Information by Year

Each year of education at the Yale School of Medicine is unique, reflecting the steps needed to acquire a comprehensive medical school education and prepare for a rewarding career. From the White Coat Ceremony and the pre-clinical clerkship in the first year to Match Day and Commencement ceremonies in the fourth, each year is marked by its own defining curriculum and events.

We have broken down the medical school experience by year, outlining the curriculum for each year as well as the extra-curricular events and opportunities that are available. Wherever possible, we have provided specific dates, to help you and your family plan ahead.

Administrators meet with students at the close of each academic year to help them plan for the following year and to let them know about opportunities they might want to pursue, the paperwork they’ll need to prepare and deadlines they should keep in mind.

Research for the M.D. thesis begins in the first year and continues throughout the four years of standard education. Many students elect to complete an optional fifth year to continue their research project in more depth.