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FAQ: 31 QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UVA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
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1. What are some of the special programs for which this medical school is noted? Our MD/PhD program provides students who are interested in a career in academic medicine with an opportunity to combine a medical education with in-depth training and experience in research. The aim of the NIH-funded Medical Scientist Training Program is to provide students with the highest quality training in the basic sciences and a firm grounding in clinical medicine. Students in the program work over a period of 6-7 years to receive both an MD and a PhD degree. |
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A collaboration between the School of Medicine and the Darden School of Business Administration provides an opportunity for the dual MD/MBA degrees. This is an integrated curriculum that generally results in receiving both degrees within five years.
The School of Medicine collaborates with the Curry School of Education for a dual MD and Masters of Education degree. This dual degree is designed for those students who recognize early that they wish to pursue a career in medical education and want to obtain the knowledge and skills for medical teaching. Generalist Scholars Program
Generalist Scholars in Health Disparities
The University's Center for Global Health provides competitive CGH Scholar travel awards for students across all schools to engage faculty mentors in conducting a project focused on some aspect of ameliorating health among impoverished people. Fourth year medical students often include this well-defined experience in their electives. CGH Scholars often link with colleagues at ongoing University of Virginia collaborative sites in Asia, Africa and Latin America. 2. Describe this school's curriculum in the pre-clerkship and clerkship years. Are there any innovations, like problem-based learning? The School of Medicine combines the practice and science of medicine in the system-based "Next Generation" Cells to Society curriculum to educate and train physicians to provide patient-centered care, practice evidence-based medicine, and engage in lifelong learning. The curriculum comprises a careful balance of active and experiential activities, clinical cases, problem-based learning, small group and team-based experiences, hands-on laboratories, self-directed learning, lectures, and hospital and community based clinical experiences.
Pre-clerkship Period ("First One and One-half Years"): The first year begins with "Cells to Society" - an innovative educational experience designed to present first year students with an integrative approach to clinical medicine. "Cells to Society" focuses on and connects the patient to all other aspects of the Foundations of Medicine curriculum. The three-day experience is structured around one disease process and guides first years in investigating the disease's cellular and societal dimensions. Students discover how the care of the patient raises questions in multiple domains in addition to clinical medicine. "Cells to Society" is followed by Molecular and Cellular Medicine (MCM) which includes foundational elements of human behavior, the doctor/patient relationship, decision sciences, and principles of biochemistry, genetics, histology, physiology, anatomy, immunology, general pathology, general pharmacology, and epidemiology. MCM is completed by winter of the first year.
The Clinical Performance Development (CPD) experience runs concurrently with and is fully integrated into each course and organ system. CPD consists of clinical case studies which students solve in small group tutorials led by physicians. Students also work on a one-to-one basis with physicians to develop their skills in taking medical histories and conducting physical exams. Students work in the Medical Simulation Center, with standardized patients, and with patients from University Hospital. The Social Issues in Medicine/Exploratory experience also runs concurrently with and is fully integrated into each system. SIM helps students recognize and analyze the interrelationships between socio-cultural environments and the occurrence, prevention, and treatment of disease. Students identify and nurture values that characterize a professional and humanistic practice of medicine and an ethic of service.
Students also work in small groups and rotate among many clinical services. Students gain practical experience under supervision in the wards and outpatient clinics of the University of Virginia hospitals, the Roanoke Community Hospitals, the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Salem, the Western State Hospital, and INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Northern Virginia. The teaching programs at the affiliated hospitals allow students to observe the practice of medicine in multiple settings and gain exposure to a somewhat different spectrum of illnesses than that seen at the University of Virginia. During their third year, students spend approximately 20 weeks away from Charlottesville in affiliated clerkship locations. The Post-clerkship Period of Advanced Clinical Training: Toward the end of the third year and in the fourth year, students complete the Selectives, tailored to their interests and needs. An extensive Electives program allows students to pursue their own interests. Under the guidance of a faculty advisor, students choose clinical rotations, basic science and humanities courses and research activities. Medical students are required to complete at least one Advanced Clinical Elective during their fourth year. Clinical rotations are available at sites in Salem, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Fairfax, and Charlottesville. Programs are tailored to meet individual interests and needs, including a selection of programs in other domestic and foreign settings in appropriate community medicine programs, or in other activities of suitable educational merit. In sum, students engage in a continuum of science, clinical skills, and professionalism experiences throughout the Systems and Clinical Performance Development experiences, the clerkships, and the post-clerkship period of advanced clinical training. Students are presented within and across each period with multiple examples of knowledge, skills, professionalism, and decision-making. 3. Are there opportunities for students to design, conduct, and publish their own research?
