Could you share what schedule you made for step1? How many days did you allot per subject, how many times you read the notes (1st pass, 2nd pass?) and if you also watched the videos? Did you also use Goljan's patho notes? Hope you could help. I'm just starting to organize my study sched. thank you
*
Hey for step 1, i watched the videos initially. I watched the videos first and i watched it only once. I believe this video thing took me about 2 - 3 months to finish. But if you are serious on studying, I think you could cut this time frame by half.
After each video subject (example: after anatomy or biochemistry), I would then read the notes respectively.
After the videos, I then proceeded to answering the qbank.
Qbanks could be one of two kinds - mixed or by subject. What i did was I answered 2 qbanks a day - 1 mixed and 1 subject. Example for week 1 , I would answer 7 blocks of anatomy and 7 blocks of mixed questions. Then for week 2, 7 blocks of biochem and 7 blocks of mixed. I did not just answer them, i concentrated on why they gave those choices, what was the best choice and why the other choices were wrong. It's not about getting the correct answers, it's finding where you are weak and improving on those areas.
I also supplemented my readings with goljan pathology notes and first aid.
About a month before my test date, I reread the qbanks again and referred back to my notes for those weak areas of mine.
All in all i did about 4-5 months of study time. With breaks of course, but i did pretty well.
:)
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
How many programs to apply for?
How many programs should one apply for when ERAS opens on september?
Depends on the following:
1. USMLE scores
2. Visa status - J1 or H1 or greencard status
3. US clinical experience - note externship is way better than observership. Self explanatory. Observers observe. Externship gives hands on.
4. Letter of recommendation from US doctors
5. Good letters of recommendation from local doctors
6. Connections inside the program
Higher USMLE scores preferred. Note that there are a lot of people who are getting way off the charts board scores.
Most prefer greencard holders. But there are lists of j1 visa friendly or h1 friendly hospitals.
Numbers 3 to 6, are self explanatory. If you look up the program's website and see International medical graduates there as residents, it's a good bet they take in IMGS.
This blog is mainly for giving a summary, if you want the nitty gritty, i suggest you go to this blog, this digidoc person (owner of the blog) helped me a lot during my period of usmle thingie.
http://tips4match.blogspot.com/2006/06/img-friendly-really.html
- this link brings you all the so called IMG friendly lists compiled by digidoc, the patron saint of IMGs.
TAKING EVERYTHING INTO CONSIDERATION,
If you are not confident with your scores, no US clinical experience, no nothing, apply to as many IMG friendly programs as you can afford. I know of someone who applied to 80 programs and got only 2 interviews. On another note, i know someone who applied to 29 programs and got 4 interviews. Remember, the competition right now is very stiff. Most doctors who want to train in the UK are now going to the US because of this new policy by Euro people. At least that is what I heard. Make yourself competitive. Get strong letters. If possible get externships.
Good luck on everything.
Depends on the following:
1. USMLE scores
2. Visa status - J1 or H1 or greencard status
3. US clinical experience - note externship is way better than observership. Self explanatory. Observers observe. Externship gives hands on.
4. Letter of recommendation from US doctors
5. Good letters of recommendation from local doctors
6. Connections inside the program
Higher USMLE scores preferred. Note that there are a lot of people who are getting way off the charts board scores.
Most prefer greencard holders. But there are lists of j1 visa friendly or h1 friendly hospitals.
Numbers 3 to 6, are self explanatory. If you look up the program's website and see International medical graduates there as residents, it's a good bet they take in IMGS.
This blog is mainly for giving a summary, if you want the nitty gritty, i suggest you go to this blog, this digidoc person (owner of the blog) helped me a lot during my period of usmle thingie.
http://tips4match.blogspot.com/2006/06/img-friendly-really.html
- this link brings you all the so called IMG friendly lists compiled by digidoc, the patron saint of IMGs.
TAKING EVERYTHING INTO CONSIDERATION,
If you are not confident with your scores, no US clinical experience, no nothing, apply to as many IMG friendly programs as you can afford. I know of someone who applied to 80 programs and got only 2 interviews. On another note, i know someone who applied to 29 programs and got 4 interviews. Remember, the competition right now is very stiff. Most doctors who want to train in the UK are now going to the US because of this new policy by Euro people. At least that is what I heard. Make yourself competitive. Get strong letters. If possible get externships.
Good luck on everything.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
stressed out on study schedule for usmle?
