studying abroad for pre-med?

<p>So, I thought it would be really cool to study somewhere outside of the U.S for pre-med. I was trying to search for some colleges like in England or Germany but I couldn't find any other than Oxford or Cambridge. Help?</p>

<p>Universities in England have a medicine program that gives applicants a medical degree in 5 or 6 years. To receive entry, it incredibly hard. Applicants need several APs, high SATs, a strong passion, etc. Additionally, for Oxbridge, you have to go to the school for a medicine interview.</p>

<p>If you are suggesting going overschool to receive a degree in areas such as biomedicine or neuroscience and then come back, I was actually suggested to do that by someone instead of going overbroad for the full medical program. The issue comes to the idea of where you would like to live later and how long would you like to spend over there. That goes on a different path of discussion.</p>

<p>I don't think that you would technically have any trouble getting into medical school here in the states, but I do think it might be a little harder, but nothing that should be noticeable. But, again, I am not sure and you should check on that.</p>

<p>I am actually interested in the same idea. However, I still have to decide whether or not I want a degree in biomedicine or one in medicine or which one I would prefer. </p>

<p>For more, information, go to UCAS</a> Home Page. The website is a great tool. It lists all the unis and the courses and good information. Plus, there are links to the websites. Try to find information on the websites, because that would be important. </p>

<p>You probably know, but college in the UK is completely in some ways. There is a different atmosphere and culture (of course, lol). But, it is very noticeable. </p>

<p>I heard that some people explain the differences a little like this or somehow (please correct if I am wrong).
1. In the UK, you are expected to act more maturely at college and more adultish than usually in the US.<br>
2. Alcohol has a different part in the college scene. There are not keg parties or frat parties. Kids are not as likely to go and get totally drunk everynight or have outrageous parties. I kindof took it in as in the US, we go out for coffee, etc. They go out for a drink.
3. Less school spirit in some ways. You don't have the insane cheerlearder/football scene or homecoming, etc.
4. A lot of people live off campus in 2nd year or earlier.<br>
5. You don't have to take a variety of courses. You have a more limited study area.</p>

<p>Hope that helped....</p>

<p>hey twirlonwater, are you going to apply for a 6 year program in medicine in the UK (i've noticed some of your other posts)?</p>

<p>I have completely decided whether or not to apply for a 6 year medicine program and a 3/4 program in biomedicine, so I could come back for the states. I am really interested though in studying abroad for undergraduate and/or the medicine degree. Right now, though, I am really interested in the medicine course at Bristol University.</p>

<p>Do you have a list of those dual programs? I was looking at that site you gave me and it's so confusing...it doesn't tell you anything directly but I'm gonna play around with it somemore later.</p>

<p>Okay, do you mean by dual programs, the medicine course where you receive an undergraduate degree and then the medical degree? Well, all medicine courses will give you a medical degree in the end. It is like applying to medical school right after high school, longer to include undergraduate information. Also, in the UK, most applicants take A levels in science courses that pertain to the course. Therefore, they also can reduce the time. A levels are almost like our AP tests. So, a school might require an A grade in A-level chemistry, which is like requiring you to take ap chem. Most medicine programs are the "dual programs," but just check to see what degree they give also. Some even allow you to choose your undergrad degree and it doesnt even have to be science</p>

<p>To my knowlede, the cambridge program goes like this:
1&2 years: medicine in the classroom, no clinical
3: your personal undergraduate degree
4-6: clinical</p>

<p>Again, I might be incorrect. Also, many unis have different medical course outlines. Some start clinical right off. Oxbridge does not. If you are seriously considering either taking the medicine course or going there, here are some things I would consider or to look at?</p>

