Will be done w 5th in Dec, when Start Clinicals?

[ChronoTriggerMed]

If I am done with 5th semester this December and I take step I right away, when can I start my clinicals?

[KingMo]

If I am done with 5th semester this December and I take step I right away, when can I start my clinicals?

Yes? You can start whenever, right?

[rdecastro]

Yes? You can start whenever, right?

As soon as you take the USMLE step I, according to S...., the clinical coordinator. Call it early Jan?

[wolfvgang22]

:lol:....maybe you should ask somebody not actuall in our class or in those behind us...that seems to be mostly what is on this forum. Maybe we should stick around and post some after we grad basic sciences in Dec., this forum can use more Saba students in clinicals that know details like that about clinicals.
For what it's worth, I talked to a few students who just finished fifth and they said that even those in the previous class who took step 1 right away ended up waiting 6 weeks to start rotating...I don't know how true that is. Email S***y the clinical coordinator and find out for us. :D

[ducman]

Every graduating 5th semester receives a clinical orientation at the end of the semester. It is organized very well and provides relevant and vital information about the clinicals transition process.

[arfster]

Im not sure how long the early birds would have to wait. But from speakign to an 8th semester student, i found out that if we (meaning our May '04 class) followed the natural course, we would begin rotations in late March, he specifically began on the 27th or something, and also ended basic sci in Decemeber ( exactly one year before us). So about 3.5 months. So most of us will prob start late/early March/April. Ok so i didn't answer the question for early starters, but BLAH....i contributed

[ttwl]

It depends on where you want to go. If you want to go to Baltimore or NY... you need to wait for your step 1 results ( >200). Other cities.. it depends if there is a spot available

TL

[arfster]

are you sure about the wait T? B/c i thot she who will not be named said that u'll get ur result back in the middle of ur rotations and if u fail then u finish out ur rotation and then quit to study/take it over.

[GFLIP]

...There are a couple of students that just finished 5th semester that wrote Step 1 late Dec 06 and are now in rotations...

[arfster]

i guess that means it might be rotation specific (being able to start w/o getting ur p/f) but at the same time it seems unlikely, cuz what about those ppl who are gonna start out w/ IM or whatever other rotations ppl say u have to pass the boards first to start, and i know that im pretty sure i might be starting IM cuz she said i have enuf clin experience so...i aint waiting for my scores to get back!!! hell naw!!!

[ttwl]

hmm yea.. you have to wait for the results if you go to a place where they require you to have a minimum result from step 1. You can always start without your results in a place where they dont have a minimum score requirement

[js_paramedic_1979]

Unless the policy has changed since Aug 2006, the general rule is that you may schedule your first rotation once you have a confirmed Step 1 date. Once you sit for the test, you can start your first rotation. Your individual start date will depend on many factors. #1 The availability of open rotations. #2 The start dates for the open rotations. #3 Also remember they usually use a first-come first-serve basis. For example, if you want to start IM but there is someone from the semester ahead of you still waiting to do IM, the upper semester would likely get the spot. #4 If by chance (unlikely) you fail Step 1, you can finish only the first rotation that you have started before stopping rotations to repeat Step 1.

**Some exceptions do exist. For example, students involved in the "Kentfield" program in Canada may actually start rotations prior to taking Step 1. If you are lucky enough to be a part of this, you would already know it.. "No worries."

If you would like, I will give my personal experience with starting rotations.. If not, you may stop reading here....

Exit interview on Saba --> Entertained the idea of an early start. I'm from a Jan class which means I'm racing to match in '08. Left the island thinking I would start in late Sept or at the latest Oct. 1st.
Arrived home --> Contacted Gardner prior to scheduling exam.. I thought there was no reason to rush Step 1 if there wasn't an opening in the immediate future.. The first available rotation didn't start until Oct. 23rd which meant I had a couple more weeks to study than I expected.

I hope this helps!!
Take care,
JS

[oncojut]

The policy as it stood during my clinical years was as follows. We could begin our first rotation as qucikly after taking Step I as we wanted. So, we could begin our first rotation while awaiting our Step I scores. If our first rotation required a minimum passing score of 200 or higher, we had to wait for our scores to come back before starting. Simple as that. If we did start our first rotation while awaiting our Step I scores and failed Step I, we were allowed to finish that rotation. However, we were not be able to begin our second rotation until we passed Step I. Luckily only one or two people in our class failed Step I. So, the odds are in your favor!

[cavalletti]

Unless the policy has changed since Aug 2006, the general rule is that you may schedule your first rotation once you have a confirmed Step 1 date. Once you sit for the test, you can start your first rotation. Your individual start date will depend on many factors. #1 The availability of open rotations. #2 The start dates for the open rotations. #3 Also remember they usually use a first-come first-serve basis. For example, if you want to start IM but there is someone from the semester ahead of you still waiting to do IM, the upper semester would likely get the spot. #4 If by chance (unlikely) you fail Step 1, you can finish only the first rotation that you have started before stopping rotations to repeat Step 1.

**Some exceptions do exist. For example, students involved in the "Kentfield" program in Canada may actually start rotations prior to taking Step 1. If you are lucky enough to be a part of this, you would already know it.. "No worries."

If you would like, I will give my personal experience with starting rotations.. If not, you may stop reading here....

Exit interview on Saba --> Entertained the idea of an early start. I'm from a Jan class which means I'm racing to match in '08. Left the island thinking I would start in late Sept or at the latest Oct. 1st.
Arrived home --> Contacted Gardner prior to scheduling exam.. I thought there was no reason to rush Step 1 if there wasn't an opening in the immediate future.. The first available rotation didn't start until Oct. 23rd which meant I had a couple more weeks to study than I expected.

I hope this helps!!
Take care,
JS

Does anyone have more info on the Kentfield program in Can? I have spent much time searching without success. I have read that there are only 8 spots/year. Are there many applicants? What is the selection process? Anyone with experience wish to comment?

[Elaine]

students involved in the "Kentfield" program in Canada

What is the "Kentfield program in Canada"?

Elaine