sample admission essay

The United States offers a lot of opportunities for foreign students, but immigration laws are often a major obstacle. If you’re thinking of trying your luck in an American college, here’s a quick guide to help you avoid common pitfalls.

Step 1: Choosing a college

If you’re not on a scholarship or exchange program, your first step should be finding a college or university to attend. Most schools now have online applications, so applying from overseas shouldn’t be a problem. Do this at least a year in advance—you may have to mail in some of the requirements, so it’s best to anticipate delays. Be sure to have “backup” schools in case your first choice doesn’t take you in.

Step 2: Getting a visa

For studies lasting less than 18 months, a student visa is usually not required. Otherwise, most prospective students from overseas will need a non-immigrant visa. Different study conditions call for different visa types . There are three visa types granted to foreign students:

Student Visa (F-1): This is the most common type of visa for academic study. The F-1 is for students who get accepted into accredited colleges and universities in the U.S., or who want to study intensive English in universities or language centers.

Student Visa (M-1): This is meant for students in non-academic study, such as vocational programs or trainings. The program should be offered by accredited U.S. institutions.

Exchange Visitor (J-1): The J visa class is for cultural and educational exchange programs. J-1 visas are given to students who are participating in international exchange programs.

The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs recommends that students apply well in advance, because the large number of applicants can lengthen the processing times. Applicants aged 14 to 79 are usually called in for an interview at the local embassy. In most cases, you’ll need to be accepted into a school before you can apply. Your school will then give you the documents you need for the interview. Other things you should have in hand include:

-A valid passport
-2×2 photos
-Official application forms from the embassy (these are usually downloadable)
-Proof of financial capacity (bank statements for whoever is funding your stay; either you, your parents or a sponsor)
-Receipt of the visa application fee
-Diplomas and transcripts from previous institutions you attended
-Scores from international standardized tests, such as the TOEFL and SAT s

Step 3: Financing your education

U.S. schools cost from $7,000 to over $40,000 a year. That’s hard enough for some Americans, but as a foreign student, you also have to think about food, lodging, books, and day-to-day expenses. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get foreign student aid from schools or even the US government. Your best bet is to look for colleges that promote a multi-ethnic student community. These schools are more open to foreign applicants and may even offer scholarships to deserving students. If you think you can make the cut, you can also try getting an athletic or academic scholarship.

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Foreign medical schools basically refer to universities and colleges outside United States (U.S.). Although many medical schools are already present in U.S., some American students still consider entering international medical schools. Use of native language in the curriculum and difference in application requirements are two of the major distinctions of a foreign medical school.

Advantages

According to studentdoc.com, going to a foreign medical school may bring certain advantages such as exemptions in Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), discounts in tuition, and easy passport from high school to a medical course for college. Despite these advantages, students are still reminded to take note of certain factors to consider before entering a medical school.

Credibility

First, the foreign medical school’s credibility must be checked. The students must check if it has good standards in teaching and instruction. Rankings may determine which schools have high capabilities and accreditations. Statistics and reviews of a medical school are often available in the Internet.

However, it is still better to check if the school suites the student applying. For instance, there are many medical specializations but sometimes, there are courses which are not available in a specific school. Also, there are schools which are good at a certain specialization. Students must choose a foreign school which is a pioneer of what he or she is specializing.

Culture

Once a student goes to another country for foreign education, definitely he or she has to compromise and blend with the culture. The Princeton Review said that most of the foreign schools are located in South America which includes Mexico and the Carribean. However, there are also good medical schools situated in Asia such as in China, India and Israel.

It may be hard to cope with culture. Nevertheless, foreign education brings about fresh and out-of-the-box ideas. Once a student plans to go to a foreign medical school, he or she must try to familiarize the culture of the medical school as early as possible. After all, it is not bad to know and learn cultures of others. As a matter of fact, it helps you expand knowledge on people especially culture.

To aid further, here are two suggested foreign medical schools. These are both located in the Carribean:

Saint Matthew’s University

Location and Specification

This medical school was founded in 1997 located at Cayman’s Island in the Carribean. Veterinary is its newest medical specialization which was established in 2005. It is considered as one of the most popular medical education offering fresh curriculum and facilities.

Application

Application forms are available at Saint Matthew’s official website . After filling out the application form, the following must be attached: a.) three passport photos where one photo must be placed in the profile submitted; b.) $75 non-refundable application fee. However, the application fee may be paid online. All basic requirements must be mailed to Saint Matthew’s address.

Once Saint Matthew’s received the application, they guarantee a feedback within two business days.

Things to Consider

Financial aid is offered by the school. Loans and scholarships are offered to help students who cannot fully shoulder expenses for education. Students may apply for a financial aid provided that they disclose an assessment of their financial problem. It may include problems with tuition, books, transportation and other needs.

Cayman Island has different people with various cultures. Most of the occupants are Caymanians, Jamaicans, Europeans, Hondurans, and Filipinos. Primarily, people who live here are festive which includes love of parades, dance on streets and other joyous activities. It is said that students who are planning to go to Saint Matthew’s won’t have a hard time getting along with the culture.

American University of the Carribean

Location and Specification
American University of the Carribean (AUC) is located in Saint Maarten which was founded in 1978. This school seats near Puerto Rico and east of United States and British Virgin. Although it has been threatened by volcanic eruption and hurricane, it certifies preparedness from these catastrophes.

AUC offers basic medical sciences in the curriculum which applies for both clinical and medical education. It is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on College Medicine (ACCM) which is under National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA).

A baccalaureate degree is strongly recommended to applicants of AUC. A minimum of ninety (90) semester credits from college must be accomplished before entering this medical school. The semester credits namely: Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, General Physics and English must be completed. Moreover, an applicant must be a MCAT passer.

Application

To apply, the following must be and mailed to the school’s address:

1) Completed application form which is available at the school’s official website

2) A 2 x 2 recent photo which must be attached to the application form if printed.

3) 75$ non-refundable application fee

4) A maximum of 750-word essay regarding medical career expectations. It must be type-written on a legal size (8 ｽ x 11) paper. The essay will contain a summary of the applicant’s experiences and views regarding his or her medical career.

5) Educational, employment and volunteering history from high school. It must include the duration
of such attainment. This information must be type-written on a legal size (8 x 11) paper.

6) For freshman applicants, official letters from a Pre-Medical Advisory Committee are suggested to be submitted.

7) Recommendation letters as additional background source are also advised for submission.

Things to Consider

Student apartments are available inside the campus to give convenience to AUC students. Each room may range from $4,200 to $5,000 depending on size. The apartment provides student needs such as beds, electricity and water. All rooms are fully air-conditioned.

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