Academic Calendar

Following are schedules by class year noting holidays and academic dates, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) deadline dates for clinical knowledge (CK) and clinical skills (CS), and Columbia's ceremonies and events for medical students, including those in the MD, Columbia-Bassett, MD/PhD, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) programs.

Academic Calendar: 2025 - 2026

Class of 2029

 

  • New Student Orientation begins: 8/4/25 through 8/8/25
  • Fall term begins: 8/7/2025
  • Labor Day Holiday: 9/1/25
  • Fall Vacation Day: 10/3/2025
  • Fall term ends: 12/19/2025
  • Thanksgiving Day Holiday: 11/27/25
  • University Designated Holiday: 11/28/25
  • Spring term begins: 1/5/26
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday: 1/19/26
  • Spring Break: 3/9/26 through 3/19/26
  • Spring term ends: 6/2/26

Class of 2028

  • Fall Term 2025 begins: 8/25/25
  • Labor Day holiday: 9/1/25
  • Thanksgiving Holiday: 11/27/25
  • University Designated Holiday: 11/28/25
  • Fall term ends: 12/19/25
  • Spring Term 2026 begins: 1/5/26
  • Spring Term 2026 ends: 6/30/26
  • Fall Term 2026 begins: 7/1/26

Class of 2027

  • Fall term begins: 7/1/25
  • Thanksgiving Holiday: 11/27/25
  • Fall term ends: 12/19/25
  • Spring 2026 term begins: 1/1/26
  • Spring end date: 6/30/26

Class of 2026

  • Fall Term Begins: 7/1/25
  • Thanksgiving Holiday: 11/27/25
  • Fall term ends: 12/31/25
  • Spring term begins: 1/2/26
  • Spring term ends: May 2026 (Date TBD)

Please also visit the VP&S Curricular Affairs Resources Courseworks site for detailed information regarding holidays during your clerkship rotation. 

NOTE: As per VP&S Attendance and Absence Policies, students on clerkships or electives should check with their clerkship/elective director before assuming they have off for holidays outside of Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving.

USMLE Test Dates

* NOTE: Starred items are tentative dates.

Ceremonies and Events 2025-2026

Class of 2029

  • White Coat Ceremony: 8/08/2025
  • Transition Ceremony: TBA
  • Match Day: TBA
  • VP&S Student Research Day: TBA
  • VP&S Class Day: TBA
  • University Commencement: TBA
  • VP&S Graduation Ceremony: TBA

Class of 2028

  • White Coat Ceremony: 8/9/2024
  • Transition Ceremony: 1/5/2026
  • Match Day: TBA
  • VP&S Student Research Day: TBA
  • VP&S Class Day: TBA
  • University Commencement: TBA
  • VP&S Graduation Ceremony: TBA

Class of 2027

  • White Coat Ceremony: 8/11/2023
  • Transition Ceremony: 1/3/25
  • Match Day: TBA
  • VP&S Student Research Day: TBA
  • VP&S Class Day: TBA
  • University Commencement: TBA
  • VP&S Graduation Ceremony: TBA

Class of 2026

  • White Coat Ceremony: 8/19/22
  • Transition Ceremony: 1/5/24
  • Match Day: 3/20/26 
  • VP&S Student Research Day: TBA
  • VP&S Class Day: TBA
  • University Commencement: TBA
  • VP&S Graduation Ceremony: TBA

* NOTE: Starred items are tentative dates.