COVID-19 Proposed Grade Policy
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Prehealth
Newsletter
March 25, 2020
Welcome!
Dear Readers,
COVID-19 has thrown a fair amount of uncertainty into the current and upcoming application seasons. We will endeavor to keep you updated on changes/updates that might affect your application.
Spring 2020 Grading Scheme Update:
- The policy is still being developed.
- Students may opt to receive quality (letter) grades OR satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades for the Spring 2020 term after seeing their grade for the semester.
- We will continue to keep you updated as more information is shared with us.
What does this mean for me as a pre-health student?
As the Spring 2020 semester progresses with courses being taught remotely, combined with the news that Penn State students will have the option to complete courses Satisfactoy/Unsastisfactory (SA/UN), pre-health students and advisers are wondering what this means for completing pre-health pre-requisite courses. The PSU Pre-health Office is monitoring communications from health professions schools regarding whether SA/UN grades will be accepted in place of letter grades for pre-req courses, and will share relevant updates as they become available. Please keep in mind that the Penn State grade policy has yet to be finalized and may still undergo some changes.
If you are wondering about completing courses as SA/UN, keep this in mind: as a pre-health student, you are going to face tremendous challenges in a health professions school, residency, and medical practice where you will not have the SA/UN option. You will have to perform in situations where human well-being is the priority, not a grade. You will be required to operate under unexpected stress, such as during an acute emergency or extended pandemic. As your pre-health advisers, we encourage all pre-health students to endure and persevere. Stay motivated and remain focused so you can perform your at your best. Strive to complete Spring 2020 courses for a grade; doing so will minimize/eliminate any potential confusion about whether schools will accept the courses. While it is uncertain how SA/UN grades will be evaluated, a SA/UN grade will likely not be factored into your science GPA.
In the end, though, some students might face unavoidable obstacles to continued academic success. The Penn State Pre-health Advising Office is here to support students in navigating the remainder of this semester and beyond. If your personal wellness or grades suffer from any aspect of the remote learning experience, or if you have any remaining questions or concerns, please reach out to us for assistance. Our best wishes and thoughts are with you all!
-Your Pre-health Advisers
Please continue reading below for some more lighthearted news—many schools and associations are taking their activities online and there are still opportunities to engage with fellow students, admissions representatives, and current med/dent/PA students!
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Ways to get involved from afar
Remote learning doesn't mean you can't still stay involved in the community! Look for local ways to stay connected. We have also compiled a list of organizations that are accepting volunteers from afar, and other ways to continue preparing for health profession programs.
Wondering how COVID-19 may be affecting your application?
Health Professions Advisers across the country have gathered resources from centralized application services and testing services and compiled them all here. Continue to check for updates, as this is an evolving process.
Personal Statement Review
**Ends April 3, 2020**
Pre-Health Advisers offer Personal Statement Review through canvas. You can request to be added here. Personal statements submitted after April 3rd will not be reviewed.
AAMC Virtual Medical School Recruitment Fair
March 27, 2020 11am-8pm
AAMC is planning a virtual medical school recruitment fair to replace the many cancelled fairs. Medical schools from across the country will be present.
Physician Assistant Virtual Fair
This is a free event for all students who are interested in exploring a career as a PA. Meet school representatives from PA programs at colleges & universities across the U.S.
April 7 from 9:00AM - 9:00PM
Eberly College of Science
225 Ritenour Building
Penn State University
University Park, PA 16802
The newsletter will be sent out approximately once per week during the school year. During summer, newsletters will be sent once per month or on an as-needed basis. As always, please feel free to send announcements relevant to science/prehealth/premedicine students to prehealthadvising@psu.edu.
