Contact Information
Study in the USA
Medical, Dental, Nursing, & Veterinary Studies
Medical Programs: www.ama.org
Dental Programs: www.ada.org
Pharmaceutical Programs: www.aacp.org
Educational Commision for Foreign Medical Graduates:
www.ecfmg.org/
Dentistry
Applicants to U.S. dental schools must take the Dental Admission Test (DAT); acceptable scores vary between individual dental schools. The DAT examines proficiency in mathematics, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, reading, and perceptual motor abilities. It is regularly offered in the United States, and is occasionally scheduled in other countries ; a U.S. admissions officer or pre-dental adviser must request such administration at least three months before a scheduled test date. Read more
Medicine
Students pursuing a first professional degree in medicine must earn a satisfactory score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), a standardized entrance examination administered around the world on computer. More information on the MCAT can be found at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Web site.
Graduates of medical schools outside the United States must pass a certification program administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). This certification program is designed to assure both the U.S. public and directors of residency programs that applicants from foreign medical schools have qualifications comparable to U.S. medical school graduates.
Nursing Professional
Nurses in the United States must complete a bachelor's degree in nursing and fulfill state licensure requirements to practice. Each state has its own criteria and regulations, but all use the same licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN.
Most states also require nurses educated outside the United States to be certified by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) before taking the NCLEX-RN. Certain graduate programs in nursing require state licensure or CGFNS certification, depending on level of patient contact and the laws of the state where the program is offered.
Veterinary Medicine
Most veterinary colleges participate in the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS), which allows applicants to submit a common application for multiple schools. Many require the Veterinary Aptitude Test, and some also accept the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE).