Program Timeline
The MD program is designed to be completed in 4 or 4.5 years, depending on the matriculation term, with 2 years spent in the Basic Sciences phase (Year 1 and Year 2) and 2 years spent in the Clinical Studies phase (Year 3 and Year 4). Students may require additional time for course remediation, standardized examination preparation, or an approved leave of absence. Regardless of individual circumstances, students must complete the Basic Sciences curriculum within 3 years of matriculation and the full MD curriculum within 6 years.
Transition to Clinical Studies
Students beginning Clinical Studies in the US typically use the interval between Basic Sciences and Clinical Studies to prepare for and take the CBSE and USMLE Step 1.
Students who complete the Basic Sciences in 2 years may take up to 1 year before beginning Clinical Studies, while those who complete the Basic Sciences in 2.5 years may take up to 6 months. However, students are encouraged to begin Clinical Studies within 3–5 months to maintain optimal clerkship scheduling, USMLE Step 2 timing, and ERAS/NRMP application timelines. Additional time between phases is discouraged unless required for content remediation of NBME Clinical Subject Examinations or for Step 1 preparation.
Students who complete the Basic Sciences in the maximum 3 years must begin Clinical Studies in the US or the UK within 6 months of completing the Basic Sciences.
In rare instances in which an extension to the Basic Sciences timeline may be granted by the Committee on Academic Progress and Professional Standards (CAPPS), students must progress from the Basic Sciences phase directly to the Clinical Studies phase at the next available clerkship start date.
Completion of the MD Program
Regardless of when Clinical Studies begin (the first clerkship), students must remain on track to complete the MD program within 6 years of matriculation.
Due to the expectations and timeline for completing Clinical Studies, students with less than 2 years remaining on their timeline who have not yet started Clinical Studies, or students whose progress during Clinical Studies makes completion within 6 years impossible, will be reviewed by the Academic Promotion Review Committee (APRC) and may be recommended for dismissal by the relevant Dean. Any student recommended for dismissal may appeal to the CAPPS.
OPTIMAL TIMELINE FOR AUGUST MATRICULANTS
Students who matriculate in the August term can complete the MD program in four years, assuming no timeline extension.
- Basic Sciences: Students complete the Basic Sciences courses in May of the second year after matriculation.
- Start of the clerkship year: Students starting clinical training in the US take USMLE Step 1 in July after passing the CBSE, and begin their first clinical term in August or September. Students who do not pass the CBSE after completing Term 5 will typically have an extended timeline before beginning Clinical Studies, as described in the Promotion to Clinical Phase—CBSE and Pathways for Clinical Training section of the School of Medicine Student Manual. Students starting clinical training in the UK are not required to take USMLE Step 1 and may begin Clinical Studies at the next available start date after clearance.
- End of Year 4: Students complete the 80-week clinical curriculum by May or June of the second year after beginning Clinical Studies (e.g., if clinical training begins in July, August, or September 2024, then graduation is in June 2026). This is four years or less after matriculation. Students interested in US residency should, if possible, aim to complete their curriculum by the end of April to allow sufficient time for ECFMG certification and state licensing requirements before residency orientation.
Terms 6–10 (Years 3 and 4) represent an intensive educational period. Students who begin Clinical Studies in September have less than 90 weeks before the first June diploma date and must plan time off carefully to complete the 80-week curriculum. During this period, students interested in US residency also take USMLE Step 2 after completing core clerkships and apply for residencies.
OPTIMAL TIMELINE FOR JANUARY/APRIL MATRICULANTS
Students who matriculate in the January and April terms generally complete the MD Program in 4.5 years, assuming no timeline extension.
- Basic Sciences: Students complete the Basic Sciences courses in December of the second year after matriculation.
- Start of the clerkship year: Students starting Clinical Studies in the US take USMLE Step 1 in March after passing the CBSE, and begin their first clinical term in May or June. Students who do not pass the CBSE after completing Term 5 will typically have an extended timeline before beginning Clinical Studies, as described in the Promotion to Clinical Phase—CBSE and Pathways for Clinical Training section of the School of Medicine Student Manual. Students starting clinical training in the UK are not required to take USMLE Step 1 and may begin Clinical Studies in January or April.
- End of Year 4: Students may graduate in December of the second year after beginning Clinical Studies; however, most graduate in May, approximately two years after starting Clinical Studies.
Terms 6–10 are an intensive educational period. Students who begin Clinical Studies in May have approximately 100 weeks to complete the 80-week curriculum and graduate in June. During this period, students interested in US residency also take USMLE Step 2 after completing the core clerkships and apply for residencies.