Additional Academic Opportunities

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The Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC) provides an array of services to help members of the University of Virginia community attain the level of linguistic and cultural proficiency needed for success at a research university in the United States:

• An intensive English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program beginning in July each year. The EAP program is for entering students and research associates.
• A two-part undergraduate sequence of ENWR courses designed to fulfill the College of Arts & Sciences’ First Writing Requirement. 
• An add-on certificate available to current undergraduate and graduate students for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). 

CAELC endorses the NAFSA Principles of International Educational Exchange and the TESOL Standards for Post Secondary Programs. Information on testing, classes, and other services is available at caelc.virginia.edu. 

Education Abroad plays an important role in advancing the University of Virginia’s pedagogic mission, enriching students both academically and personally, and is crucial in preparing students for the challenges of the global world. This unique learning experience combines intellectual pursuits with firsthand exposure to different peoples, cultures, and values. It provides students with an opportunity to gain an international perspective on their chosen academic field or career path as they learn and practice important life skills - critical thinking, creativity, independence, maturity, flexibility, resilience, and the ability to interact and communicate across differences.

Education Abroad is part of the International Studies Office, a division of UVA Global.

All UVA students traveling internationally for University-related purposes including, but not limited to, study and research will apply through or register with the ISO per the University Policy on Student International Travel.

Eligibility: To be eligible, prospective participants must be matriculated, degree-seeking UVA students enrolled full-time, have completed at least one semester at UVA (with the exception of students admitted to a first-year UVA Global First program), have a minimum GPA of 2.50, and be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Some programs, and/or a student’s school of enrollment, may have additional eligibility requirements.

Education Abroad Advising: The key to a successful Education Abroad experience lies in early and thoughtful planning. Students interested in studying abroad can view the Education Abroad Workshop and meet with an Education Abroad Advisor. Advisors can help students evaluate program options, answer specific questions, and guide them throughout the process of applying and preparing to study abroad.

Academics: Academic inquiry is the foundation of education abroad, and program offerings reflect UVA’s diverse disciplines. Major-specific information is available for many departments and schools. Created in collaboration between the ISO and academic departments, these resources offer major-specific planning information and identify programs with strong curricular matches.

Learning Opportunities: Education abroad programs include a variety of academic environments and may be comprised of classroom-based instruction, internships, practicum, research, and/or field work. Learning opportunities stretch beyond academics as students navigate differences in communication, values, attitudes, and basic daily habits, thus making access to and integration with local communities a vital component of the education abroad experience. A program’s academic setting, choice of accommodation, and co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities contribute to students’ level of immersion.

Finances: UVA is committed to making education abroad affordable and accessible. Students receiving financial aid can, especially for semester/year study, often apply that funding towards their education abroad program expenses. Additional funding is available through education abroad scholarships administered through the ISO, individual schools, and other university offices, as well as national and program-specific sources.

Preparation: Engaging with cultures, languages, people, education systems, and other aspects of daily life that differ from one’s previous experience offers challenges and opportunities. The ISO provides preparation and support for both logistical needs and cultural transitions through advising, program-specific resources, orientations, and online modules.

Health and Safety: The University of Virginia and the ISO carefully consider health and safety as a condition of program planning and administration and as an integral part of Pre-Departure Orientation and student preparation. The University monitors health, safety, and security conditions where our students travel. UVA policy limits student travel to and through areas of the world with heightened health or safety risks unless granted an exemption (see the University Policy on Student International Travel). The ISO provides information and resources in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Students and the Elson Student Health Center to support students’ best possible health, safety, and security while abroad. The ISO maintains a Crisis Management Plan for Education Abroad, which is followed in the event of a crisis outside the U.S. involving students who are abroad for university related purposes.

More information about education abroad is available at https://educationabroad.virginia.edu. International Studies Office, 208 Minor Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, (434) 982-3010, studyabroad@virginia.edu.

January Term offers UVA students a range of unique opportunities: new courses that address timely topics, undergraduate research seminars, education abroad programs, and increased student-faculty contact, thanks to intensive formats and small class size. Students who enroll in January Term courses have access to a variety of student services and extracurricular activities. The list of January Term courses can be viewed at http://januaryterm.virginia.edu.

