How Long Is Medical School? And What It Actually Looks Like!

I remember being a premed and thinking about entering the next chapter of medical school on my journey to achieving my dream of becoming a doctor. I felt so super excited to begin but also a little nervous about the next few years of intense studying and training that awaited me. 

If you’re anything like I was, you’re likely wondering, “How long is medical school going to take?”

Knowing what to expect (and what you’re in for – LOL!) can help you plan, dream, and, if need be, calm your racing thoughts. Now that I’m in my fourth year (as of this post!), I’m glad I can share some of my experiences and guide you through the medical school timeline.

From your first year through your fourth and on into your residency, the road to becoming a doctor is filled with its own set of challenges and milestones – let’s dive into the nitty gritty!

This post is all about how long is medical school.

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Find Out How Long is Medical School

So, How Long Is Medical School, Really?

You can expect to be in medical school for about four years. But hold on, you’re not done yet! After medical school, you still have to go through an additional three to seven years of residency before you can officially call yourself a doctor. Yep, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, that’s for sure!

But here’s the thing – you’ve actually already started the journey toward your dream career in medicine long before you attend your white coat ceremony. You step onto the medical school path from the moment you begin preparing for medical school – attending your first premed class, taking the MCAT, applying in June of the year before you plan to start medical school, and nailing your secondaries and interviews. 

So, once you finalize which medical school you’ll attend after graduating with your four-year degree, what’s in store for you next?  

Let’s break it down a little further and give you an overview of what each year of medical school entails, what to expect along the way, and how you can navigate this demanding but rewarding path.

Medical School 4-Year Overview

Most medical schools split their training into two main parts: preclinical and clinical. In the first two years, known as the preclinical phase, you’ll dive deep into science. This is the time when you’ll learn everything from the basics of medicine to how the body works, various diseases, diagnoses, and treatment methods. You’ll also start getting the hang of essential doctor skills like taking medical histories.

Once you’ve got the hang of those basics, it’s time to step into the clinical phase, usually the last two years of medical school. Here, you’ll embark on clinical rotations where you’ll work with real patients in different medical fields. This hands-on experience is where you’ll really start to feel like a future doctor as you learn from experienced professionals and get up close and personal with various medical specialties.

Keep in mind that each medical school has its own unique curriculum. Some schools jump straight into patient interactions from day one. At my medical school, the University of Colorado, our program is a bit different from others. We have a more condensed pre-clinical curriculum – just a year of lectures – and then, in our second year, we jump right into the clinical experience.

First Year (M1)

Brace yourself for the first year, also known as M1, because it’s definitely a big leap from your college days. You’re now a medical student, which is no walk in the park. The workload is intense, and the amount of info you need to absorb is, well, a lot.

Everything is New!

During this year, you’ll be getting used to the new routine, tweaking your study methods, and making friends with your fellow med students. It’s a time of adjustment, for sure. But don’t forget to maintain some balance and have a little fun along the way! Socializing can help you keep your perspective, even in the midst of all that studying.

As you’re adjusting to your new schedule, it’s super important to find your groove with your study routine. Experiment with different strategies, establish what works, and find out if studying with friends helps or hinders your productivity. Sometimes, studying with pals can lead to more chatting than actual studying!

What Your Course Load Looks Like

Depending on the school you attend, your schedule might be a bit different, but one thing’s for sure – you’ll spend a lot of time in labs and lectures. You’re still in the early stages of your medical education, so most of your time will be spent on building essential skills. You’ll mainly focus on basic sciences and clinical foundation classes. 

Some schools take a traditional approach, focusing on learning all about normal bodily functions (physiology), then moving on to what can go wrong (pathology), and finally, how to treat it (pharmacology). On the other hand, some schools opt for a systems-based approach where you’ll study specific organ systems like cardiovascular, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal in blocks.

During this time, You’ll also learn things like how to communicate with patients and how to behave professionally. There are also chances to start getting some hands-on clinical experience if you’re up for it. Along with that, you might have the chance to take electives such as language study or research projects.

Second Year (M2)

By M2, things may start to feel a bit more stressful as it gets real. If you thought the MCAT was the last big exam you’d have to take, sorry to break it to you, but this year you’ll tackle the first of three big exams, the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE): Step 1. 

Even though Step 1 is now a pass/fail test, it’s still a big deal and requires a lot of preparation. You might spend a big chunk of your second year studying and getting ready for this test.

Most students take the Step 1 exam in the spring, which marks the end of their preclinical studies. During the fall and winter of your second year, prepare to go into hermit mode, as you’ll be busy studying and not much else. As winter ends and spring begins, you’ll have a dedicated period to really focus on your studies.

With Step 1 becoming pass/fail, some schools may have you take it after your third year (like it was for me), believing that having clinical experience from rotations will help you with the exam.

Third Year (M3)

M3 is an adjustment as you move away from classroom learning. Now, you’re not just studying and taking tests anymore, you’re spending most of your days in a hospital or clinic, learning from experienced doctors and nurses.

