Tuesday 27 September 2016

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Tuesday 20 September 2016

Sunday 4 September 2016

Study Medicine in the US

Studying medicine in the US is extremely challenging, but if you have the passion and are willing put in the effort required, it is worth the hard work. After graduation, you will have the skills to help those in need, and make a real difference in people's lives. That in itself is worth the hours of hard work.

International students who love to help people and be faced with new and challenging experiences may want to consider studying medicine in the US. The path is long and hard, but the reward for those students who want to study medicine is a secure, well-paying job that you can be proud of.

Application Process

Before applying to any medical school, international students should make sure they have completed a four-year bachelors degree, with all of the prerequisite classes needed for the particular medical schools being applied to. The prerequisites vary from school to school, but almost always include the following science courses: biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. Some schools may also require that you have taken other humanities, english, math, and science classes as well, so make sure you look into medical schools while you are still an undergraduate so you can choose your classes appropriately.
You will also need to have completed the MCAT test, which stands for Medical College Admissions Test. The test will determine your ability to think critically, problem solve, write clearly, as well as measure your knowledge of various scientific concepts. A good score on the MCAT is key to getting into a good medical school.
Assuming you now have a bachelors degree and a good MCAT score, your next step is to actually apply. As an international student, you will, unfortunately, be at a disadvantage to local students. Many publicly funded colleges are required to put part or all of their state funds towards students who are residents of the school's state. This is mainly to ensure that there are enough doctors for the area, but it can put international students at a huge disadvantage in the selection process. You can always apply to private universities, but, of course, these will be more expensive. Each student will need to weigh the pros and cons of each choice that is available, and apply to the school that is right for him or her.

What to Expect from Medical School

Medical school typically takes 4 years to complete; then there is a 3 to 7 year residency after that, where students undergo supervised training in their specific field of focus. International students who still feel as though they need additional training or who wish to sub-specialize in a field can also do a fellowship, which gives 1 to 4 more years of training.
The education you will receive is intensive, and will be a full-time activity. You will find that the first year requires a huge amount of memorization, with classes like anatomy, histology, pathology, and biochemistry being likely for your first year. These classes will be classroom and lab based giving you both academic and first-hand knowledge of the human body. For example, a typical gross anatomy class will consist of a one-hour lecture followed by a lab for several hours, where you will be dissecting cadavers or animals to gain first-hand experience of what real bodies look and act like.
You will also be going through clinical rotations throughout your education. This will allow you to learn how to interact with patients, and will allow you to see what your future career as a doctor might be like. Clinical rotations will be more and more frequent as you approach the completion of your degree.
Before you can get your Medical Doctor degree in the United States, you will have to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) test, also known as the Board exam. This test is separated into three parts, which you will take throughout your education. The first part is usually after your second year of medical school, the second part is during your fourth year, and the third part is after your first year of residency. Each test is different, and they are meant to ensure you meet certain standards set by the US in your education.

Who is Right for the Degree?

Because of the length of education, cost, and overall challenge, studying medicine in the US is not for everyone. Only students who have a real passion for medicine and love to be challenged should decide to study medicine. Also know that the financial toll of 4 or more years will be extremely high, especially if you go to a private college. However, if you feel up to the challenge and decide to study medicine in the US, you will be receiving some of the best education in the world for one of the most noble degrees.

Learn more about studying medicine in the USA by reading our growing article collection:

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Study Nursing in the US

An international student looking to find both a rewarding and stable career might find themselves studying nursing in the USA. With the many types of fields and specialties, there is a wide range of opportunities for any international student. If you are looking for a career that gives you the ability to work with people on a regular basis and make a difference, studying nursing may just be the field for you!