Students who register for a January Term course pay by the credit; financial aid is available for eligible undergraduate students. For more information, visit http://januaryterm.virginia.edu or contact Summer and Special Academic Programs, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400161, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4161; (434) 924-3371; januaryterm@virginia.edu. 

• Fulbright US Student Award
• Goldwater Scholarship
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
• Rhodes Scholarship
• Truman Scholarship.

Each summer, the University of Virginia offers a rich selection of programs and courses to over four-thousand students through its Summer Session. Many of these programs and courses are not available during the academic year, including the University’s well-known Summer Language Institute (SLI). UVA students commonly enroll in the Summer Session to fulfill degree requirements, double major, improve their GPA, shorten time to their degree, or explore new interests. Summer Session students have access to an array of support services and extra-curricular activities during their studies. The list of Summer Session 2016 courses can be viewed at http://summer.virginia.edu.

UVA students enrolled in the 2016 spring semester and not graduating at the end of that semester may register for Summer Session courses on-line. UVA students who graduate in May, 2016 must first complete the Summer Session application for visiting students. (Note: Any individual who wishes to enroll in the Summer Language Institute must complete the SLI application process).

The Summer Session welcomes visiting students. The majority of these individuals are enrolled at another college or university and come to UVA to complete courses not offered at their home institution. Visiting students must apply for admission to the Summer Session. Rising high school juniors and seniors with distinguished academic records may also apply for admission to the Summer Session. Admission to the Summer Session does not constitute admission to the University of Virginia. Comprehensive information on the University of Virginia’s Summer Session and application materials are available at http://summer.virginia.edu. For more information contact the Office of the Summer and Special Academic Programs, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400161, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4161; (434) 924-3371; summer@virginia.edu.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) The Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC) offers an intensive language and culture program through the Summer Language Institute. EAP program is designed for non-native speakers of English who have been admitted to an undergraduate or graduate degree program at the University of Virginia. Incoming UVA research associates and visiting scholars are also welcome to apply for admission to the program. Participants fine-tune the language skills required for success in U.S. higher education through classes in academic writing, academic reading and vocabulary development, listening comprehension and note-taking, classroom discussion strategies, and presentation skills. A pronunciation assessment is conducted with follow-up work assigned as needed.

The program includes a series of workshops that provides a general introduction to U.S. higher education. Workshop topics include library and research skills, academic culture, student-faculty relationships, cross-cultural awareness, and student services. Cultural proficiency is developed through a combination of workshops and activities. Activities include social gatherings, sporting events, field trips, and frequent meetings with conversation partners. A minimum TOEFL score of 79-80 (iBT) is recommended. An overall band score of 6.0 is recommended for individuals who take the IELTS.

For further information, contact CAELC, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400161, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4161; (434) 924-3371; caelc@virginia.edu; http://caelc.virginia.edu.

The Summer Language Institute (SLI) offers eight-week programs in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Latin, Russian, Spanish, and Tibetan. Students attend classes five days a week, six hours a day. Communication skills are developed in a student-centered environment. Participation in evening cultural activities is required five days/week. Individuals who successfully complete the Institute programs in French, German, Latin, Russian, Spanish, and Tibetan earn 12 credits, which satisfies the foreign language requirement at the University of Virginia. Participants in the SLI Arabic program earn 11 credits and those in the SLI Chinese program earn 8 credits.

Information and application materials are available at http://sli.virginia.edu. For further information, contact the Summer Language Institute, Office of Summer and Special Academic Programs, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400161, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4161; (434) 924-6552; uvasli@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia attracts an academically accomplished student body. On average 90% of first-time first-year (FTFY) students graduate in the top tenth of their high school class and many FTFY students enter with a significant number of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits. The University has been a leader in creating accelerated programs to help students take advantage of a strong liberal arts education and pursue their professional goals. For instance, the Curry School of Education’s five-year B.A./M.T. program has been cited as a national model. Similarly the Batten School’s accelerated Bachelor/Master of Public Policy program allows students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a M.P.P. in five years. The innovative one-year Master of Science in Commerce degree gives recent liberal arts, science, and engineering graduates fundamental business skills to succeed in the global business environment.

