Clinical Advising Tool
for Students & Advisors

The Clinical Advising Tool for Students and Advisors (CATSA) is a structured approach to residency preparation and application for students and advisors. Students select a clinical advisor during late fall or early spring of their third year. Clinical advisors in specific areas work closely with students, guiding them through the residency preparation and application process. In addition, advisors meet with their advisees to discuss and review electives and sign "Add/Drop forms" when schedules change.

It is during the beginning of the fourth year that advisors typically become most active with their advisees. Seniors begin working on their Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE, a.k.a. Dean's Letter) and begin the application process for residency programs. A principal goal of academic advising is to ensure that students optimize their path to their specialty of choice, using the diverse resources offered by the MU School of Medicine.