TCU Burnett School of Medicine

Kyung Park describes mornings of in-person Content Application Sessions for the core basic science course, with afternoons largely open "white space" for studying, research, and life. Preclinical grading is pass/fail, and exams are NBME-style.

Every student spends four years on a scholarly pursuit and thesis, and courses in compassionate practice and health systems round out the curriculum.

A longitudinal integrated clerkship places students with a family or internal medicine preceptor during the preclinical phase. Clinical skills sessions use standardized patients almost every time.

After the preclinical phase, 10 weeks of ungraded inpatient immersions in internal medicine, OB/GYN, surgery, and pediatrics let students learn before grades count.

With 60 students per class, faculty know students by name. Each student joins one of six houses, gets an upperclass "big," and works with coaches; the school has five executive and four academic coaches.

Kyung highlights a counselor dedicated to medical students and access to TCU's campus and football tailgates.

Clinical partners include JPS Health Network, the county hospital; Cook Children's; Texas Health Resources; and Baylor Scott & White All Saints, all near the school's Medical Innovation District home.

Kyung calls Fort Worth a hidden gem: the Stockyards, West 7th, free museums, a top zoo, and Dallas 30–40 minutes away.