Accelerated Medical Schools: 3-Year MD and DO Programs in the U.S.

Yes, you can earn an MD or DO in three years instead of the traditional four. 33 U.S. medical schools currently offer accelerated MD pathways, while one offers a 3-year DO program. Most accelerated programs are tied to a specific specialty and/or residency pathway.

A 2025 study of seven graduating classes at NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that accelerated three-year MD students performed similarly to their four-year peers during medical school and early residency. However, they scored lower on average on USMLE Step 1 and Step 2.

Three-year medical programs date back to World War II, when medical schools shortened training to help address physician shortages. Today's programs can also help address needs in specific specialties and geographic areas while reducing the cost and time of medical education.

When deciding if this is the right move for you, consider both the benefits and potential drawbacks of accelerated medical programs. One less year in school sounds great from a time and money angle, but the acceleration of learning does mean you’ll need to deal with an increased workload during the entire time.

Explore the 3-year MD programs and 3-year DO programs below to see which schools offer accelerated pathways and what each program requires.

Ready to find the right medical school for you? Use the Med School Explorer to compare schools, programs, admissions requirements, and more.

Accelerated MD Programs in the U.S.

Most medical schools offering a three-year MD curriculum are members of the Consortium of Accelerated Medical Pathway Programs (CAMPP), although some are offered by schools outside of the group.

More three-year MD accelerated pathways may be on the way. Drexel University College of Medicine is the latest to announce plans to develop a three-year MD program (as of May 2026), with the first cohort expected to enroll in the 2028-29 academic year. In addition to the Drexel three-year MD program, the school plans to maintain its traditional four-year program.

Accelerated DO Programs in the U.S.

As of fall 2026, there is only a single DO accelerated medical program.

Accelerated pathways can change, so check AACOM's Choose DO Explorer and the individual medical school websites for the most up-to-date information before applying.

How Accelerated Medical School Programs Work

Three-year medical school programs don’t all work the same way. Some are tied to a specific specialty or residency, while others give students several residency options.

Common formats include:

• Directed or conditional residency pathways: Students complete medical school in three years while following a structured pathway into a participating residency program.
• 3+3 programs: Three years of medical school are paired with a linked three-year residency pathway, often in primary care.
• Competency-based programs: Students who meet specific academic and clinical benchmarks can enter an accelerated curriculum during medical school.
• Service-linked pathways: Students receive benefits such as scholarships or tuition support in exchange for a commitment to practice within a specific health system or community after residency.

These programs differ from BS/MD programs that combine undergraduate and medical education and allow students to secure a medical school pathway while in high school. Read our guide to BS/MD programs to learn more about how these programs work, admission requirements, and participating schools.

Read Next: The Easiest 30 U.S. Med Schools to Get Into

Admissions Requirements for Accelerated Medical Schools

Accelerated medical school programs generally use the same primary application process as the school's traditional MD or DO program. Applicants typically apply through AMCAS for MD programs or AACOMAS for DO programs, complete the school's secondary application, and interview.

Depending on the school, students may be considered for the accelerated pathway during the admissions process or apply after starting medical school. Many accelerated programs require students to commit to a specific specialty or residency pathway, while others offer several specialty options.

Academic expectations (and applicants' core competencies and experiences) also vary by program. Don't assume that a GPA or MCAT score required for one accelerated pathway applies to others. When a school publishes specific academic requirements, use those figures. If it doesn't, refer to the school's standard requirements to improve your chances of admission.

Need help building your application? Get expert guidance on school selection, application strategy, essays, and more with MedSchoolCoach.

Pros of Accelerated Medical School

Here are some of the primary benefits of accelerated medical degree programs:

• Lower cost: Completing medical school in three years instead of four can reduce student debt, although your actual savings will depend on the school's tuition structure, financial aid, and cost of living. For the class of 2026, the median four-year cost was $297,745 at public schools and $408,150 at private schools, according to the AAMC.
• Start earning sooner: Graduating a year earlier means entering residency and receiving a stipend a year earlier, followed by a physician's salary after residency. This can be especially appealing to non-traditional students who are entering medicine later.
• Residency connections: Many accelerated programs offer a direct or conditional pathway to a participating residency program. Having a defined residency pathway can provide more certainty than going through the traditional Match process.
• Mentorship: Accelerated programs often provide dedicated advising and access to faculty mentors, residency program directors, and research opportunities.

Read Next: The Best Medical Schools for Non-Traditional Students

Cons of Accelerated Medical School

Accelerated medical school programs can save time and money, but they also come with trade-offs to consider:

• More competitive: Accelerated programs typically have fewer spots than traditional medical school programs. Some may also look for students who are prepared for an intensive curriculum or committed to a particular specialty or residency pathway.
• More rigorous workload: Accelerated programs compress medical school requirements into three years, leaving less time for breaks, electives, research, and other activities than a traditional four-year program. Going this route means you should be prepared for an intensive pace and fewer opportunities to spread coursework and clinical training across additional time.
• Less time for specialty exploration: Many accelerated programs are designed for students who already have a clear career path. That means you may have less time for optional electives that can shape you as a doctor.
• Test scores: Accelerated students may take USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 earlier than four-year MD graduates, leaving less time to prepare for these exams. The NYU Grossman study found that three-year students had lower average Step 1 and Step 2 scores but otherwise had similar outcomes during medical school and early residency.
  
  

Residency After an Accelerated Program

Many accelerated programs are linked to specific residency programs and may offer a defined pathway into residency if students meet certain requirements. Depending on the program, students may be able to accept that pathway or apply through the traditional National Resident Matching Program (NRMP Match) like other graduating medical students.

These programs can limit your specialty options. The accelerated programs on our list include pathways for future primary care physicians and for additional specialties such as psychiatry, emergency medicine, and orthopedic surgery. Some programs are tied to a specific specialty, while others offer several participating residency options.

Before choosing an accelerated program, review its residency requirements and specialty options carefully. If the program is linked to a specific residency pathway, make sure you understand what happens if you decide to pursue a different specialty or residency.

Once you begin residency, you'll earn a resident physician stipend. See our guide to average resident salaries for more on what to expect.

FAQs

Is Accelerated Medical School Right for You?

If you have a strong academic record, excellent time-management skills, and a clear commitment to a specific specialty, an accelerated medical school program could be a great fit. These fast-track medical school programs are demanding and require students to handle a condensed curriculum, limited flexibility, and early residency decisions.

However, they offer significant financial savings, an earlier start to your career, and a direct pathway into residency, especially in primary care or other targeted specialties. Carefully consider whether you can thrive in a high-intensity environment while maintaining strong academic performance and clinical readiness.

We recommend applying to four-year programs as a fallback, too. But if you want to increase your chances of acceptance in an accelerated medical school, we can help.

We’ve helped thousands of pre-meds make their MD application outstanding. You’ve come to the right place.