James Scholar Program

The James Scholar for Independent Study Program (JS/ISP) focuses on supporting and refining research skills among medical students as they develop into clinical physicians. The James Scholar Program is designed to support medical student researchers during their M2-M4 years, with research projects culminating in high-level activities, such as presentations at abstracted scientific conferences and academic meetings as well as publication of research papers.

Students interested in applying to be James Scholars should actively be engaged in research at the time of application as well as be in good academic standing. Research activities should be with academic faculty, having initiated these activities in the summer prior to their M2 year. Applicants should have an established relationship with the faculty member who can serve as a mentor over the course of program participation.

There is no formal application form, students submit documentation in PDF format satisfying the requirements listed in the information packet as their application. Applications will be reviewed by a James Scholar committee made up of UIC faculty. Select students may be invited for an in-person interview with those same committee members. Based on a review of the application and the personal interview, James Scholars will be selected.

Edmund James
Information Packet

James Scholar Graduates

Class of 2023

Class Of 2023 James Scholars
Informational Meetings Aug 24, 2023 @ 8:00am

Aug 30, 2023 @ 10:30am

Sept 18, 2023 @ 5:30pm

Zoom Recording

Applications Due
12 pm Central Time
Oct 6, 2023
Interviews TBA
Applicants notified of results Nov 27, 2023

James Scholar Program
Director

Dr. Lisa Razzano
razzano@uic.edu

Applications and  additional information:

Larry Moran, Ed.D.
MoranL@uic.edu
(312) 355-0521

Application Scoring

Requirements Description Points
Curriculum Vitae (CV) Prior research experience should be highlighted. 10 points
Personal Statement Five points for each of these categories, 1 page:

  1. Summary of interest in research.
  2. Detailing how participation will affect professional development.
  3. Plan for continuity of research.
15 points
Project Abstract 150 words or less. 5 points
Summary of Research Project Materials not to exceed 5 pages. References listed as the last page, does not count toward the 5 page limit. Margins not smaller than ½ an inch, and minimum 12 point font.

  1. Literature Review
  2. Current Level of Collaboration
  3. Proposed Methods
  4. Relevant Analytic/Evaluation Strategies
  5. Anticipated Results
  6. Planned Outcomes & Outputs
  7. Sustainability into Professional Career
50 points
Recommendation letter Letter of support from your research mentor, 1-2 pages.

  1. Summary of Collaboration
  2. Role in Supporting Student
  3. How Project Extends Previous Work
15 points
Interview In-person interview 10 points