Things You Should Know About the MD Curriculum
- Some practice until they get it right. We use simulation training until our learners can’t get it wrong. Beginning your first week on campus and regularly throughout your four years, you will train and practice in our state-of-the-art Simulation Center that is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, which translates into success in real clinical settings.
- Our curriculum is decompressed, which means that we took the long summer break between years one and two and broke it into one-week intervals that are spread throughout the first two years of medical school. These one-week breaks can be used for vacation, electives, or to catch up on required material. The early electives are designed to let you explore a variety of specialties.
- You will take the USMLE Step 1 following your Foundations of Medicine curriculum. We’ve built in preparation time in the second year to ensure that you’re ready and will succeed. We’ve also built in preparation time and resources for Step 2 Clinical Knowledge as we know this exam has grown in importance now that Step 1 uses pass/fail scoring.
- There’s a group or a club for every interest you may have. You’re able to join national organizations such as the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) and Student National Medical Association (SNMA), as well as student interest groups for the area of medicine you’re passionate about — Family Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurology, Internal Medicine — we’ve got it all! And you can join clubs to fulfill your interests outside of medicine—the arts, wellness, faith-based groups, and more. Clubs and organizations are a great way to get involved, give back, and gain valuable leadership skills.
- WMed is a newer school, built on a long legacy of medical education in Kalamazoo. We have more than 200 residents and fellows in 10 residency programs and five fellowships — some dating back over 70 years. Kalamazoo is also home to innovative leaders in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
- You’ve got to play to win. You’ve got to be present to learn. However, we do recognize all students learn differently and that you’re an adult learner. Attendance is required for most curriculum events such as TBLs and clinical experiences. Our curriculum uses a variety of teaching methods and newer instructional technologies to enhance your learning.
- You’ll spend the majority of your first two years on the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus in our state-of-the-art facility. In 2014, we completed a $68 million renovation of five of the eight floors in our 350,000 square-foot building. In 2016, a $10 million renovation was completed of two additional floors for clinical and laboratory research. We’ve designed the building to facilitate collaboration and enrich your educational experience. Take a virtual tour!
- WMed faculty embraces a format-neutral environment where learners select the medium that best meets their learning preferences. Therefore, students will be responsible for acquiring required textbooks and given the following options, accessing the book through the medical library’s online collection, or purchasing or renting a digital or print textbook. Required textbooks support the delivery of curricular content identified by the faculty to facilitate a balanced, chronological presentation of new material to the learner.
- When you become a WMed student, you join the WMed Community. Our medical school class size is small, but our faculty community is large and supportive. We’re all focused on your success!