Recognizing that advisement needs vary a great deal among students, the Quillen Student Advisory System is designed to meet the needs of individual students. Most students have found that having a specific advisor assigned at the beginning of medical school is not useful. 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 course directors. It is our experience that direct involvement with course directors and faculty 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 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 referral to Dr. Penny Smith in the Office of Academic Affairs. Dr. Smith does not play a role in making promotion or evaluation decision.
All students receive career guidance throughout medical school
through the Career Explorations Program.
Through this sequence of 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 Dr.
Daniel Wooten, a member of the faculty involved with the Career
Explorations Program.
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 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.
