Congratulations… you finally made it into medical school. Now there are just four rigorous years between Day One and earning your degree as a doctor. But, as any medical student or graduate will tell you, those years are intense and so are your board exams. Since time flies, let’s discuss the medical school timeline for an aspiring physician and your four years of med school plus exams.
Certainly getting into med school was tough, as you likely had to burn the midnight oil more than once to make the grades needed for acceptance. But guess what – graduating from the four-year grind of medical school is even tougher and can be too much for some students. Nonetheless, statistics show that between 80 to 85 percent of your class will graduate after four years.
Now if that dropout rate sounds a little scary, the numbers are a bit misleading. It doesn’t take into account a notable number of medical students who purposefully take more than four years to complete their program. Although the actual numbers fluctuate from one year to the next, the graduation rate of med students after six years usually falls in the mid-ninety percent range.
So do students take summers off?
“Medical schools and a student’s specific program can vary,” says Dr. Hans Wolf, the founder of the Physicians Achievement Concept Course and director of WOLFPACC. “There isn’t a single answer, but traditionally med students get one summer break between their first and second year of studies. That means, for the most part, you’re going to be really busy and especially if you plan to graduate in four years.”
Counselors normally recommend taking any “special trip” after completing your undergraduate degree and before your medical studies. Maintaining balance in your life during med school can be a challenge. After the first year’s summer break, most students are busy studying for their USMLE Step or COMLEX USA exams or gaining additional clinical experience through an elective externship or a required clerkship.
Although students may apply for a voluntary leave of absence, it depends upon your particular circumstances; but most medical schools prefer students to follow the normal path toward graduation.
Duration of a Four-Year Medical Program
Generally speaking, medical school can be broken down into three sections: the first two years of medical school are devoted to preclinicals, clinical rotations take up most of the third year, and the fourth year is comprised of clinical electives plus important residency interviews. Oh yeah, you have to find time to study for and pass your board exams as a separate gig. But, here’s a year-by-year breakdown of likely generic experiences:
- M1 – First Year of Medical School: Year one of med school is focused on classroom-based learning of the basic sciences. It represents a significant shift for most students with lots of clinical studies, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, pathology, and pharmacology. The sheer volume of information you’ll encounter can be overwhelming at first, as you adjust from the college routine to the demanding environment of medical education. Take this year to refine your study habits, establish effective routines, and enhance your efficiency in preparation for what’s to come. By the middle of year one, stress levels will lower and you’ll be forming new friendships with classmates, some of whom will become your best study partners.
- M2 – Second Year of Medical School: Year two of med school is a pivotal time for students as they transition from foundational knowledge of the basic clinical sciences to practical application. During this year, students focus on developing clinical skills, particularly in taking patient histories and conducting physical examinations. In class, you’ll explore the complexities of organ systems through pathology and learn about treatment options in pharmacology. Research projects initiated during the first-year will continue to provide a deeper understanding to refine your clinical skills. Despite the challenges and rapid changes that define the second year, the experience is incredibly rewarding as students advance toward their future roles as physicians.
- M3 – Third Year of Medical School: Year three of med school marks a pivotal transition from classroom learning to clinical practice. During this year, students rotate through various clinical departments, engage in direct patient care, and explore numerous specialties. The knowledge acquired during preclinicals will now be presented physically during clinical rotations. Under the supervision of attending physicians or residents, you will become an integral member of the healthcare team. Clinical clerkships dominate this phase and provide the opportunity to work directly with patients across seven core clinical services, like internal medicine or surgery. Third-year students must rapidly acquire different skill sets, which makes it the hardest year of med school.
- M4 – Fourth Year of Medical School: Year four of med school is the countdown to graduation for most students. Although different programs may have different requirements, during a med student’s final year, they engage in clinical elective coursework to pursue learning more about their passion. In addition, graduating med students complete a capstone course that is designed to prepare them for clinical practice as an intern. Match Day and commencement are milestone events that are typically held towards the end of the fourth year. During Match Day, medical students all around the country find out where they’ve been accepted for residency and instantly learn what their future in medicine will likely look like as a practicing physician.
After finishing medical school, you’re recognized as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), but independent practice requires completing a residency. Throughout residency, you’re a licensed physician in training, yet not ready to practice unsupervised. During this time, you’ll work as a paid employee while completing your residency. After passing your board exams, you can achieve board certification in your specialty and practice independently.
Passing Board Exams to Practice Medicine
While you’re no stranger to exams and tests, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) takes the top spot as the most challenging exam, with an average preparation time ranging from 200 to 400 hours for each of its three steps. Those doctors with an osteopathic DO degree are required to take the COMLEX-USA exams. However, some also choose to take the USMLE as well.
USMLE STEP BOARD EXAMS
The USMLE exams are a crucial requirement for obtaining medical licensure in the United States for all graduates of allopathic MD-granting American and international medical schools (IMGs). While students in LCME-accredited schools have the flexibility to take Step 1 and Step 2 in either order, it’s common for Step 1 to be completed at the end of the second year and Step 2 at the start of the fourth year after third-year clinical rotations. To ensure you secure residency interviews, aim for a Step 2 CK score above 255. Although Step 1 is now pass/fail, achieving scores in the 75th percentile or higher on Step 2 CK and Step 3 can significantly enhance residency opportunities. Most programs require passing Step 3 during the intern year to progress to PGY-2 of residency.
COMLEX-USA BOARD EXAMS
The COMLEX-USA is a crucial sequence of three standardized exams designed to assess the clinical skills and medical knowledge of medical students. These exams are administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, and it’s essential for students to pass each level before progressing to the next. Most osteopathic medical schools mandate passing the COMLEX for graduation, and all states require passing a licensing exam to practice medicine. Students typically take COMLEX Level 1 between May and July, aligning with their school’s schedule. It usually occurs at the end of the second year. If the school also requires the USMLE Step 1, it is often taken after year two. Level 2-CE is typically completed during the third or fourth year and Level 3 during first year of residency.
Physicians are required to be licensed to practice medicine in the state where they work. Often this can take at least ten years but based on their specialty, the length of time can be longer. While board certification is not required to practice medicine, it indicates the physician’s experience and expertise. About ninety percent of U.S. physicians are certified in a particular field of medicine. For more than a decade, WOLFPACC has been helping our med student and IMGs pass their exams and achieve exceptional results.
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Since every facet of medical school takes so much of your time and effort to become a full-fledged doctor, WOLFPACC Physicians Achievement Concept Course was developed to provide allopathic and osteopathic students with a powerful approach to practicing medicine. If you are a medical student or IMG who wants or needs to score well on any USMLE or COMLEX-USA medical licensing exam, Dr. Wolf and his team of professionals look forward to helping you reach your goals.