Adjusting to clinical rotations might be challenging at first. Your performance is closely watched, and your evaluations play a big role in your final grade. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll enjoy the tons of hands-on experiences you’ve likely been waiting for – it’s your chance to work directly with patients and start feeling like a real doctor!

What to Expect During Your Clinical Rotations

In your third year, you’ll do rotations in different areas, such as internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, psychiatry, neurology, pediatrics, OB/GYN, and emergency medicine. 

During your clinical rotations, you’ll get to help out your team by writing notes, examining patients, and sharing your findings during rounds. You’ll also have the chance to be in the operating room, where you’ll assist in surgeries by helping with tasks like holding things in place and cleaning up. As a part of the healthcare team, you’ll learn important clinical skills by observing the residents and doctors you work with. 

You’ll still need to hit the books because there’s a Shelf exam at the end of each rotation. But don’t worry, these exams aren’t as stressful as other big tests like Step 1.

Conquering Step 2

This year, you’ll also need to study for Step 2 of the USMLE, which focuses on what you’ve learned in your third year, especially in internal medicine. You might find that you don’t need to study as intensely for Step 2 compared to Step 1 since you already have a strong foundation in medicine. 

However, now that Step 1 is pass/fail, there might be more pressure to do well on Step 2. Typically, about a month of dedicated studying should be enough to prepare for Step 2. Just keep in mind that understanding the key concepts from your internal medicine rotation will be crucial for success on this exam.

Finding Your Specialty

During your third year, you’ll get to try out different specialties to see which ones you like the most. There are also clubs and groups where you can learn more about different types of medicine.

By the end of your third year, you’ll likely have an idea of what area you want to specialize in, for example, primary care, surgery, or pediatrics. Once you’ve chosen a direction, you can start getting ready to apply for more training in that field. If you’re not sure yet, you can take some time to do research, reach out to career counselors, get more experience, or think about what you want to do before deciding on a specialty.

Fourth Year (M4)

By your fourth year of medical school, you’re almost at the finish line. But don’t relax just yet, because now it’s time to start thinking about the next big step: residency. In the first part of M4, you’ll be working on your residency applications and maybe doing sub-internships at different hospitals.

Navigating Sub-Internships

A sub-internship, sometimes called audition rotations because they’re like a long audition or interview for a residency program, are rotations you do at different hospitals around the country. You show up early, stay late, and work hard to help the residents. If you’re interested in a specialty with a tough schedule, such as surgery, be prepared for long hours and stress.

Heading Toward Your Residency Era

Medical students apply for residency using ERAS, which stands for the Electronic Residency Application Service. The application typically opens in mid-September. Just like with AMCAS, it’s a common application where you fill out your personal statement, submit letters of recommendation, and detail your work and activities. The good news is that, unlike AMCAS, there are no secondary applications to complete.

Residency interviews happen at different times depending on the specialty, ranging from October to February. By the end of February, you must submit your rank list. Unlike a traditional acceptance process, both applicants and programs rank their preferences through the NRMP. 

Match Day

Then, in mid-March comes Match Day, when you find out where you’ve been matched for your residency. It’s an exciting event to discover where you’ll be training for the next three to seven years.

After Match Day, things calm down. Your residency will kick off in July, so you have some time between March and July to celebrate this accomplishment, allow yourself time to unwind and spend quality time with family and friends before embarking on the challenging journey ahead.

Residency

Once you finish medical school, it’s onto your residency, where you’ll gain even more specialized training in your chosen medical specialty. The length of your residency will vary depending on the specialty you’ve chosen, ranging from three to seven years.

During your residency, you’ll work at a hospital or academic center, gaining invaluable hands-on experience and honing your technical skills. You’ve made it to the final stage before you can practice independently as a licensed physician!

As a resident doctor, you’ll have the opportunity to work directly with patients under supervision. You’ll be responsible for diagnosing conditions, creating treatment plans, monitoring patients, and even performing procedures. You’ll also participate in medical rounds, collaborate with other healthcare professionals, handle emergencies, and stay up-to-date with the latest medical knowledge.

It’s important to note that medical residents do get paid for their work, although the amount varies depending on factors such as the year of residency, the location of the program, and your level of training. This compensation recognizes the hard work and dedication you’re putting into furthering your medical education.

The Finish Line: Working as a Doctor

Finally, you’ve made it to the last step on your journey to become a licensed physician! 

As you prepare to take on the challenges of obtaining your medical license, remember to check the specific requirements and guidelines set by the state where you plan to practice. You’ll need to either pass Step 3 of the USMLE or then COMLEX depending on if you’re an MD or a DO.

So, my friends, to total it all up, it typically takes four years to complete medical school, followed by residency, which can range from three to seven years, depending on the specialty. This adds up to a grand total of around seven to eleven years of training after undergraduate studies.

Yes, the road is long! However, remember that each step brings you closer to achieving your dream of practicing medicine. Stay focused, stay determined, and, most importantly, stay passionate about helping others. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards of making a difference in people’s lives as a physician are immeasurable.

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