Philippine Med School then Taking USMLE

[FSUNOLE08]

Hey guys (esp. Hunteradam), but anyone please feel free to answer.
I am seeing that PI schools abviously dont cater to the USMLE, I got that part. You said you passed the step 1, congrats hunteradam, my question is how much did you study for step 1, and is there really a BIG BIG difference from what you learn in the PI. Can you give me some info on that. Was it completely different, what I mean is when you graduated and you started studying for step 1, when you look at the Kaplan study material, was the information in there foreign to you or did you go into studying knowing a lot of things already, its kind of hard to ask my question but I hope you all understand.

I dont know why but I have a mindset that PI schools just give the diploma and you are going to have to learn everything on the USMLES on your own. I am above avg. student here at FSU, do you think I will have a hard time??? Thanks Guys.

[hunteradam07]

Hey guys (esp. Hunteradam), but anyone please feel free to answer.
I am seeing that PI schools abviously dont cater to the USMLE, I got that part. You said you passed the step 1, congrats hunteradam, my question is how much did you study for step 1, and is there really a BIG BIG difference from what you learn in the PI. Can you give me some info on that. Was it completely different, what I mean is when you graduated and you started studying for step 1, when you look at the Kaplan study material, was the information in there foreign to you or did you go into studying knowing a lot of things already, its kind of hard to ask my question but I hope you all understand.

I dont know why but I have a mindset that PI schools just give the diploma and you are going to have to learn everything on the USMLES on your own. I am above avg. student here at FSU, do you think I will have a hard time??? Thanks Guys.

Hmm, That is a loaded question. Ok i try my best. Here we go. Personally, i believe you should take ur step 1 at the end of ur second year even if you have to take one sem off. The reason are all ur basic science knowledges will be fresh and you can go for the match earlier than most PI grad (taking their test post-grad). I took up to six months post-grad to study for my step 1 and one of the main reason is it has been 2 yrs passed my basic science years.
PI medical schools are very different from US medical schools in my opinion. I think PI med schools want their students to memorize everything and regurg back up for their exam. On the other hands US cirriculum is all about concepts on top of concepts, and the USMLE step 1 is nothing but concepts :). VERY LITTLE RECALL ON USMLE! So when i first read my kaplan books; Even though i have seen the materials 2 yrs previously, but it's like reading it from a different point of view (i hope you know what i mean). Therefore, i took me long time to get around most of the concepts. I give you a specific example; Physiology taught in my PI medical school (FEU) was practically memorize formula, very little concepts, and hardly any graph to interpet. OH boy was i shocked when i watched the kaplan videos and books=Nothing but graphs and concepts. However, i m glad that i learned now, because i understand more about Pathophysio and pharma than i would ever. Trust me when i tell u PI Med schools are very hard, because the amount of units you have to take. If u get a chance to look at the schedule, then compare w US medical schools u will see how easy PI students are being overwhelmed by their school. Trust me it's not a diploma mills like u think. I would even say that
Fatima University is not a diploma mills either, because i talked to FU students they told me only about 5-10% of foreign class passed outright. So you have to study very hard to finish it. I think u will be fine, if u focus on ur study. If I have to do all over, I would get my hands on Kaplan books/videos before i get to PI. I would get there maybe one month early, then situated myself (trust me when i tell u it will be a biggest adjustment of ur life). Start watching and reading my kaplan books before schools start, and keep up my reading of those books during the school year. Bottomline is I rather concentrated on Step 1 during my first two yrs than trying to be the top of my class. U have to do one or the other, NOT BOTH since the cirriculums are different unless u are a genius. Then after my second year, i take some time off and do well on my step before going to clerkship.
If u still consider other schools, this is i would rank my choices interm of med school:
1. US med schools.
2. US DO schools.
3. The big Three Carribean med schools + Saba.
4. Australia or New Zealand med schools.
5. Singapore and Maylasia med schools.
6. PI medical schools like: UST, FEU, EU, St. Luke, St. Louis, Cebu Dr.
7. Fatima University if it's ur last choice :).

Good luck my man, I hope this help.

[FSUNOLE08]

THANKS hunteradam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Basically, you DID get exposure to the materials on the USMLE's, however it had been two years since you've seen them. That's what I was asking about. Thank You....you know...I was really just wondering if you didn't see any of the materials on step 1...then when you did start studying with Kaplan books you were like...what the heck is this stuff. I guess that's not the case...right??? Study hard and good luck on step 2.

Oh, and another question. Why would PI med schools be after Carribean, Singapore, and Australian???? These schools don't prepare you for the USMLE's do they????

[hunteradam07]

THANKS hunteradam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Basically, you DID get exposure to the materials on the USMLE's, however it had been two years since you've seen them. That's what I was asking about. Thank You....you know...I was really just wondering if you didn't see any of the materials on step 1...then when you did start studying with Kaplan books you were like...what the heck is this stuff. I guess that's not the case...right??? Study hard and good luck on step 2.

Oh, and another question. Why would PI med schools be after Carribean, Singapore, and Australian???? These schools don't prepare you for the USMLE's do they????

Yea sure u see everything, but the emphasis are all different. So u almost end up studying the whole thing over. Well, i think the big three carribean schools base their cirriculum on US med schools, so you will at least more familiar with USMLE. Also the big three have 2 yrs rotations in US while most PI medical schools only have 52weeks of rotations, which mean that u cant apply to many states for residency. Australia and singapore have great med schools and world renounce instruction. That is why i said that. U should check out some of Australia and Singapore forum to find out what best. PI schools are not bad. I did it. Good luck