Petition: open more Level 2 PE locations

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If you are reading this you likely will have to drive/fly to Philadelphia sometime soon to complete the COMLEX Level 2 PE. Post here if you'd like more locations to complete the Level 2 PE exam. I'm mainly looking for negatives because I can't imagine that many students would oppose this idea, but who knows I could be wrong. Just looking to create some buzz and maybe submit a formal request through the student government if there's a positive response here.

I feel it would make more financial sense to fly a few NBOME associates to each school to administer the PE rather than have the entire osteopathic student body go to Philadelphia. However, I'm unsure as to how many schools have the facilities to support standardized encounters. If schools don't have these facilities students could drive/fly to the nearest location supported.

STUDENT EXPENSES (a 2min calculation, so not precise)
Level 2 PE = $1,185
Round trip flight to Philadelphia from Chicago = ~$375
Hotel 1 night = $104
Train/Bus to/from hotel/test site = don't know
Meal = $10
TOTAL = at least $1,675

agreed. it's ridiculous to make everyone fly to phila.
or at least open another location west of the mississippi. i think they can afford the investment with the money they're raking in.

I'm in.

Seriously, just looked for open dates and there wasn't one from Oct- April

The argument for having one site (whether it's valid or not), is that it helps to ensure consistency. When you have multiple centers things may be done differently at each place, the supervisors and graders do different things, the actors are different, etc. The volume of students going through the center in Philly is enough to generate consistency; but if there were multiple centers then the volume would go down and also make keeping standards the same would be difficult. The allopathic students have 5 choices for location, and about 5x as many schools.

What may be feasible is, as simulation becomes more advanced, have multiple centers with standardized mannequin simulators, videos, etc so consistency can be maintained across a large number of centers... heck, each school could have their own PE testing center so students wouldn't have to go anywhere.

Originally Posted by Doctor Bob

The argument for having one site (whether it's valid or not), is that it helps to ensure consistency. When you have multiple centers things may be done differently at each place, the supervisors and graders do different things, the actors are different, etc. The volume of students going through the center in Philly is enough to generate consistency; but if there were multiple centers then the volume would go down and also make keeping standards the same would be difficult. The allopathic students have 5 choices for location, and about 5x as many schools.

What may be feasible is, as simulation becomes more advanced, have multiple centers with standardized mannequin simulators, videos, etc so consistency can be maintained across a large number of centers... heck, each school could have their own PE testing center so students wouldn't have to go anywhere.

Not sure how different the Comlex PE is from the USMLE CS test, but there are multiple locations for Step 2 CS which doesn't present a problem for PDs when evaluating applications. Of course, the most likely explanation is that no one cares about Step 2 CS other than you pass it.

The only reason hotels in Conshahocken are $150-200/night is because thousands of students descend on the city for this test. Who would pay that otherwise? I remember being at the budget rental at the Philly airport. The guy behind the counter was making small talk, asking what brought me here. I told him I had to take a test and he immediately knew I was a med student headed to Consha. True story

I'm all for a second site or alternative option, or at least some kind of expansion to accommodate the increase in DO students. Is the NBOME working on this?

Originally Posted by costales

I'm all for a second site or alternative option, or at least some kind of expansion to accommodate the increase in DO students. Is the NBOME working on this?

Ya I really wish they would have an expansion of some sort... or at least release all of the open dates at once. Does anyone know when they usually add more dates? The ones listed can't be all of them, and I know they added some within the past month that have been taken up.

Originally Posted by p1acebo

Ya I really wish they would have an expansion of some sort... or at least release all of the open dates at once. Does anyone know when they usually add more dates? The ones listed can't be all of them, and I know they added some within the past month that have been taken up.

Check every day. I was scheduled for the end of November and a June spot opened. Now I'm coasting along in 4th year not having to worry about anything.

I ended up scheduling mine a year from yesterday. Hopefully I'll be done with aways at that point and PD's should have the score before they need to finalize their lists.

