In this issue:
- EQI ISA Survey – Deadline Extended to October 26
- AOA Mentorship Matching Opportunity
- Benjamin Fox Orthopaedic Research Scholar Award
- ICYMI: HCOP Ambassador Recruitment 2025-2026
- Career Advising Tip of the Month
EQI ISA Survey – Deadline Extended to October 26
UWSOM is conducting a short survey to measure improvements on initiatives identified from last year’s ISA survey. Most students have reported that it takes only 5 minutes to complete. The LCME does not count responses under the minimum threshold of 70%, which is why it is so important to us that students fill out the survey.
Your cohort’s current response rate is 61%. The survey deadline has been extended to Sunday, October 26 – please help us reach our 70% goal!
How to Find the Survey Link
- Check your inbox for an email from eqi@uw.edu (reminder sent yesterday)
- Subject: 2025 UWSOM Independent Student Analysis (ISA) Follow-Up Survey Invitation
AOA Mentorship Matching Opportunity
Medical school can be challenging—academically, physically, and emotionally. A little wisdom from someone who’s been there can make a big difference. The UW chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) is offering mentorship between MS4 AOA members and any interested pre-clinical or clinical students across all WWAMI sites.
Whether you’d like guidance on residency choices, research, Step study strategies, or simply how to stay healthy and balanced in med school, an AOA mentor can help.
Sign up to be paired with an MS4 Mentor: Survey Link.
Use your UW Google account to access the form. The survey closes Friday, November 14 at 11:59 PM PST.
Matches will be shared in December. Spots are limited, so sign up early!
Questions? Reach out to Heidi Taggart (htaggart@uw.edu) and Armita Norouzi (anorouzi@uw.edu).
Benjamin Fox Orthopaedic Research Scholar Award
The Benjamin Fox Orthopaedic Research Scholar Award offers US medical students a funded year-long opportunity to conduct clinical orthopaedic research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Designed for those pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery, this immersive “year-out” program combines hands-on research with clinical exposure alongside CHOP’s renowned orthopaedic surgeons. Scholars receive a $45,000 stipend, mentorship from leaders in the field, and opportunities to present at national meetings. Applications are open to US medical students completing their third year (or exceptional second-year students).
Learn more and apply on CHOP’s website.
HCOP Ambassador Recruitment 2025-2026
Program Overview
The Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) is a team-based, interdisciplinary approach to prepare health professions students working in rural and medically underserved communities.
Eligibility
Open to students with ~ two years of their health professional program remaining.
Requirements
- Mentor a pre-health student
- Self-paced Canvas modules on rural health and underserved populations. Graded on completion, not academic credit
- Final Presentation (e.g., an existing program presentation, Triple I poster, RUOP presentation, community education presentation)
- Complete 80 clinical hours (your clinical rotations will qualify)
Stipend
Students will receive a $1,000 stipend.
The priority deadline to apply is Sunday, October 26. Applications submitted by this date will receive priority review. After October 26, applications will still be accepted on a rolling basis.
Career Advising Student Advisory Board: Road to Residency Tip of the Month
This advice is for all students and includes first-generation and BIPOC student lenses.
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, you’ll need to review 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 MS4 Cara Chapman. Originally written by alum Shanelle Briggs, MD.
We welcome tips and ideas from all students. Please reach out to Career Advising at medadv@uw.edu.
This link takes you to past information for MS3s.