The Ultimate Guide: Complete MD in the US in 5 Years

How to complete MD in the USA in five years?

There are two ways to complete your MD in the US. First is the conventional route which takes at least 7 to 10 years. The other is the integrated route  which takes less amount of time to complete your medical journey. We will discuss both of the routes so that you can understand the basic difference between them.

Conventional Route

First of all, it is imperative to obtain your bachelor's degree in medicine. Most medical schools will require you to have a bachelor's degree with a specialization in any of the subjects like biology, chemistry or biochemistry. It is also essential to maintain a high GPA and also be active in extracurricular activities.

MCAT is the standard medical test in the US that all medical aspirants have to give to get into the top medical colleges in the US. It is a compulsory exam that all students who want to study medicine in the US have to give. To appear for the exam, the student must have a holistic knowledge of natural sciences, behavioural sciences, social sciences, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students can prepare for the examination by coaching or referring to the available online material.

A student can take the MCAT exam seven times in their lifetime. Generally takes at least eight years to complete your MD in the US and then apply for your residency.

Integrated Route

The integrative route is a very competitive route for international students that is offered by some schools in the US. You get to pursue your BS/MD program together. Students can directly join the integrated program after the completion of their high school. Generally, it takes around 5- 6 years tentatively for a student to complete the integrative program. Extremely bright students are able to complete their degree in five years which is generally quite rare. With the help of an integrated programme, students can study medicine in the US and complete their bachelor's degree in just 2 to 3 years. This saves a lot of time which can be further devoted to their MD in the US.

Also, there are a lot of universities in the Caribbean that allow international students to pursue their MDs right after completing high school. There is no need to pursue your bachelor's degree and you can directly enrol in your masters program. The best part is that the curriculum of these programmes are USMLE ready, which means that you do not have to study extra to complete your USMLE 1 and 2. After completing your USMLE 1 and 2, you can directly apply for residency in the US. This is a great way to study medicine in the US without spending a decade. Students can easily complete their MD in the US within five years through this route.

The integrated route is quite competitive, so you must be prepared to work extremely hard to get a seat in a university that provides you the opportunity to complete your medicine degree in a shorter span of time.

Requirements to study integrated MD in the US

Since integrative MD is the shorter way of completing your medical journey in the US, it is slightly more competitive than the regular route. Students can directly get admission into this program after completing their high school. Here are some basic requirements.

1. Class 10th and 12th mark sheet
2. Physics, chemistry and biology as the core disciplines
3. Statement of purpose
4. Letter of references
5. IELTS bands score of at least seven overall bands
6. Clear the virtual interview

Wrapping Up

These are all the crucial steps to complete your medical degree in the US. It is a daunting process to study medicine in the US but it is undoubtedly advantageous. Degrees from the US are recognised worldwide and make you a respected medical practitioner. It is important to be always informed of the latest news and changes related to the medical field in the USA if you want to study there.