EXPLORE Distinction Requirements and Process Overview

The EXPLORE Distinction program is designed to recognize and foster scholarly achievement in medical students across four pathways: Advocacy/Global Health, Education, Innovation, and Research. Achieving distinction involves a structured process that typically occurs in Phase 3, requiring students to complete five key deliverables: a Proposal, Progress Report(s), a scholarly Product, a formal Presentation, and a Reflective Critique. Critical deadlines include submitting the Proposal by April 1st of the first Phase 3 year and the Reflective Critique and Distinction Readiness Evaluation by April 1st of the final year. Eligibility is open to non-MSTP students in good academic standing, with determination made by a dedicated committee, and early engagement with mentors and Pathway Leads is highly recommended, especially for those aiming for MSPE inclusion.

EXPLORE Distinction aims to facilitate individual student development through scholarly activities and recognize student scholarly accomplishment. This recognition is awarded on an ad hoc basis after students demonstrate proficiency with core competencies critical for scholarly contributions, typically in Phase 3 of the Gateway Curriculum.

Students can choose to seek Distinction in one of four specific EXPLORE Pathways: Advocacy/Global Health, Education, Innovation, or Research. This specialization allows students to align their scholarly work with their specific interests and future career goals.

Achieving EXPLORE Distinction requires the completion of five key deliverables, often referred to as 'the 4 P's and an R': a Proposal, Progress Report(s), a scholarly Product, a formal Presentation, and a Reflective Critique. These deliverables collectively showcase the student's journey and contributions.

The Proposal, also known as the Declaration of Intent, includes a project proposal and a Mentor-Mentee Agreement form with signatures from both the student and mentor(s). It must be submitted no later than April 1st during the first year of Phase 3, though early submission is encouraged.

Students are required to submit Progress Reports following the acceptance of their Proposal, typically within three months of the prior update. These reports, prepared by both student and mentor, detail project goals, activities, results, and reflections on professional development, and are crucial for mentor quotes in the MSPE.

A scholarly Product, which will vary based on the project type and chosen pathway, must be submitted for review. Students should discuss the suitability of their product with their Pathway Lead and mentor as early as possible to ensure it meets Distinction guidelines.

Students must formally present their project either as an oral or poster presentation at the EXPLORE Symposium or another appropriate national/international venue. Posters should demonstrate Glassick’s criteria, and students must deliver a clear, organized 3-5 minute verbal summary at the EXPLORE Symposium.

A Reflective Critique must be prepared near the termination of the project and submitted no later than April 1st of the student's final year. This self-assessment should combine internal reflections with external reviews, outlining future project directions and summarizing personal insights and next steps for scholarly and career objectives.

Eligibility for EXPLORE Distinction is open to all non-MSTP students in good academic standing, with final determination made by the Competency Attainment Committee (CAC) and the EXPLORE Distinction Committee. The scholarly work must be primarily supervised by a WashU faculty member, and Distinction can only be earned once.

For Distinction status to be included in the MSPE, it must be conferred no later than August of Phase 3. Students are recommended to submit their Distinction Readiness Evaluation no later than July 1st of their graduating year, which often necessitates significant scholarly project work well in advance of Phase 3.

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