Taking Pre-Reqs Abroad?

[deleted908035]

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Hi all, I'm considering taking the second of two semesters of OChem and the first and only semester of BioChem abroad, either at a foreign university or at NYU London (taught by US faculty, just not on US soil). Taking these courses at either of these programs would count for letter grades on my transcript factored into my GPA, and both would be pre-approved by faculty at my school to count towards my major. I spoke to the pre med advisor, and he said that "it depends on the medical school," and that I should reach out to all the medical schools I'm interested in one by one to ask if they accept pre-reqs taken outside your home institution. I was wondering if anyone here had a general idea on what most medical schools think of this kind of thing? I'm sure it does indeed vary by school to school, but I'm a couple years out from actually applying and have no clue where I'll be applying yet.

 

[907914]

Hi all, I'm considering taking the second of two semesters of OChem and the first and only semester of BioChem abroad, either at a foreign university or at NYU London (taught by US faculty, just not on US soil). Taking these courses at either of these programs would count for letter grades on my transcript factored into my GPA, and both would be pre-approved by faculty at my school to count towards my major. I spoke to the pre med advisor, and he said that "it depends on the medical school," and that I should reach out to all the medical schools I'm interested in one by one to ask if they accept pre-reqs taken outside your home institution. I was wondering if anyone here had a general idea on what most medical schools think of this kind of thing? I'm sure it does indeed vary by school to school, but I'm a couple years out from actually applying and have no clue where I'll be applying yet.

I would guess that because it is credit being granted by a US institution as opposed to foreign credit transferred in then it should not matter in the slightest. It would be the equivalent of taking a class online from an American university while you are living or traveling abroad (except, without the stigma of an online class).

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

Bad plan

 

[907914]

Dont guess.
https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...1bf6e3/2019-amcas-applicant-guide.pdf#page=42
American Colleges Overseas
Some schools, although not physically located in the United States or Canada, have received accreditation from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and are thus not considered foreign institutions; as a result, transcripts from these schools are required. Courses should be listed in AMCAS materials in the same way that all other coursework is listed. U.S. institutions with campuses overseas (such as the University of Maryland at Munich) are considered U.S. colleges for which transcripts are required and all coursework must be listed.

So OPs credits would count?

 

[candbgirl]

Why would you take those classes when you are spending a semester/year in Europe? Take some electives and enjoy yourself.

 

[deleted908035]

Dont guess.
https://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fast...1bf6e3/2019-amcas-applicant-guide.pdf#page=42
American Colleges Overseas
Some schools, although not physically located in the United States or Canada, have received accreditation from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and are thus not considered foreign institutions; as a result, transcripts from these schools are required. Courses should be listed in AMCAS materials in the same way that all other coursework is listed. U.S. institutions with campuses overseas (such as the University of Maryland at Munich) are considered U.S. colleges for which transcripts are required and all coursework must be listed.

Thank you for this link!
So, just to make sure I'm understanding this correctly, AMCAS will count the courses I take abroad but it is up to the discretion of the schools I am applying to if they accept it or not? Or if the AMCAS counts it does that mean the med schools have to count it as well?

 

[lalalallala]

My school's pre-med advising office is adamantly against it. Also from a personal stand point it is a bad idea. Enjoy your time abroad and don't create a potential red flag.

 

[hmockingbird]

Agree with everyone who says not to do this so that you are not spending all day studying. I actually had the opportunity to have done something similar but made the decision I’d rather not have to study so seriously (chose a P/F program) and have ZERO regrets. I spent the rest of my time on travel/cultural immersion. I’m one of those stereotypical people who feels studying abroad truly changed my life and it’s honestly because of the place... not what I studied (although I took the classes that were about the region more seriously than the science elective I took; I count this as contributing to immersion). Allow yourself to have that experience!

 

[lalalallala]

Agree with everyone who says not to do this so that you are not spending all day studying. I actually had the opportunity to have done something similar but made the decision I’d rather not have to study so seriously (chose a P/F program) and have ZERO regrets. I spent the rest of my time on travel/cultural immersion. I’m one of those stereotypical people who feels studying abroad truly changed my life and it’s honestly because of the place... not what I studied (although I took the classes that were about the region more seriously than the science elective I took; I count this as contributing to immersion). Allow yourself to have that experience!

I am also one of those people who made fun of people for saying ‘abroad changed my life’ and then I went abroad and it was hands down the best decision I’ve ever made. Had I been doing premed classes that would definitely have messed it up. I took some premed classes over the summer so I could go abroad and fully enjoy it. 20/10 would recommend

 

[deleted908035]

Yeah, I've been told time and time again that I can't/shouldn't take my pre-reqs abroad. But I decided I wanted to pursue medical school a year late in the game and either have to take pre-reqs abroad, not go abroad, or take summer classes/post-bac. I'd prefer to avoid the last option just for financial reasons. I know there's funding options, but my tuition at my home school would cover 100% of the cost of studying abroad and studying abroad has always been a goal of mine so I really want to make it work. I appreciate everyones thoughts though!

 

[candbgirl]

So take a gap year. Med schools aren’t going to close up. They’ll be there when you are ready. Are your ECs all in progress? You won’t be able to,do any while abroad so...

 

[lalalallala]

Yeah, I've been told time and time again that I can't/shouldn't take my pre-reqs abroad. But I decided I wanted to pursue medical school a year late in the game and either have to take pre-reqs abroad, not go abroad, or take summer classes/post-bac. I'd prefer to avoid the last option just for financial reasons. I know there's funding options, but my tuition at my home school would cover 100% of the cost of studying abroad and studying abroad has always been a goal of mine so I really want to make it work. I appreciate everyones thoughts though!

I don't really think taking your pre-reqs abroad is an option you should consider. Are you sure you can't take more pre-reqs each semester? The chemistry pre-reqs at my school are a 5 semester series so I can imagine that if you are a sophomore just starting or something you wouldn't be able to skip a semester during the series and finish on time. I had to take biology over the summer to make it work for me. My wallet definitely took a hit, but for me it was worth it for the experience. Sometimes you can petition your school to let you take the classes concurrently. I think you should really try to make it work so you can finish on time or if not then bite the bullet and pay to take one more credit the following semester or summer. Either that or don't go abroad.