Guides to the Fourth Year

illustration of a doctor smiling and wearing a stethoscope around their neck

Hooray! You made it to the fourth year! CONGRATULATIONS!   Now what? This year is more flexible - you can choose electives, do away rotations and determine where and to what specialty to apply for residency!  But how do you begin? Use these guides to give you a roadmap to the fourth year. 

  • SMHS Guide to the 4th year and transition to Advanced Clinical Practice: A comprehensive guide to the fourth year of medical school at GW, created by the Dean’s office. This guide provides key information about choosing a specialty, arranging your fourth year schedule and applying to residency.
  • AOA Guide to the 4th Year
  • Faculty Advisors - talk to people in your field of interest(s) to get their advice!
  • Meet with your advisory dean. You have required “4th year planning” and “Residency strategy” meetings in the winter of MS3 year and summer of MS4 year - but you can always schedule a meeting at any other time of the year!
  • R2R video on 4th year planning)