Academic and Student Resources

Student Programs and Leadership

The Programs Office provides links to an enriched academic life for CAS students through programs, events, and leadership opportunities that connect students to classmates and professors.

The Programs Office also sponsors and coordinates CAS participation in University-wide events like Commencement, Family Weekend, and Spring Open House. The Programs Office is located in CAS Room 130. Call 617-358-3199 or email casevent@bu.edu.

Academic Advising

Every full-time student in the college has an academic advisor. The success of the advising system depends on the student as well as the advisor. Students must confer with their advisors before registration for each successive term and should meet with them periodically during each semester.

Dean Ralph W. Taylor Academic Advising Center

In planning an academic program, students may encounter complex problems that even the most careful reading of this website will not resolve. The Dean Ralph W. Taylor Academic Advising Center, CAS Room 105, is staffed by personnel who can assist in the resolution of such issues or any other academic problems. Freshman and sophomore students who have not chosen a major will be provided special assistance in registering, selecting a major, and developing a comprehensive program for their studies by their advisors in CAS Advising. Students with declared majors are assigned advisors in their departments. All College of Arts & Sciences students are encouraged to consult the staff in the CAS Advising Center for help with any academic problem.

To contact the Taylor Academic Advising Center, call 617-353-2400 or email cas105@bu.edu.

Summer Orientation

In June and July, the College of Arts & Sciences holds a series of two-day orientation sessions to help incoming freshmen and transfers begin their college experience on a positive note, with a personal and thorough introduction to the College of Arts & Sciences and the University. Conducted by faculty, staff, and students from the college, these sessions allow new students to meet other students, become acquainted with the campus, take placement tests, and participate in registration workshops. Most important, the sessions ensure that incoming freshman and transfer students are properly registered for the fall semester. Information concerning the program is sent to each student accepted to the College of Arts & Sciences.

Declared Majors

Entering students who have indicated a tentative choice of major are assigned to or choose an advisor in the corresponding department. All students are expected to meet with their advisors before registration and often during the semester to keep them informed of progress and to develop a strong mentoring relationship.

Undeclared Students

Entering freshman or transfer students who have not indicated a choice of major are assigned an advisor at the Dean Ralph W. Taylor Academic Advising Center in CAS Room 105. The faculty advisors and staff of CAS Room 105 provide assistance to undeclared students until they select their majors.

Special Advising

The College of Arts & Sciences provides specialized advising for preprofessional students interested in law or health care. Other specialized advising is provided by University offices including the International Students & Scholars Office, Study Abroad, the Educational Resource Center, and Career Services. These advising arrangements supplement rather than replace departmental advising. Information about special advising is available in the Academic Advising Center, CAS Room 105; email: cas105@bu.edu.

Health Professions

Students preparing for medical, dental, veterinary, or other health-related graduate programs should open a file in the Preprofessional Advising Office, CAS Room B2. General orientation meetings for all interested students are held each year, and advising appointments may be scheduled by individual students throughout the year. Information is available in CAS Room B2.

Premedical Admission requirements of medical schools are to some degree standardized by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Premedical students should become familiar with the particular requirements of the medical schools to which they intend to apply.

In general, the following requirements must be met:

1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree at an accredited four-year college or university.
2. English (including expository writing): two courses.
3. Science courses, including both lectures and laboratory, as follows: biology, two courses; general inorganic chemistry, two courses; organic chemistry, two courses; and elementary physics, two courses. One year of mathematics, including at least one semester of calculus, is required by many schools.

Completion of these courses by the end of the junior year enables students to take the MCAT and begin the application process prior to the senior year.

The foreign language and general education coursework for the College of Arts & Sciences degree are satisfactory for all medical schools. In addition to the basic courses listed above, a number of medical schools may require one or more additional courses such as biochemistry or literature. Premedical studies do not constitute a major or a minor program. Premedical students must declare a major by the end of their sophomore year and are encouraged to pick an area (not necessarily science) in which they have a strong academic interest.

Medical schools require applicants to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Students are advised to take this test in the spring of their junior year.

Predental and Preveterinary Students ordinarily follow a premedical program, except when the schools to which the candidates apply indicate special requirements. Veterinary schools often require additional coursework in biology and animal sciences, and dental schools often require a course in biochemistry. Dental programs require the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Veterinary programs generally require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Additional Health-Related Professions Advisors in the Preprofessional Advising Office provide assistance to students interested in a broad range of health-related professions. Students are encouraged to schedule an advising appointment to discuss their particular field of interest.

Prelaw

The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) and most law schools state specifically that a prelaw curriculum is not particularly advantageous or even desirable. Law schools look for skills in reading, analytical thinking, and written and oral communication; these skills can be gained in almost any curriculum. Boston University, therefore, does not offer a specific prelaw major. Instead, students are encouraged to choose classes based on their interest in the subject matter and their ability to do well in such classes. It is, however, important to develop those skills that are most likely to be utilized in law school and in the practice of law, such as written and oral communication skills and knowledge of current political and social issues. Additionally, students are urged to acquire a broad liberal arts foundation by taking courses in a number of different areas.

Some students may be undecided about whether to pursue legal studies. Boston University does offer courses related to law, legal thinking, and the legal process in a variety of the departments within the University. These courses may be particularly helpful to students in the decision-making process.

Some internship programs that may be of interest to students considering law school are the Boston University Washington Internship Program, the London Internship Program, the Madrid Program, and the Dublin Internship Program. The Washington Internship Program includes placements with members of Congress and Congressional committees and caucuses. The London Internship Program offers a one-semester opportunity to combine study, independent living, and work in London, including possible positions with members of Parliament. One of the London programs concentrates on comparative English and American law. There are several other internships with some prelaw content. For additional information about internships, please contact Boston University Study Abroad, 888 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-9888.

Each year, nearly 500 current students and graduates of Boston University apply to law schools. Students who are interested in applying to law school should register early in their college careers with prelaw advising in CAS Room B2. The Preprofessional Advising Office has information and materials relating to law school and law-related careers. General informational meetings are held each year, and individual advising appointments may be scheduled with prelaw advisors throughout the year.

Interested students should also obtain information about the five prelaw organizations: the Prelaw Society, the Diversity in Law Association, the Prelaw Review, the Mock Trial Team, and the Mock Mediation Team. For additional information regarding these organizations, visit CAS Room B2, call 617-353-4867, or send an email to preprof@bu.edu.