In recent years an increasing number of undergraduate students have used their advanced standing to accelerate their studies and graduate in three years. For students who enter with advanced standing, UVA offers an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in four years. This accelerated degree option – the “Three Plus One” (3+1) –  reduces the time it would normally take a student to graduate with both degrees by a year or more. .Students seeking  a 3+1 option will complete their bachelor’s degree in three years and then enter a one-year master’s degree program. In some cases students may begin taking master’s level courses while completing their bachelor’s degree. AP, IB, or other advanced credit is often used toward completing the Bachelor’s degree early. Students may also fulfill degree requirements early through J-term and summer school courses.

The 3+1 option is intended for students with strong undergraduate records for whom a master’s degree may be preparation for career goals, wish to accelerate their studies, or desire additional preparation before pursuing a professional degree.. Interested students should have a clear idea of their goals and enter UVA with a substantial amount of advanced credit (minimum of 15 credits). Students are encouraged to plan their course of studies early and meet with an undergraduate advisor to create a plan to graduate in three years. The method of entry into a student’s desired choice of a master’s program varies by program and students should meet with a representative from their intended graduate program in their first year at UVA to determine the admissions process.

Currently several programs exist in which students have completed the 3+1 option. These programs are listed on the 3+1 website: http://www.virginia.edu/provost/3+1/programs.html. This list, however, is not meant to be comprehensive. You may inquire about this option in any field of study, but for some degrees the 3+1 option may not be possible.

The UVA Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program is designed for individuals with exceptional academic records who have not fulfilled their pre-medical prerequisites as an undergraduate and seek the science coursework which will enable them to apply to medical school. This full-time, twelve-month program’s focus is the education and immersion of students in the pre-medical science curriculum and the medical field through volunteering and shadowing opportunities. The Program includes MCAT preparation materials and support and individual guidance throughout the medical school application process. The Post-Bac Pre-Med Program is not designed to help students strengthen an otherwise weak academic record or to repeat pre-medical science course requirements. For more information visit the program online at www.scps.virginia.edu.

Admissions

College graduates from an accredited college or university who seek the requisite science courses for medical school admission may apply. Program admission is highly selective and competitive. Exceptional academic grades and letters of recommendation, along with strong commitment to and motivation for medicine are characteristic of program students. In addition, the admissions committee will give preference to applicants with work experience and/or relevant volunteer experience in a clinical setting. Acceptance into the program is on a rolling basis so it is recommended to apply early.

Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission, applicants must complete and submit an online PostBacCAS application which includes the following:

• At least one letter of recommendation (Preferably a faculty reference highlighting the applicant’s academic abilities.)

• Transcripts from all previously attended colleges and/or universities, demonstrating excellent academic performance

• A current resume reflecting education as well as work and volunteer experiences

• Application for Virginia In-State Education Privileges, if seeking in-state tuition eligibility

• Standardized ACT or SAT scores previously submitted to your undergraduate institution; GRE scores may be substituted

Applications for admission will be accepted annually beginning August 1. The application deadline is February 15. Review of completed applications begins in September and acceptances are issued on a rolling basis. Early application is strongly encouraged. The student cohort size is approximately 30 students.

Curriculum

The program curriculum engages students in the pre-requisite science education necessary to apply to medical school as well as to prepare students to sit for the MCAT examination. The program is completed in one year of study, beginning with the summer session, followed by courses in the fall and spring semesters. Opportunities for engaging in volunteer experiences are also built into the program.

The core Post-Bac Pre-Med curriculum includes an established series of science courses and labs that are required for application to medical school. This includes two semesters each of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics courses, along with associated labs. A biochemistry course is offered in the spring semester. Additionally, Post-Bac Pre-Med students take a course on the U.S. Health Care System, taught by the medical director of the program.