UConn School of Medicine Second Look 2020
Welcome to the UConn School of Medicine!
Congratulations on your admission to the UConn School of Medicine, we hope you are very proud of this accomplishment! We were looking forward to hosting you on campus on March 27 & 28 for Second Look Weekend, where you would learn about our programs, students, and campus culture before you had to make a decision on where to attend in August. Alas, COVID-19 put an end to those plans (and many others), but we still want to share the School of Medicine with you as best as we can. Below you will find a number of resources that you may find helpful as you make your enrollment decision. Recognizing that this cannot take the place of a carefully planned weekend of events, we hope it will help you learn more about UConn and what we have to offer. Of course, we welcome any questions you have, please feel free to contact us!
Welcome from our student co-chairs, Eric Beltrami and Bridget Oei
Welcome from Assistant Dean of Admissions, Dr. Regan
School of Medicine video
CURRICULUM
To deliver curricular content, the UConn School of Medicine uses a collaborative team-based learning strategy that enhances both student engagement and promotes quality learning. In addition, the curriculum promotes advanced hands-on clinical skills training and utilizes advanced technical lab simulators to help students master all elements of the curriculum content. This video was prepared by current first-year students to give you an overview of UConn’s unique medical curriculum.
Curriculum Overview Video
Curriculum Overview Chart with Course Descriptions 2020-21 Academic Calendar for Stage 1 students
Team Based Learning (TBL) and Case Oriented Essentials (COrE): Our M-Delta curriculum has team-based learning as its core teaching method. Learning is done in a collaborative and supportive environment with students working together to achieve their educational goals. By applying knowledge in an active learning environment, students have longer retention and a deeper understanding of the information presented. In COrE, students will learn and apply foundational biomedical knowledge to patient-centered cases in a team setting.
Team Based Learning Video
Fabric of Anatomy & Biology Lab (FAB): In addition to our traditional Human Anatomy Lab (HAL), UConn employs innovative technology in our Virtual Anatomy Lab (VAL) allowing students to connect gross anatomy knowledge directly to state-of-the-art imaging. Students can directly correlate what they are learning in traditional cadaveric dissection with a multitude of instantly available radiologic imaging (x-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound).
VAL Video
FAB LAB Video
Vertically Integrated Teams Aligned in Learning & Scholarship (VITALS): In the VITALS course, students will explore topics such as bioethics in the news, emerging diseases, health care policy and social determinants of health. These sessions support students’ future roles as scholarly physicians, life-long teachers, and learners.
DOCC/CLIC/PACTS: These three courses comprise the Clinical Suite that students will experience in their first two years. In Delivery of Clinical Care (DOCC), students will learn how to interact with patients and conduct physical exams. In Clinical Longitudinal Immersion in the Community (CLIC), students will apply their clinical skills and biomedical knowledge with real patients under the supervision of a physician mentor. In Patient Advocacy in Communities, Teams and Health Systems (PACTS), students will explore the complexities of the patient experience and the health systems with which patients engage to become better patient advocates.
DOCC/CLIC/PACTS Presentation
Simulation Center: Our Clinical Simulation Center allows students the opportunity to practice challenging, immersive simulation training within a safe, hands-on, and supportive learning environment. This is a cutting edge educational experience that is both learner-centric and individualized for each student.
Sim Center Video
Ultrasound Training: UConn School of Medicine is the first to receive and implement into their curriculum a new hand-held ultrasound device (Butterfly-iQ) which plugs into any cell phone. Ultrasound is proving to be as indispensable to physicians as the stethoscope, and our students are on the front-line of mastering this skill for their future medical practice.
Ultrasound Video
Urban Service Track: Medical students interested in working with underserved communities, especially in urban settings, have the opportunity to apply to the Urban Service Track program (UST). UST students gain valuable exposure to the complex and challenging issues of health care in the inner city. A strong mentorship component supports learners as they navigate their own personal and professional development.
