Mentoring

Class Program Advisor

Each new incoming class of M.D.-Ph.D. students will be assigned a single Class Program Advisor for their first year of training. This individual will be a faculty member who has extensive knowledge of the M.D.-Ph.D. Program, the Medical School, and the various graduate programs. The Class Program Advisor will serve as a focal point for the first year class students to go to for programmatic advice. S/he will meet several times throughout the year with all the M.D.-Ph.D. students, both as a group and individually. With the assistance of the M.D.-Ph.D. program administrators, the Class Program Advisor will assist the students in choosing lab rotations and subsequent Individual Program Advisors.

Individual Program Advisor

During the first year, each student will work with their Class Program Advisor to choose an Individual Program Advisor from a list of appropriate physician-scientists at Dartmouth. The Individual Program Advisor will serve as the student's primary career advisor throughout the remainder of the M.D.-Ph.D. Program, and will provide counseling as students prepare to enter post-graduate training.

Individual Advisory Committee

Once the student identifies a thesis laboratory and graduate program, an Individual Advisory Committee is created, consisting of the Individual Program Advisor and the Thesis Mentor. This committee is distinct from the student's thesis committee, and is charged with providing advice and assistance for the student's overall progress within the M.D.-Ph.D. Program, as well as career planning. The Individual Advisory Committee will meet with the student on a regular basis (at least yearly) to discuss strategies for success within the program, research interests, and long-term career goals. Counseling will be especially important for the transition points between medical didactic, thesis research, and clinical training components of the program.

Big Sib

Upon entering the dual degree program all students will also be provided with a "Big Sib." The Big Sib will provide a student's perspective of achieving success and transitioning through the M.D.-Ph.D. Program.