Medical Student Frequently Asked Questions

Classroom, Small Group and Clerkships

What is the small group attendance policy?

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and examinations, either in person or online, and to participate fully in small group sessions, laboratory exercises, and service learning experiences. In accordance with the Attendance Policy of the Medical School, attendance is required at the following Medical School educational activities unless the course director has otherwise exempted students with advance notification:

  • All course and clerkship quizzes and examinations
  • All clinical activities, including orientation, as specified by each course/clerkship
  • Small group and laboratory sessions

How do I know if the course schedule has been changed?

We keep track of course schedules via the Thyme calendaring system - so all calendars are displaying information from the same database. This means that whether you subscribe to the course calendars (Year 1, Year 2), view the master Y1 or Y2 online calendars (Year 1, Year 2), or view the individual course calendars via WebCT/Moodle/myU Portal - these will have the same information. The student Web site also uses information from the Thyme calendar database to display the student schedule.

For detailed information about specific Small Group sessions, you will need to go to the course Web site (WebVista/Moodle/myU Portal).

Academic Performance and Grades

How are grades determined during years 1 and 2?

All courses are graded Pass (P), Fail (N), or Incomplete (I). In general, to pass a course in Year 1, a student must receive a number of points equal to or greater than 70% of the top score achieved in that course. In Year 2, students must achieve a number of points equal to or greater than 70% of the average of the top 10 students in the course. Course Directors have the right to lower, but not raise, that percentage. Course Directors reserve the right to adjust the curve based on distribution of scores. Students whose total performance during the first and second years is in the top 20% of their class will receive a letter and certificate of Overall Honors. Medical Pharmacology, Gross Anatomy, Human Histology, Human Physiology and Medical Neuroscience confer letters of recognition for honors level academic performance to those students who place in the top 10% in each of these courses, and Microbiology confers honors to those students placing in the top 15%. This information is placed automatically in the student's MSPE (Dean's Letter). For further details, refer to the Grading Policy for Years 1 & 2 in the student handbook.

Is there a prize for biochemistry?

The Wallace D. Armstrong Memorial Award is given every year to the medical student and dental student with the highest scholastic standing in biochemistry, to memorialize Dr. Armstrong, chair of the Department of Biochemistry from 1946 to 1973. This $2500 prize is awarded annually at the Medical School Honors and Awards Ceremony in April.

Who can I contact if I would like to improve my academic performance or progress?

Marilyn Becker, PhD, Director of Learner Development: becke024@umn.edu (612) 626-7196.

We want to ensure that every student performs to their best potential throughout medical school. You should know that we have asked year one and two course directors to share examination results with Dr. Becker in order to monitor students’ learning progress and to provide guidance to those students who may be performing at a level below expectation. Dr. Becker also provides group sessions throughout the year as a resource for all students to be able to do their best during medical school. We invite all students to contact Dr. Becker if you have any concerns or questions.

Why do I have to complete my course evaluation before I can get my test score?

We ask that students complete their evaluations before the grades are completed so that we can gather robust feedback to assure continuous improvement in courses. Some examples of improvements in 2008-09 that came directly from student feedback in 2007-08:

  • Hired additional TAs and added CT scans in the Anatomy course.
  • Completely changed how Embryology is taught.
  • Started using Moodle in some courses to improve course management and communications.
  • Hired a supervisor and four students to troubleshoot problems for students in the Computer Lab.
  • Worked closely with course directors to ensure more inclusion of goals, learning objectives, etc. in course packets and syllabi.
  • Classroom "feedback" cards themselves are the result of student feedback. We are providing prompt, more specific and ongoing feedback to course directors about what students say works well and what could be improved within their particular course.

How can I see evaluations of me?

It's easy! We use two systems currently:

  • CoursEval – used for basic science education, mostly years one and two courses
  • E*Value – used for clinical education in years 3-4

How to access the systems:

Either system can be accessed by students and faculty via a button on the MedEd Homepage.

  1. Click the "Evaluations" button CoursEval Login located in the left collumn of the the MedEd Homepage.
  2. Select which system you need to access.
    Year 1 and 2 Year 3 and 4
    Courseval evalue
  3. Enter username and password information.
    • CoursEval system is authenticated with University x500 I.D.
    • E*Value system assigns you a username and password.
      (If you forget your login, there is a link on the page to help you reset your login information.)
  4. To view reports in CoursEval:
    • Click on Reports > Evaluation Reports
    • Set all the drop down menu options to "Set All" to view everything available
  5. To view reports in E*Value:
    • Click on Reports > Evaluation Reports > Performance

Course Continuous Quality Improvement

How does the Medical School use my evaluations to improve courses?

