Deadline for all first-year students to complete the VA form is Sept. 1, 2023
All MS1s should complete the form at this link regarding their eligibility to participate in clinical training at the Veterans Affairs Health System (VA). This is required of all students. Students may decline to consent, but they will still need to submit a response via the form. You can see the VA FAQ for more information.
Here is the link to the form: UWSOM Consent and Release of Information – Veterans Affairs Health System (VA)
Additional info:
- To be considered for a rotation at the VA, UWSOM will need to release to the VA your current gender and country of citizenship.
- In addition to the above information, the VA also needs the UWSOM to verify your Selective Service status. To be eligible for a clerkship at the VA, all individuals assigned male at birth need to be registered with the Selective Service. Visit the Selective Service website to register for the Selective Service or to check your status.
Update about meetings with Career Advising
From mid-August to Oct. 3, the career advisors are very busy in 1-1 meetings with MS4s and prepping for fall advising. The team is not able to meet with other students during this time.
If you have an urgent question or issue, please email medadv@uw.edu and a career advisor will get back to you soon. You are welcome to bring quick questions to Office Hours – but if your question can wait until after Oct. 3, that would help free up time for MS4s and the career advisors. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Apply for the Governance Committee
You have until tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 25, to apply as a student representative in the Foundations Phase with the UWSOM Governance Committee.
Students play an important role in continually improving the UWSOM curriculum. Decisions impacting the curriculum and your student experience are voted on in these committees, this is a great opportunity for you to get involved and share your unique perspective as a student. You can learn more in this document about the Governance Committee
Open seats include:
- Curriculum Committee: One student in the Foundations phase at the Seattle site. Finalists chosen for open Curriculum Committee seats will be decided by a vote of the entire student body.
- Foundations Phase Committee: One student in the Foundations phase at the Seattle site.
- Program Evaluation & Assessment Committee (PEAC): One student in the Foundations phase from anywhere in WWAMI.
- Grade Appeal Committee (Learn more here): One student in the Foundations phase anywhere in WWAMI.
If you are interested, please complete this application by tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 25.
ICYMI: Money Management for Medical School Students webinar is Aug. 29
Join representatives from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) on Aug. 29 for an informative webinar and discussion on how to manage your money during medical school. The presentation begins at 10 a.m. AK, 11 a.m. PT, noon MT.
They will answer questions about budgeting, borrowing wisely and other topics such as utilizing resources at your school, keeping an eye on your credit, and tips to avoid identity theft. They will also showcase additional financial information, resources, services and other financial resources like the MedLoans Organizer and Calculator, and the Financial Wellness program.
Register to attend the webinar.
“Tip of the Month” from the Career Advising Student Advisory Board
Every month, you’ll get a tip in this newsletter to help your career planning stay on track.
You will soon get tons of emails about extracurriculars. This may seem overwhelming during FMR, but think big picture about what might interest you career-wise. If you can, try to take on a leadership position for an interest group, a volunteer project, or join a committee. Make sure you don’t overcommit, but picking one or two extracurriculars this year to pour into is a fantastic way to kick off med schoo!
Pathway applications will also open this fall and can be helpful in learning how to better serve minoritized and underserved communities. Learn more about Pathways here.
- Reviewed by Career Advising Student Advisory BIPOC board member L’Oreal Kennedy. Originally written by BIPOC alum Shanelle Briggs.
In case you missed it, here is a link to the previous newsletter for MS1s.
Have a wonderful week!