BS/MD Standards

Essential Abilities and Qualifications for the Study and Practice of Medicine

The CUNY School of Medicine / Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program is a 7 year accelerated program committed to admitting and supporting qualified students based on their academic achievement, preparation, and potential for success in medical education. Applicants are evaluated through a consistent and rigorous review process focused on readiness for the study and practice of medicine.

Overview

The MD degree represents a broad foundation of medical knowledge and clinical competency. To successfully complete the curriculum and meet the demands of medical training and practice, students must demonstrate the ability to acquire and apply essential skills across multiple domains.

Observation and Perception

Students must be able to observe and accurately interpret information presented in:

• Lectures and small group sessions
• Laboratory experiments and demonstrations
• Clinical encounters with patients, including visual cues, physical findings, and diagnostic imagery

These abilities require functional vision, hearing, and somatic sensation, along with the capacity to process sensory input effectively.

Communication

Effective communication is critical in all phases of medical education and patient care. Students must be able to:

• Communicate fluently in spoken and written English
• Converse clearly with patients, families, faculty, and members of the healthcare team
• Elicit and convey information accurately
• Compose and document notes, reports, and records in a timely and comprehensible manner

Motor and Physical Function

Students must possess sufficient motor function to:

• Conduct physical examinations and basic diagnostic procedures
• Perform tasks required for general and emergency patient care
• Navigate clinical environments and access laboratory and treatment facilities
• Execute manual tasks such as auscultation, palpation, injections, suturing, and resuscitation

Intellectual and Cognitive Abilities

Students must demonstrate the cognitive capacity to:

• Acquire, recall, and apply a large volume of complex information
• Solve problems, perform quantitative calculations, and interpret data
• Learn through multiple modalities including lecture, simulation, self-directed study, and peer review
• Think critically, synthesize information from various sources, and make sound clinical decisions

Behavioral and Emotional Maturity

Students must exhibit the professional and interpersonal attributes necessary for:

• Developing respectful and compassionate relationships with patients and colleagues
• Managing stress and maintaining composure in demanding clinical settings
• Accepting constructive feedback and adapting behavior appropriately
• Upholding ethical and legal standards in all academic and clinical environments
• Providing care to all patients, regardless of personal beliefs or background

Reasonable Accommodations and Access

The CUNY School of Medicine provides appropriate support to ensure all students can fully access and engage with the curriculum. Students who require accommodations must:

• Submit a formal request and supporting documentation to the AccessAbility Center at The City College of New York
• Follow the Student Accommodation Policy in accordance with the ADA and Section 504
• Provide sufficient notice for evaluation and implementation of accommodations

Please note that while reasonable accommodations will be made, the use of an intermediary that substitutes or modifies essential skills (such as judgment or communication) is not permitted in clinical settings.

Assessment and Compliance

All students are evaluated regularly to ensure compliance with these technical standards. The School reserves the right to make final determinations on eligibility, progression, and accommodations in accordance with institutional policy and federal law.

For more information, or to request accommodations, contact:
AccessAbility Center – The City College of New York