Academic Advising and Counseling

During the preclinical years, advising is available through the Senior Associate Dean and Assistant Dean in Student Affairs, the Associate Dean for Cultural Diversity, and the Associate Dean for Academic Support, as well as course directors (especially mentors in POM-1 and POM-2).

During the third year, students select an academic advisor (physician), usually a faculty member from the department in which his/her career interests lie. The decision must be finalized in the spring of the third year. Students develop an elective program after consultation with, and subject to the approval by, their advisor. The advisor is expected to advise about elective choices, career decisions, and residency programs, and to supply perspective about the medical profession in general.

It should be noted, however, that faculty advisors have not been charged with monitoring the academic progress of student advisees. They do not receive their advisee's grades or other evaluation reports with the exception of the elective evaluations.

Finally, the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs meets individually with each student at the beginning of their fourth year to review their career plans and to write a Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE).

Other Counseling Services/Options

• Confidential Counseling (CAPS): 924-5556 or 243-5150
• After Hours Emergency Consultation: 972-7004
• Student Health Services, such as for Depression, Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Adjustment Difficulties
• Women's Center, which provides confidential services for both men and women located on the Corner at University Avenue and 14th Street (982-2252 or womenctr@virginia.edu
• UVa Cares, Eating Disorders Task Force
• Student Advocacy Committee, for issues regarding unprofessional behavior towards or involving medical students
• Equal Opportunity Office (EOC), for unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct (243-6368 or 924-3200)
• UVa Sexual Assault Education Coordinator, who provides a private, confidential way to report sexual assault and date violence (982-2774)
• Reed Psychiatry Care Fund is a private fund administered by the Medical Alumni Association (924-1734) for women medical students in need of outpatient psychiatric care. Confidentiality is strictly maintained.

to Student Handbook