5th semester

[DrBaller]

Do i have to take kaplan and is it already covered in tuition? can i take any kaplan?

[rspr41]

Dr, Baller

Yes you have to take Kaplan and no you can't take any kaplan only the Live Prep course, not the online class.

[IAUStudent006]

You are required to take the Kaplan course during the 5th Semester (the school will sign you up for the course - you just have to tell them when and were). It is covered in the tuition for Semester 5. Live prep is the only course that you can take, and it is offered in many different cities and times - you can refer to Kaplan's website for more information on that.

[squad41]

What else is a part of the fifth semester and how long does it take?

[IAUStudent006]

In 5th Semester you have to take ICM - Introduction to Clinical Medicine (this can be taken in Chicago or Louisiana - someone can double check that for me). This course takes about 7 weeks.
After that, you have to take a Kaplan course to get ready for the Step 1 exam. This is a live prep course - don't know the time line for it - and after that you must take your Step 1 USMLE before you can move on to your clinical rotations.

[iaustudent06]

Kaplan and ICM is 5th semester. Courses can be taken in either order and both covered by tuition.

From what I heard Falcon is not great (method used is reading into a recorder and listening to it, all for only $5000)

Falcon Physician Reviews (http://www.falconreviews.com/step1.htm)

and Princeton Review lecture class is hard to find and the online course is $600. i don't know anyone who used it, sorry.

http://www.princetonreview.com/medical/testprep/testprep.asp?TPRPAGE=40&TYPE=USMLE-HOME

Kaplan info:

Prep effectively for your Step 1 exam with live lectures from our dynamic instructors. You'll also receive supplemental home-study materials to reinforce what you've learned in lecture, plus four diagnostic exams to assess your progress and build your test-taking confidence.
Live lectures delivered by elite faculty

Learn from our expert instructors as they deliver 6-7 weeks of high-yield, structured lectures to prepare you for your Step 1 exam. Their experience as medical school faculty and practitioners enables them to share unique insight into achieving your highest possible score.
Diagnostic exam for practice and review

To measure your progress, you'll get access to a 150-question diagnostic test, delivered in our center. Your results come with comprehensive feedback and analysis to help you target your weaker areas and see consistent improvement.
› See your complete center resources (http://www.kaptest.com/pdp/popup/redesign2006/medical-licensing/step1-liveprep-features.html#center).
Additional home-study resources

Compliment your lecture learning with a complete set of lecture notes and additional practice questions. You'll also get access to an additional full-length simulated exam to build maximum confidence for Test Day.
› See your complete home-study resources (http://www.kaptest.com/pdp/popup/redesign2006/medical-licensing/step1-liveprep-features.html#online).


Dates, times, and locations are on their website : Step 1 LivePrep (http://www.kaptest.com/Kaplan/Article/Medical_Licensing/Step-1/View-Kaplan-Programs/Standard-Courses/IMG_step1_liveprep.html)



ICM (Introduction to Clinical Medicine)


Time is spent "shadowing a clinician-mentor in the ambulatory setting. The experience is meant to introduce the student to the practice of medicine (broadly defined) and allows the student to practice targeted parts of the medical interview and physical exam. The hands-on learning that these sessions provide is a wonderful complement to the basic science courses in which the student is immersed. For the student the focus of the semester should be on seeing the medical interview in action and observing aspects of the patient-doctor relationship. Limited skills such as interviewing for an HPI, taking a family history, checking vital signs," etc


7 weeks, I believe one week on different floors in the hospital.


In the mean time, you can review material and do practice questions.