Pre-Health Resources

Students

• International Students

  International students have more limited choices when applying to professional schools in the U.S., compared to citizens and permanent residents. That said, international students have completed their academic preparation at FIU and successfully apply to medical, dental and pharmacy schools. Outstanding academic and personal qualifications are essential for success.

  Because schools' admission requirements vary with respect to international students, you should review the online admission statements for the schools to which you plan to apply and speak directly to admissions offices about their own specific qualifications prior to application. In the state of Florida, state university medical schools do not accept international residents.

  • Medical:  The Association of American Medical Colleges offers information for international applicants.
• Post-Baccalaureate Students

  Post-baccalaureate students with a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. university may pursue the requirements for applications to a professional program by attending FIU.  

  Most students choose to apply as second-degree-seeking students, giving them a higher registration priority to enroll in lower-division prerequisite courses. Completing a second degree is also a more substantial record of academic performance, making a stronger case for improvement over grades from an earlier degree.

  Post-baccalaureate students are often making major personal and economic sacrifices to pursue a change of career. You should be aware that professional schools will review their entire academic record and that poor academic performance in the past may influence an admission decision, even if your more recent work is competitive. Your academic performance will need to be highly consistent and exceptional in quality. We recommend taking at least one semester of coursework with a 15- to 18-credit load to demonstrate that you can manage a heavy professional school workload.

  Apply as a second-degree seeking student through FIU Admissions. If you have earned a bachelor's degree and were in good standing at the time you graduated, you should qualify for regular admission.

• Transfer Students

  Many of our successful pre-professional students begin their careers at community or other colleges and universities. We strongly encourage transfer students to consult with us before registering for their first semester at FIU, and to attend an orientation session.

  Visit FIU's Transfer Applicant page for deadlines, transfer credit information and more.

  • Degree-seeking applicants with fewer than 60 semester hours of transfer credits must meet the same requirements as first-year students (freshmen).
  • A maximum of 60 lower division semester hours taken at a two-year or a four-year institution may be counted toward a degree at FIU.
  • A maximum of 30 upper division semester hours taken at a senior institution may be counted toward a degree at FIU.
  • Lower division courses that exceed 60 semester hours may serve to meet specific course requirements for an FIU degree, but credit hours represented by these courses will not reduce the number of credit hours to be completed at FIU.

  
  Credit earned for military education will be transferred and evaluated in accordance with the recommendations of the American Council on Education. Credit earned in an accredited postsecondary institution outside United States will be considered on an individual basis and in consultation with the official evaluation of foreign education.
  

  FIU participates in the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System, and courses taken within the state of Florida at a state university or community college will be accepted as equivalent to our course of the same number. Students who have completed an Associate of Arts degree in Florida should be able to complete an FIU degree program within two years.
  
  For more information, visit FIU Transfer and Transition Services.