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DACA Applicants

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Applicants to Penn State College of Medicine must be U.S citizens, permanent residents, or have official DACA status. International candidates are not eligible. All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with completion of all academic requirements from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university. 

Applicants must follow the application procedures and adhere to the same timeline and deadlines as domestic applicants.

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MD Program International Applicants Basic Content

Obtaining Clearance to Study Through the Directorate of International Student and Scholar Advising

DACA applicants accepted by the College of Medicine are required to obtain clearance through the Office of Global Programs. A DACA applicant must formally accept an offer of acceptance. The Directorate of International Student and Scholar Advising (DISSA) will make contact by email to provide a link and a set of instructions on how to access the online system (iStart). This system will serve as a guide through the process of gaining clearance to register for classes, in addition to other crucial steps toward attending the Penn State College of Medicine.

Please note: All newly admitted DACA students need to access DISSA's iStart system and complete the International Student Visa Documentation Process. No Penn State I-20/DS2019 is required. It can take DISSA two to three weeks to process requests. Please be take that into account in submitting documents to DISSA.

Accepted DACA applicants will be sent a checklist detailing the above requirements and provide deadlines for submission of documents.  If the checklist items are not completed by the indicated deadlines, candidates will be withdrawn from the entering class without the possibility of reinstatement.

Financing Your Medical Education

Accepted DACA applicants must verify the ability to finance their medical education. Foreign nationals are not eligible for financial support from the federal government or Penn State University. Learn about the financial aid verification procedure for Penn State University and the College of Medicine.

Questions?

If you have questions about the application process for candidates with DACA status please contact the Penn State College of Medicine Office of Student Admissions at 717-531-8755 or StudentAdmissions@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

If you have questions about your proof of finances or the verification procedure, please contact Student Aid at 717-531-7052 or StudentAid@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.