Miami question

[stacy_de_lin]

Quick question about the semester in Miami.... is it only clinical instruction, or does it include some sort of review for the USMLE? If not, is thre time in Miami to take a review course after the clinical instruction?

Following all this, how much time (on average) between taking the USMLE and starting your clinicals? I imagine that there must be some time spent waiting for scores, so do folks usually get a break between the USMLE and moving on to their clinicals?

Thanks!

Stac'

[MitchDC]

There are several aspects of the Advanced Introduction to Clinical Medicine course, including clinical preparation and instruction, board focused case studies, and an epidemiology and public health course.

Ross does not mandate a review course since Ross statistics show that students who pass on staight to Miami from the basic sciences already have a very good chance at passing the USMLE on their first try. They used to mandate a course that was built right into the 5th semester, but they wanted to give students the opportunity to make that decision on their own.

However, Ross University does run an optional review course called the University Medical Board Review (UMBR). This faculty for this course come from Florida medical schools and a few Ross faculty. They usually hold two sessions of the review. One in the evenings while you are going through the Miami program and another once the 5th semester program is over. The course is pretty affordable at about $2500 and you may sit for both sessions for that price (if you really want a repeat review). You may also use that time to study on your own or take a Kaplan, Falcon, Princeton Review.

After 5th semester ends, you have about two months before the deadline to have taken the USMLE Step 1. USMLE scores, I'm told, usually take about 4 weeks to get back to you. During that time, you have a couple options. 1) R&R or 2) Start your rotations at one of a couple hospitals where you can complete a core rotations BEFORE you scores are back.

Once you get your passing score, you fax that to the Registrar and the Dean of Clinical Sciences immediately faxes you back your clinical schedule for at least the next 40+ weeks.

Hope this helps,

MitchDC

[stacy_de_lin]

Thanks so much for the informative answer!

[LuckyLuciano]

Dear Mitch,
I'm a 1st semester who is eagerly awaiting a break at home over the new year and this past post regarding the 5th semester and clinical period caught my attention. I was wondering, after the USMLE scores are sent to the dean in Jersey, how the assignment of clinicals is done for the future 40 week time period. For example, if I wanted to do rotations in Chicago, or California or wherever, do I include some kind of preference list to the Jersey office so they know that? I know that preference will be given to those students who do well on USMLE + have strong GPAs, but how exactly does the placement happen (geographically speaking)? Thanks so much.

-Lucky

[MitchDC]

Currently if you wish to APPLY for the California or Chicago rotations, you fill out an application while you are in Miami. They then have your application completed when you pass the USMLE. Otherwise you just get whatever schedule is on top of the pile. Most students just want to get started but if you need a particular location you can speak with your clinical representative in Miami. I'll know more once I go through that process.

Best of luck!

MitchDC

[LuckyLuciano]

Thanks for your input and help. I look forward to finding out more informaiton about the process.
-Lucky