Are you stressed out on your rigid study schedule for USMLE? Here's a letter from one of the more driven and focused junior doctors I've handled. I'm sure he will succeed because he has a great attitude and is a hard worker.
LETTER:
> hi doc louise!
>
> nope! i came back home. i took d kaplan here instead so i could save up more money instead of taking it there. besides, the student visa requires me a lot of things so i just decided to come back home.
>
> ive been doing my kaplan since jan 2 & so far so good. just stressed out with my schedule though. i myt change it the next few days.
>
> how's ur interview so far? ive been telling my batchmates who are currently with me at kaplan to read ur blog. coz dey've been asking me wer i get advices im giving them, so i told them its from ur blogs. coz for me it helps me a lot. ur journey through life is amazing. i hope we could meet paths someday there.
>
> God bless!>
REPLY
schedule... what i did when i made my schedule, i alloted time for katamaran. Like for example, if i could finish one topic for five days, i'd chalk it up for six days, knowing well that i would be feeling blah and not want to study for at least a day. This way, wala masyadong stress.
You made a good move of taking kaplan here, for one, you are home and you don't have to deal with issues like missing your friends or NOT having someone close by to whack your head and encourage you to study.
I bet you are going for the 2008 match... Hmmmm basta make sure that your cs results get out early. PAra ecfmg certified ka (ie passed step 1, 2 and cs) when interview season comes. I got my certificate nung december 12, though i did get invites na kahit wala pang certificate. I guess the certificate kasi would go well if you want a prematch.
As for visas, i'm going for a j1 visa, kasi sabi nila better chances of going into fellowship but if you are placing more importance in having a green card then go for h1 visa (but this requires you find an institution willing to sponsor your h1, and you must have completed your step 3). I'm taking step 3 before residency starts (in your case march 2008), no rush for me kasi i am going for j1. Everyone needs to take the step 3, yung time factor lang when you should take it depends on the type of visa you want.
usmle tests your test taking ability , step 1 is very heavy on concepts so study well. A month prior to my scheduled test, i did two blocks of questions everyday from kaplan. One block (50 questions) was a mixed block, one block was subject specific (i.e. anatomy block., pharma block), this would help me focus what area i was weak in, at the same time, i wouldn't forget about the other subjects.
For step 1, qbank is good enough.
For step 2 cs, usmle world is best.
I know that you can make it I'm really happy i could help you out with my blogs. Please feel free to bug me with questions any time. You will have a lot of them as you go on. :)
God bless. I'm praying for your success!
Louise
LETTER:
> hi doc louise!
>
> nope! i came back home. i took d kaplan here instead so i could save up more money instead of taking it there. besides, the student visa requires me a lot of things so i just decided to come back home.
>
> ive been doing my kaplan since jan 2 & so far so good. just stressed out with my schedule though. i myt change it the next few days.
>
> how's ur interview so far? ive been telling my batchmates who are currently with me at kaplan to read ur blog. coz dey've been asking me wer i get advices im giving them, so i told them its from ur blogs. coz for me it helps me a lot. ur journey through life is amazing. i hope we could meet paths someday there.
>
> God bless!>
REPLY
schedule... what i did when i made my schedule, i alloted time for katamaran. Like for example, if i could finish one topic for five days, i'd chalk it up for six days, knowing well that i would be feeling blah and not want to study for at least a day. This way, wala masyadong stress.
You made a good move of taking kaplan here, for one, you are home and you don't have to deal with issues like missing your friends or NOT having someone close by to whack your head and encourage you to study.
I bet you are going for the 2008 match... Hmmmm basta make sure that your cs results get out early. PAra ecfmg certified ka (ie passed step 1, 2 and cs) when interview season comes. I got my certificate nung december 12, though i did get invites na kahit wala pang certificate. I guess the certificate kasi would go well if you want a prematch.
As for visas, i'm going for a j1 visa, kasi sabi nila better chances of going into fellowship but if you are placing more importance in having a green card then go for h1 visa (but this requires you find an institution willing to sponsor your h1, and you must have completed your step 3). I'm taking step 3 before residency starts (in your case march 2008), no rush for me kasi i am going for j1. Everyone needs to take the step 3, yung time factor lang when you should take it depends on the type of visa you want.
usmle tests your test taking ability , step 1 is very heavy on concepts so study well. A month prior to my scheduled test, i did two blocks of questions everyday from kaplan. One block (50 questions) was a mixed block, one block was subject specific (i.e. anatomy block., pharma block), this would help me focus what area i was weak in, at the same time, i wouldn't forget about the other subjects.
