- General FAQ
 - Application and exams information
 - USA and/or Canadian student loan programs
 - Location. history
 - Living, computer and sport center access
 - Accreditations, perspectives, student exchange, residency or practicing in Canada and/or USA

General FAQ:

Does the Medical School have a representative in Canada and/or US?  
Yes, please feel free to contact our Canadian coordinator (canadian-info@medical-school.ca) for further assistance.

What is the deadline for applying? 
May 15th, 2008 for the 2008 - 2009 academic year. The Faculty may consider application submitted by the end of August depending upon the waiting list and/or the number of vacant spaces available.

How long is the academic program? 
Depending on the student credits. Standard duration is 6 years. In exceptional instances it might be 5 years depending on previous education and/or credits.

When do I pay tuition?
By the beginning of each successive semester.

Are MCAT’s required? 
The school strongly encourages MCAT. Students with good MCAT scores will be invited to an interview. All other applicants will be asked to take an admission examination. Visit this link for more information: http://www.palacky.com/students.html#admision

Is Czech Republic member of European Union?
Yes. Czech Republic is a member of the European Union since 2004.

Are doctoral diplomas recognized in European Union?
After the entry (2004), the diplomas are automatically recognized without exam for EU citizens.

What about my Health Insurance?
Either you subscribe in your country prior to entry (recommended) to an insurance coverage in the Czech Republic, or you subscribe to a Health Insurance in Czech Republic for about  US $ 60.00  a month. However, every student is required to have a valid Health Insurance coverage of his/her preference on arrival to School. It is not wise to travel without health coverage!!!

How much time do we spend in the hospital as students?
Most of your time in the fourth and fifth year and the whole sixth year.

What kind of practical, "hands on" experience do we get at Palacky Medical School?
Clinical clerkships are done in the University Hospital of 1400 beds. There is sufficient patient contact to guarantee a quality instruction, as evidenced by our graduates. Most of the students are extremely successful at licensing examinations at the country of their origin.

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FAQ - Application and exams information:

How much is the one year tuition? 
9,000.00 EUR in this 2008-2009 school year.

How much is the yearly tuition increase? 
All subsequent years are the same. First year tuition takes precedent for the rest of the duration of study.

Is there an Application fee?
Yes. Preliminary Application is free. After we process your preliminary application, we will send you the Final Application package, with forms to be filled out and returned with your transcripts, C.V., personal statement, two letters of recommendation, two photographs, and application fee of 100.00 EUR which includes examination and/or interview. (For EU citizens, application fee is 50.00 EUR).

Once my application is complete, how long will it take before I am notified of a decision? 
The decision will be made within one week after the interview. 

Who can I ask for assistance in filing application?  
Please e-mail the Office of the Registrar: coordin@tunw.upol.cz  or contact our Canadian coordinator - (canadian-info@medical-school.ca) 

Can I apply if I have not completed all the requirements?   
Each applicant is evaluated on his/her merits.

Is there an entry examination?
Yes, only for those applicants not possessing good MCAT scores and/or advanced students without the MCAT.

Is there counseling or tutoring available if I have trouble in a specific class?
Yes, each class has an experienced teacher as a tutor who should assist in various kinds of problems. 

Is there a possibility/way to visit the campus prior to study period?
Yes, we are cordially inviting students and their relatives to spend several days at Palacky University. You will be welcome to attend lectures, talk to students and teachers, and stay in the Halls of residence at very affordable cost. Student’s visit may also be combined with the interview and/or examination. During the summer period, halls of Residences are not busy and serve as hostels for the school special visitors.  To organize your visit, please contact coordin@tunw.upol.cz 

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FAQ - USA and/or Canadian student loan programs:

Is the University accredited for USA and/or Canadian student loan programs?
Yes, it has been approved by the United States government's Department of Education for STAFFORD loans. It has similarly been approved by the Canada Student Loans Program.

How to apply for student loan and when?
Same procedures like in case of study in any Canadian or US university and as soon as you are admitted in order to receive full funding. 
For details you may ask the Canadian coordinator  -  canadian-info@medical-school.ca

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FAQ - Location. history:

Where is the University located? 
The town of Olomouc sits in the gently rolling, fertile basin of the Morava River in central Moravia, which forms the eastern Czech Republic. The distance from Prague is 250 km, from Vienna 200 km. The town is located in a temperate zone, with average January temperatures –3°C, July 17°C. For more information, please visit www.olomoucko.cz/eng/.

How old is the University?
Palacky University was founded in 1573 by Emperor Maximillian and Pope Gregor XIII and holds a distinguished place in Central European learning, civilization and culture. The University has been named after Frantisek Palacky, the father of the modern Czech nation.

How long has the medical school been operating?
Since 1947 in its present form.

Does the school have any important medical achievements?   
Johann Gregor Mendel, the founder of modern genetics (DNA), was a local student. If you are interested in the results of Faculty’s current medical research, please check the list of faculty publications indexed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
(click http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ and type Olomouc).

