Our sophomore students will finish their Brain, Mind, Body curriculum on February 10. This popular module encompasses the study of neuroanatomy, neurological disorders, and psychiatric disease which prepares them for their Neurology Clerkship during their third year. Following completion of this course, students will take the Comprehensive Basic Science Exam to assess their readiness for the first of the United States Medical Licensure Exams: aka Step 1. Passing the USMLE Step 1 Exam is a major rite of passage for students across the nation, and most will dedicate six to eight weeks of intensive review to ensure adequate preparation for this intense two-day exam. The exam tests their knowledge of the basic sciences covered during the first two years of medical school and is a requirement for graduation. During this “dedicated” period, students will spend hours each day completing practice questions provided by outside resources such as UWorld and Amboss. Last year, the exam was changed to Pass/Fail grading, but the passing bar was raised making it no less difficult overall. The vast majority of our students will schedule their Step 1 exam at a testing center in April, so don’t be surprised if there is a lot of “radio silence” during the month of March as they focus on preparation.
With Step 1 behind them, our T2 students will be thrilled to begin their clinical rotations in early May. Currently, they are choosing their “donut” preferences (order of rotation) for the seven clerkships to be completed next year. But for the most part, they are not even thinking about what lies ahead until the Step 1 exam has been taken and they receive notification that they have passed. It is a long two to four week wait for those results!
