Recent KAPLAN or FALCON USMLE step 1 course reviews

[FutureMD2011]

This question is for recent kaplan or falcon grads within the last 6-8 months, preferably this year in the near past. I'm from houston so even people who have been to Kaplan houston can be a big help

What is the difference between Kaplan and falcon Nowadays, because i've heard both of them revamped their courses beginning of this year. Falcon in Dallas, anyone who has taken it within the specified time or this year 2010, what are the teachers like? I've heard besides Dr. Goljan and the Dr. Brewer the rest of the instructors are below par! I've heard their books are horrible, is that still true? do they still have tutoring sessions with the same teachers?

For Kaplan does anyone know who teaches their courses? are they actual faculty members? or just recent grads? whats the big difference from their videos?

I didn't plan on taking a course because I still believe it is for students who lack structure in their studies, being one of the students who is very structured and organized with a schedule of studying 8-10hrs a day, i'm debating whether its going to be anymore helpful than just kaplan videos and goljan audios, FA, UWorld and my own notes. If anyone can help me out with this it would be wonderful.

Thanks guys....any input is appreciated!

[humbled]

I took kaplan and have friends that took falcon and pass program. Kaplan didnt prepare me well, so I didnt even take the exam. Out of my friends some passed, but a majority failed, the general consensus was that theres a bunch of hype out there regarding these programs. These guys are making tons of money and can hire big name "celeb profs" to suck you in.

You are absolutely correct that the courses are really geared for students lacking structure. If you have the books, lectures, audio then its a waste of money. If your disciplined, save your money, find a nice library and rock it out. But if you are a little hesitant and really want to hit that 99% go to *********. I am in the program right now. Its a smaller program located in davenport, florida. I like it because its free of distractions, and the focus is not only on big picture concepts, but test taking strategies. There is a lot more one-on-one strategy/tutoring sessions, with the emphasis on studying smart, not hard. Meaning constantly gauging your strengths and weaknesses, so you do not make amateur mistakes like focusing on minor details, or being overconfident. The director has you take an NBME when you first get here. Then at your first meeting you sit down with your results and create an individualized study plan geared towards maximizing your efforts. Its an economic program that includes housing and paid NBME examination in a prometric center "style" testing room, with cameras and all. The director puts a real emphasis on making sure that you score well over passing (430-450) on two NBMEs before you take the real exam. They don't lead you on or tell you what you want to hear, its a down to earth approach. There's a method in place that has worked for many student. So far everyone that has gone through not only passed, but many hit that 90%tile. Check out the website, or give them a call.

Either way, the test is a beast and everyone is different. I have to admit in the end its really hard to compare programs, but there are some generalizations that can be made. Some of the big programs have gotten to big and lost touch with their purpose. I chose to go with a smaller program because If Im gonna pay money then I want that personalized attention, vs a stack of fancy looking books and crowded lecture halls.

Best of luck on your studies.

[FutureMD2011]

wow add another program to the list....ok, i'm skipping out on programs for now, i'm gonna see for another month and a half....I believe i'm structured enough to go through stuff on my own, if I feel like it i'll take a course afterward, but I appreciate the honesty! thanks

[Phrozen]

I took kaplan and have friends that took falcon and pass program. Kaplan didnt prepare me well, so I didnt even take the exam. Out of my friends some passed, but a majority failed, the general consensus was that theres a bunch of hype out there regarding these programs. These guys are making tons of money and can hire big name "celeb profs" to suck you in.

You are absolutely correct that the courses are really geared for students lacking structure. If you have the books, lectures, audio then its a waste of money. If your disciplined, save your money, find a nice library and rock it out. But if you are a little hesitant and really want to hit that 99% go to *********. I am in the program right now. Its a smaller program located in davenport, florida. I like it because its free of distractions, and the focus is not only on big picture concepts, but test taking strategies. There is a lot more one-on-one strategy/tutoring sessions, with the emphasis on studying smart, not hard. Meaning constantly gauging your strengths and weaknesses, so you do not make amateur mistakes like focusing on minor details, or being overconfident. The director has you take an NBME when you first get here. Then at your first meeting you sit down with your results and create an individualized study plan geared towards maximizing your efforts. Its an economic program that includes housing and paid NBME examination in a prometric center "style" testing room, with cameras and all. The director puts a real emphasis on making sure that you score well over passing (430-450) on two NBMEs before you take the real exam. They don't lead you on or tell you what you want to hear, its a down to earth approach. There's a method in place that has worked for many student. So far everyone that has gone through not only passed, but many hit that 90%tile. Check out the website, or give them a call.

Either way, the test is a beast and everyone is different. I have to admit in the end its really hard to compare programs, but there are some generalizations that can be made. Some of the big programs have gotten to big and lost touch with their purpose. I chose to go with a smaller program because If Im gonna pay money then I want that personalized attention, vs a stack of fancy looking books and crowded lecture halls.

Best of luck on your studies.

I would take what this guy says with a grain of salt. He most likely works for this new program since all his posts are about it.

[FutureMD2011]

yeah thanks, I figured the same! lol

[humbled]

I would take what this guy says with a grain of salt. He most likely works for this new program since all his posts are about it.

Apparently I am the first person in valuemd history to post exclusively on things that interest me. Someone asked a question on an "open" forum about review programs, and I replied with what I knew. Phrozen, instead of discrediting me or my posts, why dont you do everyone a service by contributing your view on what futuremd asked.

[1stepatatime]

i doubt he works there, since i also went to the program and scored really high on step 2. I know that they do step 1 also. he most likely just a step 1 that is excited on how much he is learning. I have already sent 2 of my best friends there, he sounds like he is just sharing his thoughts.

[Phrozen]

lol

all your posts are about usmle eagle as well

just seems kind of fishy, that's all

[1stepatatime]

yes they are, if you want to know who i am just private me. I can prove i was a student there. i have nothing to hide. I was just excited about improving and posted when i was in class. Then i was looking through and saw this. Brought back some memories.

[humbled]

lol

all your posts are about usmle eagle as well

just seems kind of fishy, that's all

Phrozen

Sippin on haterade? Do you have any advice to offer?

1stepatatime

YES I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT LEARNING!

FutureMd

Why ask questions or advice on things that you have already formulated some sort of opinion on? Seems kind of disingenuous . Anyways good luck on your step 1 preparation.