Specialty Advisor
Specialty Advisor(s)
Dr. Depsina Tsevdos
despina.tsevdos@mountsinai.org
https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/despina-s-tsevdos
Dr. Deanna Chieco
deanna.chieco@mssm.edu
https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/deanna-chieco
Program Director
Dr. Jessica Reid-Adam
jessica.reid-adam@mssm.edu
https://profiles.mountsinai.org/jessica-reid-adam
Advice from Specialty Advisor
What should students be doing in year 1 and 2?
Studying really hard and putting in 100%+ effort towards the year 1 and 2 courses.
What should students be doing in year 3 and 4?
Studying really hard and putting in 100%+ effort towards the year 3 and 4 courses. Students can use the elective time to explore career options in Pediatrics and potentially have a letter out of these experiences. For 4th year balancing the early schedule to make sure you have enough letters of recommendation and timing of CS/CK. Doing a subinternship early is not essential and the specialty advisor will discuss optimal timing on a case by case basis.
Is an away elective recommended?
This could go either way and is best decided on a case by case basis. It is not essential as it is in some specialties. Depending on the program and the student, it could definitely help get an interview (but could also hurt). So a case by case discussion depending on geographic preference and overall strength of application is the best way to decide.
LoRs
Departmental letter necessary?
For most programs no, but the department does provide a departmental letter for everyone applying in Peds. There is a rare circumstance when someone has too many letters so we do review on a case by case basis but pretty uniformly we recommend using the departmental letter.
Any specific writers needed?
No
All from the specific specialty or from other specialties as well?
Ideally at least one letter from a faculty member in Pediatrics. If a student did extensive research (particularly if a scholarly year) should have research mentor letter.
Recommended websites
CiM Pediatrics Profile
American Academy of Pediatrics
HealthyChildren.org
The American Board of Pediatrics