Phase 3: Prepare for Residency

Excited. Anxious. Triumphant. Stressed. There’s no doubt about it: In your third year, as you’re entering Phase 3 of our program, you’ll be facing a mix of emotions about residency. But with our Preparation for Residency course reinvigorating you, apprehension can be replaced by the confidence you’ll gain through:

• a comprehensive orientation to Phase 3
• continued career exploration opportunities — with emphasis on specialty decisions
• further skill development
• simulations and other assessment methods that provide formative and summative feedback on your progress toward becoming a physician
• a two-week capstone in which we’ll emphasize the clinical skills required for internship — including common procedures and more complex patient management

We cannot overstate the value of the expanded third phase of our new curriculum. By participating in Jacobs School electives and selectives, you will engage with potential mentors and build a portfolio that will set you apart from others in the residency application process.

The expansion of Phase 3 will allow for rigorous advanced rotations wherein you gain advanced skills and work more independently. This will better prepare you for the responsibilities of internship and ease the transition from trainee to physician.

Although there is a base of knowledge required of all medical students, we know how important your unique interests and goals are to you. That’s why we’re eager to give you opportunities to differentiate yourself and pursue more detailed study in your areas of interest.

Phase 3 will consist of 14 four-week modules: 11 required modules and three flexible modules that you can use at your own discretion for studying, interviews, vacation or additional scholarly interests.

The required modules are:

• acting internship
• advanced medicine, surgery or pediatrics
• emergency medicine / critical care
  
• integrated science selective
• dedicated preparation and study for USMLE Step 2 CK exam
• preparation for residency
• five required electives

In Phase 1 you will have begun working on your mentored health sciences scholarly project (HSSP). By the time you reach Phase 3, we believe you’ll find it intensified your scientific curiosity, boosted your skills in self-directed learning, helped you foster a rewarding relationship with your research mentor, and whetted your appetite for career-long learning.

You will present your completed project in a dedicated research forum at the end of Phase 3, which will help sharpen your communication skills.

The schedule for your third and fourth years may look like this: