Deciding to become a doctor didn’t happen overnight—in fact, the lengthy process alone requires dedication before your medical education even begins. Now that you’re certain about pursuing this career, you can get started right away thanks to schools like St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, which allows students to start in April.

Medical schools that allow students to begin at multiple times during the year, including April and January, provide some unique perks. Take a look at some of the ways starting medical school in April can benefit you.

4 appealing aspects of starting medical school in April

Starting an MD program in April may not be the norm, but it does offer some intriguing advantages. Consider the following:

1. You have more time to prepare for residency

Perhaps you’re already contemplating how you’ll use medical school to prepare for residency. This isn’t unusual when you consider the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)  residency timeline starts during year one.

By starting in April, you have the opportunity to schedule and complete more fourth-year electives in your desired specialty.  Those electives are important for highly competitive fields, and can be completed prior to submitting your residency application. The additional electives mean a stronger resume and increased direct exposure to residency directors and influencers. By building strong relationships, those connections may offer their assistance with your all-important letters of recommendation.  Better yet, this may help them see you as the kind of doctor they want to bring in as a resident.

2. Take advantage of financing opportunities

Medical school is a substantial investment that can be made more affordable through scholarships and grants. Even when you start medical school in April, you’re eligible for numerous financial assistance options at SGU. A few of the many scholarships include:

• Academic Merit Scholarships: these are awarded to students’ academic accomplishments as demonstrated through overall and science grade point averages.
• The Chancellor’s Legacy of Excellence Award: This scholarship is extended toward students who’ve demonstrated excellent academic achievement.
• The Legacy Achievement is a scholarship awarded to children and grandchildren of SGU School of Medicine alumni.

SGU attendees from the US and Canada who start in April also have a unique option. The Why Wait opportunity allows for students to have their tuition and fees refunded should they later gain acceptance to and enroll in a Canadian or US medical school the following fall.

3. Favorable student-to-faculty ratio

Student-to-faculty ratios are often cited as a critical part of obtaining a quality medical education. Research also suggests learning in small group settings supports academic achievement.

The majority of SGU School of Medicine classes are held in small-group format. Students will also attend sizable lectures. However, because the spring class is smaller than the fall cohort, students starting medical school in April will benefit from smaller lectures as they begin their journey to become an MD.

4. More time to preparing for important exams

Most students take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 in the spring of their second year. Passing this test is critical since most residency directors use it as a primary review criteria when selecting candidates to interview.

SGU has an impressive track record for USMLE Step 1 performance with an 84% pass rate for students taking the USMLE 1 for the first time from 2019 to 2023* . While all students should be encouraged by this success, those beginning class in April benefit from having more time to prepare. You can wait two years after beginning your education to take Step 1.

You’ll also have added time to study for your USMLE Step 2 exam. Thanks to the timing of clinical rotations, April students have some additional time to prepare for Step 2 compared to August start students.

The same applies to Canadian students who have their sights on obtaining a residency in the United States.  SGU students from Canada taking the USMLE 1 for the first time 2019-2023 had a 89% pass rate*.  For students looking for a residency in Canada, they need to pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Step 1. An April start leaves ample time to prepare.

Start your medical school journey sooner

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons to consider beginning your SGU medical education in April. For some students, it just makes more sense than waiting until the following August.

If you’re eager to find out how you can start your medical school journey at St. George’s University, learn more by requesting information today. You can also start your application online.

*Total results from the five calendar years 2019-2023. First-time pass rate is defined as the number of US students (US citizens/permanent residents) passing USMLE Step 1 on their first attempt divided by the total number of US students taking USMLE Step 1 for the first time within the given time range. In order to be certified to take USMLE Step 1, students are required to pass all basic sciences courses.

*Total results from the five calendar years 2019-2023. First-time pass rate is defined as the number of Canadian students passing USMLE Step 1 on their first attempt divided by the total number of Canadian students taking USMLE Step 1 for the first time within the given time range. In order to be certified to take USMLE Step 1, students are required to pass all basic sciences courses.

This article has been updated from March 2022 to include current facts and figures.