Admitted Students Visit Campus for “Life at VP&S” Day
Around 150 applicants accepted to the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons visited campus in mid-April for “Life at VP&S,” an event offering applicants a look into what they can expect if they choose VP&S for medical school.
The two-day event offered tours of Washington Heights and the medical center and introductions to campus resources and programs, including diversity, inclusion, and belonging, student support and career advising, and student research. Prospective students also had the chance to learn more about the student-run free clinics and other community service opportunities at VP&S.
Prospective students at the event heard from VP&S leadership, including James McKiernan, interim dean of VP&S; Monica Lypson, vice dean for education; Frederick Ehlert, associate dean for admissions; Jean-Marie Alves-Bradford,, associate dean for student affairs, support, and services; Salila Kurra (pictured), associate dean for student career development at VP&S; William Turner, assistant dean for student affairs; Anil Lalwani, associate dean for student research; Rosa Lee, senior associate dean for curricular affairs; and Donald Quest, assistant dean for admissions.
On the first day, the students heard a panel discussion with VP&S alumni and were welcomed by Jay Vyas, associate dean for academic innovation, who discussed the physician-scientist programs for the Vagelos Institute for Basic Biomedical Science. These activities were followed by information sessions on community affairs, the program for education in global and population health, and the primary care scholars program. Social sessions, where applicants met current students in more relaxed environments, were organized by the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, the Office of Well-Being and Health Promotion, and the Columbia-Bassett program. The closing was an introduction to the narrative medicine at VP&S by Dr. Rita Charon.
The prospective students are hosted during their stay by current students at VP&S, who provide more personal opportunities to learn more about the school. During their stay, they attended a reception at a coffee house event at 50 Haven which featured musical performances by current students.