Best step 1 school

[akwho]

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Assume 134 identical students are admitted to the 134 LCME accredited M.D. Schools around the country. They have the same drive, same motivation, and same intelligence---only their educational experience differs. Which students would do best on the Step 1?

They could differ due to the way the classes are designed, if organized step 1 tutoring sessions are offered, or if there are other factors like time off to study for the test.

I am hoping to hear from some current Medical Students that have taken, or are preparing to take the test.

 

[sylvanthus]

You are not going to get a real answer to this question. None of us has been to multiple schools to really compare them. I foresee people jumping on here saying how awesome there school is with statistics of their step 1 averages etc etc. But, really, this doesn't matter as it is entirely up to the individual to prepare adequately. Schools can mostly just get in the way (required busywork, attendance etc.), but few will really help above and beyond what any other school could do.

 

[akwho]

You are not going to get a real answer to this question. None of us has been to multiple schools to really compare them. I foresee people jumping on here saying how awesome there school is with statistics of their step 1 averages etc etc. But, really, this doesn't matter as it is entirely up to the individual to prepare adequately. Schools can mostly just get in the way (required busywork, attendance etc.), but few will really help above and beyond what any other school could do.

That is definitely true. But perhaps, some students feel that their school went above and beyond in preparing them for the test. I would love to hear which schools those are, even if the stories are anecdotal.

 

[Butler]

That is definitely true. But perhaps, some students feel that their school went above and beyond in preparing them for the test. I would love to hear which schools those are, even if the stories are anecdotal.

The goal of medical school is not to prepare you to do well on one test. The goal is to teach you how to be a good doctor. Step 1 was originally intended as a bench mark for minimum amount of knowledge needed for competency when it was created. It has been corrupted to its current point, with every medical student obsessing about it, because residency programs decided to start using the scores to compare students. This was not its original intention. You can go to ANY US medical school and do well on the test if you have the drive and dedication to do so. Pick a school based on location, curriculum and faculty, not on how well they are rumored to perform on step 1. Remember that word, because any "average" a student or school boast about is bull. Schools are not required to report their scores in ANY recognized and reviewed source. They can literally do whatever they want to their own statistics before coming up with some magical "above average" score. Many schools will not include the people that fail the test in their averages as an example. You are a premed, so it is understandable you are naive to these things. I hope this has enlightened you, at least a little.

 

[DoctwoB]

That is definitely true. But perhaps, some students feel that their school went above and beyond in preparing them for the test. I would love to hear which schools those are, even if the stories are anecdotal.

I know a lot of people at a lot of different schools. Everyone I've talked to has felt that their school has prepared them well for boards. Everyone I've talked to has felt that their school could have included a little less extraneous info and a little more focus on board relevant stuff. In short, you're not going to get useful positive anectodes (or stats, as previously mentioned)

A good medschool doesn't teach you first aid. A good medschool gives you a solid basis in physio and path so that when you read first aid, you understand all the basics of how things work and just need to fill in some of the details.

That being said, if you hear from multiple students at a school that they feel woefully underprepared for boards, then stay far, far away.

 

[akwho]

The goal of medical school is not to prepare you to do well on one test. The goal is to teach you how to be a good doctor. Step 1 was originally intended as a bench mark for minimum amount of knowledge needed for competency when it was created. It has been corrupted to its current point, with every medical student obsessing about it, because residency programs decided to start using the scores to compare students. This was not its original intention. You can go to ANY US medical school and do well on the test if you have the drive and dedication to do so. Pick a school based on location, curriculum and faculty, not on how well they are rumoredto perform on step 1. Remember that word, because any "average" a student or school boast about is bull. Schools are not required to report their scores in ANY recognized and reviewed source. They can literally do whatever they want to their own statistics before coming up with some magical "above average" score. Many schools will not include the people that fail the test in their averages as an example. You are a premed, so it is understandable you are naive to these things. I hope this has enlightened you, at least a little.