<ol>
<li><p>AP Scores: For medicine course, you will need ap chemistry. Additionally, it is strongly recommended that you also have ap biology. Most UK applicants have three or four a-levels. Therefore, you will AT LEAST need three or four ap scores. Subjects that would be good are chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, etc. You will need high scores additionally. A 5 is considered to be an A in a-levels by the tariff points given by ucas. </p></li>
<li><p>Academics vs. Extracurralers: In the US, colleges love the nice blend of extracurriculars and sports and acting and drama and MUN and everything else under the sun. However, in the UK, that is not as important. The main thing is academics and a-levels. Also, work experience in our field, espeically medicine, is cruical. Extracurriculars really are tell the tutors (or admissions people) that you have good time mangement.</p></li>
<li><p>If you are considering Oxbridge (oxford and cambridge) for medicine, you will be required for an interview if asked for one. Interviews are required.</p></li>
<li><p>Additionally, for oxbridge and almost every medicine course, they require an entrance exam. Oxbridge and Imperial and UCL require the BMAT admissions test. Other schools require the UKCAT. You can search for the sites that give more information on them. They have to be taken on a certain day in October the year you are applying in.</p></li>
<li><p>If you are applying next year, just make sure you use dates correctly. They have earling for medicine and especially for oxbridge.</p></li>
<li><p>If you are applying for oxbridge, in addition to using UCAS (which is similar to almost the common app), you have to send in an additional form to them, basically just restating some of the information. This is because they receive so many applicants that they cant get the information early enough from ucas for the interviews.</p></li>
<li><p>britishcouncil.org is a good site for finding more information about living abroad and going to school in england.</p></li>
<li><p>If you find the schools that interest you, go to there websites and check the admissions requirements for internationals.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Just to let you know, I have not yet applied to school in England. I am only a junior currently. I found out all this information by just researching and looking. There is tons of information out there if I don't seem to answer any of your questions fully enough. Additionally, feel free to ask me any questions if you would like. However like I said, I am neither british nor experienced in applying to schools.</p>

<p>Hope that helps clears things up a bit!!</p>

<p>Haha yeah I'm in the same boat as you but thank you so much! You've helped me alot....</p>

<p>Does Bristol require the BMAT?? I've heard this test was near impossible...
thanks for all the info!</p>

<p>Bristol and Brimmingham (sp) does NOT require ANY admissions test as of now. That has a good and bad effect. If you have outstanding AP test scores and have a lot of them, then that is good. However, if you do not even if your school did not offer them, the test would help. </p>

<p>About the test. My impression is that both tests are challenging to say the least. The sections on the tests are a little different though. At one time, the BMAT would thought to be a lot harder. However, now, that gap is a lot smaller. </p>

<p>The UKCAt and the BMAT both ask anaylsis, science, etc. questions. However, the UKCAT asks moral questions that look at your character and the ability to be a doctor. It is actually very interesting! They ask about views on friends cheating, etc. UKCAT is offered in most US cities. However, the BMAT is offered in I think only three cities in the US. So, it is a lot harder to find a testing site.</p>

<p>The schools that require BMAT: Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL
All the others require the UKCAT including Edinburg, Cardiff, etc.</p>

<p>Probably the biggest thing is to find what schools you want to apply to and then worry about the tests. If you were only going to apply to Bristol and Cambridge, you would need 1 test. However, depending on your schools, you could take 2. </p>

<p>Just FYI if you are talking the BMAT later. In England, there A-level of Chemistry involves more organic chemistry than our ap chemistry does. I have not taken the test, but it would be good to understand that.</p>

<p>Additionally, british universities care a lot about your passion for medicine. Passion is huge. If you end up applying, make sure you show that. Because, you will be studying that course for x number of years. Additionally, like you probably know, oxbridge is incredibly work-heavy. You usually have class the majority of the day. Additionally, oxford is composed of 3 8 week trimesters. Those are very daunting sessions.</p>

<p>If you have any other questions, just let me know, and I will try to answer them to the best of my ability. You are quite welcome. I am happy to know there are some other people who are really interested in studying in the Uk for medicine!</p>

