Wow, that's a huge question! I'll see if I can answer it as best as possible (feel free to correct me anyone). As a first year med student, my experiences are limited, but I think I know what awaits me! Incidentally, the following is only for MD schools, osteopathic students (ie those pursuing the DO degree), can tell you how their programs differ.
Year One: This year is spent in the classroom learning "The Basic Sciences." What this boils down to is that you will learn how the human body functions normally. You will probably take the following classes: Gross Anatomy (dissection of a human cadaver), Microscopic Anatomy (aka Histology, where you learn about the body on a cellular/tissue level), Biochemistry (aka HELL, where you learn about the body on a molecular level -- reaction after reaction), Physiology (you learn how the body/organs function), and many schools have a seperate Brain and Behavior course, which most students find very challenging. In addition, most schools have a course that introduces students to clinical skills and things like interviewing Patients. This is usually called ICP (intro to clinical practice).
Year Two: This year is also classroom learning, and involves learning about the diseases/ailments of the human body, and how to treat them. This year consistes of coursework in Pathology (diseases), Pharmacology (ie drugs), Microbiology (ie learn about germs), and usually another course of ICP which teaches physical examination skills. The second year is said to contain twice as much information as the first yeah (uhhhg!).
The Boards: In between years 2 and 3 you must take (and pass) the first step of the medical liscensing boards. This is an eight hour computer test that covers all the info from the first two years. Over 90% pass the first time.
Year Three: Finally the hospital! This year is spent in hospitals, with patients. You will be placed in a small group with a couple other students, as well as residents (MD's who have recently graduated from med school). There will also be an attending physician (an older, more experienced MD) to make sure nobody messes up. This year you will "Rotate" through several "Clerkships" in the following areas: Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Ob/Gyn, Surgery, Fam Practice, Pediatrics, and Radiology. These will differ in length. You will also have a few weeks to do electives in specialties that interest you.
Year Four: Also spent in the hospitals, but with more variability between schools. Some schools, like mine, place you in an "Acting Internship" in Internal Medicine for 8 weeks. This means you will be given MUCH more responsibility (about as much as an intern), for your Patients' care. The rest of the year is left very flexible, with most schools allowing students to select which specialties to explore. At most schools some of these clerkships can even be done at hospitals not affiliated with the med school, or even in programs in other countries! This is an experience I plan on taking advantage of. Also, during the forth year you must take and pass the second step of the liscensing boards. Again, pass rates are above 90%.
After that, you graduate, and are given the hard-earned MD after your name! But its not over yet. You must complete a residency program in the field you choose to pursue. You will apply and interview for the residency position, and a computer will "match" you with a program (you get to rank the ones you want, and then cross your fingers). These programs last at least 3 years (some last 5, 7, 9, etc)! After that there's fellowships, and so on. During your residency you will take step three of the liscensing boards, to be able to practice independently. Pass rates are equally high.
Wow, this post has turned out to be a bigger procrastination tool than I'd expected!
One last thing. Schools differ on these points:
1. Some schools teach mainly with lectures, some offer a small group, "problem-based" learning style, and some use a combo of both. Some even offer an Independent Learning program where the student teaches themself for the first 2 years without a single day in class! (Ohio State offers this)
2. Some schools teach all their courses independent of one another, while others (like mine) use an "Integrated, Organ-Sytems" approach. This means that when you're learning about respiration in physio, you're also dissecting the lungs in gross, studying lung tissue in micro, and learning the respiratory reactions in biochem. This helps keep your mind from exploding from information overload!
3. Some schools have tests sporadically, whenever the course instructors feel like it, while others have "test blocks." In the latter, tests in all course are given during exam weeks, spaced about every 4 to six weeks. During that week, you will have a test in every course. Tests are never given other than during test weeks. This way students are not expected to study for a test, while trying to keep up in their other courses. It helps a lot! On the flip side, it means the tests cover a huge amount of material.
These 3 things are points that you should examine to choose which school is best for you. You should also choose one that will accepts you
Hope this helps, I've got to get back to my biochemistry. Uhhhggg....
[This message has been edited by Mango (edited 09-12-2000).]