Thread: When do clinicals start?

do clinicals start all at the beginning of the month or any other specific day, etc? or do they start on random days? for example, if you finish one clinical placement, do you start right into another (if one is available) or do you have to wait a few days/weeks?

thanks

anytime, whenever there is a space open....if you get lucky then they go back to back....not always. Also if you want a certain rotation then you might wait. To sum it up ...
1. finish med 5, say a prayer to end your time on Nevis
2. go on your knees and thank the Lord that you pass the CBSE
3. study 3-4 months
4. take Step 1, wait a month
5. go on your knees and thank the Lord that you pass
6. get results and make contact with Dr C.
7. Go on your knees and thank the Lord for an open spot....

all said in jest of course but you get the point...

thanks!! when do you start thinking about and scheduling electives?? after you get your rotations?? I'm asking because some require students to apply well in advance.

Originally Posted by joe soap

anytime, whenever there is a space open....if you get lucky then they go back to back....not always. Also if you want a certain rotation then you might wait. To sum it up ...
1. finish med 5, say a prayer to end your time on Nevis
2. go on your knees and thank the Lord that you pass the CBSE
3. study 3-4 months
4. take Step 1, wait a month
5. go on your knees and thank the Lord that you pass
6. get results and make contact with Dr C.
7. Go on your knees and thank the Lord for an open spot....

all said in jest of course but you get the point...

3-4 months??i thght u needed max a month only for usmle..

when i called clinicials office in mass, they had said you do 20 months basic sci , then u want to take your step 1 within 3 months or so after completing basic sci. if im wrong, please correct me.

Originally Posted by Faiqa23

3-4 months??i thght u needed max a month only for usmle..

You can do it right after comp, but remember it takes 6-8 weeks to get ECFMG permission for step 1; so you have to start the process before comp and the school must be confident you will pass otherwise they wont certify you for ECFMG, thats why they wait for the comp to come back (if you pass comp well (above 70) you are almost certain to pass..... very few do it in one month, however stats seem to show (ask Spo for the details) the better students should do it in 6 weeks....majority of carib students seem to take 3-4 months from what i have read and seen in those before me...

Originally Posted by don1

thanks!! when do you start thinking about and scheduling electives?? after you get your rotations?? I'm asking because some require students to apply well in advance.

....after cores or just before 4th would make sense, as you dont know when you get done with all cores...contact Dr C and ask away.....i'm 3rd so not worried about 4th yet. Spodat might know....

Ps. I forgot to say the my 2 posts here are my experience, and my opinion, and "user results may vary"

1. Ask. the Genetics Prof, he has an email that outlines what to do, from a former student.
2. Roughly: Apply to ECFMG early in Med5, then after you have status with them, you contact Gardner after block 3 during med5, at which time (as Joe said), if Gardner has confidence in you, they'll will certify you with ECFMG so that ECFMG can send back to USMLE and you'll get a scheduling permit.
3. You can get a sceduling permit before end of med5 if you follow these steps.
4. If you feel you need more info. Post here and I'll digup emails, notes I have on the exact steps of the process, but it really is self explanatory if you go to ECFMG website and begin at the beginning, and also if you call Gardner and ask them how to do it. If you get a "no you can't do that answer" it probably means they dont' want to early certify you, for whatever reason.
5. Then as Joe said, you'll have to prove your ability by your Comp Shelf at the end of Med5.
6. I believe that if you've prepared well for the Comp Shelf, taking the USMLE within 1 month is best, the info. is fresher and more instinctive.
7. Do A LOT of practice questions.

Summary, In order to take usmle within 1 month of Med5, you HAVE TO start the process with ECFMG in early Med5. And it can be done, especially if your gpa is 3.5 or close, if you've performed well on med1-5 shelfs, and you have a good reputation.

don't worry about it. You can generally do them all in one location, unless you want to get fancy.

You will have plenty of time during 3rd year to think about electives, and during Med4 and 5, Dr. Col. will visit and fully inform you. At least she always has up until August 08. If not, email her.