The Pre-Med/Pre-Health Track
> Other Considerations
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit Many medical schools will not accept AP scores as a substitute for requisite premedical courses. They will, however, accept advanced course work of comparable length in the same discipline in which the student has an AP score. Thus, if you have AP credit in Chemistry and decide not to take General Chemistry, you should plan on taking advanced course work in Chemistry (or perhaps Biochemistry) equal to a full year with laboratory. Organic Chemistry does not count in this case since it is already one of the courses required for admission to medical school. Please contact Dean Kate Fukawa-Connelly if you have further questions about your AP scores and the premedical requirements.   Study Abroad Studying abroad during your time at Brandeis University can be very rewarding both academically and personally. An overseas experience can complement and enhance both your general program of study and your premedical interests. Moreover, fluency in a language other than English and cross-cultural experience can enhance your application to a health profession school. Many students with specific pre-professional interests can, with careful planning, arrange for a semester or a year of study abroad during their four years at Brandeis University. Summer study abroad programs also offer a great way to gain cross-cultural skills, participate in a health related internship program, and improve one's foreign language abilities. There are several options to consider when thinking about study abroad and premedical studies. They include:
Below are programs that fit those options. 1. Taking Pre-health Prerequisite Courses Abroad When choosing to pursue your pre-medical course work abroad, students should be careful about which classes they choose to do overseas. Physics is the most common and most acceptable course to do abroad. Other course work is year long and, unless you study abroad for the full year, can be complicated to schedule. Some programs abroad that might be appropriate for taking premedical science courses include:
2. Fieldwork and Internships Many overseas programs now offer science courses, fieldwork and internship opportunities, both for credit and on a volunteer basis. Students can choose from all regions of the world and focus on a variety of topics. Programs that have been popular with Brandeis students in the past include:
3. General Study Abroad Programs For students who wish to explore topics beyond their premedical interests, all 240 programs on the current Approved List (that is, study abroad programs approved for academic credit at Brandeis University) will provide a rewarding overseas experience. Pre-health students who wish to study abroad should begin planning early, and may need to arrange their time away from Brandeis University around the application process to medical school. Several tracks are possible depending upon how flexible you are. Pre-health students who are contemplating studying abroad are urged to meet with Assistant Dean Kate Fukawa-Connelly to discuss their options in more detail. You can also receive individual counseling on all of your study abroad options by setting up an appointment with a study abroad staff member in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Complete information on all available study abroad programs can also be found in the office or on the Study Abroad Web Site. Taking Time Off Taking a year or more off between graduating from Brandeis University and beginning your health profession training program will not harm your chances of being admitted. There are many advantages to taking time off. For example, you could gain valuable work experience and thus garner strong letters of recommendation from a supervisor. In addition, time off allows you to pursue a more flexible undergraduate curriculum since you would not have to take two of your premedical courses in your sophomore year. Perhaps also you might want to pursue some other interest (such as travelling or working in a public service like the Peace Cops or Teach for America) before committing yourself to a lengthy period of professional training. Some students may want to strengthen their academic record by taking additional courses after graduating or perhaps pursue a masters degree. Finally, you may just need a break from school! Whatever the case may be, if you think you need some time off do not hesitate to make an appointment to see Dean Fukawa-Connelly. If You Are Not a Citizen of the United States Medical schools in the United States rarely accept individuals who are citizens of other countries. The only exception is granted to Canadian applicants, who are given the same consideration as any American student (though Canadians will find it difficult to gain admission to state schools). This is due in large part to the fact that foreign students are not eligible for government loans in the United States. In many cases, schools that might accept a small number of non-citizens will also require that tuition payments be made in advance, or they might stipulate that enough money for the entire duration of that student's medical education be placed in an escrow account. In some extremely rare cases a foreign student who shows exceptional promise might be accepted with some scholarship aid at some of the more prominent and well-endowed private medical schools, but this is a rare exception. Brandeis students who are not citizens of the United States but aspire to study at an American medical school should consult Dean Kate Fukawa-Connelly. |