Premed Perspective From Switzerland: Part II
So you’re a premed (or a biology major) and considering studying abroad, but not sure how it would work out? Here are some answers to common questions that I’ve been asked. Don’t find your answer here? Email publichealth.editor@morningsignout.com, or comment below with your questions, and I’ll be sure to answer them in my next column!
1) When is the best time to study abroad?
In a nutshell, it depends. (Decisions are never that easy!) It depends on your circumstances, and here are some things to consider.
If you are taking a gap year, either semester junior year are great times to study abroad, as you will have declared and/or taken classes in your major. As a result, you’ll be able to better appreciate and contextualize your classes and/or internships abroad. Senior year fall is possible too, but you’l be gearing up towards applying to medical school in the spring, so you may want to stick around to make sure you have all your letters of recommendations, extracurricular activities, and clinical hours in order. I would not recommend senior spring for this reason (you’ll be preparing to apply). The summers after sophomore year or junior year are also options, but remember: there are a lot of awesome summer programs and internships that you would miss out on if you spent your summer abroad. Also, remember to schedule time for the MCAT–a lot of students take that over the summer, and you don’t want to be studying for the MCAT while you’re abroad!
Image Source: ERIC FEFERBERG
If you’re not taking a gap year, doing a semester abroad is a lot harder, although it depends on your major. The summer after sophomore year is probably your best bet (unless you’re taking the MCAT then). Fall junior year also works, if you’ve taken enough classes in your major so that your adviser will let you go. Spring junior year is also a possibility (that’s what I’m doing; I took the MCAT the summer after sophomore year), but you should brainstorm your personal statement and have your letters of recommendation written and figured out by winter break so that when you come back you’re pretty much ready to apply. Also try to choose a program that ends earlier (late April) versus the later ones (mid-June). The same goes for the summer after junior year: you’ll likely be finishing up your personal statement and writing secondaries–do you really want to do that abroad? Consider how that may take away from your international experience, as you won’t fully be immersed. However, all of the above options are better than senior year, because (if all goes well!) you will have interviews starting October of your senior year going all the way through spring.
2) Can I take premedical requirements abroad?
I wouldn’t. Medical schools will want you to have taken your requirements, particularly your science requirements, at your home institution.
3) What if I’m not a Pell Grant recipient? Study abroad is really expensive; are there any programs or scholarships for people who aren’t eligible for need-based aid?
Yes! Check out the Boren Award, which awards scholarships for students studying abroad in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. You do have to be a US citizen, though.
- $8,000 for a summer program (special initiative for STEM students! 8 weeks minimum)
- $10,000 for a semester
- $20,000 for a full academic year
There’s also the Critical Language Scholarship, which has similar options, but is only for a summer. One pro here over Boren, is that Boren requires you to devote some time for service in the federal government, but there are no strings attached to CLS.
Japan also has a special program for students studying abroad there.
4) When do I apply?
The application cycles generally start a semester before the semester you want to go abroad. However, for many schools (UCEAP), it’s an entire year. Check out your programs’ application deadlines early, so you don’t have any surprises! Also check out scholarship deadlines early, because there are a few for which deadlines are a year before you go abroad as well!
5) Can I take the MCAT abroad?
Actually, yes! I wouldn’t recommend it (because you want to be able to fully experience the culture, life, and people abroad!), but there are testing locations in Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, India, South Africa, Thailand, and the UK, among others. Check out this link for more details!
< Part I: A Guide to Studying Abroad as a Premed: Switzerland Edition
Part III: Public Health: USA vs. Switzerland >
Featured Image Source: Lochan Shah.
