Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are Scholarly Concentrations, and how do I learn more about each?: Scholarly Concentrations are complementary curricula offered to GW SMHS students that draw on the unique expertise of GW’s faculty and our location in the Nation’s Capital. Through monthly seminars, summer projects, scholarly projects, and a range of available elective coursework, students can take a deep-dive into areas from Health Policy and Global Health to Disaster Response to Translational Research and more. Learn more about the expectations and deliverables. In addition to important information listed on the website, OSPE also encourages you to check out the Scholarly Concentration Program Blackboard site (found under the Organizations tab).
How do I apply to be in a Scholarly Concentration? Are they required?: First-year MD students will have the opportunity to attend SC info sessions, participate in the SC Fair, and connect with student leaders and SC Directors prior to applying to the SC of their choice. Students are only allowed to apply to one concentration. While the vast majority of each class chooses to participate, participation is not required. The SC application can be found on the Scholarly Concentration Expectations web page.
What do I need to include in the Scholarly Concentration Application? When is it due?: Students typically have until mid-October to submit an application for an individual SC area. There are three components to the application: Demographic questions, SC-related questions, and your CV/Resume.
I’m interested in a few Scholarly Concentrations, but how do I choose? Can I apply to more than one?: Students can only apply to one Scholarly Concentration. To aid in your decision-making, OSPE encourages your attendance at SC Information Sessions, which happen within the first few weeks of your first year. At these sessions, students will meet SC Directors, OSPE leadership, and current SC students and will hear about SC objectives and lecture topics. The OSPE also hosts a Scholarly Concentration Fair for first-year students to connect with SC Student Leaders and SC Directors prior to applying.
Are there any caps on total student enrollment into an SC?: Currently, only one SC has an enrollment cap. In order to ensure the quality of mentorship and international placements, the Global Health SC currently has a cap of 25 per class year. If the cap is exceeded in one or more areas, the SC Director/s determine admittance based on the strength of the application materials. If a student is unable to enroll in the concentration area that they originally selected, they are encouraged to apply to another concentration area.
What is a Scholarly Concentration Leader? What do they do, and how do I express interest in being one?: The SC Student Leader serves as a liaison between OSPE and the students within that respective concentration, and as a point person for SC Directors. If you have questions about your SC, the 8-week summer requirement, or just want peer support, feel free to reach out to your Student Leaders. If you’re interested in expanding your leadership experience by becoming an SC Student Leader, please visit the Student Leadership web page to learn more about the role and application process.
I’m feeling overwhelmed. Will dropping my SC have negative consequences?: If you determine that your involvement in a Scholarly Concentration is no longer best, then the OSPE is here to support you. Students are able to withdraw from their SC without penalty at any point during medical school. Withdrawal from an SC will not have negative consequences on your Dean’s Letter or academic record.
I’ve decided I need to withdraw from my SC. What is the process for withdrawal?: To withdraw from your SC for any reason, and at any point, please complete this SC Withdrawal Form. After completing this form, someone from the OSPE team may contact you to finalize your withdrawal and to learn from you how we can improve the program for future students.
I need an extension on an SC deliverable. What steps should I take?: Getting in touch with your SC Director is often the best first step when requesting an extension on an SC deliverable. If an extension is approved, please forward that correspondence to ospe [at] gwu [dot] edu (ospe[at]gwu[dot]edu), and we’ll document it in our records. If you're unable to get in contact with your SC Director, please reach our directly to the OSPE.
I’m experiencing medical student burnout. Can OSPE help?: Self-care is important to us. Feel free to email ospe [at] gwu [dot] edu (ospe[at]gwu[dot]edu) to set up a time to meet. We’d love to be a listening ear and provide some friendly advice. Additionally, check out the Mental Health Support Resources provided through the Office of Student Support.
I’d like to have my SC notated on my diploma. What’s the process to do so?: Although we are no longer noting your Scholarly Concentration on your official diploma, it will be included on your official transcript and a certificate of completion will be provided within your diploma.
If I’m going on a Leave of Absence (LOA), how is my Scholarly Concentration involvement impacted?: Communication is crucial when considering taking a Leave of Absence (LOA). You’ll need to notify your SC Director and OSPE about your planned LOA and complete this LOA Form before you go. Before you return from your LOA, notify your SC Director of your planned return date, and complete the Return from LOA form.
What is the Opportunities Database, and how do I use it?: The Opportunities Database provides SMHS students with information on hundreds of regional, national and international internships, research fellowships, scholarships, projects, and more offered in various specialties and disciplines by nationally recognized organizations. The database includes the following categories: Awards/Contests, Community Service, Conferences, Electives, Employment Opportunities, Externships, Extended Training Programs, Fellowships/Scholarships/Grants, International, Internships, Short-Term/Summer, and Mentor Projects.

