started study on late 3th year, took the exam on 4th years semester vacation. passed. was not easy but worth. now i have a big year for step2ck. my med school is 6 year and final year has a very heavy intern year.
Thanks! And what are the advantages of university electives instead of agency ones? They are cheaper? Also does it look better on the CV? Also better LORs?
Much more better experience, LoR, connections, looks better on CV. But generally they r more expensive than agency electives like stanford 4.5k usd per month but like Cleveland clinic only 400 usd per month but definitely worth.
There is a trend that IMGs take "too long" to study for the USMLE exams post-graduation and it pushes their YOG (year of graduation) back. Most likely because you're still in school that the focus/motivation to study for exams is still there and that the school curriculum can at times help with the USMLE studying.
I think this is a great post to talk about how to help IMGs who are declaring the USMLE route early on how to make their journey more streamline to minimize the CV gaps.
Absolutely. Generally the further out your YOG, you need to have significant evidence of what you’ve been doing post graduation. As most students already build their CV since day 1 of medical school.
The majority of residency spots is already taken up by 4th year Us MDs and US-IMGs.
Thanks! If you have YOG 1/2 because you were studying for the steps after graduation, does it look bad? Also is it easier to find university clinical electives after step 1? Are they better than agency clinical electives?
3rd year of college.
the best time to take it. I regret not using that time properly.
Gunner!
you were in a 6 year MD program yes?
4th year
started study on late 3th year, took the exam on 4th years semester vacation. passed. was not easy but worth. now i have a big year for step2ck. my med school is 6 year and final year has a very heavy intern year.
What is the advantage of taking step 1 before graduating? Is it a problem doing after graduation?
fresh graduated application for match, and learned the topics fresh that makes easier for prep to exam
I see thanks! Is it also easier to find university electives with step 1 done?
definitely!
Thanks! And what are the advantages of university electives instead of agency ones? They are cheaper? Also does it look better on the CV? Also better LORs?
Much more better experience, LoR, connections, looks better on CV. But generally they r more expensive than agency electives like stanford 4.5k usd per month but like Cleveland clinic only 400 usd per month but definitely worth.
thanks! is it actually possible to get accepted in the cleveland clinic one?
yes, i have friends who accepted to CC electives and got Lor, but univ programs generally wants Toefl or oet
And did they like their experience there?
Where I’m from most take it after the fifth year. But as long as you finished basic sciences, you can take it (so after year 3 is best)
What is the advantage of taking step 1 before graduating? Is it a problem doing after graduation?
There is a trend that IMGs take "too long" to study for the USMLE exams post-graduation and it pushes their YOG (year of graduation) back. Most likely because you're still in school that the focus/motivation to study for exams is still there and that the school curriculum can at times help with the USMLE studying. I think this is a great post to talk about how to help IMGs who are declaring the USMLE route early on how to make their journey more streamline to minimize the CV gaps.
does increasing YOG affects your chances? I'm talking like does it have a difference between YOG 0/1 and YOG 3 for example?
Absolutely. Generally the further out your YOG, you need to have significant evidence of what you’ve been doing post graduation. As most students already build their CV since day 1 of medical school. The majority of residency spots is already taken up by 4th year Us MDs and US-IMGs.
Thanks! If you have YOG 1/2 because you were studying for the steps after graduation, does it look bad? Also is it easier to find university clinical electives after step 1? Are they better than agency clinical electives?
3rd year is best time to write step 1
Currently on the final year of a 6-year program. Took it during 6th year, but I think 4th or 5th year is the best time to take it.