Student FAQs
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 14:07 — rlazzar@u.washi...
I am interested in joining the pathway. How do I join?
You can sign up electronically for the pathway by filling out our student application. The information you provide on this application will be used to match you to a mentor and will help the pathway staff and faculty help you to craft an educational experience that best fits your needs.
I filled out my UP application, now what?
Pathway applications are downloaded by our pathway staff on a periodic basis. It may take some time for our staff and faculty to find a mentor that fits your needs. If you have not heard from our staff two weeks after filling out your application, email Rachel Lazzar at rlazzar@u.washington.edu to be updated on the status of your application.
Is there a competitive application process to join the UP, or, is everyone accepted?
We would like to accept all students who are interested in the pathway. However, we are moving to a more competitive application process if we have more students interested than mentors available. Also, we may determine that a different pathway may benefit you more, and we will work with them to accommodate your intentions.
How much of my time will the pathway take?
The time the pathway takes will vary from student to student. We designed the pathway so that many of the requirements overlap with your medical school requirements. We estimate that the additional components of the mentorship, web modules and community service will take about 2-5 hours per quarter to complete these components.
Can second year students join the pathway?
Yes, second year students can join the pathway. You can use experiences from your first year to fulfill pathway requirements. You should discuss these experiences with a pathway advisor to ensure that they do fulfill the pathway requirements.
Can third and four year students join the pathway?
All applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. The mentorship, research, community service and nonclinical selective components are essential to the pathway and may be difficult for some third and fourth year students to make up. That said, students who join the pathway may have already completed the 2 credits of nonclinical selectives prior to joining.
If you are an expanded second year or third year student, we invite you to apply to join the pathway. Expanded second and third year students can use experiences from their first year to fulfill pathway requirements. You should discuss these experiences with a pathway advisor to ensure that they do fulfill the pathway requirements.
Can I join the pathway mid-year?
Yes, you can join the pathway mid-year. However, keep in mind that your mentor choices may be more limited if you sign up in the middle of the year. We recommend that if you are a second year student, you join as early as possible to ensure that the nonclinical selective, preceptorship and research requirements can be met.
Why should I consider starting the pathway in my first year?
We recommend that students who want to explore careers with the underserved join the pathway in their first year. As a first year student, you will have the benefit of a longer relationship with a pathway mentor, more time to complete the nonclinical selective coursework and preceptorship requirements, and the ability to plan for a III project that focuses on an underserved community.
What recognition will I receive when I complete the pathway?
Once you have completed all pathway requirements you will receive a Certificate of Completion, acknowledgment of pathway participation in the Hooding Ceremony program, and acknowledgment of UP completion in your Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE or Dean's Letter).
Do I have to be interested in Family Medicine to participate in the pathway?
No. While the pathway is housed in the Department of Family Medicine, it is available to all medical students regardless of which medical specialty you are interested in.
Can I participate in multiple pathways?
Yes. Our pathway works closely with the Global Health, Indian Health, and Hispanic Health Pathways. All of the courses and experiences from the Global Health Pathway, Indian Health Pathway, and Hispanic Health Pathway may be applied towards Underserved Pathway requirements. To learn more, click here.
What if I decide to drop out of the pathway?
You may drop out of the pathway at any time. If you are considering leaving the pathway, we strongly recommend that you speak with a pathway faculty, your pathway mentor or a pathway staff member. We understand that the competing demands of medical school can be stressful, and if at all possible, we'd like to provide you with the support you need during this time. If you determine that pursuing a pathway certificate is not going to work for you, you are free to "audit" the pathway.
What if I decide that the pathway is not for me?
As you progress through your medical school career, you will question your career goals and objectives frequently. If you find that your career goal is shifting away from a career serving an underserved population, we strongly encourage you to utilize our pathway faculty, your pathway mentor or our pathway staff to reflect on your career goals and objectives.
How will I be matched with a mentor?
You will be matched to a mentor based on your preferred mentor location and the patient populations and communities that you would like to explore. Mentors are matched on a first come first served basis, so signing up early for the pathway increases your likelihood of getting a mentor who matches your interests. Often, students know of a physician they've been working with, and can usually be matched with him or her.
Do you have a list of mentors?
Yes, we have a list of mentors and we continue to recruit new mentors. We will do our best to match you to a mentor who shares your interests, but we also will try to honor any requests you may have for a particular mentor.
Mentors are recruited in a variety of ways, including referrals from existing preceptors and faculty, academy associations and other professional association meetings.
