Pros
- Fewer Restrictions - International schools have less restrictive entrance requirements.
- Short Notice - International schools usually accept students on short notice. Many students apply at the last minute after being deferred or declined by the medical school of their choice.
- Less Expensive - Tuition for international schools is usually a lot less than medical schools in America.
- Relocation - you have to relocate to another country, and typically the school is not located in a particularly exotic part of the country. Also, locals are not friendly to the medical school students, especially in small poor Carribbean communities. Over the years, many students have told me that their time overseas was miserable, and was spent locked down in their room.
- Red tape - After graduating from an International medical school, you will be required to take an additional exam, the ECFMG, that is not required for domestic graduates. Additionally, each time you apply for a state license or any certification, the process may be slower, since the documentation is being obtained from overseas.
- Perception - Patients and employers typically have a less favorable opinion of international medical schools. Many employers prefer to hire doctors who have graduated from a U.S. medical school, and that is the bottom line. Even though doctors are in extremely high demand, some hospitals will pass over foreign-trained physician candidates for those who attended school in the US.
Cons
