> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ismms-md-program.gitbook.io/medical-student-handbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ismms-md-program.gitbook.io/medical-student-handbook/academic-information-and-resources/electives/important-information.md).

# Important Information

## Step 1 and Step 2 Elective Credit (Eligible for Class of 2027 only)

Students may receive 2 weeks’ credit for each, but must register in Empower before the exam. Required documentation will be outlined in an email sent by Lauren Linkowski and Jillian Palmer. Students who matriculated under the Legacy curriculum but graduate with the ASCEND Class of 2028 after completing a scholarly year should note that the ASCEND elective requirement is 20 weeks and does not include USMLE Step elective credit.  Students who matriculated prior to 2024 and completed their Step elective credit before beginning the scholarly year may apply that credit toward the 20-week ASCEND requirement.  **USMLE Step elective credit will no longer be offered for students in the ASCEND curriculum (Class of 2028 and later)**. **Students graduating with the Class of 2027 remain eligible under the existing policy.**

## Registration for Elective Credit

Important: Each type of elective has a different registration process. All registration steps must be completed before the elective start date to get elective credit. Retroactive credit will not be applied.&#x20;

## Electives and Required Courses and Clerkships

Electives cannot be taken during a required clerkship or course, including InFocus. Elective duties are not an excused absence from a clerkship or course and should not be requested.&#x20;

## Electives During Vacation/Interviews

Students can take electives during their vacation or residency interview time.&#x20;

## Electives and Absences

While students do not have to formally submit an absence during an elective, absences should be relayed to the specific elective director and any other team members.&#x20;

## Scholary Year (SY) and Leave of Absence (LOA) Students

Students on a Scholarly Year or Leave of Absence are not eligible to participate in MD program course work and cannot accrue elective credit.&#x20;

MD/PhD Students&#x20;

## MD/PHD Students

MD/PhD students please refer to sections 1.2 and 1.3 of the [ASCEND Electives Policy](https://ismms-md-program.gitbook.io/medical-student-handbook/policies-and-procedures/md-program-specific-policies-and-procedures/year-3-4-and-phase-2-3-policies-and-procedures) for the most up to date information&#x20;

## Remediation Elective Credit

Students cannot receive elective credit for remediation work.&#x20;

## Electives Performance Evaluations

An elective is considered complete and eligible for credit once the required evaluation has been submitted and a final grade has been recorded.

At the conclusion of your elective, you will receive a pre-populated **Clinical Elective Evaluation Form** via email. To initiate the grading process, you will be asked to verify or provide the following information:

* First and last name
* Life Number
* Email address
* Elective type (Clinical, Clinical Tailor-Made, Research, Away, etc.)
* Evaluator's name and email address

Your evaluator should be the **faculty member who directly supervised and is responsible for evaluating your performance**, which may differ from the course director listed in the Elective Catalog.

> **Important:** Residents and fellows may provide feedback to the supervising faculty member but **may not be listed as the official evaluator or complete the evaluation form**. Entering a resident or fellow as your evaluator will delay the grading process.

Once the request is submitted, your evaluator will receive an automated email prompting them to complete your evaluation. Weekly reminder emails will continue until the evaluation has been submitted.

After the evaluation is complete, both you and the Registrar's Office will receive a confirmation email, and your final grade will be recorded on your transcript.

> **Please verify that your evaluator's name and email address are accurate before submitting the form. Incorrect evaluator information will delay the grading process.**

## Clinical Elective Grading

Clinical electives use **criterion-based grading**. Faculty evaluate students using standardized evaluation criteria outlined in the **Clinical Elective Evaluation & Grading Guide**. The electronic evaluation form automatically displays the appropriate grading rubric based on the student's class year and the length of the clinical elective.

**Clinical Elective Grading by Class Year**

| Class             | Clinical Elective Length               | Available Grades     |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- | -------------------- |
| **Class of 2027** | All Clinical Electives                 | Pass / Fail / Honors |
| **Class of 2028** | One-week Clinical Electives            | Pass / Fail          |
|                   | Two- to four-week Clinical Electives   | Pass / Fail / Honors |
| **Class of 2029** | One- to two-week Clinical Electives    | Pass / Fail          |
|                   | Three- to four-week Clinical Electives | Pass / Fail / Honors |

Students are encouraged to review the **Clinical Elective Evaluation & Grading Guide** before beginning their elective to become familiar with the evaluation criteria faculty will use to assess their performance.

📄 **Clinical Elective Evaluation & Grading Guide (PDF)**

{% file src="/files/bUGjZ6XLEfoRFkUVleGM" %}

For clinical electives that include an Honors designation, students must demonstrate **Honors-level performance in at least three of the five evaluation domains** to receive a final grade of Honors.

A **Fail-level performance in any evaluation domain** results in a final grade of Fail.

## Research Elective Grading

Research electives are graded **Pass / Fail**. Faculty evaluate students based on successful completion of the approved research experience and achievement of the learning objectives established for the elective.

## One45 Evaluations

Students are highly encouraged to complete an evaluation of each elective they take. About a month after a student completes an elective, they will receive an email with a link to complete a One45 evaluation of the elective.&#x20;

* Students should complete this evaluation for every elective they complete (clinical, global health, non-clinical/research, longitudinal, and away)&#x20;
* These evaluations help the Curricular Affairs team ensure quality control of our electives&#x20;
* All evaluations students complete are anonymous&#x20;
* Elective directors only receive these anonymized evaluations if there are at least three completed. Otherwise, they do not receive the evaluation&#x20;