The Scholarly Paper

Every Einstein student writes a Scholarly Paper (SP) as a requirement for graduation. This can be an opportunity to learn about a new field or to delve more deeply into an established area of interest. Students can write a research paper, a basic science review, a formal systematic review, a case report, or a paper based on a bioethical issue in medicine or research. These papers can be based on global health experiences, bench work, or library research resulting in a systematic review of existing medical literature. Although SPs can take many forms, all students work with a mentor to develop their paper idea, write a paper proposal, and to complete the SP.

The SP is based on the student’s research project, written in a form that is suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. A key element is that all SPs are conducted under the guidance of the student’s mentor. The form and scope of the paper will vary and are determined by the discipline, research question, and methodology. Given the demands and time constraints of medical school, it is critical that students work with their mentors to develop feasible research projects. Furthermore, it is recommended that planning for the SP begins during your first summer, and that dedicated time to complete the SP is incorporated into your academic schedule. The SP must be based on research completed during medical school.

FOR CURRENT STUDENTS: Please see class-specific SP Timelines and Graduation with Distinction Eligibility Guidelines (via Canvas)

Scholarly Paper Options

Original Research Paper:

Review Paper:

Useful SP Resources

Click here for information and links to interesting resources about demographic and health information, statistics and research methods, and other sources (such as language translation and citation management).

Click here to access the Scholarly Paper Research Guide our librarians created to assist you in the process of writing your SP.