Milestones

Four years of medical school requires dedication and numerous sacrifices to achieve your ultimate goal.  We feel it is important to acknowledge individual accomplishments, observe certain rites of passage and celebrate the achievement of major milestones.  The Office of Student Affairs sponsors numerous special events throughout the year to provide guidance for the next step in your journey and to honor successes along the way.

First Year

Congratulations, you're a medical student! There are a number of events before classes start that are organized for you to get to know your classmates, learn more about the school, explore our great city and learn what to expect over the next four years. These events culminate with a White Coat ceremony where you are officially welcomed into the medical profession.

Welcome Weekend (May)

An initial opportunity to meet your classmates and enjoy a day full of activities and information on housing, roommates, the curriculum, financial aid, student life, student organizations, and socializing.

White Coat Ceremony (July)

School of Medicine faculty will greet you as you enter the medical profession. Each student receives a white coat as a concrete symbol of your new professional role. The White Coat Ceremony was initially conceived by Dr. Arnold P. Gold, a faculty member at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and today many medical schools host similar ceremonies.

Orientation (July)

This is the final opportunity for students to complete administrative tasks and requirements, i.e. textbooks, laptop check, ID badge, health insurance, passwords, etc. before classes officially start.

 

Second Year

Way to go, you survived your first year of medical school!  Keep up the hard work, this year you will be ready to take your first step exam.

Student Clinician Ceremony (February)

The ceremony marks the transition from the traditional classroom learning environment into the clinical setting

 

Third Year

Finally, you get to see patients and put all that hard work to use.

Career Month (January)

Students will receive early exposure to CV and personal statement preparation, ERAS and supplemental application guidance, and applying for away rotations. Additionally, Faculty from a variety of specialties gather to meet with students individually and answer questions about applying to residency programs, career satisfaction, etc.

 

Fourth Year

Believe it or not, it is now time to apply to residency programs.  The later half of this year is filled with many wonderful events to prepare you for the next step of your career and to celebrate the exciting end of your four-year academic journey.

Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), National Medical Honor Society induction ceremony (March)

Alpha Omega Alpha — dedicated to the belief that in the profession of medicine we will improve care for all by recognizing high educational achievement; honoring gifted teaching, encouraging the development of leaders in academia and the community, supporting the ideals of humanism, and promoting service to others.  

Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) induction ceremony  (March)

The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) recognizes students, residents and faculty who are exemplars of compassionate patient care and who serve as role models, mentors, and leaders in medicine. GHHS members are peer-nominated and are the ones that others say they want taking care of their own family.  

Match Day (March)

A dramatic and festive rite of passage where medical students stand on stage in front of their classmates, family, friends and faculty members to open an envelope revealing where they will spend the next few years of their life for residency.  Match Day is held in conjunction with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

Senior Award Dinner (March)

Graduating students are honored for exceptional performance and/or service to the school of medicine during a dinner attended by Long School of Medicine faculty and leadership. 

Graduation (May)

The day you have been working toward arrives!  A wonderful event to celebrate an incredible achievement.  Family, friends and loved ones attend a formal ceremony where your Doctor of Medicine degree is awarded.