The PCC-OSCE (Patient-Centered Care Objective Structured Clinical Examination) is typically held in early April and is posted on the academic calendar as a weeklong process, but you are assigned to a specific day for a 2 hours block. The rest of that week is off, so you can use it to travel, relax, or study […]
What is the MSPE? The MSPE or Medical Student Performance Evaluation is an overall, objective summary of your activities throughout medical school. During June-July, you’ll fill out an online form with your achievements in research, community service, and extracurricular/professional activities during medical school You will also add preclinical comments that you would like to include
What are away rotations? Away rotations allow you to take an elective (usually one targeted to fourth-year med students) at an outside institution, usually lasting 2-4 weeks! During the time of your elective, you will be enrolled as a student at that institution, will rotate with other students there, and work with their faculty and
Aways and the VSLO application Read More »
What is a shelf exam? The Shelf exam is a 110-question exam taken at the end of every core clerkship. Each one: Is composed of shelved questions from Step 2 CK exams of the past Allows you 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete (with the exception of the family medicine shelf, which is 100 questions and allows
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Note: Click here for a step-by-step setup and use guide with pictures. Below is an explanation with more context. Click here for a sample day of Anki use General Anki Anki (official download linked here) is an app you can download for making flashcards. Once you have the basics you can get started with decks.
Everything Anki (a guide to Anki) Read More »
These are our STEP 1 studying reflections, and it includes what 1) resources we used and how we used them, 2) daily outlines, 3) ways we stayed sane, and 4) things we wish we did differently. We want to start by saying studying for Step 1 is daunting and intimidating, but that you are 100%
Block 8 is only 5 total weeks (with spring break after 2 weeks), and is mostly about microbiology with dermatology, MSK, GU, and neuro sprinkled in. The lectures are really important for PBL and IPC content this block, so while it’s not necessary to attend all of the lectures, definitely make sure you know them! Our
This block has more material than block 6, and can be a little overwhelming especially since most people start studying for STEP around the beginning of this block. This was the most failed KBE by our class, so don’t fall behind! It’s all about GI, renal, and endocrine pathology with some GU sprinkled in. Resources
This block is one of the “easier” blocks of second year, and block 6’s KBE had the highest average of any KBE for our class. This block is all about cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic pathology. Resources For PBL Basic Knowledge Pathoma: This was the most used resource by our class for all of second year.
This block is notoriously the most difficult block, mostly because of the amount of material and introduction of pathology! This block covers the fundamentals of pathology, neoplasia, and infection, and continues immunology from block 4. Resources For PBL Basic Knowledge Pathoma: This was the most used resource by our class! The first four chapters cover