I received a very detailed email from a very nice and knowledgeable Ross official in reference to my questions about starting in January and how that effects study time for Step 1 and also how it effects the Match.

This is the email I received.

With regard to your questions :

* If you start in January (I assume on the island), it does not give you any more / less time to prepare for your Step 1 exam. All students must complete 4 Basic Science semesters before they get to AICM (5th Semester in Miami) ... it does not matter when you start - everyone is required to do 4 semesters of Basic Sciences.

* When you get to Miami, the Registrar completes the Step 1 registration for ALL students who have been certified. For example - if you are in AICM in January 2006, you would be given an April Window (meaning you would have to take the exam by the end of June). Consequently, if you were enrolled in the May semester in Miami you would get an August window (having to sit by the end of October), so as you can see, the study time would be the same.

* Starting in January offers no extra benefits to the students in terms of what is offered. Each student is given the same level of opportunity regardless of which semester they matriculate. Our affiliations with hospitals are ongoing throughout the year. When a student passes their Step 1 exam and faxes in their score, they are given the best possible schedule that is available at that time.

* Realistically speaking, you will not be entering the same Match as the students who began a semester before you. Students should plan on starting rotations by the end of September in order to make the first possible Match (i.e. 78 weeks of clinical rotations after completing 12 weeks of AICM in Miami). Keep in mind you need 90 weeks of Clinical rotations to graduate, along with passing Step 1 and 2 (CK and CS) and also keep in mind that NOT EVERY rotation will be back-to-back. Sometimes students need to move between rotations, which means getting situated in another state. Students also need time to study for Step 2 and for interviewing for Residency programs. Therefore, making the Match is not an exact science!

I hope this clarifies things for you.

what sucks is that 5th semester now eats up an extra 3 weeks of our study time for step 1.

I believe when 5th semester used to be 9 weeks, students still had till the end of june to take step 1.

now we get an extra 3 weeks to help us forget more of our basic science knowledge. yeah baby yeah!

I hope that having 3 more weeks in 5th semester doesn't mean running around to MORE stupid hospital sessions for an extra 3 weeks. We shouldn't even be concerned about 'rotations'..... No one even gives a crap about pre-step1 rotations anyway. Everyone is thinking only about step 1.

Any current/recent 5th semesters wanna comment?


Oh yeah. this reminds me. I just had my final 4th semester hospital 'rotation' last week, and it was half-booty'd. The doctor attending didn't even give a crap about us. She pushed her babysitting responsibility onto this novice wishy-washy dominican MD who didn't know half the stuff he was doing. OH MAN. I L3ARN3D A LoT!@#@!

anyway, back on topic.

So if we begin at Ross in Jan 2006, will we be eligible for the match in 2009?

It is possible. The two Step 2 exams and the little time for interviewing may limit your choices but you can make it.

AUC offers a little bit more flexibility than Ross for the January entering class. Our clinical people say that in order to make the match, you have to start by the first of November, rather than the end of September.

The AUC calculation factors in 6 weeks of buffer, for exam prep or interviews or whatnot.

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I started on the island jan 03, went through all 4 sems without any delay. did miami, then went home to NYC and took step one in august 04.
started rotations oct 04 have been doing rotation literally back to back since then and just took and passed both step II's without any time off to study, which hurt me a little.
I need to keep on doing back to back rotations until may in order to graduate in time to make the 06 match, ohh and I have been scheduling interviews at the same time.

As you can see it can definetely be done, but if you have any delays, get sick or fail anything along the way you are out for the match that year.
I still have to pray that everything goes ok between now and may so i get a diploma on time. my finger are crossed , believe you me.

like I said its possible but all the planets have to line up. I heard that maybe 5-10% of the january class makes the match in three and a half years, most people make the following year's match.

hope this helps.

It seems that you've scheduled everything really well. You shouldn't have a problem if everything turns in your favor. Yes only a small percentage make the match on time so you know that it's definitely possible.

Just keep ahead of everything (good practice now since it will hit you hard once you begin residency!) and everything will turn out perfect!

Good luck,

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Ross University Forum Moderator

Dr.A.
PGY-3 Pathology Resident

Yes this isn't good, but you have to deal with it. Maybe it would be beneficial to do a review course scheduled around your rotation hours (watch Kaplan videos for example)..

I think careful planning is all it takes. Staying informed and ahead of the game will lead to success.

Good luck,

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Ross University Forum Moderator

Dr.A.
PGY-3 Pathology Resident

Jan 2006 – April 2006: Semester 1

May 2006 – August 2006: Semester 2

Sept 2006- Dec 2006: Semester 3

Jan 2007 – April 2007: Semester 4

May - August: Semester 5 (Miami)


September 2007: study for step 1
October 2007: take USMLE Step 1
November 2007: USMLE results received and faxed to Ross

2007 November: Start Clinicals (78 weeks)

Start Clinicals November 2007, end approximately June 2009.( 19 months, 2 weeks)

Step 2 Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills: do between January 2008-October 2008.


September 2008: apply for residency (ERAS/NRMP)
October 2008 – Jan 2009: Interview Period

Match: March 2009

Graduate June 2009.


Start residency July 2009.


Definitely possible but TIGHT!.

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Ross University Forum Moderator

Dr.A.
PGY-3 Pathology Resident

Hi,

Since it is difficult for a Jan '06 matriculant to be eligible for the '09 match. What does one do for that year? Or can you space out your clerkships to avoid the problem of missing the '09 match.

thanks!