Enrichment Experiences

There are many opportunities for students to enhance their medical education. Students may pursue rich clinical, research, and international health experiences.

The summer between the first and second years of medical school is an excellent time to explore clinical or research opportunities. Additionally, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School allows students to take a flexible curriculum or participate in the Student Scholars Program to pursue such opportunities. This time can be used to develop special interests or to help the students gain in-depth experiences. Many students form long lasting mentoring relationships with their preceptors.

The flexible curriculum provides the opportunity for a limited number of students to personalize the sequence of courses. The program is structured to permit the pursuit of other academic, research, employment, or family interests. It also facilitates the scheduling of our combined degree programs.

The Student Scholars Program affords the opportunity to engage in meaningful scholarship in the laboratory, clinical milieu, or community setting. Students gain beneficial educational advantage from such experiences and may cultivate interest in academic medicine.

The Distinction in Research (DIR) program recognizes students who have engaged in research during medical school and have written an approved research thesis. These students will graduate with an M.D. Degree with Distinction in Research. The Distinction in Research application and information can be found at:

M.D. Degree with Distinction in Research Program (.doc file)

Explore the Clinical and Research Opportunities, International Opportunities or International Health Courses. Students may wish to apply for awards or fellowships. The fellowships have variable time commitments (visit Fellowships and Awards). Also peruse the Literary/Essay contests.

Some special opportunities have a detailed application process and may require a letter of recommendation from a Student Affairs Dean. Students must meet with the Student Affairs Dean three weeks prior to a deadline. Simply contact the Student Affairs Office to schedule an appointment.

Humanism Programs

The Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Honor Society (GHHS) was introduced at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) in 2002. This Society completed a quartet of programs at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, all designed to inspire and teach our students to become more humanistic physicians. These programs include the following:

• The White Coat Ceremony at the conclusion of Orientation to the First Year. This ceremony highlights the importance of humanistic care, and concludes with the taking of the Hippocratic Oath by all incoming first-year students. We were the second medical school in the nation to have a White Coat Ceremony.
• The Transition Ceremony, at the beginning of the Physical Diagnosis Course in the second year, honors Master Clinicians who participate in the teaching of second year students during the Physical Diagnosis course. Communication skills and empathetic listening are stressed by a Master Clinician in a keynote address.
• The Student Clinician Ceremony at the conclusion of Orientation to the Third Year, is entirely run by rising fourth year students for rising third year students. It honors RWJ Residents who are role models for excellence in clinical practice and compassionate care giving.
• The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS), for which students are selected by peer nomination in September of their fourth year of medical school, is considered of great importance in our school. The society recognizes and honors those students who are felt by their peers to be exemplars of excellence in compassionate care giving and empathy in the context of medical practice. The students who are selected for the GHHS are integrated into the teaching process for underclassmen in several ways. Students and Residents who are GHHS members regularly schedule events and educational sessions for the RWJMS community.