Immersion Phase Components
Advanced Clinical Experiences
Develop your practice-based learning skills in these rigorous month-long clinical rotations, where you’ll function as a valued member of the clinical team.
Acting Internships
Step into the role of an intern: manage patients, write notes, perform exams, enter orders, and give handovers — gaining hands-on patient care experience with growing responsibility.
Master Clinical Teacher Sessions
Building on the MCT program in the M2 year, this phase includes two MCT experiences during the Acting Internship and Acute Care. These MCT sessions focus on refining your clinical skills and preparing you for residency.
Integrated Science Courses
Combine clinical work and foundational science across diverse topics—preparing you for lifelong learning through real-world, workplace-based experiences.
Student-Directed Research
After an M3 planning course, you’ll have 3 to 6 months dedicated to planning, conducting, and evaluating your research project under the guidance of your research mentor, culminating in a research paper ready to submit for publication.
Dedicated Time for Residency Interviews
Over the winter of your M4 year, you’ll have time reserved specifically for these crucial interviews with potential residency matches.
Success in the Immersion Phase
As you take on increased professional responsibilities during the Immersion Phase, you’ll receive various types of feedback along the way:
- Competency-based assessments from your clinical team
- Narrative feedback from your clinical team and course directors
- Opportunities for self-reflection
Plus, you’ll participate in a week-long collection of simulated scenarios held in our world-class Center for Experiential Learning and Assessment. These scenarios with standardized patients will assess your competence on various professional competencies important for residency and beyond.
Learning Communities
Work and Communicate in Teams
As you take on more advanced clinical responsibilities during the Immersion Phase, effective teamwork and leadership become even more important. You’ll discuss the advanced communication skills and interprofessional teamwork needed to provide the best care to your patients. Plus, take time to conduct a mentored quality improvement project and discover the practical side of public health and prevention.
Improve the Health Care System
What gaps remain in patient safety protocol? How could innovative health care policy bring needed resources and relief to patients? What role do physicians play in influencing health care economics? Discuss these questions and others like them.
Research
Student-directed research is a crucial element of the Immersion Phase. This is when you plan, conduct, and evaluate your own 3-6 month mentored research project, culminating in a research paper ready to submit for publication.
Interested in more research opportunities? Consider a year out for research in the Medical Scholars Program in your M3 year.
