medical school here, you must already have a higher education. The undergraduate program must be related to biology, chemistry, physics, etc., that is, the natural science field. For foreigners, an American or Canadian bachelor's degree is preferred.
The cost of this stage is from $ 30,000 to $ 60,000 for each academic year.
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Take a pre-medical program
During their studies, students undergo a special program, studying basic natural sciences and medical disciplines in order to successfully pass the MCAT exam in the future. However, this stage of the chain is optional, and many higher education institutions leave this program free.
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Take the MCAT exam
Before entering a medical university in the United States, all students pass a mandatory medical test for prerequisites. This is one of the most important criteria for the selection of applicants.
This is an exam for those who want to study at the medical faculty of educational institutions in the United States. It is a standard test with multiple choice questions, which helps to assess the following qualities of the applicant:
- ability to solve complex problems
- critical thinking
- knowledge of sciences, biology and other subjects that are prerequisites for the study of medicine.
Almost all medical faculties require you to provide test results upon admission (valid for three years). When compiling the test, the student can score from 1 to 15 points in each of the 4 parts. The results are known after 30 days after delivery. The cost of MCAT is 260-270 $.
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Medical School
The medical school lasts 4 years and includes 2 years of theoretical studies and 2 years of clinical practice. In the last year, a certain medical specialization is chosen. After graduating from medical school, the graduate receives an M.D. degree.
The cost of this stage will be from $ 40,000to $ 70,000 per year.
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Residency - from 3 to 8 years (the duration of study depends on the specialty)
What is residency in the United States?
This is the most important stage in the chain of medical education in the United States. Education takes place on the basis of large clinics and hospitals of the country (more than 1000 medical institutions work under this program). In order to have the right to practice in the United States, residency is mandatory. It is necessary to start preparing for admission to the residency in advance, because this is a rather long process. A foreign graduate will be required to:
- Confirm a foreign diploma of medical education
- Take two exams – USMLE 1 and 2
- Obtain ECFMG certification.
It is important to note that the two stages of the exam cost $ 3385,and applications - $ 30,and it will take about 100-300 applications to receive invitations to 5-7 interviews.
- Highly specialized practice (English Fellowship) takes 1-2 years and often includes elements of research work. Usually the student manages to pass the practice in parallel with studying in residency. It is a prerequisite for a number of medical specialties (cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, oncologists, nephrologists, etc.).
- Professional certification, which includes exams in the selected medical specialization.
- Master's degree – from 15 000 to 120 000 $ per year.
- Postgraduate study (lasts from 5 to 7 years and costs from $ 27,500to $ 45,000 per year).
At any stage, the selection committee will evaluate such personal qualities as communication skills, computer literacy, volunteer experience. Be sure to have letters of recommendation from university professors. Also you will need perfect English and knowledge of medical terminology in English.
In general, if we start from the average cost for each stage of studying in the United States, then medical education in the United States in total will cost approximately $ 350,000 and above. However, this amount does not take into account the cost of insurance, housing and food. In addition, you have the opportunity to apply for a grant that will reduce costs to $ 100,000 or $ 200,000.
Undoubtedly, with a medical education in this direction, you can find a high-paying job: according to statistics, the professions of a surgeon, anesthesiologist, orthodontist, therapist, gynecologist and psychiatrist are the highest paid in America. Their average annual income ranges from $179,000 to $247,000.
