from EUROPE to AMERICA!

**space_fra** · 28-01-2010, 07:45 PM

hey, i'm a EU student (last year of high school). i've applied to med school in UK and also in my country. here's my dream: work in the US (of course as a doctor XD). i thought i might just take my undergraduate degree in medicine here in Europe, either in my country or uk (if i get an offer!), and then do my following studies (i want to become a neurosurgeon) in the US. I know there's some kind of exam (dont remember the name now) to "convert" the degree in medicine so that it is valid in the US too. do you think it's gonna work? any advice? i really want to go to the US, i just love America.

**Scottish Chap** · 30-01-2010, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by space_fra

hey, i'm a EU student (last year of high school). i've applied to med school in UK and also in my country. here's my dream: work in the US (of course as a doctor XD). i thought i might just take my undergraduate degree in medicine here in Europe, either in my country or uk (if i get an offer!), and then do my following studies (i want to become a neurosurgeon) in the US. I know there's some kind of exam (dont remember the name now) to "convert" the degree in medicine so that it is valid in the US too. do you think it's gonna work? any advice? i really want to go to the US, i just love America.

The exams you speak of are the USMLEs. You will need to take Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 2CS then obtain an ECFMG certificate (see my posts in the USMLE forum for specifics) before being eligible to apply here in the U.S.

Thousands of people with degrees from outside the U.S. take and pass these exams every year. That's the good news. The bad news is that neurosurgery is insanely competitive in the U.S. and it's very unusual (but not unheard of) for international medical school graduates to win a neurosurgery residency position. I know of two people who were able to do this - one was a U.S. citizen, though. You will need extremely high marks on the USMLEs and clinical experience in the U.S. to make connections and to obtain letters of recommendation. Research will also help.

Good luck!