- Type
- Private
- Country
- USA
About the university
Columbia's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (P&S) offers a 4-year MD split into Fundamentals, Major Clinical Year (MCY), and Differentiation and Integration (D&I) segments. Founded 1767 - the first institution in the Thirteen Colonies to award the MD degree. A recent cohort saw 138 matriculate out of 7,677 applicants (1.80% acceptance rate), with average enrolled GPA 3.95 and MCAT 522. Important: Columbia requires at least 3 full academic years of pre-med coursework at a US or Canadian college before matriculation - a rule that makes it a poor fit for applicants whose entire pre-med education was completed in India.
Documents required
A completed 4-year undergraduate (pre-med) degree with strong coursework in science and math, minimum GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (successful applicants at these five schools average 3.9+); Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score (successful applicants average 520-523 out of 528); English proficiency score (IELTS 7.0+ or TOEFL iBT 90-100+, depending on the school); three Letters of Recommendation; Statement of Purpose; academic transcripts (translated if not in English); resume/CV; passport copy; credential evaluation if applicable. Applications filed centrally through AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service), with a secondary application and interview stage at each school.
Accommodation
The only school on this list with a genuine year-by-year Housing figure published by the source (Columbia's own official student budget): Year 1: USD 15,750. Year 2: USD 15,750. Year 3: USD 18,900 (the highest, likely reflecting clinical-year housing needs). Year 4: USD 16,538 (a 10.5-month year rather than a full 12). Food adds a further USD 9,320-11,184/year depending on the year (see Mess & Food column).
Mess & food for Indian students
Food is broken out separately by the source, and varies by year like Housing does: Year 1: USD 9,320. Year 2: USD 9,320. Year 3: USD 11,184. Year 4: USD 9,786. No Indian-mess-specific arrangement is mentioned - this is a general dining estimate from Columbia's own official student budget.
Visa process & support
Admitted students apply for an F-1 student visa. Requirements include an I-20 from the university (an SEVP-recognised institution), proof of funds covering tuition and living costs, and a visa interview demonstrating intent to return home after study. During the MD, clinical rotations count as full-time study; F-1 students generally cannot work off-campus during the degree. After the MD, graduates entering a US residency program (3-7 years depending on specialty) typically transition to a J-1 or H-1B visa; F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) is less commonly used for MD graduates who move straight into residency via the Match.
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