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ISC Current Student FAQs

faq

If your questions are not answered here, don't hesitate to reach out to one of our advisors.

It is why we are here!

What supplies will I need in order to be ready for the ISC lab?

Each student will need to have a lab coat, set of approved goggles, and a course-approved lab notebook, all of which can be purchased at the campus bookstore. Students are not expected to have these items until the second week of lab, so we recommend not buying anything until after the first lab meeting. During this meeting the TA will go over exactly what you will need for lab.

I’m struggling in my ISC courses. Where can I get help?

Instructors are available for office hours that are listed on the syllabi of the lecture and lab every semester. Tutoring sessions are also held each week by ISC alumni peer mentors. For tutoring hours for the current semester, please reach out to your ISC instructor and/or advisor.

I’m applying to medical school now, how should I list/explain my ISC coursework?

You will need to put your ISC courses in for the places that as for your Biology, Chemistry, and other grades of courses covered in ISC. There should be a box at the bottom of your application that allows you to explain something further on your application. Use this space to highlight the ISC coursework and remind them about the letter to be enclosed in your transcript. It is highly recommended that students establish an individual point of contact with the medical school admissions team so that they can keep an eye out for your application.

I need a letter explaining my ISC credits to be sent with my official transcript from the VT Registrar’s Office. How do I request that?

Please note that only the Office of the University Registrar has been authorized to certify academic record information on behalf of the University. Occasionally, academic certifications will require information from records maintained by other areas of the University. All such academic certification requests must be directed to the Academic Certification Specialist in the Office of the University Registrar to ensure compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

  1. Complete a Request for Certification form and email it to the Academic Certification Specialist at acacerts@vt.edu. Either sign the form with your handwritten signature OR type your SELF FERPA passcode in the signature field. Go to the FERPA menu in Hokie SPA to create your passcode.

  2. The Academic Certification Specialist will coordinate with the Academy of Integrated Science to prepare and certify the ISC letter on the student’s behalf.

    • If you contact ISC yourself, ISC must directly email the letter to acacerts@vt.edu. We will not certify letters in possession of students.
    • Once the ISC letter has been received and certified by the Specialist, it will then be emailed to the student.
       
  3. Order your official transcript and attach the ISC letter directly to the order: 
    • In Hokie SPA click Order Official Transcripts, which will automatically redirect to the National Student Clearinghouse order page.
    • Follow the order page instructions to upload the ISC Letter as an attachment to your transcript order.
    • The Transcript Specialist will review the attachment to confirm its validity before finalizing the order.

How can ISC help me find other opportunities such as research positions and internships?

Finding such opportunities often requires knowing your VT faculty members well. ISC students have an advantage because of the small class size in ISC. This gives the ISC faculty the opportunity to get to know all of the ISC students very well and help them find research positions and/or internships. Networking is key and being in a small classroom gives you more networking power. ISC graduates are also an excellent resource to ask for advice and recommendations.

I started the ISC program and realized it isn’t for me.  What courses will I get credit for?

After 1 semester: MATH 1025 It is also possible to get equivalence for PHYS 2305 if you take the thermal physics module (PHYS 2324) for transfer students in the following fall term and successfully pass the written exam. In order for you to not lose a full year due the fact that the module for transfer students will only be offered in Fall semesters, the Physics Department will allow you to enroll in PHYS 2306 in the Spring semester of your first year even though at this time you will not yet have received the equivalence for PHYS 2305.

After 2 semesters: CHEM 1035 CHEM 1045 MATH 1026 PHYS 2305

After 3 semesters: BIOL 1105 BIOL 1115 BIOL 1116 MATH 1114 It is also possible to get equivalence for PHYS 2306 if you take the two modules on optics (PHYS 2344) and waves and sound (PHYS 2334) for transfer students in the following fall term and successfully pass the written exams.

After 4 semesters: CHEM 1036 CHEM 1046 PHYS 2306

ISC Tutoring

We are excited to be able to offer tutoring specifically for our ISC students! Our tutors are ISC students who have completed the program or who are currently completing the program. They are eager to help you! Please contact us for more information!