That statement highlighted above is definitely enlightening and I acknowledge that it pretty much invalidates any real comparison of step 1 scores across different medical schools.

Regardless of what the test was intended to be, it has now become the primary measuring stick for all residency applicants. Why else would you be on this forum, if it wasn't because of the primacy of this test in your life?

It makes sense to wonder if some specialist-centric schools like UPenn make an effort to coach their students through the Step 1. 😀

 

[AlexMorph]

it is not school dependent. it is individual dependent. if a school takes good test-takers in the first place, don't be surprised when the class avg. for step 1 ends up being high.

 

[ChiDO]

Same student could go to all 130 schools and he should theoretically score the same on the exam. Sure one school may be stronger in micro vs neuro, but it's really about you and your study habits.

 

[ijn]

I highly disagree. It is not entirely student dependent. I bet you students who have mandatory lecture 8 hour a day in their 2nd semester of 2nd year are getting a lot less review time than students who have 3-4 hours of optional lecture. School plays some factor, but I don't think there's a good way to know that ahead of time before starting school. Maybe if you knew to ask current students what their 2nd year schedule is like but when you're a pre-med on interviews that's probably one of the last things on your mind to ask about.

 

[Butler]

That statement highlighted above is definitely enlightening and I acknowledge that it pretty much invalidates any real comparison of step 1 scores across different medical schools.

Regardless of what the test was intended to be, it has now become the primary measuring stick for all residency applicants. Why else would you be on this forum, if it wasn't because of the primacy of this test in your life?

It makes sense to wonder if some specialist-centric schools like UPenn make an effort to coach their students through the Step 1. 😀

I apologize if my earlier post seem to imply I undervalue the importance of Step 1. It is very important when applying to residency programs. Possibly THE most important thing; although some would argue that on a case by case basis. My main reason for entering this particular sub-forum is because I was intrigued by the title of the thread to be honest, so well done sir!

I would seriously caution against any school claiming they "Teach to the boards." In my opinion, I would run far away from any school with the primary goal to teach me how to beat a test. I want a school that will have a well-rounded curriculum that will prepare me to be a great physician, irregardless of the specialty I choose later in my professional career.

 

[JackShephard MD]

I highly disagree. It is not entirely student dependent. I bet you students who have mandatory lecture 8 hour a day in their 2nd semester of 2nd year are getting a lot less review time than students who have 3-4 hours of optional lecture. School plays some factor, but I don't think there's a good way to know that ahead of time before starting school. Maybe if you knew to ask current students what their 2nd year schedule is like but when you're a pre-med on interviews that's probably one of the last things on your mind to ask about.

I was going to say the same thing, curriculum definitely affects how much free time you have which will then affect your score. 8 hours mandatory lectures, assignments, mandatory group meetings, weekly exams, only 3 weeks dedicated Step study time, etc.

Those all would impact free time.

Unfortunately, Step 1 is the most important element of a residency application in the first 2 years.

 

[ipizzy]

It makes sense to wonder if some specialist-centric schools like UPenn make an effort to coach their students through the Step 1. 😀

Have you guys heard of the Penn method for studying for step 1? Search for it on these forums... I think it's safe to say that someone *is* making an effort to coach Penn students through the boards 🙂. Dunno if it's an official method endorsed by the school, though.

EDIT: I don't want to single out Penn; there are similar documents floating around all the top schools. Some schools also have people available to coach students on test-taking/studying strategies on a one-on-one basis. I would imagine all schools have resources to help their students prepare for the step, regardless of what the preclinical curriculum is like.

 

[JackShephard MD]

Have you guys heard of the Penn method for studying for step 1? Search for it on these forums... I think it's safe to say that someone *is* making an effort to coach Penn students through the boards 🙂. Dunno if it's an official method endorsed by the school, though.