Yes, you can choose your own mentor. Please let us know who you are interested in being matched with and we will help determine if your desired mentor is available. If you are interested in a particular mentor, we recommended that you sign up early, as some mentors may not be available later in the year.
Ideally, you and your mentor will be matched for the duration of your time in the pathway. However, we understand that as you progress through your medical education, your career goals and interests will change and you may desire a mentor who matches your goals and interests. Before you request a new mentor, we ask that you please contact your current mentor, and notify him/her of your need to change mentors. If you have been keeping in regular contact with your mentor, he or she will likely be aware of your changing interests and may be anticipating this change. He or she may also have ideas of colleagues who may be able to answer your questions and meet your needs. Once you have notified your mentor, please contact Rachel Lazzar at rlazzar@u.washington.edu. Please let her know that you are requesting a new mentor match and the qualities you are looking for in your new mentor.
What if my mentor and I do not get along?
A mentoring relationship is like any other, and there may come a point where you find that you and your mentor may encounter personal circumstances that may result in a less engaging or satisfying experience. We strongly encourage you to talk with one of the pathway faculty about your experiences with your mentor if you begin to feel that your match is no longer suitable. We will encourage open dialogue between you and your mentor and work with both of you to find appropriate solutions. If we cannot help you and your mentor reach common ground, we can help you and your mentor find closure to your relationship and help you transition to a new mentor.
I have tried to reach my mentor and he/she has not responded, what do I do?
If you are having any difficulty reaching your mentor, please contact our pathway faculty or staff. Our mentors have a variety of clinical and community responsibilities, which means that they may not immediately respond to emails or phone calls. If you think that your mentor has had adequate time to return your email or phone call and you have not heard from him or her, please contact Rachel at rlazzar@u.washington.edu.
I am a second year student. My III project had an underserved focus. How do I ensure I get credit for this experience?
Indicate on your pathway application (or the Pathway Tracker if you're already in the pathway) that you have completed your III and provide a brief overview of your project including the population and topic. Once the pathway advisor reviews and approves this experience, you will update your pathway tracker reflecting completion of this requirement. III projects completed within the context of R/UOP or IHOP have automatic approval for pathway credit. If completed via other means, please talk to a pathway advisor to discuss whether your topic qualifies, and what other options you have.
I am second year student. My III project did not have an underserved focus. What do I need to do to fulfill this pathway requirement?
Indicate on your pathway application that you have completed your III and specify that it did not have an underserved focus. A pathway advisor will work with you in creating an alternative to this requirement.
My III requirement was waived. What do I need to do to fulfill the III requirement for the Pathway?
Indicate on your pathway application that your III requirement has been waived and provide details on the research or community project used to waive the requirement. If your III was waived for a project that focused on an underserved population or issue, your III requirement for the pathway may also be waived. If your III was waived for a research project that did not focus on an underserved community, a pathway advisor will work with you to develop an alternative to this requirement.
I would like to take a course that's not listed on the approved course list. How do I get the course I'm interested in approved for the pathway?
If the class you want to take is not on our pre-approved courses list, speak with a pathway advisor about the course(s) you are interested in taking. The pathway advisor will consider your selection(s) for approval.
I am interested in a topic in underserved care that is not part of the core web curriculum. Can this topic be added?
If you do not see a topic in underserved medicine as part of our web based curriculum, contact Rachel Lazzar and let her know your topic of interest. The pathway faculty will consider your topic for inclusion in future iterations of the pathway.
Do I need a letter or other verification of my participation in community service?
No, we do not require verification of participation in community service. We rely on the honor system and fully expect that any hours that you list on your pathway tracker spent in community service were hours you actually completed.
What types of community service would be eligible to meet this pathway requirement?
Any direct service that is health-related (clinical, outreach, advocacy, leadership and education) and in an underserved community or working with underserved populations is eligible for this pathway requirement.
I am a second year student. How do I fill out the pathway tracker with the courses and experiences that I have previously completed?
When you apply to the Underserved Pathway, you will have space to enter courses you've already completed. You can then list those courses and experiences that you completed in your first year that have been approved by your pathway faculty on your pathway tracker.
I am having difficulty completing one or more pathway requirements, what do I do?
Your first step should be to talk with your pathway mentor or a pathway staff or faculty member. Together, you, your mentor or the faculty/staff member can determine if there are other ways for you to meet the requirements you are having difficulty with or if you might be eligible to have certain requirements waived based on your previous coursework or outside experiences.
Do you have other questions? Send us an email at rlazzar@u.washington.edu or call us at 206-543-9425.