Expansion is needed, I don't care about having one location but open up more spots. There is no reason I should need to be scheduling this a year in advance...

Originally Posted by Doctor Bob

The argument for having one site (whether it's valid or not), is that it helps to ensure consistency. When you have multiple centers things may be done differently at each place, the supervisors and graders do different things, the actors are different, etc. The volume of students going through the center in Philly is enough to generate consistency; but if there were multiple centers then the volume would go down and also make keeping standards the same would be difficult. The allopathic students have 5 choices for location, and about 5x as many schools.

What may be feasible is, as simulation becomes more advanced, have multiple centers with standardized mannequin simulators, videos, etc so consistency can be maintained across a large number of centers... heck, each school could have their own PE testing center so students wouldn't have to go anywhere.

This is a good point, however, I can't imagine that opening at least one more location would have a significant impact on the standardization. In reference to my original idea (traveling PE associates), yes it would effect the standardization and change many aspects; probably not the best idea.

It would be nice to see one east coast, west coast, and midwest - or nearest the majority of colleges.

We are all probably not going to care about this anymore once it's over and done.

i have to concur that wit the expansion in class sizes comes a need for an a alternative location or to have more dates - i too ended up having to register a year in advance. there is no reason why we should all have to go to one spot for one day - it is crazy.

Haven't read the thread but don't get your hopes up. They make a killing on PE. A killing. Adding more locations means more overhead and more employees. Currently it's not sweat off their back for you to fly in from the other side of the country. The way it stands they can accommodate everyone on a year-round basis and it works great for them. Just pray they don't come up with some other 'very important' way to ensure competency with something that 99% of people pass after their wallet is 2k lighter.

Anybody know how many students the facility can accommodate per day? With the number of DO students increasing every year, is there any concern that a single facility might not be capable of testing every single student in a given year? I'm sure this isn't an immediate issue or else another facility would have opened up by now. Still, I'm curious as to when the current facility will reach its carrying capacity and what will be done if/when that time comes.

Originally Posted by Charlie Hustle

Anybody know how many students the facility can accommodate per day? With the number of DO students increasing every year, is there any concern that a single facility might not be capable of testing every single student in a given year? I'm sure this isn't an immediate issue or else another facility would have opened up by now. Still, I'm curious as to when the current facility will reach its carrying capacity and what will be done if/when that time comes.

There are two groups of 12 students, twice a day. So 48 total a day. As long as the number of students is less than the number of spots they can accomodate, there is no way they will open a new place. The best way to force them to open a new location is to open more schools or increase enrollment at the current schools.

Originally Posted by st2205

Haven't read the thread but don't get your hopes up. They make a killing on PE. A killing. Adding more locations means more overhead and more employees. Currently it's not sweat off their back for you to fly in from the other side of the country. The way it stands they can accommodate everyone on a year-round basis and it works great for them. Just pray they don't come up with some other 'very important' way to ensure competency with something that 99% of people pass after their wallet is 2k lighter.

I've heard rumblings from people associated with the PE curriculum that there may be some sort of ACLS type testing for students which will be required to graduate.

Originally Posted by bleeker10

I've heard rumblings from people associated with the PE curriculum that there may be some sort of ACLS type testing for students which will be required to graduate.

"Now that we're instituted ACLS protocol and purchased a dummy, in addition to hiring a part-time college student to follow a check-list for $10/hr we will now have to charge an additional $800 for the exam. Your school will make arrangements for you to be able to take out more loans at a 9% interest rate with a 5% origination fee. Don't worry. You'll be rich."

please don't give them ideas.

Lets bomb the PE site.

just fyi for anyone who got a bum date originally like me - there are a whole bunch of new dates open today!!

we should be able to use USMLE as a replacement for pe 2

Originally Posted by se20001984

we should be able to use USMLE as a replacement for pe 2

The USMLE doesn't have OMT. Why would it serve as a replacement for OSTEOPATHIC boards? That doesn't make sense.

