MD phase advising
During MD Phases of Training at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
The Career and Professional Development Advising Curriculum for MD-PhD students at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is tailored to the unique needs of physician-scientist trainees during their medical school years—both before and after the PhD phase. This advising is integrated into the broader structure coordinated by the Office for Medical Student Affairs (OMSA), with additional support and customization provided by MSTP leadership. The curriculum is grounded in the AAMC Careers in Medicine framework and is aligned with MSTP-specific milestones and career development priorities.
Advising is overseen by the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the Assistant Director for Career and Professional Development, and the Director and Associate Directors of the MSTP, who work together to ensure that MSTP students receive timely, developmental, and personalized guidance throughout both transitions into and out of the clinical curriculum.
Year-by-Year Structure for MSTP Students
Pre-PhD MD Phase
In their first year of medical school, MSTP students begin foundational career exploration while integrating into the broader MD class. Advising during this phase emphasizes early exposure to clinical fields, professional development skills, and the cultivation of mentorship networks.
Key Elements:
Introduction to career and professional development resources
Primer on physician-scientist career paths
Guidance on summer research or clinical experiences
Early mentorship from MSTP faculty, alumni, and near-peer students
Advising Goals:
Explore the landscape of biomedical careers through a physician-scientist lens
Begin identifying clinical interests that may align with future research directions
Build foundational skills in narrative development, CV building, and goal setting
PhD-to-MD Reentry (Return to Clerkships / Final Year Planning)
As MSTP students return to medical school after completing their dissertation, they enter a phase of active clinical immersion and career decision-making. Advising focuses on integrating their PhD experience into residency planning and preparing for reentry into the clinical learning environment.
Key Elements:
MSTP Reentry: schedule planning, career advising, academic readiness
Updated CV, personal statement support, and narrative coaching
Research Residency advising and special physician-scientist career considerations
Guidance on electives that complement research and specialty interests
Conversations with departmental advisors, MSTP alumni, and PSTP faculty
Advising Goals:
Translate research accomplishments into clinical career context
Solidify specialty interests and identify residency program characteristics of interest
Begin preparation for the MSPE and application documents
Final Year of Medical School (Residency Application Year)
During the final year, MSTP students engage in the full residency application process. Advising is tailored to support both competitive clinical placement and long-term academic career goals, including consideration of physician-scientist training programs (PSTPs), research tracks, and departments with strong mentorship infrastructure.
Key Elements:
One-on-one residency advising with OMSA and MSTP leadership and
Mock interviews, including specialty-specific sessions
Review of personal statements and ERAS applications
Strategy for selecting and ranking programs, including PSTPs and dual-degree–friendly sites
Ongoing support in crafting a compelling physician-scientist narrative
Advising Goals:
Navigate the match process with confidence and authenticity
Position oneself for success in research-intensive residencies
Strategize around long-term goals: subspecialty training, faculty development, K awards, and protected research time
Professional Development Programming
Throughout the MD phases, MSTP students are encouraged to engage in OMSA-led and MSTP-specific programming, which includes:
CV and personal statement workshops
Mock interview sessions
Career exploration panels
Narrative development and branding as a physician-scientist
Alumni panels featuring MD-PhD graduates in diverse specialties
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