<p>How do my posts get so long? lol. They always seem so short!</p>

<p>^^ haha... it's all good, useful info though</p>

<p>i'll definitely check out bristol's program.
The thing is, I really want to live in the UK (and preferably be a doctor) but I know how hard it is to get in from high school. I've been looking into graduate programs as well, checking to see if they accept US students with an undergrad degree. I might try for Bristol though, since you don't have to take the BMAT (esp. if it's only offered in 3 cities!!!!). I'm also looking into studying in the UK for something like biochemistry because it's easier to get in. It's really cool that there are other people interested in this too!
Do you mind telling me what AP exams you're taking? My school doesn't offer many so I've already been self-studying a few.
Also, have you heard of study across the pond? I signed up for some info and someone emailed me, giving me some details on certain universities. They seem really willing to help during the application process. Even though they only offer assistance for select universities, it's worth checking out because Bristol is one of the few.</p>

<p>Well AP exams are what you take when you take an AP couse (college course). At the end of the year in May, you take this exam and it's scored from 1-5, 5 being the highest. Most of the well know LAC's and ivies require a 4 or a 5 but a 3 is basically passing and most colleges will except it. Do you go to school in the Unites States cause I would assume most schools have AP classes or IB classes...</p>

<p>My thing is that the culture fascinates me, and I want to spend some years working there. I need a break. I really want to explore the world, and you can't do that by just traveling. After I go there for x number of years, I might just want to live there, etc., especially if you find someone special during your college years there. Yes, it is so hard for americans and no-uk students to get into med programs. dont k why...</p>

<p>Study across the pond is FANTASTIC!!! I would suggest using their service. Yes, they only offer a small number of unis, but the information is important for alll colleges there. They will help you set up a timeline and also even help you schedule a visit there if needed. Amazing people. Also, you might realize that you like some of the schools listed. When I first went there, I was a little opposed to all schools besides Imperial and Oxbridge. but, then i realized what the equivalents of like bristol and etc. would be in our country and they soon become more promising...</p>

<p>Haha, I think that we have like the exactly same ideas, lol. Yes, I am thinking about biomedical science as a possible course. At Bristol, I am also fond of their neuroscience course, because that would have been my major at JHU. Just look around for courses that interest you. Also, the course at Imperial is biomedicine is suspose to be fantastic. But, it has to do what u want ur degree to be in. Most all sciencey/biology/chemy would qualify later for med school.</p>

<p>Bristol is absolutely gorgeous. It is on the water and is a medium sized city. About twenty minutes away is Bath, which is wonderful. I have a friend that lives there and says its breath-taking.</p>

<p>The only thing is that they might make you take it for next year. However, if they did, it would probably be the UKCAT, which is offered in most cities. You might find this informative: Bristol</a> University - USA. It gives the requirements for US citizens.</p>

<p>By graduation, I will have: Calc. AB, Calc. BC, Apush, Chem, Bio, Stats, Gov, Econ, Environmental Science, English Composition, English Literature, Latin. Plus 2 college classes at U of Pitt: Calc 3 and Brain and Behavior.</p>

<p>WOW! I'll have AP World, Psych, apush, gov, lang,ab calc, chem, bio.... I'm afraid I won't get excepted because my GPA isn't flying off the charts or anything, very average....I have aloooooot of great EC but GPA is hurting me.... must raise it by senior year!</p>

<p>In regards for British schools, you are perfect on APs. You have two sciences and a math, which is good for "prem-medicine" degrees. In England, they don't have GPA. It is very confusing. But, they don't. So, that wont be as instrumental in the deicision. However, also, EC for schools in England are not very important. I was very disappointed when I heard that. The only thing they do is tell them that you have time-mangement. Yet, work experience is really important!</p>

<p>You do London A/L and then you can apply to these universities. Most of the countries outside US/Canada do not require you to have a bachelors degree prior to admission into medical school. In most of the countries, you get to the medical school straight after high school. But, under the british system, you do only 3-4 subjects in grade 11 and 12. If you are in biology track (which entitles you to apply for medicine) you would be doing Botany, Zoology, Chemistry and Physics. No humanties, history, language arts etc. Correct me if I am wrong.</p>

<p>yep, you are correct. British students take 3-4 subjects during a-levels. But, even if you want to do medicine, you don't half to take all of those subjects.</p>

