Field Specific Advisors (FSAs) are a component of the larger Advising Network/Career Advising Program.

Role of FSAs

  • Faculty are selected to serve as FSAs for their commitment to student advising.
  • Faculty are well informed about their field, up to date on the residency application process for their specialty and the characteristics of various programs around the country.
  • Faculty assist their students with selecting and approving their 4th year schedule.
  • Faculty assist their students with the selection of away electives, if appropriate. View Elective Guidelines for guidance on elective selection.
  • Faculty helps the student realistically assess their own competitiveness within their selected specialty.
  • Faculty helps the student choose the most appropriate residency programs based on the student’s profile, to apply to and assist with the creation of the Rank Order List.

Student Responsibility

  • Submitting an FSA using the FSA request form.
  • Keeping track of FSA assignments and communicating with Student Affairs.
  • Contacting their FSA to schedule appointments for advising.
  • Informing their FSA of deadlines for approving/submitting their 4th year schedules.
  • Keeping their FSA up-to-date on grades/evaluations, residency applications, interview schedules,  etc.

Not sure what to discuss with your FSA? Use the FSA Checklist for Students

Selecting an FSA

As you move through your 3rd year clerkships, keep in mind those physicians with whom you have worked with as you consider selecting an FSA. Student Affairs maintains a list of physicians serving as FSAs, which is updated regularly.

3rd year students will be able to request their FSA after their class meeting in the Fall. You can only have one (1) FSA assigned at a time, but you are able to change your FSA if you decide to change the specialty that you are applying into. It is perfectly okay to have an assigned FSA and meet with other physicians if you’re trying to decide between specialties. However, only your OFFICIALLY ASSIGNED FSA will be allowed to sign off on your schedule. Please contact the Student Affairs Office to notify them of any FSA changes.

Note: The FSA Leads are also available as a resource to learn more about a specific specialty and diverse career opportunities. If you are interested in a specialty that is not listed on the FSA Selection Form, please email Student Affairs Deans Ricardo Cruz, MD, or Vivian Sanchez, MD who can connect you to a faculty member in your interested field.

How to Best Utilize your FSA (2 min)

 

M3 Advising Timeline

m3 advising timeline