> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ismms-gs.gitbook.io/graduate-student-handbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ismms-gs.gitbook.io/graduate-student-handbook/chapter-2-1/md-phd-program/curriculum/md-phd-program-activities/mstp-individual-development-plan.md). # MSTP Individual Development Plan The Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a critical tool for MSTP students to guide their academic, research, and career progression. Completed annually, the IDP encourages students to reflect on their achievements, define short- and long-term goals, and assess their skills, strengths, and areas for growth. Students are required to discuss their IDP with their mentor, Thesis Advisory Committee, or MTA Director to ensure alignment of expectations and to receive structured feedback. The MSTP IDP supports proactive career planning, fosters self-directed learning, and strengthens the mentor-mentee partnership. It also plays an important role in tracking research milestones, maintaining steady progress toward the PhD, and preparing for successful transitions into clinical training and future physician-scientist careers. Completion of the IDP is required annually of all students in the program. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://ismms-gs.gitbook.io/graduate-student-handbook/chapter-2-1/md-phd-program/curriculum/md-phd-program-activities/mstp-individual-development-plan.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.