Studying Abroad as a Premed

As an undergraduate premed, study abroad can be a transformational experience and will most likely be a central element in your medical school application. It can fundamentally change the way you see the world. Your experiences living, studying and traveling abroad provide plenty of stories to draw from and experiences to reflect upon in your medical school application. Keep a journal of your experiences and adventures abroad. This will allow you to gather the details in the moment and you can reread and reflect upon them later on. 

Core Competencies

Study abroad can not only be an enriching cultural and linguistic experience, but it can offer a diverse assortment of skills that can be very helpful in building a great medical school application. When we refer to the AAMC 15 Core Competencies for Entering Medical School students, I can think of at least 6 competencies you could learn from living overseas: cultural competence, service orientation, oral communication, resilience and adaptability, capacity for improvement, and critical thinking. In this AAMC article, they highlight how three medical school students demonstrated these competencies through their application.

What to study while abroad: Science vs. Non-Science classes?

Studying abroad can offer many courses not offered at your home institution and can truly enhance your undergraduate curriculum. Consider taking anthropology, political science, biology, public health, language or business studies. Many students do not take science classes abroad and I would encourage you NOT to take the basic pre-med science classes abroad but instead lean into the diverse course offerings outside the science curriculum. (Refer to the Overseas Opportunities page for a suggested list of programs.)

But if you ARE considering taking any science class abroad, read the following section carefully.

1. As a rule of thumb, it is best to take all ‘required’ science classes as a pre-health student in the USA or Canada. Medical schools don’t have the capacity to completely understand the quality and scope of foreign coursework so it is best to stick to taking all ‘required’ science courses in the US. (ex: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Math).

2. Medical schools evaluate overseas coursework differently than US coursework. Check US medical school websites as they will articulate their policy on accepting premed courses taken overseas. Medical schools view a US sponsored study abroad program differently than classes taken directly at a foreign university outside a US study abroad program so check with your on campus pre-health advisor and study abroad advisor for specifics on your program since there are lots of exceptions. Also, AMCAS has a separate tutorial on how to enter study abroad coursework on your AMCAS application so look for this when you apply.

3. Don’t mix and match science classes. Science is taught differently overseas and therefore matching a US course with an overseas university course can be challenging. For example, don't try and take Physics I in Dublin and think it will match up with Physics 2 back at your home campus. Physics abroad can be taught with a heavy emphasis on calculus and designed for Physics majors so their focus is quite different from what you are looking for. Some US universities offer their own Physics class overseas, for example, and in this case, it would be appropriate to take since it has already been evaluated by the US home science department and adopted as their own on the US transcript.

4. Take upper level science electives abroad. If you have already fulfilled the basic premed classes in the US or you are a science major and taking upper level science classes abroad then it is fine to take MORE ADVANCED COURSEWORK overseas. Ex.: Cell Biology, Marine Biology, and Physiology. Actually this would be a great talking point somewhere in your application!

5. Consider using summer school to get back on track with science classes. For example, if you want to study abroad in the fall of your junior year, it is common for students to take Physics I and/or II, for example, in the summer before studying abroad to stay on track.

6. Please seek on campus guidance to make sure you understand how study abroad will work with your academic plan.  

7. I co-authored an article published in Academic Medicine entitled International Study in Premedical Education. We asked what medical schools thought of study abroad and what they thought of science coursework taken abroad. In general, schools found great value in an international education experience but many were skeptical about basic sciences taken abroad due to lack of information. Since this article was written, many schools have adopted competency requirements thus introducing a broader interpretation of how to complete requirements.

When to Study Abroad

There are many options to consider as far as timing of when to study abroad: Summer, Fall, Spring or for the Academic year. With careful planning, anything destination is possible. Having said that, there are some preferences as far as timing. 

• CONSIDER FALL: If you want to study abroad as a junior and "apply on time", please consider going abroad in the fall instead of the spring of your junior year or consider spring semester SOPH year or in the summer. These options will give you ample time to receive the study abroad transcript and for your school to enter the grades accurately on your home school transcript. It will also give you time to fix any problems associated with late grades, delays or errors on your overseas transcript. Since you will be around in the spring of your junior year, you can study for the MCATs, secure recommendations, and attend application meetings at your school. Most likely you will not have an opportunity to do clinical work abroad so this will give you the spring semester to make sure you have current clinical experience to reflect upon in the application.

• SPRING OR FULL YEAR: If you would like to study abroad for the spring or full year, then strongly consider waiting a year to apply to med/vet school. If you want to study abroad for the spring or full year AND want to apply "on time" then with very careful planning it CAN be done (i.e. MCAT timing, course planning, transcript timing). Seek assistance from Newport or your advisors to create a plan. I have worked with many successful applicants who went abroad for the spring or year and applied on time with amazing success.

• SUMMER: Summer is a great time to study abroad: work on your language, fulfill a requirement, volunteer, collaborate with a faculty member on a research opportunity abroad, teach English or work at a medical clinic. You could also create your own opportunity abroad through your church connections, networking and faculty connections. Refer to the International Opportunities page on how to ethically conduct clinical work overseas. Remember, be creative. If the opportunity does not exist, make one!

When to take the MCATS: Before or After Studying Abroad?

• Studying for the MCATs while on a study abroad program is not recommended. Spend your time abroad meeting new people, learning about a new culture and save the UWorld flash cards for when you get home.

• Some students aim to take the MCATs before studying abroad. This plan only works if you have already taken Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology/Sociology. It also gives you the opportunity to see the MCAT score and determine IF you would like to retake one more time before applying.