Kaplan Or Falcon?

[Unregistered]

which one is better for step 1 KAPLAN or FALCON?
Thanks

[Unregistered]

I just thought that I'd answer this. If I were going to do a review course, I'd have to consider who had been around longer & that is Kaplan. Their resources are tried & proven. Also, taking their review you have the chance of perhaps hearing Goljan for path. I am NOT affiliated w/either review courses. Also, I would review the positive & negative postings at this & other forums for both of these reviews & make my decision.

If I were going to take a live review, I would only consider Kaplan because of their books, lecturers & qbank. They've just been doing it too long. Too me it's a logical clear cut decision.

[Unregistered]

I went to school in Guadalajara. They did not do a great job in preparing me. I took step 1 and got a 151. I took the falcon program and got a 203. It worked for me.

[LapusteaN]

Hello, I was wondering what people think about these 2 review options for STEP 1. Please put in your input, i'm trying to make up my mind on what to choose.
Pros and Cons. . . .
thank you!

[Myrmaid17]

I personally took the Kaplan Intense Prep which had 15 days of lectures given over a 3 week period. Basically, I was just looking for something to get me into the mood of studying. The professors there were excellent and many of them write questions for the actual exam so they help to put the focus in the right direction. The professors that I had for physio and path were especially good.
On the other hand, this is not a course for people who want to take their time studying. Nor is it designed for those who struggled to pass courses. But, in general, I believe that the whole Kaplan program is very good and their books are pretty good reviews as well.

[scoobz1981]

I used the Kaplan books for step1, and I have to say that there was nothing on Step1 that wasnt covered in those books...

Val

[mscampbe2002]

I took the Falcon course and personally feel that it was a waste of time... The Kaplan books are much better and apparently the course was much better organized. I have known too many ppl that took the Falcon course and still failed the Step...not that it should do all of the work and solve all of the problems, but the failure rate among those I know is still about 50/50. Take a course that can do more than that for you. I suggest getting the Kaplan books early and begin reading/marking. I really feel like I could have done the studying on my own, but as the Mermaid said, the course gets you into the mood and provides some structure to the studying. Best wishes Nic... and all, -you can do it!! And those out there that disagree, you are welcome to post your opinion... dont attack me for mine. I have moved on past the Step 1 and am in rotations... no help from Falcon though... they left out too much detail that you must have to solve/figure out problems on Step 1.

[raiguy]

i took the falcon course and i think it could have been better. i know the kaplan notes are more organized in that they are given in books rather than printed power points. however, i think it just comes down to how well you study the stuff on your own when you are in either review course. they both have their pros and cons

[swimguy23]

Hello, I was wondering what people think about these 2 review options for STEP 1. Please put in your input, i'm trying to make up my mind on what to choose.
Pros and Cons. . . .
thank you!

kaplan was part of our 5th semester.....it was pretty good. there were some parts i didnt even go to (genetics, path) and supplemented it on my own (goljan). The path notes apparently were good even tho i didnt use them but some people liked them. I would say kaplan is weak in molecular bio. Physio is great and so are a lot of the other parts.

[Unregistered]

At St. Eustatius, the deans recommend Falcon. The reason is that more people from our school pass with falcon than kaplan.

[charliedc]

I took Falcon 3 months ago....I was not so sure about their program and went really good. Not only I passed with a 215 on my second step 1 attempt (previous: 167) but also gave me the opportunity to re gain confidence in myself...they really know what they are doing. I just think that's good when you can take a review class and be guided with the stuff you really need to know. I was able to develop a well organized study system. They re inforced discipline continuosly on our study. Even during my staying I had severe sinusitis and they took me to a clinic...they really try to serve. Actually I saw a lady that was 'crazy" and she had to be dismissed form the class because of her conduct (yes by the police) because they don't fool around with conduct issues. I am wondering if that lady is the one that is posting bad things about Falcon. My experience was good but just like other people is saying we are the ones that ultimately decide for our future, no one is going to study or feed you. You have to do your part. Multiple times we had motivational speeches so we could stay on track no matter what. Yes they know what they are doing. For the people that are not pleased with them probably need to re think if they used Falcon study method the way they ask......
good luck everyone.....
I will be there for step 2 Falcon!!!!!

