To The Class of 2009

The spectrum of opportunities that this manual provides will allow you to actively participate, with your faculty advisor, in the design of your final academic year. Appropriate consideration of all choices will allow you to take maximum educational advantage of your senior year and prepare for post-graduate training.

The overall educational experience of your senior year will afford you the opportunity to develop those skills, attribu­tes, orientation, and perspectives that are necessary to effectively participate in the clinical practice of medicine. Three required rotations have been designated as mandatory: one-month in Interdisciplinary Oncology Clerkship, one month in Skin and Bones Medicine Clerkship, one month in Critical Care Senior Clerkship, and one month in an acting internship selective. The remaining seven periods of the senior year provides you with the opportunity to study areas of medicine of special interest to you. Selection of electives for at least five of these periods is required. You will have considerable flexibility in selecting five electives during these seven periods; thus, allowing two months for interviews, study for USMLE Step 2 or additional elective or research experiences.

Your faculty advisor will assist you in designing a senior year in support of your needs and personal interests. You are encouraged to utilize the faculty advisement system and the Office of Student Affairs in designing your elective program. We extend our best wishes to each of you for a beneficial and productive year.

Sincerely,
Steven Specter, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs