Advising FAQ's

How do I find a summer project?

In early spring we will be distributing a list of faculty who have summer projects and who are interested in working with medical students- be on the lookout for those emails. You may also want to utilize the searchable faculty database (http://research.brown.edu/research/search.php) to find faculty who are doing research in your area of interest. Second year students are also good resources- talk with them about their own projects.

How should I approach faculty to talk about my interest in their work?

Many faculty enjoy working with medical students and welcome student interest in their work. It is appropriate for you to email faculty to ask about any summer opportunities or to ask if the faculty member has time to meet with you and discuss their work.

Does Brown offer funding for summer projects?

The Summer Assistantship Program (http://med.brown.edu/research/summer.html) is the primary source of funding for students' summer work. However, the application process is competitive, and funding is not guaranteed.

What projects have been funded in the past?

A list of previously funded projects can be found on our web site (http://med.brown.edu/research/summer.html).

I'm overwhelmed. Who can I talk to?

There are many resources here at Brown to help you through difficult times. If you are a Year I or II medical student and would like to speak with someone, contact Preclincial Advisor Emily Green (Emily_Green@Brown.edu; 401-863-9139). If you are a Year III or IV medical student and would like to speak with someone, contact Clinical Advisor Alex Morang (Alexandra_Morang@Brown.edu; 401-863-1641). Emma Simmons and Mercedes Domenech are the advisors from minority affairs and can be reached at Emma_Simmons@brown.edu; 401-863- 2364. or Mercedes_Domenech@brown.edu; 401-863-7938. Meetings with these advisors are completely confidential. If you wish to speak with a peer, you can contact the Student Health Council for a confidential discussion. The chair is Ross Martini, MD '11. Ross can be reached at Ross_Martini@brown.edu. You can also contact Brown's Psychological Services at http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Psychological_Services/; 401-863-3476.

How do I figure out whether or not to do a Scholarly Concentration?

The best place to start is our SC Program web site (http://med.brown.edu/education/concentrations/index.php). This site contains lots of information about the program as a whole, and about individual concentration areas. Concentration area Directors are available for questions about their educational programs, and for general questions please contact Emily Green (Emily_Green@Brown.edu; 401-863-9139).

What do I do if I have to miss class?

Any absences from required activities in the preclinical years must be excused by Emily Green (Emily_Green@Brown.edu; 401-863-9139). To request and excused absence from a clinical rotation please contact Alex Morang (Alexandra_Morang@Brown.edu; 401-863-1641). You can see the official Attendance Policy on Web CT and on our web site (http://med.brown.edu/student_services/handbook.html).

How do I go about getting a tutor?

In the preclinical years please contact Dick Dollase in the Office of Curriculum Affairs (Richard_Dollase@Brown.edu; 401-863-3198).

Where can I find information on different specialty areas?

One of the best, and most accurate, sources of information on specialty areas is the AAMC's Careers in Medicine (CiM) web site (http://www.aamc.org/students/cim/start.htm). The CiM Specialty lunch seminars in Room 202 in the BMC provides another terrific opportunity to learn about various specialties.