Messages
12
Joined
Jul 19, 2026
Title: International applicant with no research experience interested in Tulane Med School
Hi everyone! I’m an international student completing my undergraduate degree in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, and I’m hoping to apply to MD programs. Tulane Medical School is a school I’m very interested in, but I also understand that admission is extremely difficult, particularly for international applicants.
Honestly, I’m trying to figure out how realistic this goal is for me and what I would need to do to become a competitive applicant.
For context, I currently have around a 3.7 GPA, am working toward a 515+ MCAT, and have clinical, volunteering, and leadership experiences. However, I currently have 0 research experience, which is one of the areas I’m most concerned about.
For people who have applied to Tulane, especially international applicants:
How significant of a disadvantage is having no research experience at this point?
How much research experience would you recommend building before applying?
Does research need to result in publications/posters, or is meaningful involvement in a lab enough?
How important are clinical and non-clinical experiences compared with research?
How much does being an international or F-1 student affect the admissions process?
If you were in my position, what would you prioritize over the next 1–2 years?
Would you consider Tulane a realistic reach for someone with my current profile, or an extremely unlikely option?
I’m genuinely looking for realistic feedback, even if the answer is that I have a lot of work to do. I’d rather know that now and use the next couple of years wisely than build my application around unrealistic expectations.
Thank you!
velvetdawn:
Title: International applicant with no research experience interested in Tulane Med School
Hi everyone! I’m an international student completing my undergraduate degree in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, and I’m hoping to apply to MD programs. Tulane Medical School is a school I’m very interested in, but I also understand that admission is extremely difficult, particularly for international applicants.
Honestly, I’m trying to figure out how realistic this goal is for me and what I would need to do to become a competitive applicant.
For context, I currently have around a 3.7 GPA, am working toward a 515+ MCAT, and have clinical, volunteering, and leadership experiences. However, I currently have 0 research experience, which is one of the areas I’m most concerned about.
For people who have applied to Tulane, especially international applicants:
How significant of a disadvantage is having no research experience at this point?
How much research experience would you recommend building before applying?
Does research need to result in publications/posters, or is meaningful involvement in a lab enough?
How important are clinical and non-clinical experiences compared with research?
How much does being an international or F-1 student affect the admissions process?
If you were in my position, what would you prioritize over the next 1–2 years?
Would you consider Tulane a realistic reach for someone with my current profile, or an extremely unlikely option?
I’m genuinely looking for realistic feedback, even if the answer is that I have a lot of work to do. I’d rather know that now and use the next couple of years wisely than build my application around unrealistic expectations.
Thank you!
Dude stop going on every forum and copying and pasting. Make a main post and ask specifically rather than spamming every school’s forum
Messages
12
Joined
Jul 19, 2026
anonymous:
Dude stop going on every forum and copying and pasting. Make a main post and ask specifically rather than spamming every school’s forum
There, I did it. Happy now? I desperately need advice based on my situation.
velvetdawn:
There, I did it. Happy now? I desperately need advice based on my situation.
Forums are a place for current applicants to talk about schools and the existing application cycle. When you spam a long message like you have on 5+ forums, it isn't appropriate.
If I'm giving you feedback, you need to increase your GPA. That's going to be a significant hindrance in your application. And I think you know the answer to your other questions, but you appear hesitant. Research is very important for applications. If you have zero research experience, the likelihood of getting into any T30 is close to 0%.
velvetdawn:
There, I did it. Happy now? I desperately need advice based on my situation.
Please don't be passive-aggressive and say "happy now?" to a very fair request. Many of us applicants are in the middle of the cycle and school-specific forums are for questions specific to each school during the cycle. I'm sure many people would appreciate these forums to not be flooded with general questions. General application questions can be posted on the community forum, although I would suggest posting it more on Reddit and SDN.
For research, you need to gain experience. As the other anon said, being international and also not having a lick of research will practically make it impossible to get into any t30 (and potentially any respectable MD program at all).
velvetdawn:
Title: International applicant with no research experience interested in Tulane Med School
Hi everyone! I’m an international student completing my undergraduate degree in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, and I’m hoping to apply to MD programs. Tulane Medical School is a school I’m very interested in, but I also understand that admission is extremely difficult, particularly for international applicants.
Honestly, I’m trying to figure out how realistic this goal is for me and what I would need to do to become a competitive applicant.
For context, I currently have around a 3.7 GPA, am working toward a 515+ MCAT, and have clinical, volunteering, and leadership experiences. However, I currently have 0 research experience, which is one of the areas I’m most concerned about.
For people who have applied to Tulane, especially international applicants:
How significant of a disadvantage is having no research experience at this point?
How much research experience would you recommend building before applying?
Does research need to result in publications/posters, or is meaningful involvement in a lab enough?
How important are clinical and non-clinical experiences compared with research?
How much does being an international or F-1 student affect the admissions process?
If you were in my position, what would you prioritize over the next 1–2 years?
Would you consider Tulane a realistic reach for someone with my current profile, or an extremely unlikely option?
I’m genuinely looking for realistic feedback, even if the answer is that I have a lot of work to do. I’d rather know that now and use the next couple of years wisely than build my application around unrealistic expectations.
Thank you!
I strongly advice you check out the WAMC section on SDN (once you have your MCAT score). There are more experienced advisors and accepted students who can help you out as well as help you pick a school list.
anonymous:
has anyone else gotten a pre interview hold??
This post has been deleted
anonymous:
has anyone else gotten a pre interview hold??
This post has been deleted
anonymous:
has anyone else gotten a pre interview hold??
Yes, I just got this today! Does anyone know how often they interview applicants from here? Thanks :)
anonymous:
Yes, I just got this today! Does anyone know how often they interview applicants from here? Thanks :)
Are these holds being sent out via email? also may i ask when you submitted your secondary? thank you!