The Medical School does ongoing evaluations of courses and clerkships via CourseEval for years 1-2, and E*Value for clinical clerkships and electives. In 2008, we began a pilot using classroom evaluation cards for ongoing feedback on year one and two courses. In addition, SPICE groups are conducted quarterly with students to evaluate perspectives across courses. These results are shared with the students who attended the SPICE meeting, the Curriculum Committee, and the Education Council. Relevant parts are also shared with Course Directors. If you have questions about course evaluation, contact Julia Wynn, Evaluation Specialist (wynn0030@umn.edu 625-4489), or Linda Perkowski, PhD, Associate Dean for Curriculum and Evaluation (perkowsk@umn.edu 626-4985).

If you have concerns about the organization of, or expectations in, a course or clerkship, the first person to contact is the course or clerkship director. If you continue to have concerns, for years one and two courses, contact Brad Clark, Curriculum Specialist, clark772@umn.edu 624-6996; for years three and four courses and clerkships, contact Dr. Ted Thompson thomp005@umn.edu.

What opportunities does the Medical School provide for me to learn using simulations?

The Medical School provides students with many opportunities for high quality, high fidelity simulations.

  • All first and second year students on the TC campus work with Standardized Patients (SPs) to learn the foundations of interviewing in a highly-structured context. All SPs have been rigorously trained to respond to your inquiries and to provide invaluable feedback on students' performance. The initial interviews are recorded for review and feedback also. Starting in the 2008-2009 academic year, all 2nd year medical students participate in a PAP workshop on using ultrasonography for physical diagnosis.
  • The IERC provides simulated clinical environment for learning physical diagnosis with and without SPs. IERC is the single largest expense in the medical school curriculum budget!
  • The Duluth Campus has a simulations center, where students learn ultrasonography and other simulations.
  • SimPORTAL - Clerkships offer state of the art simulations training for all students with this "just-in-time" learning method. Studies show that adults learn best when the training in simulations is immediately proximal to the experiences in which they will be applying the skills and knowledge. Currently, all students experience these simulations (IV, intubation, suturing, sterile technique, ultrasonographic physical diagnosis, etc.) in required clerkships. Extra practice is available as determined by the department and instructors:
    • Surgery (SimPORTAL)
    • Emergency Medicine
    • Anesthesiology (SimPORTAL)
    • Student interest groups can arrange for workshops using patient simulators (SimMan, iStan, TraumaMan, etc.) or to practice other skills. Groups are charged for these activities based upon supply use and staff time.
    • Access to endoscopic/laparoscopic skills trainers is available on a 24/7 basis after students are oriented to the equipment.
    • Skills practice outside of defined curricula or interest group activities may be arranged with the SimPORTAL staff dependent upon previous instruction.

    For more information on the SimPORTAL, contact John Raymond (612) 626-5636, SimPORTAL Coordinator, A582 Mayo Memorial Building.

Flexible MD Program

Who can I talk to about the Flexible MD, Dual Degree program, or a Leave of Absence?

Kathleen Watson, MD, Associate Dean for Students and Student Learning: drwatson@umn.edu 626-5812.

The Flexible MD program is designed to help students achieve educational goals as part of academic progress towards the MD degree through special projects, research, and other experiences that enrich learning outside of the standard curriculum and cause a delay in the graduation date. This includes all dual degrees except the MD/PhD program. Applications for the program are rolling and are reviewed four times per year. Visit the Flexible MD Web site for application instructions and further details. Please contact Dr. Watson to set up a meeting to discuss the Flexible MD program if you have a strong interest. Students who wish to request a "Personal Leave of Absense" are not eligible for the Flexible MD program; instead, please contact Dr. Watson.

Harassment and Mistreatment

What can I do if I think I am being mistreated or harassed in the classroom or in a clerkship or clinical environment?

First, talk to your course or clerkship director about your concerns—these faculty are committed to providing the highest quality teaching and learning environment for you. If you prefer to speak to someone else, contact Dr. Kathleen Watson (drwatson@umn.edu , Mayo B693, 626-5812) or Dr. Ted Thompson (thomp005@umn.edu, 626-2841). Alternatively, you may contact Mary Tate (tatex001@umn.edu, 625-1494), the Medical School's Director of Minority Affairs and Diversity and liaison to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEOAA). If you are in a clerkship, please submit your concerns about mistreatment or harassment via the Course Evaluation form in the E*Value system. These reports go directly to Drs. Thompson and Watson, who follow up on every one of them personally. Typically, there are 1-3 evaluations per month for all clerkships. If you feel that your concerns are not being effectively dealt with, you may contact the University of Minnesota OEOAA directly at www.eoaffact.umn.edu. View the Medical School Policy on Harassment and Mistreatment.

