Undocumented students have previously been able to study and finish university programs at the undergraduate level, but what about higher degrees? <\/p>\n
Jirayut Latthivongskorn, a premed student graduated from the University of California (Berkeley) wanted to go to medical school, but it wasnt an easy feat to make it happen, considering there wasnt a lot of information on why it hadnt been done previously. <\/p>\n
People who were supposed to have answers were telling us that they didnt know how to help us, said Latthivongskorn. He was born in Thailand and moved to the San Francisco Bay area when he was 9 years old. It felt disempowering, very discouraging. <\/p>\n
Latthivongskorn and two other undocumented classmates ended up calling admissions offices, mentors, and friends around the country to see if they knew a fellow Dreamer who had made it into medical school. No such luck. <\/p>\n
It was very much like trying to find a unicorn, Latthivongskorn said. <\/p>\n
Latthivongskorns dream school was the University of California (San Francisco), one of the top-ranked medical schools in the country. After first being rejected, he has now been accepted thanks to a new group of medical schools that has decided to accept students like himself. <\/p>\n
One of the main issues that became apparent was that illegal immigrants wouldnt be able to qualify for loans and financial aid, which would make medical school incredibly difficult. <\/p>\n
Luckily for Latthivongskorn, California had recently passed laws allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for state-funded financial aid and student loans, and to obtain professional licenses. His biggest obstacle now is the uncertain future of Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. If the next president abolishes DACA, and if immigration reform remains stalled in Congress, then he cannot legally work at a hospital as a medical resident. <\/p>\n
Its surreal and crazy that Im here even, said Latthivongskorn. He is finishing up his first semester at UCSF and would like in the future to work as a doctor in poor countries like his own. <\/p>\n
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The first undocumented med-school student wouldnt take no for an answer<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Undocumented students have previously been able to study and finish university programs at the undergraduate level, but what about higher degrees? Jirayut Latthivongskorn, a premed student graduated from the University of California (Berkeley) wanted to go to medical school, but it wasnt an easy feat to make it happen, considering there wasnt a lot of information on why it hadnt been done previously. People who were supposed to have answers were telling us that they didnt know how to help us, said Latthivongskorn. Continue reading