July

• SSOM Orientation takes place one week prior to classes.

August

• Students matriculate into program.
• FAFSA paperwork must be completed regardless of loan status.
• Stipends commence August 15 (initial source of funding is SSOM MD/PhD program).
• Students sign release form that authorizes release of their SSOM transcript to the MD/PhD committee on an annual basis and release of their USMLE Step 1 score when it becomes available.
• Students meet with the MD/PhD Program Director and Associate Dean for Graduate Education who will advise you on IPBS tracks and advisors that are currently accepting PhD students.

October-December

• MD Year 2 FAFSA paperwork must be completed regardless of loan status.
• Students discuss possible lab selections with the MD/PhD Program Director and Associate Dean for Graduate Education.
• Identify a research lab for summer rotation.

June

• Students send SSOM transcript to MD/PhD Program Director to confirm satisfactory MD progress and promotion MD year 2.

June - July Year

• Students begin summer laboratory rotation (minimum duration 6 weeks—student to discuss vacation plans in advance with their advisor).

August

• MD Year 2 begins.

January

• Students formally identify a faculty research advisor for graduate research based on their first year summer rotation or identify a second research lab for summer rotation.

March 1 - April 30

• Students must complete the USMLE Step 1 exam.
• MD/PhD committee requests copy of SSOM transcript to confirm satisfactory MD progress and promotion to PhD Year 1.

May

• Students begin work with their previously selected faculty research advisor or begin a second laboratory rotation. 

August

• Students must select a faculty research advisor (if not done earlier).
• Students submit the IPBS PhD Track & Advisor Selection Form.
• MD/PhD program requests copy of student’s USMLE Step 1 score. Students with a failing score will develop a remediation plan with the MD/PhD committee.
• Students attend Graduate School orientation and compliance sessions (Thursday or Friday prior to first week of classes).
• Graduate School classes begin (Official start date is the first week of August).

February/March

• Students attend Qualifying Exam Information Session. 
• Students must successfully complete the Qualifying Examination by August 1. 

April

• The MD/PhD Program evaluates if the student is making satisfactory academic progress in the PhD program.

May

• PhD Year 2 begins.

December

• Paperwork is processed to transfer student financial support from the MD/PhD program to the faculty advisor’s research funding or training grant. 

January

• Financial support is assumed by the faculty advisor’s research funding or training grant on January 1. 

April

• MD/PhD students must have an approved Dissertation Committee & Proposal on file with the Graduate School (Graduate School Progress System). 
• The MD/PhD Program confirms to SSOM that the student is making satisfactory academic progress in the PhD program.

May

• PhD Year 3 bgins.

April

• The MD/PhD Program evaluates if the student is making satisfactory academic progress in the PhD program.

May

• PhD Year 4 begins.

July

• MD/PhD committee confirms to SSOM that students are on track to start medical school clinical orientation and clerkship at end of April/start of May and that their research work will be completed by that time. If the research will not be completed, MD/PhD committee must discuss delayed clerkship start options with students.

August - March

• Students will complete the Patient Centered Medicine (PCM) refresher activities while also completing their PhD research.

October

• MD Year 3 FAFSA paperwork must be completed regardless of loan status.

December

• December 1-Deadline to apply for May doctoral degree conferral in LOCUS.
• Deadlines are extended for students who do not wish to walk in the May Commencement Ceremony.

January

• Students participate in the SSOM clerkship assignment process.

March

• March 1-Doctoral thesis format check due (for May degree conferral).
• Students complete the oral defense for the doctoral degree (for May degree conferral).

April

• Students submit Ballot for successful passing of the oral defense to the Graduate School.
• April 30 - Final electronic copy of dissertation due (for May degree conferral).
• Students may not begin clinical rotations until all PhD requirements have been fulfilled.
• Students participate in week-long Patient Centered Medicine 3 Orientation last week of April.

May

• Conferral of PhD degree and Commencement ceremony for students having met December and April deadlines.

May

• MD Year 3 begins. 

May - April

• Students engage in required coursework, electives, and clinical clerkships.

October

• MD Year 4 FAFSA paperwork must be completed regardless of loan status.

May

• MD Year 4 begins. 

 May - Graduation

• Students engage in required coursework, electives, and clinical clerkships.

September

• MD/PhD committee and SSOM jointly review the students’ CVs that will be used in preparation of their residency “Medical Student Performance Evaluation” (the Dean's letter that completes the residency application).

January

• SSOM confirms student’s eligibility to complete MD degree in June. This, in turn, enables SSOM to confirm students’ eligibility to submit a residency rank list for the Match (as required by Match Program policies). (If participating in an “early match” program, this occurs in December not January.)

March

• Students match to residencies. (If participating in an "early match" program, this occurs in January, not March.)

May

• Conferral of MD degree and SSOM graduation ceremony.