2025 American Academy of Neurology Abstract Website

Objective:

To describe an innovative pathway established at NYU Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSOM) that enables students to complete undergraduate medical education (UME) in 3 years with a directed pathway into the neurology residency program.

Background:

NYUGSOM established a novel, accelerated three-year MD (3YMD) pathway in 2013 which includes a directed pathway into one of its 21 residency programs. This program has allowed students with delineated career choices to save 1 year of training and tuition, and to jumpstart a career in their field.

Design/Methods:

The accelerated 3YMD pathway allows students to individualize their education and complete medical school in 3 years. The program consists of 18 months of pre-clerkship instruction followed by one year of clerkships. The last six months include a sub-internship, critical care clerkship, and electives to meet the 130-week instruction requirement. The neurology residency program offers two slots for the 3YMD pathway each year. Students complete a supplementary application and interview for the neurology 3-year pathway. There are three points of entry to the program: at matriculation, during spring of first year (opt-in #1), and spring of second year (opt-in #2).

Results:

9 students have entered the 3YMD neurology pathway since its inception in 2013 - 2 in 2016, 2 in 2019, 1 in 2020, 2 in 2021, 1 in 2022 and 1 in 2023. 6 were admitted at matriculation, 1 at opt-in #1, and 2 at opt-in #2. 8 students have graduated the program and 1 student transitioned out of the program during medical school.

Conclusions:

Studies have shown the success of this program with students having similar performance to 4-year peers during medical school and early residency. Departmental advisors have played a key role in introducing students to the department, inviting students to departmental activities, and helping them to find mentors and research opportunities.