Getting Started

Medical Student Research at SOM

The Office of Research at Virtua Health College of Medicine and Life Sciences at Rowan University (VHC) serves as the hub for all Rowan-Virtua SOM medical student research. Within the Office of Research is the Office of Medical Student Research, which provides research support to Rowan-Virtua SOM students in good academic standing throughout their medical school experience.

To participate in any form of research while enrolled as a student at Rowan-Virtua SOM, ALL students must complete the following steps:

• Complete the SOM Medical Student Research Registration Form

  • Completing this form offers the Office of Research an opportunity to gather basic information about your research interests, prior research experience and if you need help finding a faculty mentor.

• Complete the SOM MSR Student-Mentor Agreement once you have come to a mutual agreement with a faculty mentor.

  • First-year SOM students who are in Good Academic Standing are eligible to start research in January. This is to ensure that students are adjusting to life as a medical student and prioritizing their medical school coursework.
  • The student completes the Student Section and forwards their response email to the faculty mentor to complete the Faculty Mentor Section. The Office of Research will review your project proposal and be in touch regarding approvals or revisions.
  • Once your project is approved, our team will create an individual Research Experience Portfolio, along with a checklist. You will be given access to your portfolio to help you stay organized and build your repository. The research portfolio provides each student with an individualized bank to collect research-related documents for use during residency applications and interviews.

Email som-msr@rowan.edu to receive guidance and answer questions that you might have before getting started.