Careers in Nursing

Nursing is a great career for international students because it allows for growth and specialization in many areas. Most people associate nurses with a hospital, which is true—more than half of all employed nurses are hospital based employees. Nevertheless, the hospital environment allows for variety. These nurses can be found in the Medical-Surgery, ED/ER—Emergency, B—Obstetrics, S—Pediatrics, ICU/NICU—Intensive Care and Oncology, just to name a few. Some nurses are considered "floaters" and may rotate among departments and floors.
An office nurse cares for patients in a doctor's office, at an outpatient clinic or at an outpatient surgical center. These types of nurses prepare patients for routine examinations, administer injections and medications, dress wounds and incisions and assist the healthcare team with minor surgeries.
Public health nurses focus on populations working with individuals, groups, and/or with families to improve the overall health in the community. They provide instruction and guidance regarding health issues such as disease prevention, nutrition, and childcare. These public health nurses arrange for health screening for immunizations, blood pressure testing, mammograms and HIV/AIDS.
Long-term care nurses manage nursing care for residents with conditions ranging from minor health care issues to Alzheimer's disease. This could be in an assisted living facility or a nursing home community. Home-health nurses provide patient care within the privacy of their homes. These patients may require long or short term care, such as those recovering from an illness or an automobile accident. Hospice Care nurses are also available for patients when dealing with end-of-life.

What Makes a Good Nurse?

It is important that international students who want to study nursing have a sense of compassion and a general personal desire to help and empathize with others. A nurse teaches and shares information—establishing trust with both the patient and family. A nurse must have an amicable attitude and be able to work with others. In other words, a nurse must have patience with patients, co-workers, physicians and various family members. Critical thinking, good decision making, and problem solving skills are essential for any international student interested in studying nursing in the US. Communication skills such as verbal, non-verbal and written are needed on a daily basis—and any other language fluency that an international student might bring is an added bonus. Above all else, having the confidence as a nurse is imperative. It is important to remember that most patients are generally frightened and scared. Many patients may not understand their illness; it is up to the nurse to help alleviate and console them of their fears.

Growth in the Nursing Field

Growth in the nursing field is primarily due to the technological advancement in patient care. For example, pulse oximetry has taken the "guess" out of patient oxygen saturation. These types of advancements exist today but were unheard of (or outrageously expensive) twenty years ago. However, as these new frontiers allow for progression in medicine, patients continue to be sick. More often than not today's patients are frequently older and more seriously ill than in the past. Much of the health care provided to patients today relates to chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and mental health deterioration.
Studying nursing in the US provides job stability allowing international students to choose a schedule that works for their lifestyle, working nine-to-five or twelve-hour shifts. Most nurses will admit that although the pay can be quite lucrative it is the impact on the lives of others that makes their job the most rewarding.
Learn more about studying nursing in the USA by reading our growing article collection:

Learn more about studying nursing in the USA by reading our growing article collection:

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Applying for Admission to a U.S. Program

Updated: July 29, 2016

Applying For Admission

Each U.S. university and college sets its own admission standards and decides which applicants meet those standards. Therefore, you must apply separately to each university or college.
Even if you have selected one school where you are sure you want to study abroad, you should still apply to other schools—it is possible that your “first choice” school may not accept you. At least one or two of your choices should be schools where you and your advisor are fairly certain you will be admitted. Remember that you are competing with prospective international students from all over the world for a limited number of spaces.
Most schools in the USA encourage prospective international students to contact their admissions office at least one year before planning to enter that school.
Follow these helpful steps as you apply for admission to U.S. universities and colleges:

Write to Several Schools

After you have selected the schools you want to attend, contact each school for an application form and more international student admission information. You can use the school advertisements throughout this magazine and StudyUSA.com as information resources to help you make your choice. On the website, you can contact schools directly to request information.

Choosing a College or a University in the USA

If you wish to apply for a graduate (postgraduate) program you should verify the admission requirements with the specific graduate school within the university. Many graduate programs have higher admission standards and some programs require that you send your application directly to their department.You should be in good academic standing if you expect to be admitted to a graduate program. Contact either the admissions office of the graduate school or the chairperson of the department.
Please mention that you learned about the school from Study in the USA®.

Send Application Forms

U.S. universities and colleges usually base their admissions decisions on a student’s academic record and applicable test scores, such as TOEFL, the SAT or ACT. If you are applying to graduate schools, additional exam scores, such as the GRE or GMAT, will be required.
The admissions office or graduate school department will send you information about their academic programs and an application form. (You might be able to obtain a specific school’s application form online or at your local educational advising center.)
The fee for each application is US$35 to US$100. This money pays for processing your application and is non-refundable, even if you aren’t admitted to the school. If you mail your application, make sure to contact the admissions office to confirm your application was received.
The admissions office will review your marks earned during the last four years of secondary school. Your results from your country’s national secondary school examinations will also be reviewed.
If you are applying to a graduate program, your marks from university or college will be taken into consideration.
Ask the school you are now attending, or the school you have attended most recently, to mail a certified copy of your academic record or “transcript” to the schools to which you are applying. Prior to taking your admissions tests, you should arrange for official score reports to be sent to the universities or colleges that interest you.
Most applications will request the following information:

