This whole 20 month thing

[IntlMed]

We all talked about getting in and out of Saba in 20 months, somewhere along the process of making our decisions to attend a Carib school. I would like to get a little bit of a reality check on this - To all our senior SABAites, would you say that it is possible to really complete the basic sciences part in 20 months? What has been your experience either personally or thru classmates or seniors?

Thank You,
International.

[playarf]

i dont see a reason why not...
20 months is 5 semesters, with 2 weeks of breaks in between...after that, you take out time to write the USMLE.

[KingMo]

As far as I know, most people are in and out in 20 months. Only the few who repeat courses, etc end up longer.

[IntlMed]

Firstly, Thank you for the replies. It would also be helpful to see your personal experiences here as well. Please participate :)

[sabaspouse2006]

It would also be helpful to see your personal experiences here as well. Please participate

Well, I'm not sure how you want this answered? If you pass all of your courses, you are done basic sciences and leaving Saba in 20 months.

If you fail anatomy or biochem or physio or any other course, you are 24 months on the island as you have to repeat the failed course. I'm fairly certain that no one is eager to cheerfully discuss their repetition of a difficult course, especially because all it does is add 4 months on Saba. Not too much to discuss.

Maybe you care to elaborate on what it is that you are looking for?

R/

[rdecastro]

We all talked about getting in and out of Saba in 20 months, somewhere along the process of making our decisions to attend a Carib school. I would like to get a little bit of a reality check on this - To all our senior SABAites, would you say that it is possible to really complete the basic sciences part in 20 months? What has been your experience either personally or thru classmates or seniors?

Thank You,
International.

Most people do. Some take longer because they fail a course and have to repeat it, or choose to break up the workload in some semesters.

[IntlMed]

Thank You for your responses. Based on the answers in this post and other posts, here is a map of a student who would start out in Sep. Please update if necessary:

September 07 - Begin Basic Sciences
December 07 - Complete Basic Sciences
Jan - May 07 - USMLE Preparation (on your own)???
Jun 07- Jun 09 - Clinical Sciences

When you do apply for your match ? and where does the USMLE prep happen?

Thank You once again...

[rdecastro]

Thank You for your responses. Based on the answers in this post and other posts, here is a map of a student who would start out in Sep. Please update if necessary:

September 07 - Begin Basic Sciences
December 07 - Complete Basic Sciences
Jan - May 07 - USMLE Preparation (on your own)???
Jun 07- Jun 09 - Clinical Sciences

When you do apply for your match ? and where does the USMLE prep happen?

Thank You once again...

You've got your timeline wrong.

Begin in Sept, 07

End 20 months of Basic Sciences in April, 09.

Leave the island

Prepare however you wish for the USMLE Step I. Keep in mind that you will have just finished the Kaplan review course, and probably shouldn't dawdle.

Take Step I. You can either wait to find your scores, or ....

Begin your clinical rotations. If you failed your step I you will have to finish the rotation you're in, retake the test and wait until you have word of passing.

Complete 72 weeks of clinical rotations. During this time you will complete Step II CK and CS, apply for the Residency Match, interview at the programs you can, and in March 2011 will find out where you matched.

Graduate in June 2011. Congratulations, Doctor.

Begin residency 1 July 2011 at the earliest. All residency programs in the match begin on 1 July every year.


You REALLY need to get a copy of Iserson.

[IntlMed]

Thank you so much .... I feel dumb now :) .. I did not pay attention to my dates when I was putting them together.. But there is better clarity now.. thanks again..

[Chitownguy]

I saw some discussion of a possible 5th term being in the US. Any word on that? Thanks

[rdecastro]

I saw some discussion of a possible 5th term being in the US. Any word on that? Thanks


It seems like it's back burnered right now, because of the massive changes in the curriculum that it would entail.

It'd be nice though, as long as they can continue to meet the same objective standards as Saba does now.

[IntlMed]

Thanks for all your posts. It helped clear a lot of questions.

[ed gee]

Not close to being true.

All residency programs in the match begin on 1 July every year.

[rdecastro]

Not close to being true.


Well, care to explain where I'm wrong?