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Maximize Study Abroad as a Premedical Student

By U.S. News & World Report

With the hectic schedule you’ll have as a premedical student — which typically includes rigorous coursework, research and volunteer experiences tightly packed into each college semester — study abroad opportunities may seem impossible.

You may consider study abroad as a break from working toward a strong medical school application and question whether this time away from resume-building is worth it.

[Learn more about applying to medical school.]

But studying abroad doesn’t need to be a pause in your journey to becoming a physician. Depending on how your time abroad is structured, this experience may provide you with opportunities to strengthen your medical school application in different ways.

As you decide whether to study abroad, consider these three questions, which can lead you to strategies for maximizing this experience.

1. When do you prefer to study abroad and what courses could you take abroad vs. in the U.S.? Some American medical schools may expect candidates to complete their premedical prerequisites in the U.S. For this reason, it is generally not wise to register for any core premedical coursework while you are abroad.

You will need to carefully plan your premedical classes around your intended study abroad semester. Ask yourself which courses you would prefer to complete before you go abroad.

Would you prefer to complete a difficult physics class so you don’t have to worry about it while you are out of the country? Are you studying abroad in the fall and missing the first half of a yearlong course sequence, meaning you won’t be able to take any part of that sequence until the following year?

Before you commit to studying abroad, understand which prerequisite classes you need to take first to stay on your intended medical school application timeline.

In addition, ask yourself if there are any courses at the intended study abroad institution that aren’t offered at your college. While these classes may not count toward your core premedical coursework, they can certainly act as indications of your academic interests and abilities when you apply to medical school. For instance, a course in local diseases could demonstrate your passion for public health.

These courses may also satisfy general education requirements for your undergraduate degree, though it is wise to confirm this detail with your adviser prior to registering.

[Discover ways to dive into global health issues during medical school.]

2. Are there medically related opportunities available abroad that you would not have access to in the U.S.? While you may have a wealth of research and volunteer opportunities available at your college or city, the study abroad location may have opportunities that are otherwise unavailable to you.

For example, is there a clinic where you can volunteer abroad? Will there be opportunities to work in a health care system that is structured differently than in the U.S.? Will you be exposed to shadowing opportunities that would bring you into contact with a patient population you would have otherwise never encountered as an undergraduate?

In addition, consider any experiences abroad that would allow you to gain a skill set that you would not be able to gain at home. Can you work as a volunteer medical translator or are there any hands-on clinical skills you can learn while in another country?

Such experiences can provide you with additional material for your medical school applications, and they can equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career as a physician.

[Discover how to be culturally aware as a prospective medical school student.]

3. What are additional benefits to studying abroad? Outside of medically related opportunities, consider other benefits that you might unlock by studying abroad.

For example, you might hone your foreign language skills, which you may need when working with patients in the future. Or you might gain a greater appreciation for the nuances of a specific culture, which would allow you to approach patients of different ethnicities with improved sensitivity when you are a physician.

As you evaluate whether to study abroad, remember that your entire life need not revolve around getting into medical school. Experiences that contribute to your growth as a well-rounded person will also develop you as a future physician.

More from U.S. News

Prep for Medical School Applications as a College Student

Learn the Facts About Medical School Myths

5 Things to Look for in a College as a Premed Student

Maximize Study Abroad as a Premedical Student originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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