...i think you just answered your own question..lol

Originally Posted by se20001984

...i think you just answered your own question..lol

No, I really didn't.

Originally Posted by Mass Effect

No, I really didn't.

Read more and post less.

I still say someone should take one for the team and annihilate the entire building

Originally Posted by TeamZissou

Read more and post less.

Says the guy with 1200 posts.

Originally Posted by thepoopologist

I still say someone should take one for the team and annihilate the entire building

If it were it's own building. You totally know if something happens there relatively soon SDN is being subpoenaed for IP records .

Originally Posted by Mass Effect

Says the guy with 1200 posts.

Really? Notice that nice lil join date of 2008? Yeah pretty sure you're posting rate is about double mine.

Any other things you wanna post about without thinking/reading first?

Originally Posted by Bacchus

If it were it's own building. You totally know if something happens there relatively soon SDN is being subpoenaed for IP records .

It won't matter, because they'll all be dead and I'll head to the chair laughing.

Originally Posted by TeamZissou

Really? Notice that nice lil join date of 2008? Yeah pretty sure you're posting rate is about double mine.

Any other things you wanna post about without thinking/reading first?

Double yours? What kind of math are you using?

1200 posts over four years means you posted an average of 300 posts a year. I joined 8 months ago and have posted 200 posts since then. How is that double your rate?

As to your last sentence, take your own advice and knock off the pettiness. I asked a question, which was valid. There's no need to be a snotty jackass about it.

Originally Posted by gmreed2

If you are reading this you likely will have to drive/fly to Philadelphia sometime soon to complete the COMLEX Level 2 PE. Post here if you'd like more locations to complete the Level 2 PE exam. I'm mainly looking for negatives because I can't imagine that many students would oppose this idea, but who knows I could be wrong. Just looking to create some buzz and maybe submit a formal request through the student government if there's a positive response here.

I feel it would make more financial sense to fly a few NBOME associates to each school to administer the PE rather than have the entire osteopathic student body go to Philadelphia. However, I'm unsure as to how many schools have the facilities to support standardized encounters. If schools don't have these facilities students could drive/fly to the nearest location supported.

STUDENT EXPENSES (a 2min calculation, so not precise)
Level 2 PE = $1,185
Round trip flight to Philadelphia from Chicago = ~$375
Hotel 1 night = $104
Train/Bus to/from hotel/test site = don't know
Meal = $10
TOTAL = at least $1,675

Have you ever considered writing a resolution through SOMA? If it passes the SOMA HoD in the spring then it goes to the AOA HoD in July. At the very least it would get their attention.

why would the NBOME want to get rid of a cash cow? They make millions off having one site. In the beginning there was talk about hav[ing 3 sites one in maybe Kansas city and another in AZ or Pomona..those came to nothing due to expenses of expanding the PA site.Realize the NBOME doesnt have the same number of examinees as the NBME does
QUOTE=gmreed2;13136278]If you are reading this you likely will have to drive/fly to Philadelphia sometime soon to compete the COMLEX Level 2 PE. Post here if you'd like more locations to complete the Level 2 PE exam. I'm mainly looking for negatives because I can't imagine that many students would oppose this idea, but who knows I could be wrong. Just looking to create some buzz and maybe submit a formal request through the student government if there's a positive response here.

I feel it would make more financial sense to fly a few NBOME associates to each school to administer the PE rather than have the entire osteopathic student body go to Philadelphia. However, I'm unsure as to how many schools have the facilities to support standardized encounters. If schools don't have these facilities students could drive/fly to the nearest location supported.

STUDENT EXPENSES (a 2min calculation, so not precise)
Level 2 PE = $1,185
Round trip flight to Philadelphia from Chicago = ~$375
Hotel 1 night = $104
Train/Bus to/from hotel/test site = don't know
Meal = $10
TOTAL = at least $1,675[/QUOTE]