Best term to start?

[jayehs]

Is there any advantage of starting in one term over the other in terms of timing, etc?

[wolfvgang22]

The best term to start in is the first one you can get admitted to, in my opinion.

If you want to most closely follow the same scheduling as U.S. students, and you are willing to wait, start in September. If you want a lot of time off to study, start in January or May. I could be mistaken, but I think January gives the most time, or the least time to make the MATCH depending on how you approach taking the USMLE and completing clinicals.

I started in May 2005 and I think we have about 6 months wiggle room to make the 2010 Match. This plenty of time for breaks to study for step 1, in between clinicals, etc. The 2009 Match is very improbable, though possible for May students.

To tell you the truth, I don't think about it much. I could be completely wrong about the above dates, and I don't really care.
I just want to do well and pass the step 1. That's what I think about.
Nothing else matters if you can't pass step 1.
I don't think deciding what is the best semester is very productive, IMHO.
I always wish I had started earlier.
Sorry if that's a little blunt.

[jayehs]

No no, it's really the answer i expected.

I just wasn't really sure how the timing worked. I want to minimize any "idle" period and I was wondering if you start in one term over the other, you'd have to spend a term waiting to graduate or soemthing like that.

I'm also trying to decide whether I should apply for Jan 2007 or May 2007. Jan 2007 is still open but I feel I'm rushing things and I don't mind starting later to save up some money. So unless there is a distinct advantage in starting in Jan. (other than finishing early) than I would prefer to start in May.

[sabaspouse2006]

This may help too.

http://www.valuemd.com/saba-university-school-medicine/120822-time-complete-start-finish-saba.html?highlight=start

R/