The authors describe a pioneer program in which approximately half of the available first-year psychiatric residency positions were given to students who had just completed their third year of medical school. They describe the problems encountered as the program was initiated, the effect it has had on other departments of the medical school, and the relationships that developed between the six-year and traditional residents. The overall effect of the program has been good, but the authors discuss some problems that remain to be worked out.Abstract Teaser