MUMBAI: Since its implementation, the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program has played a key role in producing and retaining qualified foreign graduates from US universities. While international students have the opportunity to work for one year after graduation, students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can receive an additional two years of work opportunities, extending the OPT period to three years.
However, current norms unnecessarily exclude medical graduate After attending an additional 24-month training period, Niskanen CenterNonprofit public policy organizations point out and call for its inclusion in the STEM-OPT program.
In making representations to relevant administrative officials, cecilia estlinAn immigration research analyst at the Niskanen Center advocates for including MD and DO programs as STEM-OPT titles. If accepted, this change will undoubtedly benefit medical students in India and make the United States a more attractive study destination.
The Niskanen Center noted that the number of students who might benefit from the proposed changes is small—fewer than 400 noncitizen, nonresident students starting MD and DO programs by 2022. medical talents. less than 50 American Medical College Universities that accept international students are among the highest-ranked, including Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, according to representatives.
Not only do these universities have rigorous admissions processes, but national data shows that international students who successfully enroll in U.S. medical schools typically have higher undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs) and higher Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores than generally admitted students. Fraction. The report also cited statistics from the Association of American Medical Colleges, highlighting that the United States is facing an expected physician shortage. By 2036 it will reach 86,000 people.
“We must ensure that we do not lose highly qualified physicians trained in the United States because of outdated, stagnant policy barriers. While we acknowledge that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has previously chosen not to recognize medical degrees are in STEM fields, but a large portion of the medical school curriculum is STEM-focused. Harvard Medical SchoolFor example, research students take about 70% of their first two years of STEM courses, and clinical students take about 55%. Medical students typically take their first licensure exam at the end of their second year, covering almost exclusively subjects on the STEM-designated list, such as pathology, physiology, and pharmacology. Since a large portion of the curriculum is dedicated to STEM subjects, medical degrees should be eligible for inclusion.
All students must compete to enter highly competitive medical school and residency programs. Therefore, this change will not provide international students with an advantage over U.S. students. Rather, it would correct the systemic oversight of the scientific focus of medical education. The Representative concluded that while a limited number of beneficiaries may still require sponsorship after completing the STEM-OPT period, designating MD and DO programs for STEM-OPT will significantly increase the ability to retain the most qualified international students in the United States.
Currently, a considerable number of doctors in the United States are immigrants. The Times of India previously reported data from the Migration Policy Institute, which reported based on 2021 data that of the 987,000 doctors in the United States, nearly 26.5%, or 262,000, are immigrants. More doctors from India immigrate to the United States than from any other country. There are 59,000 indian doctor In the United States – one in five (or 22%) immigration doctor It’s Indian. By comparison, there are only 16,000 doctors born in China and Hong Kong practicing in the United States (6% of the immigrant doctor population). New Jersey, Florida and New York are the states with the largest number of immigrant doctors in the United States.
However, current norms unnecessarily exclude medical graduate After attending an additional 24-month training period, Niskanen CenterNonprofit public policy organizations point out and call for its inclusion in the STEM-OPT program.
In making representations to relevant administrative officials, cecilia estlinAn immigration research analyst at the Niskanen Center advocates for including MD and DO programs as STEM-OPT titles. If accepted, this change will undoubtedly benefit medical students in India and make the United States a more attractive study destination.
The Niskanen Center noted that the number of students who might benefit from the proposed changes is small—fewer than 400 noncitizen, nonresident students starting MD and DO programs by 2022. medical talents. less than 50 American Medical College Universities that accept international students are among the highest-ranked, including Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, according to representatives.
Not only do these universities have rigorous admissions processes, but national data shows that international students who successfully enroll in U.S. medical schools typically have higher undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs) and higher Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores than generally admitted students. Fraction. The report also cited statistics from the Association of American Medical Colleges, highlighting that the United States is facing an expected physician shortage. By 2036 it will reach 86,000 people.
“We must ensure that we do not lose highly qualified physicians trained in the United States because of outdated, stagnant policy barriers. While we acknowledge that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has previously chosen not to recognize medical degrees are in STEM fields, but a large portion of the medical school curriculum is STEM-focused. Harvard Medical SchoolFor example, research students take about 70% of their first two years of STEM courses, and clinical students take about 55%. Medical students typically take their first licensure exam at the end of their second year, covering almost exclusively subjects on the STEM-designated list, such as pathology, physiology, and pharmacology. Since a large portion of the curriculum is dedicated to STEM subjects, medical degrees should be eligible for inclusion.
All students must compete to enter highly competitive medical school and residency programs. Therefore, this change will not provide international students with an advantage over U.S. students. Rather, it would correct the systemic oversight of the scientific focus of medical education. The Representative concluded that while a limited number of beneficiaries may still require sponsorship after completing the STEM-OPT period, designating MD and DO programs for STEM-OPT will significantly increase the ability to retain the most qualified international students in the United States.
Currently, a considerable number of doctors in the United States are immigrants. The Times of India previously reported data from the Migration Policy Institute, which reported based on 2021 data that of the 987,000 doctors in the United States, nearly 26.5%, or 262,000, are immigrants. More doctors from India immigrate to the United States than from any other country. There are 59,000 indian doctor In the United States – one in five (or 22%) immigration doctor It’s Indian. By comparison, there are only 16,000 doctors born in China and Hong Kong practicing in the United States (6% of the immigrant doctor population). New Jersey, Florida and New York are the states with the largest number of immigrant doctors in the United States.
