Yale offers fantastic physician and physician-scientist training and presents students with a unique medical school curriculum that places less of an emphasis on competition & grades and a greater emphasis on collaboration & curiosity. I ultimately decided Yale was the right place for me because students openly supported one-another in and outside of the classroom and students here seemed genuinely happy.
MD Curriculum
Building on a Tradition of Excellence
Our curriculum, launched in 2015, embraces the proud traditions of our past while keeping an eye towards the future. Nine Competencies and Five Guiding Principles form the foundation of the curriculum. You will see that these goals focus on areas essential for students to become successful future leaders in medicine. In addition, our Guiding Principles ensure that the curriculum is built upon the principles and values of the Yale system of medical education, including respect for student initiative and maturity, curricular flexibility, close faculty mentoring and a required thesis to promote scientific inquiry, all hallmarks of our unique learning environment.
Curriculum Timeline
Below is a description of the curriculum timeline. This video provides additional details.
Phase 1 – Pre-clerkship Period
Year One
Students participate in the Integrated Course Curriculum, as well as Clinical Skills, Interprofessional Longitudinal Clinical Experience, and Medical Clinical Experience.
Year Two
Over the summer, students conduct research, participate in electives, and enjoy time off. From September through December, students participate in the Integrated Course Curriculum, as well as Clinical Skills and Medical Clinical Experience.
Phase 2 - Clerkship Period
Year Two
In January of the second year, students start their Clinical Clerkships. Between January and July they complete two of the four required twelve week Integrated Clerkships.
Year Three
From July through December, students engage in their Clinical Clerkships, completing the remaining two of four required Integrated clerkships.
Phase 3 – Advanced Training Period
Year Three
The Advanced Training Period begins in January of the third year, with students studying for and taking USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 and participating in subinternships, electives, and research.
Year Four
The Advanced Training Period continues, with students participating in subinternships, electives, and research.