i have a couple questions...

1) how long after the 5th semester does one have to study for the USMLE1
2) how often is the USMLE1 offered in a year? (i hope its not like the MCAT!)
3) is there a particular time to start clinicals?
4) when is the best time to do USMLE2 (both parts)...what is the difference between both of them?
5) is it possible to do USMLE3 before starting residency or would one not be properly trained at that point?
6) how much do these exams cost?
7) is there prep classes (as in kaplan) for all the steps?
8) do people often fail the USMLEs on the first shot?
9) what is the longest break i will have once i commence medschool?
10) for some reason i feel like i should ask a 10th question...hmmm...ok i cannot think of anymore questions that have been boggling me for awhile now...

any answers would be appreciated! thanks!!!!

Okay one at a time;

1.) There is NO government law that says any amount of time is manditory to take off or for a maximum either. SABA has a rule that you must take it within 1 year of finishing basic sciences. They do however incourage you to take it within 3 months of finishing basic Sciences. Most students take 2-3 months.

2.) The USMLE is offered EVERY DAY! Excecpt Sundays I think. And there is a black out period Jan 1st-15th. Also, they are closed on holidays. The testing is currently done at prometric centers BUT THAT WILL CHANGE COME JUNE! That is it!

3.) Clinicals can be started anytime. You are kinda dependent on our clinical coordinator though, so if you want to start for sure Dec.15th for example, you must let her know way in advance and she will try to make that day possible for you.

4.) Step 2 timing should be done right after the clinical cores (first 42 weeks) since the Step 2 is based on ONLY cores. Thus, people say take a month off, study and then write Step 2. One part of Step 2 is written, the other part is done as a clinical scenario where you have a mock patient and you have to do an exam on him. You get marked on whether you performed the right exams. Also, since these 2 tests are separate, if you fail one, and pass the other, then you only have to retake one.

5.) If you are not an AMERICAN citizen, YOU MUST write Step 3 before getting a residency. This is a MUST. IF you are american, then sure, you can opt to write Step 3 ASAP.

6.) Step 1 costs $650. It is not covered in the Tuition cost, and you arrange it all yourself, no hand holding, you are a big boy. As for step 2 and 3, I don't know, ask me in a year..... I know they are more expensive though then Step1.

7.) Kaplan to my knowledge is available for step 1 and 2. However, I hear that Kaplan for step 2 is NOT enough. Kaplan for Step 1 is awesome I think.

8.) Most people from SABA pass the USMLE on the first try. It all depends on the person, and how comfortable they are with the material and HOW the questions are asked and what they are actually asking. The USMLE is actually very tricky in its wording.

9.) Once you commence school, if you don't want a break, you don't need to take one, except to write Step 1, Step 2. If you want a break, you can take a break either by taking a basic sciences semester off and thus you will have 4 months off. You can also ask the clinical department for time off, and they are VERY good with providing you time off during your clinicals. You also get 2-3 weeks between semesters in basic sciences when we don't have classes.

10.) There is an attendence policy in effect. Just felt like throwing that one in. LOL... it was the topic of sooo many posts.

Val
P.S. If I said something wrong, feel free to correct me... LOL

Step 3 of the USMLE varies....some states you have to wait at least 6 months into your residency to take it.

hey val!!
thank you for succintly answering my questions! you rock!

As for reviewing, I've heard pretty good things about Falcon Review in Irving, TX. You basically go there for a few weeks, and it's like USMLE boot camp or something...

Plus they guarantee that you raise your score (or pass?), includes food/housing, and it's cheaper than Kaplan, I think...

__________________
State University of New York at Geneseo
Class of 2006

Don't look down on yourself, because people have limitless possiblities.
---Dharma Master Cheng Yen

Falcon DOES guarantees you PASS! Its in Dallas I think.

Kaplan has a boot camp like that too... they however do not Guarantee a pass. They have courses in Illinois, New Jersey, and Atlanta I think that are boot camps. Double check on their website.


Val

I'm not sure if this is against TOS, but here is the link to Falcon's website, where there's a bunch of info, and they do have a "comparison" against Kaplan, though it is biased, of course, since it is Falcon's website.

http://www.falconreviews.com

__________________
State University of New York at Geneseo
Class of 2006

Don't look down on yourself, because people have limitless possiblities.
---Dharma Master Cheng Yen

That would be so cool to study so close to home.

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Saba University School of Medicine, MSIV
Interests: Pediatrics, Psychiatry