In this issue:
- Seeking MS2 students to participate in a study on the Correlation of In-Person Lecture Attendance on Medical Student Success
- Renew Criminal Background Checks by January 31
- Peer to Peer Tip of the Month
2nd Year UWSOM Medical Student is seeking MS2 students to participate in a study on the Correlation of In-Person Lecture Attendance on Medical Student Success
Teaching faculty feel that if struggling students attended optional lectures they would perform better.
This study seeks to learn if there is a relationship between attending optional classes (lectures) and the student experience, specifically as it relates to: academic performance and perceived level of struggling inside/outside of school.
The hypothesis is that students attend lectures when they are keeping up and not struggling, but if they are feeling overwhelmed or behind, they stay at home to catch up.
We are asking MS2 students to please fill out a 5–10-minute survey by March 30, 2025.
Participants will not be offered compensation or incentives. You can complete the survey here: https://forms.gle/DSffJbnFh65atTDw6.
Renew Your Criminal Background Check by January 31
Students are required to renew their criminal background check (CBC) in January of their second year. Students with new criminal findings on their background check will be required to meet with Dr. Sarah, Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
ALL students are required to maintain compliance, including concurrent degree students (MSTP), students on leave of absence and expanded students. Students who completed a CBC within the last year may not be required to complete another one at this time. You will receive a separate email from us if you are exempt from the requirement.
Per the Medical Education Program Policy, students must complete a CBC upon admission, in January of second year, in January prior to graduation, and every two years if on an expanded schedule.
DEADLINE: January 31, 2025
There are two components to CBC compliance:
❶ Download the Request for Criminal History: Self-Disclosure, Consent, and ROI Form from your Castlebranch UW71 Compliance Tracker. Complete the form and upload it to your Castlebranch account. Make sure your UW Student ID number is on the form.
After uploading your form, make sure to check your account to see if it is accepted by Castlebranch reviewers. If the form is “rejected” your status will remain non-compliant until the form is corrected, resubmitted and accepted. The file size cannot be larger than 5 MB.
❷ Instructions for renewing background checks through CastleBranch:
- Paste this link into your browser:
https://portal.castlebranch.com/UW70/package-selection
- Select: University of Washington School of Medicine
- Select UW71bg: I need to order my Background Check
- Use the same email address for your username that you used to create your Castlebranch UX54 and UW71 accounts. Review the next two pages and click “next” and “continue.”
- Place your order by entering your personal information and personal identifiers. When you are placing your order, on the screen that says, “Statewide Criminal WA”, the only state you can select is Washington. Statewide Criminal WA is required by Washington State law for all healthcare workers. So even if you live in another state, because you are a UW student, the search needs to be done.
- Follow the instructions on the myCB web site. Access your myCB anytime to view order status and completed results. UWSOM will have access to view your completed CBC report from a separate web portal.
If you have technical issues with the myCB site, please contact myCB Service Desk via phone, chat or email: 1-888-914-7279, servicedesk.cu@castlebranch.com.
- You will be asked to authorize a $50.49 charge to your debit or credit card. Do not pay for anything extra! The $50.49 flat fee includes all aliases and addresses. International address searches are not required. If you are charged more please email Laura Ellis at lbellis@uw.edu.
- Addresses and aliases: You will be asked to list your current address. The residence history search will find all prior addresses. Likewise, you will be asked to enter your current name. The SSN search will find all previous names.
Peer to Peer: Tip of the Month from Career Advising
This advice is for all MS2 students and includes first generation and BIPOC student lenses.
We hope you had a restful winter break! As you begin your STEP 1 dedicated period, make sure you have a weekly schedule with at least one full day off. Folks usually study for 8 – 10 hours daily, but do what is best for you! Once you take the exam, use the rest of your break to relax and do the things you love, prioritizing your well-being before clerkships. Good luck everyone!
- Reviewed by MS4 Abraham Correa-Medina. Originally written by alum Shanelle Briggs, MD
Career Advising welcomes tips and ideas from all students. Please reach out to Career Advising at medadv@uw.edu.