For step 1, qbank is good enough.
For step 2 cs, usmle world is best.
I know that you can make it I'm really happy i could help you out with my blogs. Please feel free to bug me with questions any time. You will have a lot of them as you go on. :)
God bless. I'm praying for your success!
Louise
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Comparing night and day
In the title of this blog i mentioned philippine boards.
Ay lupang hinirang. WHat is the difference between boards and USMLE? Night and day. Kape at gatas. Langit at lupa. Mantika at tubig.
As i wrote last year, I was better off reading Abante and finding the answers to the board questions in the Philippines than in Harrisons. It did not test my knowledge. It tested my luck.
Mayroon ba namang question, read this and weep:
Who was the first patient who had small pox? And the choices included MOSES, RAMSES, KING GEORGE
Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin alam how that question would assess my doctor skills. Smallpox has been entirely eradicated in the world. May isang lab lang ata or dalawa who has it. Okay fine they could ask smallpox, but sana man lang they made it a point to connect it to maybe, i dunno something relevant like bioterrorism. Pero hindi, ten commandments ang dating.
USMLE tests you and prepares you for a life as a GP. As someone who thinks. Like the exams we have in philippine medical schools. Philippine boards prepares you to be a contestant in jeopardy or trivial pursuit. Pick your battle.
Sorry, but i really think we should radically change the way our exams are in the philippines. I don't know, maybe it should start with considering the fact, that well, maybe we are to be tested as, and this is just off the top of my head, be tested as doctors?
Ay lupang hinirang. WHat is the difference between boards and USMLE? Night and day. Kape at gatas. Langit at lupa. Mantika at tubig.
As i wrote last year, I was better off reading Abante and finding the answers to the board questions in the Philippines than in Harrisons. It did not test my knowledge. It tested my luck.
Mayroon ba namang question, read this and weep:
Who was the first patient who had small pox? And the choices included MOSES, RAMSES, KING GEORGE
Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin alam how that question would assess my doctor skills. Smallpox has been entirely eradicated in the world. May isang lab lang ata or dalawa who has it. Okay fine they could ask smallpox, but sana man lang they made it a point to connect it to maybe, i dunno something relevant like bioterrorism. Pero hindi, ten commandments ang dating.
USMLE tests you and prepares you for a life as a GP. As someone who thinks. Like the exams we have in philippine medical schools. Philippine boards prepares you to be a contestant in jeopardy or trivial pursuit. Pick your battle.
Sorry, but i really think we should radically change the way our exams are in the philippines. I don't know, maybe it should start with considering the fact, that well, maybe we are to be tested as, and this is just off the top of my head, be tested as doctors?
Audio and Video Clips for USMLE : New thing
Thanks richard for that confirmation! I did look it up, looks like they are going to include audio stuff or video stuff for 2007. Exciting news. Not! Anyways, visit www.usmle.org for more info about it.
The 2007 USMLE Orientation Materials are now available on the USMLE website.
A small number of multiple-choice items in the 2007 USMLE Orientation Materials contain exhibits involving audio and/or video clips. Instructions for practicing with items with associated media clips on Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 are provided in the Tutorials for each Step examination in the orientation materials.
Multiple-choice items with associated media clips will be introduced in USMLE examinations no earlier than Summer 2007. An announcement will be posted to the USMLE website approximately 2 months before any items with associated media clips appear on an actual USMLE examination. Additional information will be posted to the USMLE website as it becomes available.
The 2007 USMLE Orientation Materials are now available on the USMLE website.
A small number of multiple-choice items in the 2007 USMLE Orientation Materials contain exhibits involving audio and/or video clips. Instructions for practicing with items with associated media clips on Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 are provided in the Tutorials for each Step examination in the orientation materials.
Multiple-choice items with associated media clips will be introduced in USMLE examinations no earlier than Summer 2007. An announcement will be posted to the USMLE website approximately 2 months before any items with associated media clips appear on an actual USMLE examination. Additional information will be posted to the USMLE website as it becomes available.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
CS by august?
