Academic Advising and Student Resources

PreProfessional Programs

Students Preparing for Engineering
Students Preparing for Health Professions
Students Preparing for Law
Students Preparing for Ministry
Students Preparing for Social Work
Students Preparing for Teaching

STUDENTS PREPARING FOR ENGINEERING

The work in engineering is designed to meet the needs of two classes of students: those who may desire, after graduation, to enter some professional engineering school; and those who do not expect to pursue further study but who wish a general education in engineering subjects, combined with advanced chemistry, physics and mathematics.

A student in engineering will usually work toward the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in chemistry-engineering or physics-engineering.

The courses to be scheduled for a student in this area are determined in consultation with the faculty adviser in engineering. Although some freshmen may be placed in advanced classes, generally the first year will include Mathematics 101, 102; Physics 111, 112, 113 and 114 for physics-engineering or Chemistry 111 and 112 for chemistry-engineering; and general education requirements in other areas and physical education. The sophomore year normally includes Mathematics 221, Engineering 203, 225, and six additional credits in the major requirements and physical education. The third year will normally include nine credits of electives, 12 credits of engineering and physics, and six credits of mathematics.

STUDENTS PREPARING FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS

The training represented by a bachelor’s degree is strongly recommended for those students who are interested in a career in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine, as well as other health careers. This degree allows for the specific work in the sciences required for admission to these schools and also provides a sound general education focusing on the development of cultural interests and social consciousness as strongly urged by health professions educators.

A major in any academic department (see department concerned for requirements) is acceptable for admission to medical, dental or veterinary schools provided their entrance requirements are met.

The minimum admission requirements for most of these schools in the United States and Canada are a year of each of the following: general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, general physics, and English. These requirements should be taken as early as possible and completed by the end of the junior year. Additional courses may be required. Since the entrance requirements vary from one school to another, preprofessional students should acquaint themselves with the admission requirements of the schools in which they are interested and select a course of study accordingly. This should be done before the junior year.

Students desiring a study abroad experience with pre-health professional studies will need to plan carefully beginning in their freshman year. The Washington and Lee/Saint Andrews Cooperative Program for Premedical Students is one opportunity for students to study abroad in Scotland during the academic year while completing the first semester of organic chemistry.

As soon as a student becomes seriously interested in a health professions career and not later than the end of the sophomore year, that student should visit the Coordinator of the Health Professions Advisory Committee, Professor Lisa Alty. Her office contains information about specific schools as well as general requirements for admission to most health professions programs, including medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy, physician assistant, pharmacy and optometry schools.

A descriptive brochure on pre-medicine at Washington and Lee is available from the Office of Admissions, or visit the Health Professions Web site.

STUDENTS PREPARING FOR LAW

Washington and Lee does not offer a “pre-law major” nor a “pre-law curriculum,” believing instead—as does the Association of American Law Schools (as expressed in its statement on pre-legal education)—that no single series of courses can accurately be said to be “right” for every student who intends to enter law school. Accordingly, a pre-law student at the University may select any major offered in the College or in the Williams School.

Washington and Lee views a broad-based foundation in the liberal arts, perhaps supplemented by specific pre-professional training, as the best intellectual preparation for the study of law. The University encourages pre-law students to select courses which will provide them with an understanding of the history and nature of contemporary society, which will develop their critical abilities to their fullest and which will train them to articulate conclusions and reasons clearly, concisely and precisely.

The University offers a course in legal ethics (Interdepartmental 342), designed specifically for the undergraduate senior who intends to enter the legal profession.

The pre-law student’s academic adviser will be a faculty member in the department in which the student chooses to major. From time to time, however, the pre-law student will also want to consult with Lucas Morel or Robert Culpepper, the University’s faculty advisers on pre-legal studies.

STUDENTS PREPARING FOR MINISTRY

In cooperation with The American Association of Theological Schools, the University encourages pre-ministerial students to undertake a broad cultural preparation for their graduate studies. Of the various possible majors, religion, English, history and philosophy are regarded as the most desirable. Individual courses of study should be planned in consultation with the head of the Department of Religion.

STUDENTS PREPARING FOR SOCIAL WORK

Washington and Lee University, in conjunction with Mary Baldwin College, offers a program which prepares students for careers in social work. The Washington and Lee student may take the recommended courses drawn from sociology, psychology, politics and economics, on the Washington and Lee campus. A specific listing of recommended courses may be found under Sociology and Anthropology in the Courses of Study section of this catalogue. All inquiries should be addressed to the head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Students interested in the possibility of a career in social work should begin planning their program of study in consultation with members of the department as soon as possible, certainly no later than the sophomore year.

STUDENTS PREPARING FOR TEACHING

Visit the program site.