Another program allows a student to take an additional year to perform basic science or clinical research with oversight from an advisory committee after the pre-clerkship or clerkship periods. To receive academic credit for this year of research, the student will present his or her final report in the form of a scientific paper and an oral presentation. Students who successfully complete the project will be awarded a certificate which acknowledges their work. 4. Is there a note-taking service, either University-run or student-run? There is no note-taking service at the University of Virginia. However, faculty members provide students with detailed notes for each lecture given. Podcasts of lectures also are available. 5. Is there flexibility in the course work and the timing of the courses (accelerating, decelerating, and time off) during the pre-clinical and clinical years? Most of the fourth year is elective and at the discretion of the student with faculty advice and oversight. More than 50% of students elect some activities sponsored by the institutions other than those at the University of Virginia. Opportunities exist for both deceleration or withdrawal from instruction on an individual basis during both the pre-clinical and clinical years. 6. Has this medical school, or any of its clinical departments been on probation or had its accreditation revoked? No. 7. How do students from this medical school perform on the National Board Examinations? How does the school assist students who do not pass?
Evaluations 8. How are students evaluated academically? How are clinical evaluations performed? Students are evaluated in the pre-clerkship period by quizzes, problem sets, tests, and final exams. Final grades are reported as Pass/Fail for each system. In the clerkships, students are awarded grades based on evaluations by their residents and attending physicians through direct feedback and on rating forms. Objective tests are used in all clerkships and oral exams in some. In the post-clerkship period, students are evaluated by their electives supervisors through direct feedback and rating forms, using a Pass/Fail system.
In addition, the student must take and pass Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) before beginning their clerkships and must take and pass Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) for graduation. Students must take USMLE Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills) and the results must be received prior to graduation. Passing USMLE Step 2 CS is required for licensure, but not for graduation. Students not passing USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt will be given 4-6 weeks for review before retaking the exam. Students must demonstrate those professional attitudes and behaviors that form the foundation upon which the practice of medicine rests. The elements of these attitudes and behaviors include altruism, accountability, honor, integrity, humanism, commitment to service, and striving for excellence. 9. Is there a formal mechanism in place for students to evaluate their professors and attending physicians? What changes have been made recently as a result of this feedback? Student opinion of the educational quality of their MD training program holds an important place in the improvements and curricular changes made to the degree program. There are formal student evaluations conducted at two levels: course evaluations (required by the faculty) and student managed evaluations. Course evaluations are standardized through the Office of Medical Education Support. These brief but informative evaluations utilize a web-based interface to collect data efficiently. Evaluations are automatically opened to students at the conclusion of examination periods, prompting students by email to complete the evaluation. Senior and Associate Deans also collaborate to hold several "Town Hall" style meetings with medical students throughout their training. Student feedback through each of these evaluation mechanisms bring out themes of strength as well as areas for improvement. Recent curricular innovations resulted directly from such evaluation data. Students prepare a major annual report on the clerkships which is submitted to department chairpersons, administrative deans, and the Curriculum Committee. Chairpersons respond to the report and indicate the changes they will make. In the last few years, the evaluation system has been used as the basis for major improvements in academic courses and in several clerkships. 10. What kind of academic, personal, financial, and career counseling is available to students? Are these services also offered to their spouses and dependents/children? Academic help is readily available by fourth year student tutors, assigned through the Office for Student Affairs, directed by Dr. Richard Pearson. Students with persistent academic difficulties may be referred to the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center for diagnostic evaluation. Career counseling is available through the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the Chairs, or their representatives, from the clinical departments. Financial counseling is provided by the Financial Aid Office under the direction of Ms. Nancy Zimmer. Personal counseling is available through Dr. Pearson and Dr. Norman Oliver, Associate Dean for Diversity. Students can obtain professional care through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) in the Department of Student Health or through private sources. 11. Is there a mentor/advisor system? Who are the advisors--faculty members, other students, or both?
