Class Meetings

Class meetings

MD-PhD Program Class and Transition Meetings

The Penn MSTP has regular cohort meetings for each class to help support students at each phase of training and to prepare for upcoming transition.  There is some variation year to year, but the list below is typical and shows each cohort/transition point and when the meetings take place.  The Program Director and Administrator attend all sessions, and many include additional faculty members and/or student panelists from the year above.  Frequently the sessions are held mid-day with lunch.

1^st years

• Pre-retreat welcome event with 2^nd years – August
• Orientation session reviewing philosophy, curriculum, resources – August
• Fall semester check-in  – October
• Spring semester check-in – February

2^nd years

• Summer class mtg to debrief 1^st year and look ahead to 2^nd year – June or July
• Pre-retreat welcome event with 1^st years - August
• Fall semester check-in and clerkship schedule planning – September
• Chimeras Cracking Clerkships and Step 2 panel discussion – November

3^rd years

• Panel discussion on transition to grad school – August
• Panel discussion on prelim prep – March

4^th years

• Class mtg with special focus on transition to full time dissertation phase – June or July
• Panel discussion on preparing for first thesis cmt mtg and navigating dissertation years – Oct
• 4^th year commiseration dinner (around the time the MS4 class is matching) – March or April

5^th years and above

Several sessions are held related to wrapping up the PhD and returning to clinics, and students attend at the appropriate time depending on their own timelines (eg whether completing both degrees in 7 years total vs. 8 years total or shorter or longer).  And in the last year of the program advising and support is very individualized depending on residency plans, etc.

• 5^th year class mtg with Program Director and Administrator
• 6^th year class mtg with Program Director and Administrator
• Senior student panel discussion on final phase of PhD and transitioning back to clinics
• Faculty/staff panel on the Return to Clinics (RTC)

Chalk talks

During the thesis years, classes have the option of organizing class chalk talks. Chalk talks are a great way to share research and stay connected with classmates. Classes have also held events such as faculty panel discussions and some other career-oriented topics. Class chalk talk dates are shared via email.