USMLE Step 1

[islanddoc2011]

I am kind of confused about when students take the USMLE Step 1...Do you have to take it as soon as you finish fifth semester, or do you have some extra time to prepare after leaving Miami?

I am starting in January and shooting for the 2011 match and since Jan/May starters have a few extra months of downtime - can this time be used to prepare some more for Step 1 or does Ross force you to take it within a certain amount of time after finishing the fifth semester?

[MitchDC]

In order to stay enrolled at Ross you must take Step 1 within a certain length of time after 5th semester ends. Since that was a while back, I can't remember exactly how long it is but it is more than enough time to take a review course or study hardcore on your own. RUSM research has shown that the longer you take off to study (after a certain length of time) the lower your score and higher your chances of failing.

I am kind of confused about when students take the USMLE Step 1...Do you have to take it as soon as you finish fifth semester, or do you have some extra time to prepare after leaving Miami?

Your "few extra months" will likely be AFTER you complete all your requirements for graduation and before you can start residency.

-M

I am starting in January and shooting for the 2011 match and since Jan/May starters have a few extra months of downtime - can this time be used to prepare some more for Step 1 or does Ross force you to take it within a certain amount of time after finishing the fifth semester?

Thanks

[Cuando2]

higher your chances of failing.

experience talks :cool:

[doctor24b]

i remember that i read somewhere in their ross student handbook that after AIMC you have 17 weeks off to study while u remain fully enrolled but no financial aid. look for it on their website in the student handbook.

[FoxTrot]

yeah im going to say that 17 weeks off to study is excessive. I took 2 months off and I felt it was plenty of time.

[Shah_Patel_PT]

In order to stay enrolled at Ross you must take Step 1 within a certain length of time after 5th semester ends. Since that was a while back, I can't remember exactly how long it is but it is more than enough time to take a review course or study hardcore on your own. RUSM research has shown that the longer you take off to study (after a certain length of time) the lower your score and higher your chances of failing.

Around 3 months is the maximum time off after 5th. Most people take the test in 2 months and usually start a "special rotation" while waiting for their scores.

[singer]

Around 3 months is the maximum time off after 5th. Most people take the test in 2 months and usually start a "special rotation" while waiting for their scores.


You indicate most Ross students do special rotations while waiting for the results of USMLE1. Didn't realize they still existed and if so there were never that many special clinical rotations to have MOST students in them.

[popozao]

the new policy is 5-6 months after you pass the nbme comp exam. so if you pass it at the end of 5th semester, you have that much time to take step 1, without any classes to worry about. people who passed the comp at the end of 4th semester were given 6 months to sit for the test, but 5th semester ate up a big chunk of that time.

take your time. there is no rush in your case. Make sure you give yourself enough time to re-memorize everything well. There is a ton of info to remember in med school. better safe than sorry. Don't listen to the stats about fail rates. Most of the people who failed the test didn't know enough to begin with, not because they took too much time to prepare.
Look at the results of your practice tests, and take as much time as necessary. You'd be insane to go into the test with a 45% average on your practice tests.

if you don't care about getting a super high step score, then 8 weeks should be enough to hit the 220's.

many residency programs use step 1 scores to screen applicants.





You indicate most Ross students do special rotations while waiting for the results of USMLE1. Didn't realize they still existed and if so there were never that many special clinical rotations to have MOST students in them.

i remember we got a memo like a year ago saying that they terminated special rotations. they don't have enough spots.

[allstarforever]

how fast after taking step 1 can u start your clinical rotations? And do they have specific time periods during the year or you can just start your rotations at any time?

[AxlFoley]

You need to have passed your step 1 exam, and faxed your results to the clinical dept in jersey. Then and only then can you officially enroll in rotations.

If your talkin about a "special" rotations, then you can take those while you wait for your results.

[Shah_Patel_PT]

You indicate most Ross students do special rotations while waiting for the results of USMLE1. Didn't realize they still existed and if so there were never that many special clinical rotations to have MOST students in them.

NO! NOT all special rotations have been terminated!

Here is a part of the email from Dr. N P:

Since December 2005, ALL SPECIALS IN THE NY AND WASHINGTON, DC AREA have been suspended. Special rotations are those that a student can begin after taking their Step 1 exam while they are waiting on their score. We need each and every rotation to be available to students who have passed their Boards; we cannot afford to use these valuable spots as Specials. We want to offer our passing students a schedule as quickly as possible, with as much variety as possible. Using these spots as Specials, under the current circumstances, is no longer an option.
Larkin Specials are still available. We recommend participation in this Family Practice rotation for as many students who are eligible, once they have sat for the Step 1 Exam. Larkin's Family Practice rotation can begin on any Monday AFTER you sit for the exam.
Eligibility Requirements for a Special Rotation include:

- Student in good standing.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- First time Step 1 taker.
- If your window expires and/or you received an extension you are not eligible.
- If you repeated AICM - you are not eligible.
These Clinical Guidelines are effective immediately (April 26, 2006).

[allstarforever]

You need to have passed your step 1 exam, and faxed your results to the clinical dept in jersey. Then and only then can you officially enroll in rotations.

If your talkin about a "special" rotations, then you can take those while you wait for your results.

what r special rotations and how do they differ from clinical rotations?

[Shah_Patel_PT]

what r special rotations and how do they differ from clinical rotations?

"Special" clinical rotations are rotations that can be started without a USMLE STEP ONE Score! i.e. while you are waiting for the score.

You need to qualify for this type of rotations with criteria as described above.