[mdphd] Your input needed: handbook/policy revisions and recruitment strategy

[Adam Waickman]

Dear MD/PhD trainees:

I'm writing to ask for your input on two initiatives we're undertaking over the next few months, and your perspective as current trainees is essential to getting both right.

First, we are comprehensively revising both the program policy guide and the student handbook. Building on the discussions from the town hall meeting earlier this year, we want to identify any points of policy that are unclear - or have been unclear to you at any stage of the program - as well as any sections of the handbook that would benefit from clarification. The more specific you can be, the better, as our goal is to make these revisions as thorough and useful as possible.

Second, we are revising the materials we use to recruit prospective students and working to develop tighter, more cohesive narratives for our admissions personnel to draw on during the recruitment process. Here, we'd value your thoughts on what we should emphasize: what makes Upstate special in general, what makes our MD/PhD program distinctive in particular, and why a prospective student should choose to train here. You have a vantage point that no brochure does, and your sense of what actually drew you here - and what has kept you engaged - would be invaluable.

For both items, you're welcome to share your input in whatever way is most comfortable. You can respond directly to me and Andrea by email, or we can discuss it in person during our 1:1 advising meetings next month.

Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness. I'm looking forward to hearing your ideas.

Cheers,

Adam T. Waickman, PhD
Director, MD/PhD Program
Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
SUNY Upstate Medical University
766 Irving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210

Phone: 315-464-7958
Email: waickmaa at upstate.edu<mailto:waickmaa at upstate.edu>
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