individual development plans (IDPs)

An Individual Development Plan (IDP) provides a framework for self-assessment, goal setting, career planning and communication between students and their mentors. All MD-PhD students are expected to complete an IDP annually, with the exception of graduating students. (Graduating students meet individually with a member of the Steering Committee, but are not required to submit an additional IDP at that time).

There are different forms for students depending on year in the program and Graduate Group.

rising 2nd and 3rd years in all graduate groups
rising 4th years and above

From the latter part of year 3 and up, students have different requirements/process depending on their PhD program.

  • Starting in spring/summer at the end of year 3, BGS Graduate Group students should complete and certify the forms as indicated on the Biomedical Graduate Studies website.
  • Bioengineering students should complete the IDP form provided by BE and email it to David Bittner in the MD-PhD office, in addition to following instructions from BE about sharing the form with your mentors and committee.
  • Anthropology students should complete the Anthropology Annual Plan of Study form and email it to David Bittner in the MD-PhD office, in addition to following instructions from Anthropology about sharing the form with your mentors and committee.
  • Students in Graduate Groups outside of BGS, BE and Anthropology should contact Maggie Krall to discuss fulfilling the IDP requirement.
  • All students should discuss their IDPs with their MD-PhD Program Advisor, in addition to their Graduate Group mentors.