Pre-Med and Pre-Health

This page covers:

The Importance of Planning Ahead

Studying abroad can provide an enriching dimension to your preparation for graduate school admission in the health profession fields. However, working a study abroad experience into a pre-med/pre-health undergraduate program requires early, careful planning and should only be undertaken with guidance from your school adviser, who is familiar with your pre-med/pre-health requirements. In some cases, it also will behoove you to speak directly with admissions officers at the graduate schools your are considering to determine how the proposed study abroad experience will be viewed relative to that school's requirements and selection criteria.

You can access information about requirements for medical school and an overview of admissions procedures and timetables at the University Academic Advising Center health web page. To set up an appointment, contact the University Academic Advising Center at premed-prehealth@northwestern.edu.

Study Abroad Options for Pre-Med and Pre-Health Students

  1. Programs focusing on health-related studies allow students to examine public health or related fields while also taking courses in area studies and, when applicable, language. They often offer a range of valuable clinical/field study opportunities that allow students to observe firsthand the day-to-day roles and lifestyles of care-givers in different cultural settings.
  2. Pre-med programs offer pre-med courses coupled with practicum opportunities in the medical field.
  3. General study abroad programs offer students an opportunity to pursue other, non-medical related interests. A complete list of Northwestern affiliated programs can be viewed here.

Northwestern encourages pre-med and pre-health students to explore programs that interest them, whether or not the programs are related to health studies. Students should not choose a program just because they think it will help them get into graduate school. Graduate school admissions officers in the health professions fields are looking for well-rounded individuals who bring with them a diverse, challenging and enriching resume of undergraduate experiences.

Pre-Med and Pre-Health Programs

Note:

  • Study Abroad programs and Northwestern may have specific prerequisites, including language prerequisites, for admission. Click on the program name, below, to view prerequisites and other details.
  • Northwestern has a number of requirements that students must adhere to while they are abroad. View these requirements.

Health-Related Programs

Program Location Coursework Terms
Public Health in Europe: Policies and Institutions
 Paris, France
  • Includes set curriculum of courses: French language training, public health seminars, supervised research in a selected public health topic, and France's role in the European Union.
  • Qualified students may combine pure research at the Institut Curie with selected course-work.
  • There are excursions to the WHO (Geneva), Rennes, EU sites, hospitals and health agencies.
  • Cultural and historic field trips in and around Paris are also offered.
 Fall Semester
Public Health in South Africa Stellenbosch (outside Cape Town), South Africa
  • Includes a set curriculum of courses: an introduction to public health in South Africa, a focused investigation of HIV/AIDS, the political economy of the new republic, and Cape-area culture and linguistic heritage.
  • There are excursions to health-related sites including local clinics and townships, and Field trips to Cape Town, Robben Island, the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, and other places of historical and ecological interest.
Spring Quarter
Public Health in China Beijing, China
  • A set curriculum of program courses (taught in English) includes intensive Chinese language training, and seminars in public health and traditional Chinese medicine.
  • There are excursions to course-related sites, including government and health-related institutions. Field trips to cultural sites, such as the Great Wall, the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City also included.
 Summer
Science/
Engineering Research in China		 Beijing, China
  • There are research placements in labs at leading Chinese university for science and engineering combined with intensive Chinese language training. Some English-language labs are available.
  • There are 12 engineering departments plus research institutes.
  • The School of Science includes math, chemistry, biology & physics.
 Summer
Public Health in Mexico Mexico City, Mexico
  • A set curriculum of courses includes seminars in pressing public health issues, the culture and history of Mexico, plus supervised research and Spanish language training.
  • There are excursions to local hospitals and health-related sites, including a rural clinic. Field trips include Teotiuacan, museums and architectural centers.
  • All non-language courses are taught in English.
 Summer
Internships in Francophone Europe Paris, France
  • Students perform internships chosen from a wide range of fields, including medicine, public health, and social medicine.
  • For students will strong French language skills. The internship culminates in a long research paper in French.
  • Courses include a five-week introductory course on French social issues and an ongoing course on France and the European Union. All classes are small and taught in French only for students on the program.

Fall Semester, Winter-Spring Quarters.

Students can combine fall semester on this program with spring semester at Sciences Po. This is called the French Field Study Program.

Danish Institute for Study Abroad Copenhagen Denmark
  • This program features various academic tracks, including Molecular Biology and Genetics and Medical Practice and Policy. All students also take some courses in Humanities and Social Sciences.
  • It emphasizes hands-on learning. Field studies and internships are available in hospitals and other locations, and courses utilize various hospitals and laboratories in Copenhagen. Study tours combine academic and cultural exploration at marine research facilities, medical facilities, and other institutions not accessible to the public.
 Fall Semester, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year


Pre-Med Programs

Program Location Coursework Terms
King's College, University of London
 Paris, France
  • This program includes individualized teaching and advising, a clinical attachment, and for full year students, a clinical research project within the Department of General Practice and Primary Care.
  • It is designed for North American study abroad students who have already completed most of their pre-med requirements.
  • The opportunity for high-level research and academic work makes this a strong program for students interested in research or MD/PhD programs.
 Fall Semester, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year


Taking the MCAT Abroad

The MCAT is offered at 13 sites outside the United States:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • England
  • France
  • Germany
  • Guam
  • India
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Lebanon
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Puerto Rico
  • The Virgin Islands.

Test dates are in April and August, with registration deadlines about one month prior to the test date. For information and registration materials, see the MCAT web page on the AAMC web site.

Minoring in Global Health

 Northwestern's Global Health Minor integrates an international dimension into health-related fields of study, and is particularly targeted at pre-medical students interested in studying abroad. The Global Health Minor is open to students in any discipline or school.

The Global Health Minor offers an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to the study of public health issues, combining on-campus course work with hands-on experience abroad and individualized research. It is designed to examine the medical, cultural and legal structures that shape health conditions and policy responses abroad, the international environment that spreads the impact of these problems the world over, and the emerging international regimes that address these new global realities.

Students may study abroad on Northwestern-designed programs in Mexico, China, South Africa, and France, as well as other director-approved sites. The program provides students and future practitioners with the necessary skills to understand international health issues, learn about domestic and international approaches to international crisis management, and, ultimately, deal more effectively with the diverse population in the U.S.

For more information, review the Global Health Minor web site or e-mail globalhealth@northwestern.edu. You can also contact the Northwestern Study Abroad Office at 847-467-6400 or studyabroad@northwestern.edu.