This paper reports on how factors related to students' impending graduate medical education (GME) influenced the design of their individual curricula in an alternative medical education program. Ten students of the Independent Study Program (ISP) of the College of Medicine at Chicago/University of Illinois participated in the study through in-depth interviews and school records. Analysis of ISP students' bases for curriculum construction suggested that the selection and organization of clerkships, and in particular electives, were designed to address a set of concerns students had about the upcoming GME. The interviews also revealed that the selection and organization of learning experiences were tailored to enhance students' chances of acceptance by desired residency programs. A perception of what knowledge and skills would be most valuable for successful performance as interns or first-year residents also impacted on the selection of learning experiences by ISP students. (MDM)