EDIT: I don't want to single out Penn; there are similar documents floating around all the top schools. Some schools also have people available to coach students on test-taking/studying strategies on a one-on-one basis. I would imagine all schools have resources to help their students prepare for the step, regardless of what the preclinical curriculum is like.

I think this would be smart for schools to do, based upon program director surveys of the importance of Step 1.

Although, the success of these methods make me wonder how useful programs like gunner training are (which I know we both use). I looked at the Penn Method, they say: "*WARNING: last 5 days are the absolute meat of getting the score." I think this may actually be true. For example, using GT will make me keep a full semester of Biochem fresh for over a year before the exam. Not to mention anatomy and other detail heavy topics. An interesting thought.

 

[RedSoxSuck]

I think best Step 1 school is the one which has the best students. It is the STUDENTS that make the school look good. At the end of the day, it is up to the students to learn, recall and be able to apply. If the students are NOT self motivated then it doesn't really matter what the school does or doesn't do.

 

[ipizzy]

I think this would be smart for schools to do, based upon program director surveys of the importance of Step 1.

Although, the success of these methods make me wonder how useful programs like gunner training are (which I know we both use). I looked at the Penn Method, they say: "*WARNING: last 5 days are the absolute meat of getting the score." I think this may actually be true. For example, using GT will make me keep a full semester of Biochem fresh for over a year before the exam. Not to mention anatomy and other detail heavy topics. An interesting thought.

I've thought a lot about the best way (for me) to approach studying, and the Penn method was just not my cup of tea. I wouldn't take it as gospel just because Penn students supposedly use it. If you work well with cramming details closer to test day then Penn method seems like a solid way to go 👍 but for me, I want to take the time to understand why the details are the way they are. If the details fit into some kind of logic, you don't have to memorize so much. And with understanding mechanism I find I can reason my way through problems that are not strictly within the realm of facts I've previously been exposed to. I'm a big fan of GT 😀

 

[NightSwim]

This is the dumbest question I've ever seen on SDN.

 

[akwho]

This is the dumbest question I've ever seen on SDN.

If that's true then this thread deserves some sort of award. 🙄

Because there is a ton of competition for that accolade. A quick flip through the pre-allo forum reveals --->

1. "Should I send artwork to medical schools I apply to?"

2. "What attire should I wear to interview for an Undergrad Research Position?"

3. "Should I wait for an MD acceptance before starting a serious relationship?

 

[NightSwim]

If that's true then this thread deserves some sort of award. 🙄

Because there is a ton of competition for that accolade. A quick flip through the pre-allo forum reveals --->

1. "Should I send artwork to medical schools I apply to?"

2. "What attire should I wear to interview for an Undergrad Research Position?"

3. "Should I wait for an MD acceptance before starting a serious relationship?

Haha, yeah, all of those questions are worse. I admit my statement was a bit absurd, but my thought was that this isn't a realistic question. I guess there's no reason we can't discuss it! If you have the capacity to get into a "good" medical school, you're not going to choose your school based on which one has the highest step 1 score, seeing as the differences will be marginal. There are many more important factors to go into your decision.

 

[24thGrade]

Go to a school where lectures are optional and recorded and there is a PASS FAIL GRADING SYSTEM. Beyond that, I think everything is up to you.

Every school is going to tell you that their students score above average and can get away with doing that because that information is not made public.

One school that comes to mind where students probably tend to do well is Baylor. The way they game the system is they allow their students to take Step 1 almost anytime they want. In other words, practically everyone in the class who takes Step 1 is at the end of their 3rd year and has already completed their internal medicine rotation and shelf exam (pretty similar to Step 1). Further, their condensed pre-clinical curriculum allows them months of time to take off to study for the exam. That being said, I would imagine they do well but that most residency programs take their Step 1 scores with a grain of salt- they're not really playing on the same field as everyone else. I'm not sure if there are other schools that allow this.

 

[WarriorMD]

Kaplan Medical School