MS3 Class Information Oct 10 2024

In this issue:

  • Update on the ISA survey; let your clerkship administrator know if you would like assistance
  • How to schedule your 4th year Career Planning Appointment
  • Discount available for shelf exam study guide
  • Tip of the month: Planning for your Fourth Year

Update on the ISA survey; let your clerkship administrator know if you would like assistance

Here is a message from ISA Committee Co-Leads Nicholas Popp (MS4), Sarah Busch (MS4), Ben Henderson (MS3), Matt Lumsden (MS2) and Lila Faulhaber (MS2):

We thank so many of you for completing the Independent Student Analysis (ISA) survey, which serves as the backbone data for the medical school accreditation. Your cohort has reached a total response rate of 26%. As shown in the graph below, Wyoming students recorded 40%, followed by Idaho (33%), Alaska (29%), Montana (28%), and Seattle & Spokane (both 21%). Our goal is to reach 80% with your help.

We all value your responses and are committed to supporting your participation in the ISA. If you are having trouble completing the ISA due to the duties of your clerkship, please contact your clerkship administrator for assistance. Meanwhile, there are many opportunities to win a gift card as specified in the table below.

Thank you so much for your help!

graphic repeats numbers in post

Gift Card Incentives: Please see the breakdown below. There will be one $500 gift card for drawing from all four cohorts.

Campus # of Gift Cards ($10) if Campus Response Rates Reach 60% # of Gift Cards ($50) if Campus Response Rates Reach 60% Additional # of Gift Cards ($30) if Campus Response Rates Reach 80% Total # of Gift Cards
Seattle 4 1 4 9
Spokane 3 1 3 7
Wyoming 2 1 2 5
Alaska 2 1 2 5
Montana 2 1 3 6
Idaho 3 1 3 7
Total 16 6 17 39

*According to the UW policy, student employees (e.g., tutors, research assistants, hourly workers, etc.) cannot receive a gift card. If you win the raffle as a student employee, we will send alternative items of the same value from Amazon.


Important info for students entering Match 2026

Please schedule your 4th Year Career Planning Appointment with your career advisor from now through December. You can select that appointment type in the Career Advising Scheduling system (CAS).

Plan to spend a minimum of 2-3 hours reading through the content and taking the prep steps. Think of this as a mini-learning module that will set you up for success in your E&F career planning and your residency application.

Prep Steps to Complete Prior to Your Appointment:

Read ALL the Career Planning for 4th Year Guide webpage resources including the summer and fall PowerPoints and Specialty Guides Clinical Phase Planning content and follow the steps outlined.

Next:

  1. Download and complete a draft of your Clinical Phase Planning Worksheet (found on the Career Planning for 4th Year Guide webpage)
  2. Upload your Planning Worksheet to your meeting in CAS so we can review it together. Appointments cannot be modified within 24 hours so you can email your worksheet to your career advisor if needed.

If you have experienced any of the following, please schedule your 4th Year Career Planning appointment from now through early November.

  • Finishing your Patient Care Phase 6-12 weeks after the standard end time of March 2025
  • Foundations course fail(s)
  • Step 1 or Step 2CK fail. Low Step 1 or Step 2CK score. Or you have not taken Step 1 yet
  • Clerkship exam fail or clerkship fail
  • 2 or more passes in Patient Care Phase
  • Pass in a specialty of interest
  • Expansion (non-research related) or leave of absence

If you want to look further ahead, visit the Residency Application Timeline and Residency Application Components on the Applying to Residency page.

Please come to office hours or email your career advisor if you have quick questions in the meantime. They are here to support you in this process!


Discount available for study guide

Academic Support says it has been made aware of a self-assessment bundle deal that NBME is currently offering on purchases of Clinical Science Mastery Series (CSMS) Self-Assessments (sometimes called practice shelf exams). You can purchase three forms of the same subject for just $50 until the offer expires Monday, Oct. 14.

The Clinical Science Mastery Series (CSMS) Self- Assessments are practice exams written by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) that help MS3 and MS4 students prepare to take their end of clerkship clinical subject exam. Their end-of-clerkship exams are written by the NBME so these practice tests really correlate closely and are great preparation for the end of clerkship clinical subject exam.

For more information on CSMS bundles, view answers to frequently asked questions.


Peer to Peer: Road to Residency Tip of the Month

While planning for your last year of medical school is exciting, scheduling your Explore and Focus rotations takes much preparation and planning. Prior to starting, consider reviewing  Career Advising’s 4th year planning webpage. Need help after that? Meet with Career Advising and talk with upper classmates who have been in your shoes.

Remember to book the “4th Year Career Planning Appointment” in CAS. Set aside plenty of time for the prep steps and fill out your Clinical Phase Planning Worksheet before you meet.

Don’t stress too much about your schedule right now. You’ve got time to move things around up to six weeks before the start date of that particular clerkship—and honestly, everyone ends up tweaking their schedule as they figure out their interests and when they’ll need breaks or more time to study for Step 2, etc.

  • Reviewed by BIPOC MS4 Abraham Correa-Medina. Originally written by BIPOC alum Shanelle Briggs, MD.

Here is a link to the most recent newsletter for MS3s.

Have a terrific week!