12. How diverse is the student body? Are there support services or organizations for ethnic minorities and women? The University of Virginia School of Medicine is committed to the recruitment of a diverse student body that will make a variety of contributions to their class, the school, and to medicine as a whole. Currently, approximately 46% of the student body is women, and approximately 16% (21% of the first year class) are from groups that are underrepresented in medicine.
Facilities13. Tell me about the library and extracurricular activities facilities (i.e., housing and athletic recreational facilities).
The library has an extensive collection of online resources, journals and books that are available in the library and remotely. The Medical Education Librarian works with students and faculty throughout the four years to enhance information seeking skills and critical thinking. The library meets with the representatives of the Mulholland Society on a regular basis to ensure that the library is responsive to student needs. Medical students have access to all University athletic facilities including five gymnasiums, three swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, racquet ball/squash courts, softball diamonds, and soccer fields. Full details available on the UVA IM-Rec Sports web site. Medical students may also take advantage of exhibits at the University of Virginia Art Museum, dramatic productions at the Culbreth Theater, and concerts in Cabell Hall. Get more information on the Arts at UVA web site. Most medical students live in the Charlottesville community, as there is limited University housing for students enrolled in the School of Medicine. There are abundant housing opportunities in the Charlottesville and surrounding communities. 14. Are there computer facilities available to students? Are they integrated into the curriculum/learning? In addition to the computer services available through the Library, several courses including anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology and pathology use computer-assisted instruction. The office of medical education also provides assistance to students and faculty in the development of programs for instruction and self-testing. 15. What type of clinical sites--ambulatory, private preceptors, private hospitals, rural settings are available or required for clerkships? Does this school allow for students to do rotations at other institutions or internationally?
16. Is a car necessary for clinical rotations? Is parking a problem? Although a car is not required for clinical rotations, you will need to find transportation to away sites. Because of the diverse nature of the third-year experience, it is advantageous to have a car. Parking at the University of Virginia for students is often a problem. Financials & Benefits17. What are the current tuition and fee costs? Are they expected to increase yearly? Tuition and fee charges are subject to annual increase for all entering and enrolled students at the University of Virginia. Below are the 2009-2010 medical school tuition and fee charges Virginian $35,150Non-Virginian $45,15018. Are there stable levels of federal financial aid and substantial amounts of university/medical school endowment aid available to students? Yes. Funding for Federal Stafford and GradPLUS Loans has remained stable. Students who qualify are able to borrow up to total cost of attendance through a combination of Stafford and GradPLUS Loans. Certainly few schools would boast of an excess of school endowment aid for their students. Relatively speaking, however, our medical school provides substantial student aid from its own funding. Students with demonstrable need are eligible for institutional scholarship up to $13,000/year for Virginia residents and $16,500/year for out-of-state residents. 19. Are there students who have an "unmet need" factor in their budget? If so, where do these students come up with the extra funds? The maximum need-based aid package awarded by the School of Medicine is $31,500 for Virginia residents and $35,000 for out-of-state residents. This package includes the maximum Federal Stafford Subsidized Loan, school-funded grant, and other school-funded loans. A student with unmet need above the maximum amounts could secure outside scholarship assistance or borrow from on the Federal Stafford Unsubsidized (non-need) and/or the Federal GradPLUS (non-need) or secure non-subsidized alternative loans through private lenders. 20. Are spouses and dependent/children covered in a student's budget? No. Federal need-analysis methodology forbids routine inclusion of spouse and dependent expenses in cost of attendance budgets on which financial aid is based. Instead, an income protection allowance to cover their basic living expenses is subtracted from the student's and spouse's combined after-tax income. From 22 to 47 percent of any remainder is expected to be contributed toward the student's educational costs.
