How is the academic calendar organized?
The first semester of each school year begins in early September. First-semester exams are given starting in mid-January, and there is a brief recess between semesters during which US students focus on practicum work, studies, and preparation for the USMLE licensing exams. The second semester begins in late February or early March (this varies in different academic years); second semester exams are given starting in late June or mid-July. Students who pass all their examinations on the first try will have vacation from mid-July until the end of August. (US students are strongly encouraged to use this vacation time for preparation for the USMLE exams, externships, and/or research placements.) This is the only official vacation period in the academic calendar. There is a short winter break between semesters, but administrators of the Latin American School of Medicine encourage students not to travel at other times of the year, in order not to lose focus on their studies.
The first semester of each school year begins in early September. First-semester exams are given starting in mid-January, and there is a brief recess between semesters during which US students focus on practicum work, studies, and preparation for the USMLE licensing exams. The second semester begins in late February or early March (this varies in different academic years); second semester exams are given starting in late June or mid-July. Students who pass all their examinations on the first try will have vacation from mid-July until the end of August. (US students are strongly encouraged to use this vacation time for externships, research placements, and preparation for the USMLE exams.) This is the only official vacation period in the academic calendar. There is a short winter break between semesters, but administrators of the Latin American School of Medicine encourage students not to travel at other times of the year, in order not to lose focus on their studies.
