FAQ

Is the “Les Sciences à Paris” program for me?


Do I need to be fluent in French before I apply?


Will courses taken in Paris “count”?


Why study science, math or engineering in France?


How do I find out about and choose courses?


How do I apply to “Les Sciences à Paris”?


I am premed: is SAP for me?

 

 

 

 

 

Is the “Les Sciences à Paris” program for me?

This program is geared to undergraduate students in the sciences  including life sciences, chemistry, physics, geology, environmental sciences, computer science, mathematics and engineering. While we anticipate that many of our students will take advantage of this program in their junior year, students in their senior year are certainly eligible. Under exceptional circumstances, sophomore students may also be eligible.  Students interested in this program should contact the SAP director or the  Assistant Dean for International Study.

 

 

 

 

Do I need to be fluent in French before I apply?

Smith College takes pride in running programs in Paris that are rigorously Francophone. As a result, students return from their time abroad fluent in French and comfortable navigating both their everyday and their professional lives in French. Normally, the JYA program requires 4 semesters of college-level French or its equivalent prior to arriving in Paris. We recognize, however, that students in the sciences are often constrained by their major requirements in their first two years and may not be able to meet this four-course expectation. As a result, “Les Sciences à Paris” has been crafted to incorporate additional intensive language training for those students who may have only had one year of college-level French (or its equivalent) when applying to the program. Once again, we will work with each prospective applicant to design appropriate language instruction prior to departure and during the program in order to ensure full participation in the available opportunities.

 

 

 

 

Will courses taken in Paris “count”?

Any course taken under the auspices of the “Les Sciences à Paris” program appears on your transcript as a Smith College course. By working in partnership with your advisor and your home institution, we ensure that all completed courses are properly credited and recorded. In addition any premed requirements fulfilled at the “Les Sciences à Paris” program are fully accredited and accepted by American medical schools. (This statement is based on conversations held with 12 different medical schools in the US, all of which agree that an accredited course taken at a French university and appearing as a Smith College course fulfills their requirements. Nonetheless we encourage you to discuss this issue with the premedical advisory committee at your institution and/or with any prospective medical school).

 

 

 

 

Why study science, math or engineering in France?

Beginning in the Middle Ages, French universities and institutions have been at the forefront of the development of modern science. France was the epicenter of the Enlightenment in the 18th century, and French science and mathematics continue to play a critical role. “Les Sciences à Paris” provides you with an opportunity to partake in this vibrant culture. You will also be living in a city filled with important landmarks in the history of science. But perhaps most importantly you will be exposed to the practice of science in an international context: critical training as international collaborations become increasingly common in science and engineering.

 

 

 

How do I find out about and choose courses?

Clearly, the French university system does not replicate American course offerings exactly. Instead, the French curriculum is organized in a more explicitly sequential manner; French students generally have less flexibility than their American counterparts. Nonetheless, we will assist you in finding the closest equivalents to American offerings available in Paris. These pages list many of the courses available in Paris to students in the SAP program, along with their available descriptions.  In many cases, material covered in a single course at an American institution may be divided into 2 or more courses in France. Conversely, certain French courses may incorporate content traditionally distributed across multiple courses in the US. The website will allow you to construct an initial proposal for your program of studies. Once accepted into the program, our advisory board will work with you and your advisor to fine-tune your course choices.

 



I am premed: is SAP for me?

The courses offered at the French universities (Paris VII, MNHN and Pasteur) are the equivalent of comparable courses offered at American universities.  We have contacted over a dozen US medical schools, all of whom have informed us that they will be glad to accept premed requirements fulfilled at an accredited French university. In addition, keep in mind that the courses you take in the SAP program are reported back to your home institution on a Smith College transcript.  Many premed requirements in Biology (Cell bio, Biochem), Mathematics (Statistics, Calculus), Physics and Chemistry are offered through the SAP program.  Nonetheless, we urge you to discuss the specifics with your advisor and the Program Director; you may also want to contact the Medical school(s) you are contemplating to verify that the courses you are contemplating will fulfill their requirements.

 

How do I apply to “Les Sciences à Paris”?

The application materials are available here. The application can be submitted directly online. All students are encouraged to submit their applications by the February 3rd deadline.  Guest students have until March 17th to apply, but it’s important to know that applications will be accepted on a rolling, space-available basis after the February 3rd deadline.