All SMHS students, staff and faculty have complete access to the Opportunities Database. Visit the site and use your NetID and password to log in.
My research has been accepted into a regional or national conference. Does the OSPE provide scholarships?: OSPE is committed to your professional development through the facilitation of the MD Research Conference Support Funding Policy. Visit the Medical Student Conference Funding web page for more details, including the eligibility and application requirements.

SC Lecture Requirements

What is the SC lecture requirement, and how do I check my attendance?

Scholarly Concentration students must attend lectures during their MS1 year through the fall of their MS2 year. In general, students can miss one lecture per academic year. Please contact your SC Director for specific information on your SC’s lecture requirements.

Students can view their current lecture attendance on the Scholarly Concentration Blackboard site (found under the Organizations tab).

My Blackboard attendance isn’t correct. What steps should I take?

Updating your attendance on Blackboard is a manual process done by the OSPE office, and it may not update in real time. Please allow two weeks for OSPE to update Blackboard after each lecture. If, after two weeks, your attendance appears inaccurate, please contact ospe [at] gwu [dot] edu (ospe[at]gwu[dot]edu).

How do I “make up” for missed SC lectures?

Students can substitute missed lectures with “make-up” activities with prior SC Director approval. Please forward your SC Director's approval email to ospe [at] gwu [dot] edu (ospe[at]gwu[dot]edu) to receive attendance credit.

Summer Projects

How do I approach the summer project?

If you are not sure where to start in your search for an 8-week summer project, we suggest honing in on your specific areas and topics of interest. After identifying areas of interest, expand from there to identify locations, faculty, or organizations in that space. Once you have that information, we recommend connecting with students and faculty at SMHS to see if there is an existing project or upcoming project that meets your criteria. SC Student Leaders and SC Directors are a great starting point here. If you want to look outside of SMHS, reach out directly to faculty or organizations that you’re interested in. While the “cold-call” approach may be difficult, it can also open the door to opportunities you may not have previously thought about. Specific resources offered by the OSPE are outlined below.

Where can I find opportunities for a summer project?

The OSPE provides various resources to assist students in finding an 8-week summer project. Students can do the following:

Review past summer project lists conducted by students in their SC. These lists can be found on the Scholarly Concentration Program Blackboard site (under the Organizations tab). Projects have been de-identified, so please contact the OSPE if you’re interested in a specific project.
Review the GWU SMHS Faculty Proposals for Medical Student Summer Research Projects list found under the Research section of the SMHS website.
Review the OSPE’s Opportunities Database. While most of the opportunities in the database are external to GW, our office does have a list of mentors who have agreed to share their previous project titles and contact information within the database.
Reach out to students in the previous class years, SC Directors, and faculty at SMHS to see if there are any ongoing or upcoming projects for you to join.
Outside of GW, there are tons of organizations (AAMC, NIH, FDA, CDC, etc.) local to Washington, DC that provide summer opportunities for MD students.

Does my summer project need to be related to my Scholarly Concentration in order to receive the Health Services Scholarship (HSS)?

While we strive to fund as many projects as possible, first priority will be given to students enrolled in a Scholarly Concentration AND submit a project that is directly related to their concentration area. To ensure your summer project meets this requirement, please speak with your Scholarly Concentration Director.

How long does my project need to be?

Your summer experience must be a minimum of 8 weeks. Many students will combine more than one summer opportunity to cover a longer period over the summer. There are always ways to extend opportunities, even if internships or experiences only last 2–6 weeks. Consider adding a literature review, asset mapping, community site visits, interviews, etc. SC Directors are great resources if you’d like to explore this further.

I haven’t heard back from a potential mentor or organization I emailed. What should I do?

Don’t worry — this happens often! We suggest waiting for at least 14 days before sending another follow-up email. Because of this, we highly suggest starting to look for projects and mentors sooner rather than later. Physicians and community organizations are busy, and we always want to be respectful of their time and email boxes. One of the quickest ways to not get a response is by overloading them with emails and being inpatient. Consider calling the organization to speak with someone, but after 2–3 contacts with no response, it is probably a good sign that this may be a difficult relationship to establish for a project.

Can I do more than one activity over the summer?

Yes and no. We don’t encourage students to take on more than one major project over the summer. However, many students integrate other opportunities, such as shadowing, site visits, or literature reviews into their main project. Please aim for a project that you are passionate about and interested in, and focus on creating strong deliverables for that project.

Does my project have to be in the DC area? Does my project have to be in the US?

Absolutely not! Your summer experience can be completed anywhere you would like. Your priority should be finding a project you are passionate and excited about, regardless of where it is.

Do I need a deliverable?

The only deliverable you need to complete is a reflection paper or abstract at the end of your summer project (due in September when you return). If you receive extra funding or a scholarship, there may be requirements to fulfill that which are separate from your reflection paper. Many students join publications, write abstracts, or create posters based on their project, but this is entirely up to you and not required for scholarly concentrations.