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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Medical Student Portal

Strategic Student Survey

The Strategic Student Survey (S3) gathers actionable insight for continuous improvement and rapid intervention at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Unlike surveys such as the GQ, Y2Q and MSQ, which the Association of Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) administers, the S3 is created by — and with input from — IU School of Medicine students, staff and faculty at all nine campuses. As a result, the school can access your feedback faster and, if necessary, make rapid improvements to medical education.

The S3 is also unique in asking your thoughts on your current academic year. To use a different example, the GQ measures all four years of your medical school experience.

a graphic showing many colored circles surrounding the text, "Strategic Student Survey"

General Q&A

First and foremost, your voice is indispensable to helping IU School of Medicine reach ever greater heights. Your responses benefit not just you and your fellow students but future generations of IU School of Medicine students, as well.

S3 results don’t sit in a desk drawer somewhere collecting dust. Faculty and staff pour over the results, finding recurrent themes and making improvements based on them — in facilities, curriculum and much more. Examples of such improvements are on the “Action on Feedback” page, compiled within our Surveys to Solutions campaign.

As previous generations of IU School of Medicine students improved your medical school experience through their S3 participation, the same responsibility to future students rests with you now.

  • Class of 2025/MS4: Jan. 6–Feb. 3

  • Class of 2026/MS3: Feb. 26–28

  • Class of 2027/MS2: Jan. 29–Feb. 10

  • Class of 2028: MS1: April 28–May 12

Students will be notified in the MD Student News email newsletter when the phase-specific S3 survey periods open. Emails to take the S3 will come to your email from IU School of Medicine’s Educational Affairs Data Analytics (EDA). 

This survey takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. But hey, what's 30 minutes when you can affect the school's curriculum for the next 30 years?

Survey results — both campus-specific and statewide — are shared with deans, regional campus directors and governance committees to inform annual curriculum changes.

High participation is crucial for obtaining valid, impactful results.

Note: Your S3 responses are anonymous.