The Pre-Health Track
> Pre-Health and Study AbroadStudying abroad during your time at
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
The following are some of the possible timelines for completing your prerequisite coursework and studying abroad. Please don't hesitate to make an appointment with Dean Fukawa-Connelly to discuss these or other options!
| The four-year plan: This plan allows you to spread out your prerequisite coursework across four years, and allows more flexibility in course selection. Though it means taking a year (often referred to as a "glide year") between your graduation and matriculation, this does not adversely affect your application. Many students find that time away allows them to gain additional experience that may strengthen their application, and helps them to ensure that they are truly ready for a career in their chosen health profession. If two science sequences during the second year seem to stressful, one can be moved to a summer term. | ||
| Year | Courses and other things to do | |
| First | General Chemistry sequence with labs One or both Mathematics courses |
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| Second | Biology sequence with labs Either Organic Chemistry or Physics sequence with labs Volunteer work/internship over the summer |
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| Third | Study Abroad Volunteer work/internship over the summer |
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| Fourth | Either Organic Chemistry or Physics sequence with labs Attend Applicant Workshop in the Fall Interview with Premedical Board in the Spring Take MCAT in the Spring Apply during the Summer |
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| "Glide Year" | Interview at health profession schools Work, volunteer, travel, otherwise enjoy a year between undergrad and professional school |
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| The three-year plan: This is the traditional path that many students take, and allows you to go directly to health profession school in the Fall after you graduate from Brandeis. There is less flexibility in choosing coursework with this plan (especially in the sophomore year), and if two sciences with labs require more time and attention than you can devote to them, poor performance in these courses can adversely affect your chances at admittance. | ||
| Year | Courses and other things to do | |
| First | General Chemistry sequence with labs One or both Mathematics courses Volunteer work/internship over the summer |
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| Second | Biology sequence with labs Either Organic Chemistry or Physics sequence with labs Remaining science sequence (either Organic Chemistry or Physics) over Summer Volunteer work/internship over the summer |
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| Third | Study abroad in the Fall Attend Applicant Workshop in the Spring Interview with Premedical Board in the Spring Take MCAT in the Spring Apply during the Summer |
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| Fourth | Interview at health profession schools |
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| The two-year plan: This is a difficult track since it requires an intensive science course load in the first two years of study. It is, therefore, followed by not more than one or two students per year. On the other hand, this track allows for substantial flexibility in the third and fourth year of study, especially if you are interested in study abroad during your junior year. | ||
| Year | Courses and other things to do | |
| First | General Chemistry sequence with labs One or both Mathematics courses Physics sequence with labs Volunteer work/internship over the summer |
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| Second | Biology sequence with labs Organic Chemistry with labs Attend Applicant Workshop in the Fall Interview with the Premedical Board in the Spring/Summer Volunteer work/internship over the summer MCAT in Spring/Summer |
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| Third | Study Abroad Apply during the Summer |
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| Fourth | Interview at health profession schools | |