American University of Sharjah graduates can now apply to medical schools at American University of Beirut (AUB) and University of Balamand, provided they have completed pre-med science requirements, all of which are offered at AUS. AUS signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the two universities to this effect last week. A third MoU is expected to be signed soon with Lebanese American University (LAU) in this regard.

The MOUs recognize the shared values and goals between AUS and the two universities, and their joint commitment to foster diversity, ethical behavior, intellectual inquiry, and social and civic responsibility.

According to the MOUs, AUB and University of Balamand will evaluate AUS applicants to their medical schools as graduates from a "sister" university, with an educational background comparable to applicants now being admitted to these schools. Successful applicants must also meet minimum admission criteria in terms of major GPA, overall GPA, liberal arts preparation, MCAT and interview scores as published in the catalogs of these universities.

"Acknowledgement of the rigor of the AUS degree by these highly selective schools of medicine provides prima facie evidence that AUS students are on par with the best qualified graduates in the entire MENA region," commented Dr. Thomas Hochstettler, AUS Provost and Acting Chancellor. "Access to top-flight medical education has opened broad new prospects for professional engagement for our graduates, and we are grateful to these fine universities for agreeing to accept our graduates on an even footing with their own."

"This is an exciting initiative," said Dr. Mark Rush, Dean of the AUS College of Arts and Sciences. "It marks a great step forward insofar as it recognizes the breadth of criteria that medical schools now take into account when admitting students. Undergraduates can choose to major in virtually any field of study and still apply successfully to medical school. It is my hope that these MOUs embody the first of many joint ventures between our universities." Rush added that "agreements such as these frequently open doors for further collaboration among faculty. Our universities share a multitude of common interests, and I look forward to closer relations with them."

Dr. Fawwaz Jumean, Head of the AUS Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, added that, "Pre-med requirements have considerably evolved during the past decade, with graduates in not just science but also engineering, business, arts and humanities eligible to apply. AUS students, because of their impressive pre-med and liberal arts training and exposure, are in an excellent position to compete for medical school seats." 

The Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences will hold a pre-med information session for students and their parents. The session, scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, will be jointly chaired by Dr. Amin Majdalawieh, member of the AUS team that negotiated  the MOUs and Dr. Fuad Hashweh, Visiting Professor of Biology and former Dean of Science at LAU.