What is city of Olomouc like? 
It is a charming and very safe city of 100,000 inhabitants, with little industry and intellectual atmosphere shaped by the University. In fact, one inhabitant in eight belongs to our institution. They are large parks forming a belt around the city center, and abundance of lakes and forests accessible with the town bus in 20 minutes. Quite mild European climate and very friendly population, with appreciation for University impact on local economy.                     
http://www.olomouc-tourism.cz  
http://www.olomoucko.cz/eng/

Distances to other European cities? 
Berlin, 500 km; Bratislava, 197; Budapest, 289; London, 1473; Moscow, 1715; Paris, 1302; Vienna, 200; Warsaw, 474.    

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FAQ - Living, computer and sport center access:           

What is the cost of student Residence?
The cost per month in our newly renovated halls of residence is ~ US $ 130.00    (double room). Double rooms are for the first years, single rooms will be available in higher years

Are the Residences available for the whole duration of study?
Yes, they are.

Would I have cooking facility in Residence?
There is a kitchen facility, telephone and two washrooms for every 5-6 rooms. There are also laundry facilities, recreation and computer rooms. Each Residence has controlled entry and porter on the first floor.

Do I have to stay in the Residence?
No, you can rent an apartment. There is no shortage of apartments to rent in Olomouc. The average rent is around US $ 400.00  per month for a two room & kitchen apartment.

Where do I eat?
In one of the University cafeterias. 

What is the cost of one full meal at the cafeteria?
One full meal (lunch or dinner) is about US $ 2.50   There is an option among four dishes daily (the selection should be done one day in advance) or other over the counter items. Cafeteria of course, caters for vegetarian and special dietary needs.

What kind of transportation would I use? 
There is an ample network of trams and buses. The student pass costs US $ 6.00  per month. 

Would I have access to exercise or sport centers? What is the cost of the sport facilities?
Yes, of course. Students can make use of all university sports facilities, especially those at the Faculty of Physical Culture. The University owns a large sports hall, which is available for use by all students. Students may also use municipal sports facilities, e.g. a fifty-meter swimming pool and two ice skating rinks. An excellent ski resort is located less than one hour's driving distance north of Olomouc. For a city of its size, the opportunities for social and cultural activities in Olomouc are extraordinarily rich. The beautiful city's architecture is generally acclaimed to be second only to Prague's. Olomouc hosts the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Moravian Theater, (which hosts plays, ballet, and operas), the Art Museum, and the Regional Museum. Four cinemas, several local FM radio stations, and two town newspapers serve the region. For further activities and cultural exploration, Prague, Vienna, and Krakow lie within relatively easy striking distance.
Basic programs (volleyball, aerobics, canoeing, football, korfball, Frisbee, yoga, basketball, gymnastics, karate, etc...) are US $ 30.00  per academic year (two semesters).
Extended programs (swimming, tennis, fitness, badminton, and dance) are US $ 100.00

Are there computer connections in the student Residence? How much is the connection?
Yes, there are. Using your own computer in the room is free of charge, as is the use of computers located in the computer room at the residences, faculty and libraries. 

Is there access to the Internet on Campus? 
Internet access is available to all students in the residences, faculty and libraries free of charge.

Can I bring my computer with me? 
Great idea!! We suggest every student to do so! Not only for research of study related issues, but as a communication tool with your friends and relatives it may become a priceless tool. You can bring mouse, keyboard, microphone and your computer because 120W/220V switch is mounted on most computers, but do not bring your monitor!! Monitors run on one voltage only and should be purchased locally. 

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FAQ - Accreditations, perspectives, student exchange, residency or practicing in Canada and/or USA:

Is Palacky University accredited?
The Faculty is accredited by the state (i.e. Czech government) accreditation body and by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Canada Student Loans Program for financial aid. The Faculty received favorable evaluation from the American Association of International Medical Graduates (AAIMG), www.aaimg.com.

Is the School accredited by the LCME?
The mission of the LCME is to accredit M.D. programs in the United States and Canada and not international M.D. programs.

Can I transfer any of my credits from the university I am attending currently?
Credits achieved at a WHO-listed medical school can be transferred. In addition to it, based on case-by-case evaluation, pre-med credits in Physics, Biology, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry might also be transferred. 

Are there any exchange programs for students were I could spend a semester in another country?
Yes, students wishing to take electives in their country of origin are encouraged to do so. The school supports and assists contacts with US or Canadian schools to help with placements for visiting students.

Can I practice medicine in the USA or Canada with UP MD degree?  
Yes. The UP degree is recognized in both countries. Practice of medicine in the US and/or Canada is regulated by individual states, provinces and territories. To obtain the residency of choice, the UP graduate is required to pass USMLE exams, administered by the ECFMG - (Examination Council for the Foreign Medical Graduates) and in Canada, MCC QE exams, administered by the MCC (Medical Council of Canada).