Hey guys the question below were asked by one of our MD5 student in the allsaints school forum and the answeres were give by one of our students who has finished all his rotations and steps, so i thought this would be something prospective students and current students alike would be intrested in.

1. What is the process for the USMLE
a. How long in advance to we need to apply

Step 1 and Step 2 CK - From the date of your application being mailed it takes approximately 3-5 weeks for your scheduling block to be assigned. You will get confirmation by email. You will then need to go to prometric.com and schedule your test writing date within your assigned 3 month block.
For Step 2 CS, I'd suggest applying at least 3-4 months in advance if you want to get a vacant date within your block as there are only 5 centers in the US where you can take the exam.

b. What are the schools policies on the USMLE
i) Time before we have to write

Some of our clinical sites requires students to have passed Step 1 while others require the student to have attained a minimum 80-85 percentile (as specified by the program directors at those centers) to rotate there. It is in your advantage to write the Step 1 before going on to rotations.

ii) Amount of times we can write

Any number of times. Be aware that some states have restrictions on how many times you can fail the same Step exam (minimum 3 times that I know of). Other states, don't care.

iii) Do we have to write

The school policy right now is that everyone at least attempts the Step 1 before going into clinicals. As mentioned before, certain clinical sites require a minimum pass of 80-85 percentile to rotate there.

iv) Any additional fees before we can write

To confirm enrollment in the school for USMLE, the student has to be registered for the next semester. Proof of enrollment is required by ECFMG. So the MD6 fees are being requested.

2. What is the process for applying for clinical
a. What are the locations available

PM me for locations.

b. Are we able to find our own locations

Yes, you can. Just forward the details to the admin and they will set up the necessary paperwork.

c. Are there any additional fees on top of tuition
i) Additional cost of clinical

Some clinical sites have a premium placed on it. Baltimore and Atlanta I think. Verify this with admin.

ii) Insurance

This you will have to ask admin about and they will provide you with the details.

3. What are the immigration policies

If you are American, no problems.
If you are Canadian or any NAFTA country, then you can apply for a B1 at the border. The school will provide the necessary paper work that you will need to show. And you will have to pay $6 at the border.
If you are from a non NAFTA country, you will have to apply for a B1 but you will need to show the paperwork that the school provides to your US embassy in your country. The embassy will provide you with additional documentation that you will have to show along with the documentation from the school at the US border.
B1 are valid from 1 month to 1 year depending on how the border control officer's mood is that day. Usually you should have no problems getting it for 6 months to 1 year. Once the visa expires, you will have to attain a new one at the border.

a. How much time does it take to process visas

Mentioned above.

b. What is the cost of visas

Mentioned above.

do you think nigerians will have problems with this immigration stuff come rotation time. thanks for your reply to my previous post.

hmm... well i dont think it will be as easy a process as for a canadian student, but am sure they will get in, or else why would so many nigerians be in the school, btw dont quote me on that but i know a bunch of nigerian students has a meeting about this with D.Y so will ask them how the process works and let u know!