<p>soak up the sun: Yes, I go to school in the US and I know what AP classes are... I go to a pretty small private school and it only offers AP Lang junior year. For senior year, it offers more AP classes, like AP Calc, AP Lit, AP Spanish, etc. I got the idea of self-studying APs off of this site. </p>

<p>Does anyone know whether AP classes taken senior year "count" when applying to British universities?</p>

<p>Twirlonwater: Yeah, the culture is amazing. I could write pages on why I love British culture- their humor, wit, great music.....
I really wish it was a little easier to go to med school there. On the other hand, I think biomedical science is really fascinating. I'm honestly torn between what I'm going to do. It's really really funny that you mentioned JHU because I wanted to go there too!</p>

<p>About study across the pond- I've already started corresponding with someone from the site, they are really helpful!! Oxford is my DREAM, but other universities look amazing too. Just curious, what is the US equivalent of Bristol? I've looked at some pictures- it looks beautiful.</p>

<p>Thanks for more information, it's really helping!</p>

<p>Your question to whether or not AP classes taken your senior year kindof makes me laugh. The reason is because the answer is kindof confusing. It has to due with the british education system, why the answer is yes and no.</p>

<p>In Britain, they end compulsary school after our grade 10 or at age 16. The next two years are optional- called A-levels. At the end of grade 10, they take GSCEs in like 10 subjects like normal school. Grade 11, they take AS-levels and get grades on that. The ones that count the biggest are A2 grades or A-level grades, which they take in the end of their senior year. What happens is that unis look at their gsce and as grades, but they are NOT that important as A-levels. Yes and no. What they do is they predict what grades they will get on their A-level grades. So, they might guess they will get all A's. It would be like in the US, if we went to apply to college, and we predicted our AP test scores taken in May,</p>

<p>Now, here comes to the confusinger part. colleges will make you an offer that will either be conditional, unconditional, or a rejection in like the december ish months. Unconditional doesnt' matter what you get. However, that is rare. Most unis say we will let you come here if you get AAA or AAB on your a-levels. So, they have to get that to attend the school. However, in America, it depends on how many APs you have and when. They might make you a conditional offer, saying if you get an 4 or 5 on an AP, you can come, etc. So, yes it does count. Also, you will be able to predict your grades, so it is up to you, in some aspects.</p>

<p>If that doesn't make sense, let me know. I have an unfar advantage. I lived with 2 people from Britain over the summer and got this expplained to me.</p>

<p>Living with the two people was amazing. The humor was great. Great, great greeat!! And one of them lives in Bath, which is very close to Bristol.</p>

<p>Cambridge is my dream. I want to go there so badly. It is just sooo hard to get in, especially being an international. but, i think i might apply anyway... why not try and get a rejection and hppe for an acceptance. Oxbridge requires over a 700 in each section of the SATs, if you were wondering.</p>

<p>I am also torn. It is such a difficult decision. I really like the biomedical course offered at Imperial. But, I don't know how much I would like living in London. Cambridge and Bristol are my favorites. But, if I get into medicine at Imperial, I would go...haha</p>

<p>Haha, that is funny! My top American schools are Dartmouth, JHU, and Rochester. But, I really want to live and study in England.</p>

<p>Yes, Hannah is wonderful (if you got her). She helps you so much. </p>

<p>Okay...
Oxford and Cambridge- Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc.
Bristol and Bath- Lower Ivies, Dartmouth, Cornell, etc.
Lancaster, Aberdeen, Essex, East Anglia- just below Ivy leave (so like CMU, Rochester, Duke, etc.)</p>

<p>Imperial is probably between hig ivies for medicine. Depending on your course (our major) it depends. But, in England, all schools are hard for medicine. But, you could probably find a school for medicine if you applied to lower level schools. The only bad thing is that Oxbridge really does not have any other medical degrees or such like besides medicine.</p>

<p>Hope that helps...</p>

<p>This is a good thread.... so what are some good undergrad programs for optometry, anestheology, and cardiology. Maybe just biology and/or chemistry. I've never heard of self-studying AP's but how's it going for you( if you're doing it)</p>