[mscampbe2002]

The Goljan notes were absolutely wonderful for preparing for the Step 1... Goljan apparently even taught several lectures at the Kaplan course this past summer as well. I forgot to mention Goljan in my previous post, but I had many of his lectures on CD and they were miraculous - there were several topics that I had studied in classes, but as Goljan went over and described things, it was like a lightbulb went off and I finally understood the substance of the topic... He helped me immensely... esp with the hemoglobin concepts... but so many more as well. Be sure to include Goljan material in your studies! He's amazing.

[Myrmaid17]

At St. Eustatius, the deans recommend Falcon. The reason is that more people from our school pass with falcon than kaplan.

Are you sure about that? It doesn't seem that way with my class. Everyone who took Kaplan has passed and like Mscampbe said, it's about 50/50 with the Falcon crew. I think people chose Falcon based on the cost, because of the recommendation, and because you get the option to take it over for free, in the event that you fail, if you follow their study methods and record yourself every day.

The students that I know who have done this, feel that this held them back in their studying and kept them from doing as well as they could have. And in those that I know who have failed the exam, no one I have talked to has mentioned repeating the course.

[Unregistered]

Ask Dr. . I spoke with him personally. He said that based on students performance on the island and their usmle scores, falcon was the way to go.

What do I know? He's just the dean.

[mscampbe2002]

Who is this unregistered phantom? And no, I am not crazy, nor did I have to be escorted from any Falcon course... but my experience with Falcon was not especially helpful. Several of the speakers that we had were very unorganized and the powerpoint notes (printed out on sheets and stuck in a binder) were unorganized as well. As I said, dont attack me (or suggest that I am the crazy woman from your review) but the Falcon course was not worth the thousands of dollars that I forked out for it.

[laloblum]

Nobody can attack your opinion, because it's just an opinion, relax we are here to share information not to create more confusion.

As I have posted in the past, different people are for different review courses, it will be a mistake to generalize just one course for everybody.

Which one is the best? The one that completes your objective; to pass the USMLE Step1.

There will be bad stuff or reviews about Falcon, Kaplan, pass, etc. But is this the REAL information?

Get the information from the people who have it, do not let anybody interfere with your objective.

In a personal matter, as my opinion, I couldn't have been in my actual interview season and gotten my USMLE certificate if it wasn't for the Falcon Reviews. The way that the course was structured help me, and help me real good. Now I don't pray anymore to pass the USMLE, now I pray to get matched.

There will always be good and bad stories about a topic, depends up to you how will you achieved your objective and who are you going to trust to help you get there. At the end the bad or good stories about a course will not help you pass, it will be only your hard work.

[shark]

I took falcon for step 1 and think it really had nothing to do with my performance on the exam. I just studied for it. Which ever you decide, or if you are smart, decide to save your money and not take a course, you should study hard for it and don't worry too much if the course is preparing you.

I personally know people who took falcon or kaplan and still failed. I even know one person who took both courses and failed. It is what you put into it.

[Dorothy Adams]

I agree that Falcon is an excellent program. Also from ST. Eustatius. I took Falcon for Step 1, Step 2 CS and Step 2 CK. I owe them for my passin Step 1 and Step 2 CS, and hopefully for Step 2 CK when I take it again. I don't do well on computerized exams, but by taking the Falcon courses, I passed Step 1, after having bombed it before, and with Step 2 CS, I took Falcon first, and passed the first time with no trouble at all. I'm sure that if I follow their method of study, I will pass Step 2 CK, as well. I've had trouble with it, but the Falcon guarantee of success is genuine. I went through that course twice. My failure with the exam previously is my fault alone. I didn't follow their protocol, and jumped off into the exam three days after finishing the course. Disaster!!! This time, I'm adhering to the study method, taking lots of practice tests, and am confident that I will pass. I am equally sure that the main reason will be the excellent instruction I received from Falcon. They have absolutely top notch instructors, who make themselves available for tutoring outside lecture. As a former university professor, I certainly recognize excellence in theaching, and committed, highly qualified educators. At the Falcon review, the hotel environment and meals reduce the distractors, so you study. Also your fellow students and you will bond. You will learn from them, too. It's worth every cent and is a unique, GOOD experience. I highly recommend it.