Advising System

 The Quillen Student Advisory System is designed to meet the needs of individual students. Most students find that having a specific advisor assigned at the beginning of medical school does not meet their needs. In years one and two, students who require assistance generally have issues related to adjusting to the academic rigors of medical school. Advisement related to academic performance difficulties in years one and two will occur through referral to the College of Medicine Academic Support Counselor Dr. Jean Daniels, or to individual course directors. Direct involvement with the Academic Support Counselor, course directors and individual faculty members produces better outcomes for students than working through an assigned advisor who is likely unfamiliar with course content. Students having academic difficulty in more than one course will also meet with either the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and/or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for additional consultation and guidance, and subsequently may be assigned an individual academic advisor who can provide additional non-specific academic assistance. Tutorial services for students having academic difficulty are available through the Office of Student Affairs. Advisement related to possible learning disorders involves Dr. Jean Daniels who does not play a role in making promotion, graduation or dismissal decisions.

All students receive career guidance throughout medical school through the Career Explorations Component of the Doctoring Courses. Through these courses, students understand the importance of career planning, discover personal and professional skills and preferences, develop a plan for getting into residency, and learn valuable skills in preparing a Curriculum Vitae and personal statement. Through the Career Explorations Program, students also have individual advisory sessions with advisors chosen from a list of approved advisors in years one and two. Students desiring an advisor for more specific discussion of career/specialty interests in years one and two may contact either the Associate Dean of Student Affairs or Academic Affairs and an advisor will be assigned. Third year medical students are required to choose a clinical faculty member from an approved list as an advisor for both career advisement and fourth-year course scheduling advisement. Third- and fourth-year students also have easy access to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or Academic Affairs through their open-door policy for counseling as needed.