MS2 Orientation to Scholarship & Discovery
Usually occurring in September of the second year, this orientation provides an opportunity to highlight class achievements, overview expectations for the coming year, and outline the Track Application process.
Track Applications & Participation Agreements
Students will identify a University of Chicago mentor and select a scholarly project by early October of the Phase 1 M2 year. This timing allows students to submit a Track Application to the Track which most appropriately fits their projects by October, obtaining official confirmation by Track Leaders before the Winter Break. At the time of the Track Application, students also submit a Participation Agreement, a signed document outlining mentor-mentee expectations.
Students have the option to either continue a project that was already begun during the Phase 1 M1 year (e.g., through SRP), or begin a project with a new mentor. Although most students elect to continue a project that was begun during the M1 year, up to a 25% of students choose to change projects, or have not yet participated in scholarly work. If you are starting a new project, the key is to set appropriate expectations. The majority of work on new projects will likely occur during the S&D Block, as well as during Phase 3.
Track Leader Meetings
In February of the Phase 1 M2 year, students who are newly accepted to their S&D Track will gather in small groups for the first Track Leader meeting. At the first 1 - 2 hour session, Track Leaders will provide an Orientation to the Track, focusing on Glassick's Criteria for Scholarship. This meeting will give students a chance to create a framework for their scholarly projects, overview peer projects, and help plan individualized goals. Two subsequent Track Leader meetings will be held throughout the month(during the Winter Block) to allow peer exchange and dialogue around project progress, and also to troubleshoot potential obstacles with expert Track Leaders. As students are expected to produce a Progress Report, as well as design and create an e-Poster by the end of the Winter Block, Track Leader meetings will allow time to discuss and plan these activities. The Track Leader meetings are imperative as during the Winter Block, any difficulties experienced by the students should first be brought to the attention of the Track Leaders.
Winter Block
The main goal of the Winter Block is to provide protected time for students to work on scholarly projects. The S&D Block begins in early February, at which point students should have already taken USMLE1; the S&D Block ends in mid-March, before Phase 2 clerkships begin. During this 5-week block, students are able to work with their mentors to execute a concrete plan of action for accomplishing project relevant responsibilities. The expectation is that students are working full-time on their scholarly projects throughout the duration of the S&D Block.
The S&D Block kicks off with an information session to describe details regarding the Progress Report and e-Poster assignments. Various other events are hosted by the S&D Team throughout the S&D Block to supplement student learning (e.g., year-off student panel).
During the S&D Block, students will:
1) Conduct work on a mentored scholarly project
2) Regularly attend Track Leader meetings to report on project progress
3) Complete and submit a required Progress Report and e-Poster
To assist students in fulfilling these expectations, the S&D Team holds a series of optional sessions and Office Hours throughout the S&D Block.