Former Student will be online until friday Jun 20th for furt

[former student]

Friday will be my last day for a while, so if you have other concerns or questions regarding Spartan, it's instructers, administrators, life on the island, safety issues, residency, etc. etc. etc...let me know. My answers to your questions will be fair, unbiased, and objective.


FORMER STUDENT

[Kirst]

Which board books would you recommend to cross reference with during Basic Sciences? I realize how important it is to start studying for Step 1 early, especially when the quality of education at Spartan has been a consistent issue.

I've heard of subject specific board books here and there, and thought they may be worthwhile using when I'm taking corresponding courses in school (for example, during Physiology lectures, have a USMLE Physiology workbook to look up and study- I suppose to compensate for what I may not get from the professors and lectures, and to be more USMLE focused)

[Kirst]

How are the accomodations available on St. Lucia? I'm a bit worried about arriving there with 140lb in luggage without a place arranged in advance. Are there good places at a reasonal price and walking distance to the school? I heard of a student there who found a two bedroom place for himself at $350USD which just sounds too good to be true. Sharing a place like that will lower the financial obligation to only $175USD per month. I was under the impression that living in the islands are fairly expensive, even more so if it's heavily tourism-geared.

How much are the monthly utility costs in general? Someone at Ross was talking about $300 per month in addition to the rent!

[former student]

First Aid for Step 1 is very good + Step 1 Kaplan Qbank

First Aid For Step 2 is not very good, don't waste your money.
Kaplan Step 2 Q bank is a good base.

This is a good basic plan in addition to whatever else helps you.


F.S.

[Kirst]

What format is the lecture? Powerpoint? Handouts? Textbook based? Chalk board? :shock: Are the notes free to download or distributed in class? Or do students make copies on their own or buy them from some service?

[former student]

Most of your lecture will most likely be on chalk board. you may have an instructor hand out notes, but this is not usually the practice there. Some instructors are not clear about there notes because the exams sometimes are express differences.

It would probably be better to address this question to current students on the island, just in case lectures have up graded since my last attendance.

F.S.

[Kirst]

Thanks so much as always! Hope you don't mind more questions coming up :)

[Doc]

Kirst:

Please take advantage of Former Student's vast knowledge as this user (if it's the same person who I'm thinking of) has always proven to be very honest and helpful. I absolutely agree that First Aid and Kaplan QBank are the gold standards. But just to add to Former Student's excellent recommendations, I would likely also consider using BRS (Board Review Series) for the various subjects aside from whichever text or notes you're using in the basic sciences classes (but many others are also good depending on the class...i.e. NMS, Lippencott's, etc). For example, while taking Physiology, study the correlating BRS Physio sections in addition to the required notes and text from class. This way, you will know what to focus on for the boards, plus it will also help for the class exams as well. Also, later while reviewing for step 1, you can simply use the review books which you're already familiar with to make studying easier.

Former Student, if I'm correct in my assumptions, it's great to hear from you again. Regardless, thanks for your honest contributions and best of luck in your career. We all hope that you will find the time to pay us a visit every so often to let us know how you're doing :D .

[dt]

After the Basic Sciences and studying for the Step 1, do people stay at St. Lucia to study or do most leave and go wherever?

I assume that one needs to inform Spartan administation if one plans to take some time off to study for Step 1. What is the time frame involved in informing Spartan and starting clinicals?

As a Spartan student looking for (free) clinical spots, I assume there is some way for previous students to pass info onwards to current students, correct? Is it mostly via the grapevine or is there someplace more concrete (like a secret scroll somewhere in Vieux Fort) to get these info?


dt

[former student]

Dear D.T.

Few people do stay on the Island to study for Step 1, which is not a bad idea especially if you have distractions at home (e.g. family, friends, entertainment choices). Most students are sick to death of spartan and St. Lucia by the time they get to the fourth trimester. Hopefully this won't be the case with you. I think it's good to leave the Island in good spirits so you can have fond memories of your time there.

You can take a leave of absence to study for Step 1. i can't remeber the allotted time, so you'll have to call the office for details. You can start clinicals whenever you want as long as you don't go over your allotted time. If you do go over the time, you'll have to re register and pay $60.00.

As far as students giving you info on free clinicals, don't count on it. Un fortunately Spartan doesn't promote student comeraderie. You will most likely have to fend for yourself. But if you read any of my earlier post, you can find your own "free" clinicals if you do a little research. Clinicals clerkships are generally free except for the few hospitals that extort money from the desparation of offshore medical students. I hope this help.

