Step I scores & clinicals

[tcmdoc]

Just wondering if anyone has any idea on whether or not your step I score kills your chances at decent clinicals. I did OK, I broke the 200 number and got a decent % (better than the top number reflects....).
Is it now you have to break the 220 mark here (even though the % is different every day....and that is a more "accurate" number on how you did?)
I was really happy to get through the exam time #1, worked hard & I know a lot of people don't get thru it the first time, it's a beast.
I'm just curious if anyone knows about this issue (of starting). Lot of us are waiting and it's nice to have an idea of what's going on in the clinical coordinators' office and how they determine who goes where & when they go.:confused:
Looks like it's going to get more and more competitive for clinical slots if classes keep growing too.....
Thanks for any thoughts....

[JMT]

Your step 1 scores does not matter as long as you pass. I was offered a spot much sooner than I wanted, had to turn it down b/c I wanted to be in NY. I can't start till March now because theres no space in NY. Your scores do no determine when you get to go as long as you pass. You can PM if you have more ques.

[BrownEyes]

I am aware of the clinical problems faced by Ross and some other schools where students are unable to start rotations after passing boards due to lack of availability. I even hear of students who have rotations scheduled for a particular date at a particular hospital for example wyckoff, and they are "bumped" from the rotation. This is really breaking news to me because I did not know MUA had these sort of issues. Can some current students who have already passed boards respond with their experiences of getting into clinicals after passing step 1, especially clinicals in ny?

[StodeMD]

This is ridiculous fear mongering.

If you really want to be credible, why didn't you call the clinical office themselves, then post their answer here.

[tcmdoc]

Again, just trying to find out what others are going through who are in similar situations.....it's a bit tough to find out what is going on from the clinical office when they're a) Out for the holiday a large part of the time this time of year, which is normal.
b) When you do talk to someone, it is usually a "we'll get back to you"....as they are busy & probably crunched for time.
HOWEVER, nobody is trying to fear monger, accuse or start rumors. It's just frustrating when you know some people started or were asked to start and many were not yet....so that's why I and a few people want to find out what kind of experiences others are having with a large group of us at this point in time in a transitional spot. I think you can understand that....I hope you can anyway.

[Green Akers]

tcmdoc - how did your meeting go with the clinical coordinator (Dr. C) during your 5th semester on Nevis? Did you have a game plan put together at that time as far as when you were going to take Step 1, when and where you wanted to start clinicals? I have found that students who went in knowing what they were going to do and where they wanted to do clinicals were more likely to get placement than students who weren't sure when they were going to take the exam and where they wanted to do clinicals. Also, for those students who have passed Step 1 and are sitting around waiting for placement the key is flexibility. As a previous poster mentioned, they were offered a spot but turned it down for NY. Since NY is a popular destination and there are limited spots, one must be patient if that is what they want, or else they should go elesewhere for another rotation or two before a place they want opens up. It is understandable that they may be busy during the holiday season but in the coming weeks I would be sure to contact Dr. C to get a clinical spot. You need to be proactive. You can also send her an e-mail - she is usually pretty good at responding.

[tcmdoc]

As far as my clinical meeting w/ Dr. C....all seemed Ok in my 5th semester....no problems as far as I could tell but maybe I overlooked something I wasn't aware of. I stated my preference but I did tell her I was flexible....my preference was Houma....as all the cores are there, lower cost of living & good reports on the clinical experiences....and it seemed like she thought that was a good plan to want to start in Jan.
I was very proactive in letting them know when I was taking the exam, letting them know that I did get my titers done, etc. etc.....in Nov....since I knew I would get my results in early Dec. Maybe my e/mail got "lost", I just don't know...
Funny enough, I got a few requests about making sure I scheduled my usmle when I had already scheduled it, taken it & was waiting for the results.....even though I had indeed e/mailed them prior w/ dates on when I had my usmle scheduled and when I was taking it. Further, I had told them about titers, sent the paperwork, etc....and I was still being asked to send the paperwork....so I did again....made copies (always make copies.....good lesson...never know what can happen.)
So, in response, I sure did have a plan, I did let them know & I did pass & I did try to maintain communication but I don't know, I must have missed something somewhere.....
I'm not out to make a bad name for anyone or anything, I just want to know why things seem so confused and why some of us are waiting while others are not....I consider myself pretty organized and tried to have all ready for these folks because I know they're inundated at the moment. Appreciate the input though.....!!

[StodeMD]

I assumed wrongly that you had ulterior motives.

Please accept my apology, and best of luck. Sorry it seems like your stuck in a vortex of sorts, I hope it resolves quickly for you, as I would be frustrated if in yoru situation also.

[tcmdoc]

No, no ulterior motives, FOTL...wish I was clever enough....:cool:
Anyway, hoping to find out something new in the upcoming weeks....and hope I have better posts and better news to share in the next weeks!!
Like all of us, just trying to get through all of this process to residency & MD.....and it's nice to be able to communicate with those in the same boat here....have a good new year.

[StodeMD]

http://www.valuemd.com/mua-nevis-medical-school-clinicals/148151-rotation-oklahoma-city-ok-st-anthony-hospital.html#post743850Hope it helps maybe shed some light or further your progress.