Advanced Standing for M1

Medical students with advanced standing, i.e., who are exempted from one or more first-year medical school courses, may take one or two SPH courses during their first year of medical school at no additional cost. This program will be available to a maximum of 25 students per year. Students who wish to register for SPH courses via this program must first obtain written signature from the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Registrar on a BUSPH registration form. Courses taken as part of this program will not appear on the student’s Chobanian & Avedisian SOM transcript, but will appear on an official Boston University transcript.

Tuition Policies

Tuition Charges and Grades

Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine students will not be charged additional tuition for BUSPH courses taken as part of this program, provided that the courses are preapproved by the Chobanian & Avedisian SOM Registrar, and provided that the student successfully completes BUSPH coursework with a grade of B- or better. If a student receives a lower grade, the student will be responsible for paying the tuition for the course prior to the next semester of medical school.

Dropped or Incomplete Course

If a student registers for a BUSPH course, but files a “Drop Course” form with the BUSPH Registrar prior to the “Drop without a ‘W’ deadline,” the student will not be charged for the course. However, if a course is dropped after the “Drop without a ‘W’ deadline” or if the student receives a grade of “Incomplete” for the course, the student will be required to pay the tuition prior to the next semester of medical school. (Each semester a specific “drop” deadline is specified approximately 5-6 weeks into the semester.)

Application

M1 students with advanced standing should follow these steps to register for BUSPH courses:

• Download and complete a BUSPH Registration Form and download and print the fall schedule. Alternatively, students may pick up a paper form and hard copy of the schedule from the shelves outside of the BUSPH Registrar’s Office on Talbot 2. Students should be sure to read the packet and understand the policies and class meeting information.
• The Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Registrar (Ellen DiFiore) or a designated staff member will review the form, sign approval on the form, and write “Advanced Standing Chobanian & Avedisian SOM student” across the top of the form.
• The student will bring or fax the form to the BUSPH Registrar’s Office (Talbot 210 Center; 617-638-5060).
• The BUSPH Registrar’s Office will email the student a registration confirmation with a copy to Ellen DiFiore, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Registrar.

Registered students may obtain the classroom locations and class materials list from the SPH website.

Students need to be mindful that if they remain registered in the class after the “drop without a ‘W’ deadline,” they will get a final grade and charges are applied. Non-attendance is not dropping. The drop deadlines for all classes are viewable on the Student Link.