FORMER STUDENT

[former student]

Thanks doc. I always appreciate your generous welcome.

FORMER STUDENT

[dt]

...for all your answers.

dt

[Kirst]

I do my rotations in non-teaching Canadian hospitals, would this count against the all greenbook regulation in 11 states during licensure? I remember someone saying that clinicals done outside of US won't be considered if greenbook or not, but I'm not sure.

I was hoping to return to Vancouver after the 4th semester at Spartan, so that I can take 4 months off to take Kaplan extended along with its QBank for Step 1 at the comfort of my home. I thought picking up a few weeks of rotations while in town would be convenient, but I'd rather not if this proves to be a disadvantage when applying for residency and licensure.

[Kirst]

Like I mentioned on the above reply, I intend on taking Kaplan extended for 3 months and QBank for a month during my "5th" semester at home after the basic sciences on the island is completed. I figured I'd use the USMLE First Aid workbooks then too.

So you would recommend Board Review Series for subject specific reference during basic sciences to compliment the lectures? You also mentioned others, would you mind which proved to be the consistent favorite among IMGs? For example, for Biochem, which would be the better choice? NMS or BRS?

Thanks!

Oh and please someone comment on the student housing at Lucia?

[Dr2B]

What format is the lecture? Powerpoint? Handouts? Textbook based? Chalk board? :shock: Are the notes free to download or distributed in class? Or do students make copies on their own or buy them from some service?

All of the above. Many professors are using Powerpoint now, cds for 3d anatomy during lecture, and overheads. The chalkboard is used for some diagrams or quick notes. Other professors will use handouts that they will provide or handouts you can pay for or download of the network if you ask the professor to put it on the network. It all depends on the professor and the teaching style he likes.

[Doc]

Like I mentioned on the above reply, I intend on taking Kaplan extended for 3 months and QBank for a month during my "5th" semester at home after the basic sciences on the island is completed. I figured I'd use the USMLE First Aid workbooks then too.

So you would recommend Board Review Series for subject specific reference during basic sciences to compliment the lectures? You also mentioned others, would you mind which proved to be the consistent favorite among IMGs? For example, for Biochem, which would be the better choice? NMS or BRS?


Kirst:

You will find varying opinions regarding review books, so I will just give my personal opinion, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it will be the best for you.

Having said that, it really depends on the subject. For example, Lippencott's has excellent review books for Biochem and Pharm., BRS is excellent for Physio and Behavioral Science, etc. First Aid is the best all-around because it is the most condensed high yield info for the boards and is available all in one book.

Also, if your professor already requires Lippencott's for Pharm, it doesn't make sense to purchase another type of review book for that course. But you might find that Pathology, for example, is a very large and detailed book that can be very well supplemented by a review book in order to note the important concepts for the USMLE.

I think that you have a great plan of taking the extended Kaplan course, QBank, and First Aid. I also think that you are already heading in the right direction by preparing for the USMLE during (rather than after) the basic sciences. I believe that your plan will bring you much success. Best of luck!

[Dr2B]

Oh and please someone comment on the student housing at Lucia?

Housing can vary. There are really cheap dumps or "cost efficient" apartments which some students actually prefer and some really great "expensive" apartments. You can pick and choose. The school driver will show you a few if you ASK.

The closer you get to school, the more expensive the apartments are but then again expensive is a relative term. Eg. ("expensive") maybe $1000 EC or $900 EC and cheaper for 2 bedroom or even cheaper for 1 bedroom apartments. Exchange rate with U.S. dollars is $2.67 EC to $1.00 U.S. :wink:

That's usually with airconditioning units, fans, cable television, frigerator, microwave, water tank (for emergency water during rainstorms - yes they turn the water off when it rains :roll: ) all the necessities. You USUALLY just pay for electricity (although it may be included depending on your landlord) and telephone.

SHOP AROUND as soon as you get to St. Lucia to find the apartment that best suits your needs and has everything you want. Don't freak out and automatically choose an apartment just because it is the first one you have seen. HOWEVER, If you pick an apartment the driver brings you to, and decide it is not the one for you, you have 2 weeks to move out of it and choose a different one without losing $$ I think. (Best to call school in St. Lucia and ask for sure)

The school is located in the area of the island that is not a "tourist" spot except for kitesurfing, so the cost of living is cheaper.

[Kirst]

Thanks so much Former Student for offering your time and help. I'm not sure where you'd be off to after today (the 20th!), but I wish you the best and hope to still see you around on the forum every now and then.

Thanks everyone (Doc, Dr2B, etc) for your replies and advises! I'm looking forward to finally getting started :)