18 month vs. 2 year pre-clinical training

[ticktock5051]

Hey all,

I've been accepted to a few different schools (Rochester and UVA) and just wanted to get some input on how their curricula might impact my education.

Specifically, I'm wondering about their pre-clinical training. At Rochester, there's 2 years of pre-clinical classroom work. At UVA, it's 18 months. I LOVE Rochester's curriculum/focus but I definitely think there's advantages to a more condensed classroom phase.

Specifically, are students who complete training at a school with 2 years of pre-clinical coursework at a disadvantage when it comes to match since they're "competing" with students coming from 18 month condensed programs? I would think that such students would have more patient interaction and would thus be more attractive.

Any input is appreciated!

Thanks so much!

PS: If there's a more appropriate forum to post this, let me know.

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[WedgeDawg]

So I go to a 1.5 years preclinical school and I am personally a big fan (so far) of it. I knew when I was applying to schools, one of the things I was looking for was a shorter preclinical time. At UVA specifically (which was one of the schools I was considering attending at the end of the cycle), they recently (but not too recently) completely revamped their preclinical curriculum so that it was 1.5 years by, as they say, eliminating redundant things or inconsequential minutiae, and their students seem to really like it.

The main advantage to a shorter preclinical curriculum is that you have more time after your year of clinicals for things like research projects or sub-Is, which is actually a pretty big deal. The secondary advantage is you're stuck in a classroom only 18 months and not 24. However, very good schools (such as WashU ) still use the 2 year preclinical model and still have strong results, though it's becoming rarer (for example, Yale just switched to a 1.5 year preclinical model for the class of 2019).

Both of the schools you're considering are very strong schools and you can't go wrong with either of them. The advantages of a shortened preclinical curriculum are, in my opinion, not something that should ultimately change your decision if you decide you like one school more than another. You will do perfectly fine coming from Rochester if that's where you like it best. At the same time, if you decide you like UVA better, you'll do very well coming out of there too.

 

[mvenus929]

At UVA specifically (which was one of the schools I was considering attending at the end of the cycle), they recently (but not too recently) completely revamped their preclinical curriculum so that it was 1.5 years by, as they say, eliminating redundant things or inconsequential minutiae, and their students seem to really like it.

By recently, Wedgedawg means almost 6 years ago. I was the first class on the new curriculum, and they were already condensed down to 21ish months prior to changing the curriculum.

The main worry with switching was that students would do worse on step 1, and thus would be at a disadvantage. We didn't, and we weren't. I don't think students who have a condensed curriculum are at an advantage, but they aren't at a disadvantage.

Bottom line, go to whichever school you like best overall.

Edited to add: I will say that the big advantage of the shortened curriculum is going to be doing more fourth year rotations prior to ERAS, thus allowing you more time to figure out what you want to do with your life or impress people for LORs.

 

[Shams al Deen]

The pre-clinical years are way easier than the clinical years. As an MSI I literally have no responsibilities except for an exam every 2-3 weeks and mandatory class for 5-6 hours per week. It's awesome. You literally get the entire day to yourself and just study enough to pass or get slightly above average (to protect the ego). I don't want this to end.

But in terms of what will make a better doctor, I guess having 2.5 years of clinical experience makes you slightly more competent leaving med school than only having 2 years. Doubt it makes much difference though.