For Graduating Seniors

What is the MSPE? Who writes it?

MSPE stand for "Medical Student Performance Evaluation" and was formally know as the "Dean's Letter". Drs. Kathleen Watson, Ted Thompson, Lindsey Henson, Kathleen Brooks (RPAP students), and Peter Bitterman (MD/PhD students) meet with all members of the graduating class and write the Summary portion of the MSPE. Students are assigned to one of these expert writers. Beginning in May 2010, we will begin scheduling meetings for all rising 4th year medical students to discuss the MSPE. We are committed to the highest quality MSPEs for our students! The Residency Program Directors are the primary audience for the MSPE, which is submitted via the ERAS (Electronic Residency Application System), based upon the student's choice of residency programs during the fall of their 4th year in medical school. The "anatomy" of an MSPE is as follows:

  • Unique Characteristics—What special qualities, experiences, and skills do you bring to the residency program? (Written by the student).
  • Academic History—dates of matriculation; expected graduation; any delays or extensions of training, academic and personal; any repeated or remediated courses; any adverse actions by the Medical School or University of Minnesota.
  • Academic Progress—All basic science and clinical courses, electives and research; honors and special awards (year one/two overall and course honors; AOA, Gold Humanism Honor Society).
  • Summary—four key elements:
    • the unvarnished truth (transparency about your academic record and chronology is appreciated)
    • the student's greatest strengths—including themes developed from a review of all clerkship evaluation comments by attending physicians and residents
    • characteristics that distinguish you from all other applicants to a residency program
    • a personal view of who you are as a person

Interesting new reference on the MSPE from Academic Medicine, March 2009: Selection Criteria for Residency: Results of a National Program Directors Survey

If I want to receive my diploma but don't know where I will be living after graduation, what should I do?

You will receive a letter asking for a permanent address so that we can mail the diploma to you. Diplomas will not be forwarded, so you can have them mailed to your parents or another relative or friend. Diplomas will be mailed at the end of June, so if you have a permanent address, we can notify the diploma office and have it sent there.

What is the process for changing my name?

We need to make a copy of your Social Security card with your new name and the Name Change form. This form is available in the Student Affairs Office (B604 Mayo) or you can download a form on the Student OneStop site. Once you complete the Name Change form, you must give it to Sharon Brooks in the Student Affairs Office (B604 Mayo) along with a copy of your new social security card. If you have changed your name but have not filled out this form, you need to do so now because you cannot be registered under your changed name until we receive the new documents. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Reilly (reill002@umn.edu 624-9608).

Am I eligible for a good student discount on my insurance?

If you are in satisfactory academic standing we can either sign your insurance form or provide a letter to your insurance company. Contact Sharon Brooks at brook275@umn.edu or stop by B604 Mayo and fill out the request form.

Where can I get an "unofficial transcript"?

The Medical School can provide this for you, or you can print or view your unofficial transcript via OneStop, but many agencies will not accept this. Requests for an Official Transcript can also be made via the OneStop site.

Student Health and Well Being

Where can I go for help with managing stress?

In order to care for others, we must care for ourselves too. There are all kinds of resources available to students—from well-being groups to confidential and fast access to professional counselors. Here are some key resources for you when you need them:

Financial Aid

With all the news that student loans are becoming harder to find, should we be worried about finding the funding to complete our medical education?

NO! The University of Minnesota participates in a federal loan program called Direct Lending. We go directly to the Department of Education to get the money to fund your education with Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. This program is not going away so you need not worry about finding federal loans to fund your education.

The other federal student loan program is a bank-based guaranteed program. Schools/students using the bank-based guaranteed student loan program receive funding from a bank rather than the Department of Education. Due to the major credit problems of the past year, many of banks no longer offer student loans. If you have read about hardship getting student loans, it is the bank-based student loan program that has lost many lenders in the past year. Last fall some students had to scramble to find a bank lender but the Direct Lender Program is and always will be the lender of last resort. So if a student can not find a bank lender, the Direct Lending program is always available. There has been quite a bit of talk about disbanding the bank-based student loan program and requiring all schools/students to use the Direct Lending Program for all federal loans. So as long as you maintain good credit and satisfactory academic progress you will be able to get the funding needed to complete your education.

How can I get travel funds to attend a national meeting?

The Medical School has a small fund for student travel where the priority is given to students making scholarly presentations at a national meeting (Contact Dr. Kathleen Watson, drwatson@umn.edu, Mayo B693, 626-5812). In addition there is a GAPSA Travel Grant.