The One Step Ahead Mentoring (OSAM) program pairs Biomedical Graduate Education master’s students with medical or Ph.D. students. Master’s students get guidance in their academic and professional journey, while the medical and Ph.D. mentors gain valuable experience in teaching and networking.
OSAM features a Medical School Track and a Research Track. Look to the appropriate track to learn how to get involved as a Protégé (master’s students) or Mentor (medical/Ph.D. students).
I was not expecting to connect so well with someone from this [program], but [my mentor] has inspired me, taught me, and helped me grow throughout this year and I could not be more thankful to know such an intelligent and captivating individual.
OSAM Protégé
Medical School Track
2023-24 Mentor and Protégé Registration
In a country of increasing cultural diversity, we believe that a functional health care system must encourage and engage a diverse workforce to broaden the scope of care to all who need it. By the time students from disadvantaged backgrounds begin to engage their curiosities about medical careers, however, they often still bear the burdens of disadvantage and discrimination.
The One Step Ahead Mentoring (OSAM) program pairs a BGE master’s student (M.S.) interested in pursuing medical school with a current Georgetown School of Medicine (SOM) M1/M2 student to properly position our graduate students for the medical school life cycle process. Our diverse and talented students interested in pursuing medicine will be allowed to vet their curiosity about this career trajectory as we provide a platform to learn from those who are “one step ahead.” Medical students will showcase their mentoring and leadership skills by providing a nurturing and culturally responsive mentoring experience for a student who would like to be in their shoes one day but may need more clarity or a boost of confidence to get there.
Medical student “Mentors” will receive a certificate for Mentoring and Leadership Development from the BGE Office of Career Strategy & Professional Development. BGE M.S. “Protégés” will receive a certificate of participation. OSAM will help BGE M.S. students to clarify and realize their medical school goals; provide valuable leadership and mentoring experience for SOM medical students, and allow all participants to experience a valuable discourse to highlight during their medical school or residency application processes.
For all who are applying, please read the OSAM Code of Conduct. By submitting your application, you agree to follow the guidelines for this program.
Program Contact: Liz Salm, Director, Graduate and Postdoctoral Training & Development, Biomedical Graduate Education
Medical School Track Protégé Application
- Currently enrolled BGE M.S. students
- Must be planning to apply to medical school by summer 2024
- Application is open – deadline September 15th
- Decisions will be communicated via email on September 30th
- Note that this program is very competitive, and we cannot guarantee a mentor to every applicant
Medical School Track Mentor Registration
- M1/M2 Georgetown School of Medicine students (M3 and M4 students are welcome – just be mindful of your clinical commitments!)
- Registration is open – the deadline is September 15th
- Decisions will be communicated via email on September 30th
Research Track
2023-24 Mentor and Protégé Registration
The OSAM programming is growing! We are happy to announce the launch of the new Research Track Mentoring program, providing a new opportunity for BGE M.S. students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. Careers in biomedical research share much with medical careers: The path to a successful career is filled with obstacles. Many obstacles can be avoided with the correct information and environment, but students from disadvantaged backgrounds may not have access to this.
The OSAM Research Track mentoring program has been created to help change those circumstances. Through this program, M.S. students will be paired with BGE Ph.D. students to learn from those who are “one step ahead.” These pairings will provide information about the Ph.D. program application process, life as a Ph.D. student, and research advice for the future. Our diverse and talented M.S. students interested in pursuing an advanced degree will get to vet their curiosity about this academic trajectory. Ph.D. students will showcase their mentoring and leadership skills by providing a nurturing and culturally responsive mentoring experience for a student who would like to be in their shoes one day but may need more clarity or a boost of confidence to get there.
Ph.D. student “Mentors” will receive a certificate for Mentoring and Leadership Development from the BGE Office of Career Strategy & Professional Development. M.S. “Protégés” will receive a certificate of participation. OSAM will help M.S. students clarify and realize their graduate school goals; provide valuable leadership and mentoring experience for Ph.D. students; and allow all participants to experience a valuable discourse to highlight during their graduate school or grant application processes.
For all who are applying, please read the OSAM Code of Conduct. By submitting your application, you agree to follow the guidelines for this program.
Program Contact: Liz Salm, Director, Graduate and Postdoctoral Training & Development, Biomedical Graduate Education
Research Track Protégé Application
- Currently enrolled BGE M.S. students
- Must be planning to apply to a Ph.D. program by fall 2024
- The application is open – the deadline is September 15th
- Decisions will be communicated via email on September 30th
- Note that this program is very competitive, and we cannot guarantee a mentor to every applicant
Research Track Mentor Registration
- BGE Ph.D. student – any year
- Registration is open – the deadline is September 15th
- Decisions will be communicated via email on September 30th
Program News
OSAM Continues In-Person in 2022
In 2022, the BGE Office of Career Strategy & Professional Development kicked off our One Step Ahead Mentoring (OSAM) programs at an in-person event in October. Our programs drew in 84 participants: 44 master’s Protégés, paired with 40 medical and Ph.D. student Mentors.
OSAM Photo Gallery
Browse photos from our past events.