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Studying abroad can provide an enriching dimension to students’ preparation for health professions graduate school admission. However, it must be emphasized that to work a study abroad experience into a pre-med/pre-health undergraduate program requires careful planning and should only be undertaken with guidance from an adviser within the student's school who is familiar with the student's premed/prehealth requirements, or with advice from a premed/prehealth adviser at the University Academic Advising Center. HPME students should work with their assigned advisers to properly put the pieces in place. Premed/prehealth students interested in studying abroad should mention this to their advisers as early as possible, preferably during freshman year. In some cases, it also will behoove a student to speak directly with admissions officers at the graduate schools to which s/he is considering applying to determine how the proposed study abroad experience will be viewed relative to that school's requirements and selection criteria.

Students can access information about requirements for medical school and an overview of admissions procedures and timetables at the University Academic Advising Center Web site at www.northwestern.edu/advising-center/health.
To set up an appointment, contact the University Academic Advising Center at premed-prehealth@northwestern.edu.

Program Options 
Pre-med/pre-health students have many programs to choose from, including programs that focus on health-related studies, general study abroad programs that do not focus on health studies or pre-med, and specialized pre-medical programs.

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.

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.

Specialized pre-medical programs offer pre-med courses coupled with practicum opportunities in the medical field.

Northwestern encourages premed/prehealth 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. The University Academic Advising Center generally recommends that students use study abroad to round out their curriculum by participating in a general program unrelated to health and medicine, or a health studies program, rather than a specialized premedical program.  That said, for certain students, the specialized programs may be a good option. If you are interested in these programs, please make an appointment to discuss them with a premedical adviser at the University Academic Advising Center by e-mailing premed-prehealth@northwestern.edu.

 Northwestern Study Abroad Requirements:

Northwestern has a number of requirements that students must adhere to while they are abroad, including requirements that are particular to individual programs. To view these requirements, click here.

Programs Focusing on Health-Related Studies

Specialized Pre-Medical Programs

Taking the MCAT Abroad

The MCAT is offered at thirteen sites outside the United States, in Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Guam, India, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Puerto Rico and 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, click here.

This program is designed to integrate an international dimension into health-related fields of study, and is particularly targeted at premedical students interested in studying abroad.  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.  Students may study abroad on Northwestern-designed programs in Mexico, China, South Africa, and France, as well as other director-approved sites. The Minor 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. The mission of the program is to provide 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.  The Global Health Minor is open to students in any discipline or school. For more information, click here or write to globalhealth@northwestern.edu.

For more information, please contact the Northwestern Study Abroad Office: 847-467-6400, studyabroad@northwestern.edu.

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