Medical studies for a Kohen

Some medical schools might grant certain leniencies for kohanim in the anatomy and dissection courses (you should clarify this with the school administration and clergy), but ultimately they must be present in the room for the final exam.

The primary heter for a kohen to study medicine is based on a leniency of Rav Goren, that the kohen wear a metal object (ring, watch, bracelet, etc.) that was in contact with a corpse. This heter is subject to wide debate amongst the authorities. For an explanation of this leniency and the dissenting opinions, see #5992 and sources mentioned in #4938, especially the article of Rav Baruch Berkowitz.

Even one who relies on this heter should try to minimize contact and being in a room with the cadavers. [Outside of Israel, the majority of cadavers are from gentiles. Some authorities allow being in a room alongside (but not hovering over) a gentile cadaver (see Y.D. 372:2), which provides greater basis there to rely on Rav Goren's leniency to be in the room.]

Shana Tova,

Meir Orlian