MySLC

Students should consult with the course instructor about whether or not they should forfeit their AP and IB credits or use these credits towards satisfying the pre-requisites for health professional programs. Most medical schools will accept AP credits in fulfillment of prerequisites, with the following restrictions:

• Sarah Lawrence College needs to have accepted the courses as credit toward your degree and it appears on your transcript
• In most cases, you enroll in advanced level courses with labs in those disciplines
• Sarah Lawrence faculty reserve the right to require that you take the introductory course at SLC, if they have reason to think that you aren't fully prepared to go on to the next level in the discipline. High school biology or chemistry, even AP courses, may not give you a strong enough foundation, especially if more than one year has passed

AP Physics is usually accepted without taking any further classes.

Students with AP or IB credit for mathematics do not need to forfeit these credits and can count these credits towards the pre-requisites for health professional programs. However, we believe it's best to enroll in at least one semester of math in college, preferably statistics.

SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS THIRD PROGRAM

Disclaimer: If you are considering this option, you are strongly encouraged to discuss your plan with Dean Melinda Perlo Cohen. Based on the current 18 credit, 4 course limit, we no longer advise students to third their science/math courses but rather take these courses for 3 or 5 credits each.

• What is the Science and Mathematics Third program?  

           Qualifying students can take two contemporaneous mathematics and science courses to comprise one third of their academic program for a semester or academic year without incurring an additional  tuition charge. The student is expected to have regularly scheduled conference meetings with at least one of the instructors.

• For whom is the Science and Mathematics Third intended? Who qualifies to register for the Third?

             The third program is intended for students with a primary interest in the natural sciences and/or mathematics who have a strong background in the subject(s) involved. One purpose of the third program is to help students meet the challenges inherent to the hierarchical nature of science and mathematics study in which advanced courses often have one or more prerequisite topics. Students who take two elementary- or intermediate-level third components can more quickly qualify for advanced study. Students already at the advanced level can enroll in two advanced courses simultaneously. First-year students in their first semester of study at Sarah Lawrence are not eligible.

• What courses are available as a third component?

             Conceivably any course (seminar or lecture) can be taken as a science and mathematics third component. Students can take two components in the same discipline or in different disciplines. Students can take two components at the same level (elementary, intermediate, or advanced)  or at different  levels assuming the student  qualifies for both courses. However, because of the time demands of lab courses, the division discourages  student  from  enrolling in a third program involving two lab-based science seminars. Students interested in a year-long third program may combine a year-long component with two semester-long seminar components (one in the Fall and one in the Spring).

• How do I interview and register for third components?

           A student interested in enrolling for two courses as a third should interview both faculty members involved. The student should declare his or her interest in taking the course as part of a third program during the registration interview. To register for a science and mathematics third,the student must fill out a special registration form (available at the Registrar's Office) and have it signed by both faculty members involved and by the Chair of the Science and Mathematics Division. Forms are to be returned to the Registrar's Office by the regular registration deadline.

• How am I evaluated in my third components? How will my transcript reflect my work?

               Students will receive a separate evaluation and grade for each of the two third component courses and will earn a combined total of 5 credits per semester for the third. The names of both courses will be listed on the student's transcript.

There are many possible routes to medical school.

    Before you consider the possibilities, you need to know that the application cycle is about 18 months long! Yes, over a year! ! You apply in June or July a full year before the summer/fall in which you matriculate into medical school. 

    If you want to enter medical school the summer after you graduate - THE DIRECT ROUTE - you would need to apply at the end of junior year. The only reason to mention it now is that it affects the timing of your courses.  You need to take at least all the courses that will be on the MCAT and then take the MCAT no later than early summer after junior year. The DIRECT ROUTE is sometimes called the TRADITIONAL ROUTE, because it used to be true that almost everyone followed this path.  Not any more...

    How things have changed! In recent years, more students are applying at the end of senior year - THE SANE ROUTE - giving themselves one year "off" between college and medical school. Doing that means that you have senior year to finish all the prereqs. You take the MCAT and apply at the end of senior year. Then during that gap year, when you are going through the application process, you do something fun, interesting, challenging.

    Medical schools are happy to see applicants who have followed this route, because it helps you become a more mature applicant. As a result, you are very likely to be more successful when you do apply to medical school. At many, many medical schools, well over 50% of the class followed either this path or the NON-TRADITIONAL ROUTE mentioned below.

    Applicants like the SANE ROUTE because (a) they have more time to meet the premed requirements and still enjoy college and (b) they have a chance to do something in the gap year that they may never get to do otherwise.  And medical students are happy that they didn't take the direct route because they enter medical school with renewed enthusiasm for academic pursuits.  You are a stronger applicant and a stronger medical student for having taken the extra year.  It's a real Win-Win scenario.

    And some students wait even longer, one, two, or more years after graduation before they apply.  You can still finish all your prereqs as an undergrad or you can finish taking the required courses after you graduate.  This would be the NON-TRADITIONAL ROUTE.

    What you'll see on the next few pages are some possible ways to navigate the DIRECT ROUTE and the SANE ROUTE . There is a little flexibility, but not much, in the DIRECT ROUTE. The SANE ROUTE gives you more room to fit in everything you want to do.

For sample four-year course plans, click here.