yaffa915,
We did have just have a mid-term, but the school overall is very laid back in terms of academic pressure. The first two years are completely pass/fail (70%) which takes off most of the stress I remember from undergrad. I end up having every other weekend free to hangout or cruise around SF. The curriculum is very heavily based on small-group, problem-based learning though, so you need to think about if you can learn well in this type of environment. If you get a chance to come out and check out the school I would visit both a lecture and a small-group session. The lectures are usually good and are optional, but small group attendence is mandatory. Everything you are required to know is listed in a large syllabus for each block. We usually have a test (mult. choice/short answer) every three weeks that is written for two or three hours. As far as clinical exposure in the first two years, you would be seeing patients at least one afternoon a week. However, with a student-run homeless clinic and abundant preceptorship opportunities, your amount of patient contact is really how much you choose for yourself. I really have enjoyed my first year and it has not has hard as I pictured medical school would be. If you think of anything else that you want to know feel free to post your questions. Good luck with your application and waiting for you score.
UCSF Med-I