Many of our student groups are actively looking for alumni to speak about their fields, specialties and experiences. This helps students learn more about their career options and provides the opportunity for our graduates to mentor future colleagues. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, residency interviews for medical students have been conducted virtually across the nation which presents a learning curve for interviewing in this manner. In order to assist our MIV students with their preparation, we created a mock interview program that not only supports our students, but also engages alumni from all across the country.

We invite our MD alumni to serve as virtual mock interviewers for students pursuing a career in the same specialty. Alumni are provided interview question examples from the AAMC and a feedback form to rate the student's performance which serves as valuable practice prior to their real residency interviews. 

Volunteers are hand-selected by the Alumni Engagement team in July annually.

We give our alumni the opportunity to sponsor a white coat for a first-year medical student or a second-year physician assistant student. Along with alleviating the financial burden by purchasing this meaningful item, alumni are able to include notes of encouragement and/or advice for their student(s).

MD White Coat Ceremony -  takes place in September/October; appeal is sent out via email in August.

PA White Coat Ceremony - takes place in March/April; appeal is sent out via email in March.

In these specialty-specific conversations done once a month, 4-8 students have an opportunity to sit down in-person or virtually with an alumnus/alumna to get the ins and outs of the career. No question is off the table; hosts must agree to be honest in this intimate, judge-free, safe environment. 

First half of 2024 schedule:

January 22-26: Dermatology
February 19-23: Cardiology/IM
March 18-22: Urology
April TBD: Neurology
May 20-24: Ophthalmology
June TBD: ENT

Please complete this form if interested in serving as a Table Talk Host: Table Talk Host Application

Many of our students are looking to have an ongoing conversation with alumni in certain fields, specialties and geographical locations. Before we can connect the student to potential alumni contacts, we must receive permission to release contact information to the student. Help us bypass this step by updating contact preferences and allow students access to an email address ONLY for a quicker and seamless connection.

Please complete this form if you're open to our team sharing your contact information to students: Update Your Information

NOTE: We will never give out other contact information, like mailing addresses and phone numbers, without your consent.

Our Help Our Students Travel (HOST) program gives alumni the opportunity to host a student in their town or city while he or she is traveling to interviews, working on a rotation or conducting research away from Columbia.

We're always looking for alumni who can:

• give a tour of the area in which you live or practice
• speak about your own experiences
• provide an insider’s view of your profession, specialty or field
• share a cup of coffee
• provide transportation to/from airport or interview/work site
• treat a student to dinner
• host visiting students at your home 

Please complete this form if interested in serving as a HOST: Alumni Host Application