Question:
happy new year Dr. Louise!
kamusta po? kamusta po ang mga interview ninyo? God be with you always.
friend ko na din po pala si Dr. Randi.
na-kwento ko na po ba? nag-resign na po ako sa St. Luke's before pa mag-start ang residency ko. nag-apply na din po ako ng ECFMG number, pero holiday pa kaya siguro wala pa yun reply nila sa email ko. kaya wala pa din po ako nalalakad sa UST. balak ko po mag-apply sa Kaplan para pressured and guided din ako, para wala din hassle, next week para maka-avail ng discount after ng orientation. nag-start lang ako magbasa ng bulletin of information at booklet ng ECFMG, at first aid ng step 1.
concern ko talaga ay sana makahabol ako sa review and exams for the 2008 match at sana mabigyan ng visa...
may tanong po ulit ako, pag nag step 1 po ako ng april, step 2 CK sana ng july, at CS ng august kasi sabi sa announcement dapat matapos ang CS by august, makakahabol po ba ako at lalabas yun grade for ERAS sa sept, or kahit to follow na yun grade ko? at kung di po ako makahabol, (i'm praying hard na makahabol at maging ok lahat) valid pa po ba yun mga grades ko sa 2009 matching?
thanks po ulit.
God bless you!
Answer:
1. I'm doing fine. Interview wise - hahaha deserves new entry for this. It's a fun experience.
2. I think what the announcement is saying is that you should have scheduled or at least enrolled in CS by august 2007 to assure that you get to schedule your CS for 2007. Most hospitals would prefer that they have your step 1 grade, step 2 ck grade and cs grade, but would interview you even with just any step grade. The key word here is prefer. It's like, imagine if you are entering a contest for miss universe, the judges would interview the contestants in long gowns but would look favorably on contestants who not only have long gowns prepared, but the talent portion and the bathing suit portion... Usually for hospitals, they decide who they want to have as residents by january or february so if you don't have your cs result by jan or feb 2007... good luck na lang. :)
3. Visa - try to follow the schedule i gave you via friendster. The visa support letter from the ECFMG is very important for your visa application. It's a B1/B2 visa you are applying for aka tourist/business. More on visas na lang later. You don't need to concern yourself with this for the moment. Worry about this after you take step 1. I'll try to answer any visa questions you might have if i know the answer.
God bless. You are in my prayers!
happy new year Dr. Louise!
kamusta po? kamusta po ang mga interview ninyo? God be with you always.
friend ko na din po pala si Dr. Randi.
na-kwento ko na po ba? nag-resign na po ako sa St. Luke's before pa mag-start ang residency ko. nag-apply na din po ako ng ECFMG number, pero holiday pa kaya siguro wala pa yun reply nila sa email ko. kaya wala pa din po ako nalalakad sa UST. balak ko po mag-apply sa Kaplan para pressured and guided din ako, para wala din hassle, next week para maka-avail ng discount after ng orientation. nag-start lang ako magbasa ng bulletin of information at booklet ng ECFMG, at first aid ng step 1.
concern ko talaga ay sana makahabol ako sa review and exams for the 2008 match at sana mabigyan ng visa...
may tanong po ulit ako, pag nag step 1 po ako ng april, step 2 CK sana ng july, at CS ng august kasi sabi sa announcement dapat matapos ang CS by august, makakahabol po ba ako at lalabas yun grade for ERAS sa sept, or kahit to follow na yun grade ko? at kung di po ako makahabol, (i'm praying hard na makahabol at maging ok lahat) valid pa po ba yun mga grades ko sa 2009 matching?
thanks po ulit.
God bless you!
Answer:
1. I'm doing fine. Interview wise - hahaha deserves new entry for this. It's a fun experience.
2. I think what the announcement is saying is that you should have scheduled or at least enrolled in CS by august 2007 to assure that you get to schedule your CS for 2007. Most hospitals would prefer that they have your step 1 grade, step 2 ck grade and cs grade, but would interview you even with just any step grade. The key word here is prefer. It's like, imagine if you are entering a contest for miss universe, the judges would interview the contestants in long gowns but would look favorably on contestants who not only have long gowns prepared, but the talent portion and the bathing suit portion... Usually for hospitals, they decide who they want to have as residents by january or february so if you don't have your cs result by jan or feb 2007... good luck na lang. :)
3. Visa - try to follow the schedule i gave you via friendster. The visa support letter from the ECFMG is very important for your visa application. It's a B1/B2 visa you are applying for aka tourist/business. More on visas na lang later. You don't need to concern yourself with this for the moment. Worry about this after you take step 1. I'll try to answer any visa questions you might have if i know the answer.
God bless. You are in my prayers!
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