Personal information—Include your name, age, address, family background, birthplace, citizenship, and so on.
Activities—Make a list of club memberships, awards earned, team sports experience, or leadership roles you have held.
Education plan—Write a short essay explaining why you want to attend this school, what course of study you want to pursue, your career goals, and research plans.
Essay—Some schools require a personal essay on a topic of your choosing. See sidebar.
Letters of recommendation—The application form will include several blank pages for your letters of recommendation. Ask several of your teachers to compose and mail these letters directly to the admissions office of each school you choose.

Be sure to send your application to each university or college well before the application deadline. This gives you some extra time to resolve any possible delays.

The Tests

TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
The SAT® Your Bridge to Studying in the US
ACT Test
The GRE® Tests
GMAT® (Graduate Management Admission Test®)

Register for Admissions Tests

Students applying to universities and colleges in the USA must take certain examinations (SAT, ACT, GMAT, etc.) that measure aptitude and achievement. International students must also take a test that measures English language proficiency. These tests are given at test centers around the world. They are “standardized,” so that students take the same test at every test center. Your scores give the admissions office a uniform international standard for measuring your ability in comparison with other students.

Take the Admissions Tests

Your test scores are sent directly to the schools to which you are applying. You will be asked to indicate the names of these schools when you register to take certain tests, such as the SAT or ACT. In the case of computer-based tests, you will designate the schools at the exam site and the testing agencies will mail your scores directly to them. There will be a fee for scores that you request at a later date.

Receive Acceptance Letters

After the application deadline, you will begin receiving letters from your chosen schools. Some universities inform candidates of their acceptance soon after their documents have arrived in the admissions office; this is called “rolling admissions.” Other schools, however, wait several months and inform all candidates at one time.

Pay Your Deposit

Most universities require students to pay a deposit by a certain deadline in order to reserve a space in the entering class. For international students, this deposit can be as high as a semester’s or a full year’s tuition.
You should send your deposit immediately if you are applying for financial aid or if you plan to live in university housing. Because many schools do not have enough campus housing for all the students, you will have a better chance of getting a room on campus if you send your housing application and room deposit fee as quickly as possible.
You may also be required to provide a statement indicating how much money you will have available during the years you will be in school. If you have a scholarship or your government or company is sponsoring you, you will need to send details of your award.

Test-Taking Tips

When preparing for any of the tests discussed in this article, students should keep in mind that good English language instruction is an essential foundation. Consider going through an intensive English program prior to your university studies. This will make your classes easier. Just like any field of study, English language proficiency can be achieved with continued study and practice.

Take plenty of time to prepare for each test. Use available preparation materials to familiarize yourself with the test’s structure and guidelines. Instructions on taking computer- and paper-based tests are generally available for each exam.
Use available sample questions and exercises. Examples of authentic questions and previously used topics are often available, as well as sample tests. Get as much practice as you can before taking the actual exam.
Simulate the test situation. Find out as much as you can about the test environment, and practice in a similar setting. Allow yourself only the time allocated for the actual test. Practice working through sections as quickly and effectively as possible, identifying and focusing on areas where you need improvement.
Take advantage of all the resources available to you. The more you know about a test and how it is scored, the more efficiently you can approach it. The Web is an excellent resource, and most online information is free. Make the most of the advice and materials that can help you achieve success.
Follow directions. Read all the instructions thoroughly and completely before beginning any test. Make sure you understand your objectives and how to achieve them. Don’t worry if you don’t know an answer—concentrate on the current question, and do the best you can, but don’t spend too much time on any one item. Pace yourself so you have enough time to answer every question.
Be relaxed and confident. Get plenty of rest before any exam. Remember, the more rested and better prepared you are, the more comfortable and positive you’ll be during the test.

Test Taking Strategies
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Tuesday 27 September 2016

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Tuesday 20 September 2016

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Sunday 4 September 2016