Additional Resources for International Students
CPHA is proud to support all students and alumni – of all immigration statuses – to explore, prepare and apply to health professions programs.
As a UW Madison student, you have access to all CPHA resources. As an international student, there are some additional resources and information that will be useful for you. We also encourage you to come and talk with us about your interests, plans, and questions. We are here for you!
United States Admissions Policies for International Applicants
Health professional programs in the US vary widely in their acceptance of international applicants. It is important for you to know that the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UW SMPH) does not accept international medical school (MD) applicants. However, international applicants are currently accepted by all other health professional degree programs on campus.
If you are interested in a health profession that you do not see listed below, do not worry. You can find information about applicant data in program directories, on program websites, and by calling admissions offices directly.
Programs that are typically more challenging (but not impossible) to get into:
- Medicine
- Physician Assistant
Programs that are typically more accessible:
- Chiropractic
- Dentistry
- Nursing
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Optometry
- Podiatry
- Veterinary Medicine
Find what you were looking for?
Morbi in sem quis dui placerat ornare. Pellentesque odio nisi euismod in pharetra a ultricies in diam.
United States Admissions Policies for International Applicants
Health professional programs in the US vary widely in their acceptance of international applicants. It is important for you to know that the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UW SMPH) does not accept international medical school (MD) applicants. However, international applicants are currently accepted by all other health professional degree programs on campus.
If you are interested in a health profession that you do not see listed below, do not worry. You can find information about applicant data in program directories, on program websites, and by calling admissions offices directly.
Programs that are typically more challenging (but not impossible) to get into:
- Medicine
- Physician Assistant
Programs that are typically more accessible:
- Chiropractic
- Dentistry
- Nursing
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Optometry
- Podiatry
- Veterinary Medicine
Find what you were looking for?
Morbi in sem quis dui placerat ornare. Pellentesque odio nisi euismod in pharetra a ultricies in diam.
Considerations for International Students
While you will want to stay in contact with your academic advisor, program advisors, ISS advisors, and pre-health advisors here at CPHA, you may find it helpful to consider the questions in the tabs below.
Spring 2025 resource: see Resources on Immigration Issues from International Student Services
As you begin to research health professions programs, connect with International Student Services (ISS). Ask an ISS advisor about the documents that you need to have in good order before you apply to programs (e.g., visas, CPT, OPT, STEM extensions).
In addition to US admissions policies, you may find it helpful to reflect on these questions to identify what you are looking for in your future career:
- Do I plan on doing my training in the US?
- Do I plan on practicing in the US?
- What kind of service do I want to provide in a health professional field? Why?
- How can I learn about the wide variety of health professional fields that are out there?
- In what ways have I served or worked with people in the past that have been meaningful?
Resources
- F-1 Doctors is a mentorship platform for international pre-health students and current medical and dental students
- Pre-Health Dreamers (PHD) promotes equitable education and healthcare access, opportunities, and resources for undocumented individuals and all immigrant communities
When selecting programs, you may find it helpful to reflect on these questions:
General Questions
- Which programs in my field of interest accept international applicants? Some US programs, for example, may only accept international applicants from Canada.
- Do these programs provide information on acceptance rates for international applicants?
- What are the experiences of international students like at these programs?
- Are these programs able to connect me with international students currently in attendance?
Credits and Academic Resources
- Do any of these programs require a certain number of credits or a degree to be completed at a US institution?
- Do any of these programs require international coursework be evaluated by the World Education Services or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services
- Do any of these programs require international applicants to take an English Language exam: TOEFL, MELAB, IELTS
Financing Your Education
- Do I need to demonstrate my ability to pay for the entire program before I enroll?
- Do I need to pay for the first year of training before I enroll?
- Do I need to pay for the entire program before I enroll?
See Immigrants Rising’s List of Scholarships & Fellowships
Resources from Professional Organizations
Some professional organizations have information that is specifically for international applicants or directories that help identify if a program accepts applications from international applicants. Here are some examples:
- Dentistry (DDS/DMD): American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
- Medicine (DO): American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM via ChooseDO.org)
- Medicine (MD): Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
- Nursing (RN): American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
- Pharmacy (PharmD): American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
- Physician Assistant (PA): Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) (use the International Student filter)
- Veterinary Medicine: American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)
Next Steps
- Meet with a Pre-Health Advisor
- Sign up for CPHA’s self-paced Health Professions Canvas Courses, Pre-Health 101 and our Application Courses, and look for pages and modules that are designed specifically for international applicants
- Explore the CPHA Events Calendar
- Subscribe to our newsletter, The Pre-Health Pulse, and follow us on Instagram, @uwprehealthcenter to stay up to date with all things pre-health!