I M S D
Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity
At columbia’s mailman school of public Health
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the requirements for admission to the IMSD Program?
IMSD applicants must be:
1. enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) for full-time study in any of the public health doctoral programs of the Mailman School of Public Health (i.e., DrPH or PhD programs in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental Health Sciences, or Sociomedical Sciences);
2. citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and
3. committed to developing a research workforce that includes members of groups who are underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.
What criteria does the IMSD admissions committee use to evaluate applicants?
The committee takes into consideration the applicant’s:
• overall academic profile;
• statement of interest;
• intention to pursue a research career after completing the doctoral degree;
• stated interest or prior experience in addressing the national need to develop a diverse research workforce that includes individuals who are currently underrepresented in the biomedical or behavioral sciences;
• match between candidate’s research interests and those of the faculty members with whom she or he would like to work;
• supporting material (including letters of reference) provided as part of the doctoral program admissions application (new students); and
• progress in the doctoral program (continuing students).
How many students participate in the program?
The IMSD program provides funding for up to 8 students in any given year. The program supports both new, first-year students who are commencing their doctoral studies, or continuing students at any stage of their doctoral program. In any given year, the number of new and continuing students supported by the IMSD program may vary.
When is the application deadline and when will I be notified of my acceptance?
IMSD has a rolling admissions policy and accepts applications through the end of May. Acceptance decisions are made typically during the months of March to May. Therefore, we encourage early applications.
Once I have been accepted to the program, what is expected of me?
• Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Students will be provided with information on the goals and objectives of the IMSD program, and they are expected to maintain progress in achieving the goals and expectations of the program.
• IMSD students are expected to secure their research placement with a faculty mentor early in the Fall semester of each academic year. Students are responsible for setting up meetings/interviews with the faculty members, and for conducting research in her/his area of interest. The IMSD program will provide the names, current projects and research interests of eligible faculty mentors.
• For the duration of their participation in the IMSD program, each student must attend the bi-weekly seminar course. Attendance at these seminars is mandatory.
• IMSD financially supports attendance at national and local scientific health conferences. Students are expected to attend at least one of these conferences per year.
• Students are expected to submit abstracts for presentation at scientific conferences.
• Students are encouraged to submit written work for publication in scientific journals.
• To maximize the educational value of the research placement, students are expected to develop a dissertation project based on or related to the work conducted with the mentor.
Once accepted, what is my time commitment to the program?
• New (incoming) doctoral students are funded for a maximum of 2 years.
• Continuing/advanced doctoral students are funded for a maximum of one year (which may include a Summer term).
• In all cases, continued funding is contingent on satisfactory progress in academic achievement and in the IMSD program.
• Students are expected to register for the 1-credit IMSD bi-weekly seminar series, Seminar in Research and Professional Development (P8798) for the duration of their participation in the program.
What portion of my expenses can I expect the IMSD program to cover?
• IMSD provides approximately $7000 in tuition credits per student per year and reimburses up to approximately $1000 per student for attendance at scientific conferences.
• Students are also paid a monthly salary for the Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) position with their mentor.
• The IMSD program also covers the costs of health and computer fees.
• These expenses are covered for the entire period that students participate in the IMSD program.
How will I be paid?
• A tuition credit will be applied to your tuition account at the start of each semester for which you are an IMSD student. Typically, the tuition credit is approximately $3,500 each Fall and Spring semester, but students should consult with IMSD program staff to obtain updated information on IMSD tuition benefits.
• GRA checks are distributed at the end of each month. Direct deposit applications are available in the Department of Sociomedical Sciences Business Office.
Is the GRA paycheck subject to taxes?
Yes. The Graduate Research Assistantship compensation is a salary, not a stipend.
Will being in the IMSD program mean that I am ineligible for other funding?
No. IMSD Students can apply for other financial assistance through the Mailman School of Public Health’s Financial Aid Office. (For more information on Financial Aid, see http://www.mailman.hs.columbia.edu/financialaid/index.html.)
What are some of the topics covered in the IMSD seminars?
Topics covered in the IMSD seminars include:
• Graduate school survival strategies;
• Improving scientific communication skills;
• Tips on successful grant-writing; and
• Workshops on academic and professional development
How do I select the right mentor if I do not know any of the faculty?
The IMSD program will provide each student with a list of faculty, and their current projects and research interests. The IMSD staff will provide feedback and suggestions on mentors to aid in the selection and interviewing process. Students are expected to contact faculty within their departments to request a meeting regarding their research interests and to discuss their research placement.
What is the mentor selection process?
Students are responsible for contacting, interviewing, and securing a research placement with the faculty mentor of her/his choosing by the beginning of the fall semester of each academic year. Faculty in each of the participating departments are supportive of the IMSD Program and will respond in a timely manner to IMSD student requests for interviews. An introductory e-mail is probably the best way to initiate contact with a potential faculty mentor.
May I work with a mentor outside of my department?
Students are strongly encouraged to select mentors within their departments and disciplines. Such mentors are most knowledgeable about the academic and other requirements specific to the student’s department. Moreover, discipline-specific mentors are positioned best to expose students to the methods and recent scientific advances in their fields. In some rare instances, however, the educational needs of a particular student might be served best by working with a mentor outside of his or her department.
How is the mentor-student relationship facilitated?
• The faculty member and the student establish the frequency of meetings and project due dates. Students should meet with their mentors at least once per week.
• The IMSD Program keeps mentors abreast of program requirements and goals, and invites them to attend various activities to facilitate further student-faculty interaction.
What kinds of projects have past students worked on?
Some examples of past IMSD research projects include studies of:
• Factors associated with breast cancer screening among Latina women in the United States.
• Predictors of adherence to Nevirapine Therapy in Maternal to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS
• Noncognitive factors that affect minority performance and career choice in the medical field.
• The predictive value of the Transtheoretical Model in understanding oral contraceptive adherence.
• Risk factors for pregnancy related mortality in the United States.
Are IMSD students given any other support?
Office supplies and space needs are determined by the student’s mentor placement. In some cases, the IMSD Program may be able to provide work space. Access to a computer, printer, and fax machine is available on request.
Still have more questions?
Contact the IMSD Program Coordinator:
Naa Oyo Kwate, PhD
telephone: 212-305-5736
email: nak2106@columbia.edu
or the IMSD Program Directors:
Ana Abraído-Lanza, PhD
Department of Sociomedical Sciences
telephone: 212-305-1859
email: aabraido@columbia.edu
Pamela Collins, MD, MPH
Department of Epidemiology
telephone: 212-342-0446
email: pyc1@columbia.edu
NOTE: The information and policies contained on this FAQ sheet may change without notice. Please consult the IMSD program for updated information.