Clinical Rotations: UConn School of Medicine is known for its stellar clinical education. Being centrally located in Connecticut, students will have opportunities to learn from clinicians across specialties at several hospitals, which are mentioned in the link below. The document below summarizes the clinical rotations for all UConn medical students during Stage 2.
FIRST YEAR SCHEDULE
Students will be assigned to one of three Learning Communities, which will determine their weekly schedule. The document below displays the three possible schedules for first year of medical school.
First Year Learning Communities
SCHOOL – LIFE BALANCE
Medical school marks an important but stressful period in the life of a physician. It is a time of personal and professional growth, immense learning, and a significant lifestyle change. UConn School of Medicine is committed to helping students navigate the personal challenges, maintaining physical health and psychological resilience, and finding not only survival, but joy in their medical student training.
Wellness Website
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
At UConn School of Medicine, we pride ourselves on our diverse array of student clubs and organizations. Students have limitless opportunities to begin making connections with students and medical faculty early in their medical school careers. Below is a list of current clubs and organizations being run by our students.
List of student organizations
HOUSING / LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
There are many housing options for students at UConn School of Medicine. The document below was developed by current students to help you find the best option for you!
Housing Flyer
FINANCIAL AID
The Office of Financial Aid Services serves both medical and dental students as they work toward completing their degree programs. The staff ensure students are awarded their aid in a timely fashion, work to make sure students receive what they are eligible for and provide financial guidance regarding student aid and debt management. Students are assisted in making critical decisions regarding the best aid for them and how to manage their student loan debt through financial fitness classes, seminars and workshops. The Office of Financial Aid Services stands ready to assist all students, and help them navigate the waters of loans, grants and scholarships as they become new doctors and dentists.
Financial Aid Video
Financial Aid Presentation Notes
HEALTH CAREER OPPORTUNITY OFFICE
The Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP) actively recruits underrepresented medical and dental students and supports those who are enrolled. The continuous pipeline of programs has been successful in helping participants realize their dreams of becoming health care providers.
HCOP Website
WHAT TO BRING
Our admitted students like to be prepared and are wondering what to bring with them when they begin medical school in August. Eric and Bridget have created a handy list to help you out!
What to Bring 2020
SOCIAL MEDIA
Our Second Look Weekend co-chairs developed this Facebook page to keep in touch with all accepted students. Join this group and stay connected with them and other accepted students for updates, housing, roommate searching and more!
Class of 2024 Facebook
MATCH STATISTICS
One critical measure of the success of a medical school is the placement of its students into excellent residency programs. UConn medical students have had great success matching into the most competitive specialties at top programs. The document below is UConn’s Match Day program from March 20, 2020, and includes detailed information on the Class of 2020, while excluding student names for privacy purposes.
Match Day 2020 Program
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the nation's oldest and largest student organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Membership includes more than 8,000 medical students, pre-medical students, residents and physicians. The SNMA boasts over 40 years of service and is committed to addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent, and socially conscious physicians. Our UConn chapter is involved in mentorship, community outreach, and service.
INDIVIDUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES (ILO)
During each of the 5 LEAP sessions, students either engage in reinforcement material to support content or participate in an ILO, thus individualizing their experience. This five-day period allows total immersion in specialized topics designed by faculty to promote a deeper dive into a curricular area, support skill building, and/or career exploration. It also allows students the opportunity to have a valuable experience and learn outside of the curriculum, including options in the humanities. Below are examples of some ILOs that have been offered in the past, however ILO options change each LEAP session.
ILO examples
SECOND LOOK LIVE SESSION
The Second Look Weekend team wants to provide all accepted students a live opportunity to talk to us and get any questions answered. We will be having a virtual Second Look Session on Friday, March 27, 2020 at 2 p.m. on Webex. We look forward to meeting you all, virtually!
For those of you who couldn’t join the live session, or for those who would like to relive the experience, here is the recording!