Distinction in Research

Program Guidelines for Students

Mount Sinai School of Medicine has various programs to encourage student research. The Distinction in Research Program is the most rigorous and prestigious of these programs.

The Distinction in Research Program is administered by the Medical Student Research Office. It is for students who carry out and write up original research, rather than limiting their participation to a technical capacity on an ongoing project. Students who are accepted into this program and who fulfill the requirements listed below will receive diplomas at Commencement stating that they have graduated with Distinction in Research and will be recognized at the Graduation Day Awards and Prizes Ceremony.

Students are encouraged to begin their research in the spring semester of their first year and to devote the summer between their first and second years. Students continue their work during elective periods in years 2-4. Some students elect to do a year of full-time research between their second and third or third and fourth years, although this is not obligatory.
Proposals for Distinction in Research cannot be a part of any required research effort at the School of Medicine. Case reports or literature reviews do not qualify students for graduation with Distinction in Research. Students enrolled in the MSTP Program are not eligible.

Procedure for Admission to the Program

1. The first step is for the student to select a mentor and formulate a research project. Instructions for mentors are available separately.
2. Application forms are available in the Medical Student Research Office, Annenberg Bldg., 13th Fl., Rm. 13-30, and may be submitted at any time during the academic year. Projects cannot be initiated during the student’s fourth year.
3. The application is in the form of a research proposal divided into the following sections
   1. Abstract
   2. Hypothesis to be tested
   3. Statement of importance
   4. Introduction/Background
   5. Specific aims
   6. Research plan
   7. Method of data analysis
      It should be no longer than 5 pages.
4. A cover letter, signed by the mentor, must accompany the application. It must state that:
   1. the proposal has scientific merit
   2. has been written primarily by you
   3. can be accomplished within the proposed time frame
   4. you will be first author on any paper reporting this research
      The latter implies that the student will carry out the majority of the experiments him/herself and will take primary responsibility for writing the manuscript. All applications should be submitted to Dr. Zier in the Medical Student Research Office, Box 1257 (Annenberg 13-30).
5. A Distinction in Research Advisory Committee will be formed for each student. This committee makes the final decision as to whether a student’s proposal is acceptable. Applicants can expect to be notified of the decision within one month of receipt of the proposal.
6. Students whose applications are not accepted by the committee will have the opportunity to revise their applications in response to specific criticisms.
7. Students who would like the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) to include that they will graduate with Distinction in Research must have been granted graduation with Distinction in Research by September 1 of the fourth year.

Requirements for Successful Completion of the Program

1. Publication of a paper to a peer-reviewed journal by March 1 of the fourth year and endorsement of the student by the committee awarding Distinction in Research. A copy of the paper must go to the Medical Student Research Office.

   Or:

2. A thesis in the form of a manuscript may be submitted to the student’s advisory committee. The committee will then make the decision as to whether it qualifies the student for graduation with Distinction in Research.
3. The student must be listed as first author on the manuscript and the thesis.

Recognition of Achievement

1. Students who have submitted their paper will have their participation in the Distinction in Research Program noted in their MSPE letter of recommendation.
2. Students who fulfill all of the requirements will graduate with Distinction in Research. This will be indicated on the Commencement Program and noted on the diplomas. They will be invited to participate in the graduation Awards and Prizes Ceremony.

Application Form

Back to Research Guidelines, Distinction in Research, and Year of Scholarship

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