21. Is someone available to assist students with budgeting and financial planning? Yes. The Financial Aid Office has three knowledgeable full-time counselors available to help students develop both short-term expense budgets and long term financial plans. Sessions may be arranged by appointment or on a walk-in basis. 22. Does this school provide guidance to its students, and to its graduates/alumni, on debt management? Yes. In addition to being required to attend a number of debt management sessions, our students are provided written debt projections each time they receive a loan from any of the federal, private, or University of Virginia programs, and additional individualized debt management counseling upon request. Further, all students who borrow from any of the student loan programs during medical school are required to attend an exit counseling session with the Financial Aid Office shortly before graduating or otherwise terminating enrollment. At these sessions students are given personalized packets containing information on all student loans they have incurred, a debt management booklet and monthly budget worksheets, information on repayment alternatives such as forbearance and consolidation, and preaddressed form letters for use in notifying all appropriate lenders and/or loan servicers of graduation, change of address, etc. During the interview, counselors discuss personal budget and debt management strategies at length, including loan consolidation options. Graduates are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office with post-graduation questions or problems related to debt management. The Financial Aid Office and the Medical Alumni Foundation jointly sponsor a "Money Talks" series throughout the four-year enrollment period that includes programs on budgeting, home financing, credit scoring, and financial planning. Extracurriculars & Miscellaneous23. What medical school committees have student representation? Except for the Academic Standards and Achievement Committee, every committee in the medical school, including the Admissions Committee and the Curriculum Committee, has student representation. 24. Are students involved in (required or voluntary) community service?
In the Social Issues in Medicine course, first year medical students will learn about the social, economic, and cultural context of the practice of medicine through classroom instruction, service learning activities, and reflection exercises. 25. How active is the Student Council/Government? Are there other student organizations? All student organizations are overseen by the Mulholland Society, our student government. In addition, the Mulholland Society is active in the administration of the School of Medicine, the Hospital, and the University at large. These student representatives provide input which is received by the councils and committees in which they participate. All school social events are planned through the Mulholland Society and all students are invited to attend the Society's monthly meetings. 26. Is there an established protocol for dealing with student exposure to infectious diseases? Is disability insurance provided to cover this exposure? Students exposed to infectious diseases are evaluated and cared for in Student Health following the protocols used for University of Virginia Hospital employees. Disability insurance is provided for medical students. 27. Does this school provide, or does the student pay for, vaccinations against hepatitis B or prophylactic HIV treatment in case of a needle-stick or accident? In the event of a needlestick or blood/body fluid exposure or acute exposure to tuberculosis during clinical training, students are provided at no additional cost all diagnostic evaluations, hepatitis immune globulins, and HIV post-exposure prophylactic medications. Hepatitis B and vericella immunity are now required for admission (at the student's cost). 28. Is there a school honor code? Yes. Is there a grievance process/procedure? Yes. Are the students involved? The Honor System is one of the University's most venerated traditions, based on the fundamental assumption that anyone who enrolls at the University of Virginia subscribes to a code of ethics forbidding lying, cheating, and stealing. For over 150 years, this system has been run entirely by students. 29. May I see a list of residency programs to which the recent graduates were accepted?
NRMP Match lists are available going back to 1998 on the following website: http://www.med-ed.virginia.edu/handbook/residency/Match/index.cfm Self-reflection Questions30. Does this school have strengths in the type of medicine (primary vs. specialized care, urban vs. rural practice, academic medicine vs. private practice) that I will want to practice? 31. Would I be happy at this school (for at least the next four years)? *Updated July 2009 |
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