Boards Boot Camp?

[TheEleventhReel]

Anyone have any luck with this company? They boast a 98% and 97% first-time pass rate for USMLE and COMLEX, respectively. I signed up for the comprehensive program. I've heard a lot of good things about this company, especially the success stories from students who failed both COMLEX and USMLE, took boot camp, and broke 90% on COMLEX. Any advice?

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[superoxide]

Any advice?

Yes. This recruiting strategy is really getting old. I advise you to try something else.

 

[TheEleventhReel]

Thank you for the help superoxide. Instead of giving advice, you assume I'm trying to peddle BBC. On the contrary, it is an option that the dean of our medical school offered to us for board prep b/c she's used it in the past. I could care less if no one uses it and I'm not trying to endorse it. If you'll read closely, you'll see I'm looking for anyone that has had experience with it. I'm trying to discern if it's a worthwhile program or if I should bail and try something else. Reading is fundamental superoxide. If you do not have any insight into this program, I'd appreciate you not responding based on an assumption.

 

[Taus]

It has a great reputation at my school....a large % of students use it every year and I have heard very positive feedback (note...this is regarding COMLEX only....I haven't heard much about how it is for USMLE)

 

[TheEleventhReel]

Thanks Taus. It's kind-of the same way at my school. I've heard good things about it for COMLEX from students, but the only info I've had for USMLE is from BBC themselves. I was surprised when I heard the pass rate for USMLE (since I think it's mainly known for COMLEX prep) so I was hoping for some first-hand insight on how it prepares you for USMLE, since they are two different tests. If you hear of any, please keep me posted.

 

[superoxide]

Thank you for the help superoxide. Instead of giving advice, you assume I'm trying to peddle BBC. On the contrary, it is an option that the dean of our medical school offered to us for board prep b/c she's used it in the past. I could care less if no one uses it and I'm not trying to endorse it. If you'll read closely, you'll see I'm looking for anyone that has had experience with it. I'm trying to discern if it's a worthwhile program or if I should bail and try something else. Reading is fundamental superoxide. If you do not have any insight into this program, I'd appreciate you not responding based on an assumption.

I apologize. Your message sounded just like the ones posted by someone who is trying to peddle some new program and seeing that you are a new member on this forum, I was skeptical. It is clear that this is indeed a legit program, as mentioned by Taus. My sincere apologies.

 

[TheEleventhReel]

Thank you super, and I'm sorry I sounded so harsh on my reply. I really have nothing to do with them and just want to maximize my board prep. I've browsed many of the USMLE threads and purchased all the review books I think I'll need. I just wanted some confirmation that it's a good product not only for COMLEX, but for USMLE as well. I thought I would put their boasts out there and see if users of BBC agreed or disagreed. I tried to find threads regarding BBC but couldn't find any since it's a relatively new program and I was unsure of it's use by USMLE takers. Thanks again for the reply.

 

[salsterz]

In my opinion I would stick to Kaplan if I absolutely had to take a review course. Granted that they dont guarantee a pass..BUT way too many people have taken it and it has proved effective for them. I myself studied from Kaplan review notes(didnt take the live lecture) and stuck to Goljian audios which in my opinion are the best resource out there. My advice would be...
1)take a review course if you have to
2)get goljian audio and First Aid
3)get usmle world step 1 q bank (no superoxide i am not trying to sell them!😉
4)study your butt off!!
wish you all the best

 

[TheEleventhReel]

So you prefer USMLEworld over Kaplan Q-bank? Does USMLEworld more closely simulate the USMLE? I've heard good and bad things about Kaplan Q-bank, but it seems it's one of the common ingredients for success.

 

[pmick]

into this program? They say that they are exclusively for DOs. Also, any one know how much it costs? Do u also use other material such as First Aid, Goljan, etc.? Thanks for responding.

 

[Arctic Char]

boot camp eh? does that mean you get pound people with pugil sticks when you're off the deep of studying? do they promise better physical conditioning? i mean, it kind of sounds like fun . . .

seriously though, i've never heard of this resource. i'll look into it; i'm curious now . . .

 

[dermpathdoc]

Anyone have any luck with this company? They boast a 98% and 97% first-time pass rate for USMLE and COMLEX, respectively. I signed up for the comprehensive program. I've heard a lot of good things about this company, especially the success stories from students who failed both COMLEX and USMLE, took boot camp, and broke 90% on COMLEX. Any advice?

One east coast SOM hired these people a few years ago and the class taking it had dismal results..avoid them like the plaque

Due to new information, I find that the above is obselete...apaprently it was Kaplan and a number of other factors that resulted in dismal scores a few years ago at our school...currently BBC is giving reviews and appears to be well recieved by our students

 

[kutter]

We take Boards Boot Camp at UMDNJ and we rank in the top 4 with board scores all the time. Can beat that!

 

[preventive2009]

I'm a current 3rd year OMS and used BBC for COMLEX and USMLE STEP I board prepartion and I passed both. Dr. Dolinsky is an outstanding educator. I highly recommend her program and guidance for this exam. She has an impeccable understanding of medicine and a remarkable talent for translating this material to her students. I find myself on rotations still able to recall some of the clinical pictures that she painted during her lectures.

If I had to prepare again for STEP I, would definitely use Dr. Dolinsky's comprehensive course plus add more USMLE-type questions from USMLE World to more specifically prepare for USMLE.

Best of luck!

 

[TheEleventhReel]

I took the course, and I'm really glad I didn't use her materials for COMLEX or USMLE. She's a smart lady and a pretty good lecturer, but if you want to do well on USMLE, her materials are not enough. If you feel you're in danger of failing COMLEX, then by all means take the course. If you want to do well on USMLE or COMLEX, then use the review books that everyone else uses.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

I took the course, and I'm really glad I didn't use her materials for COMLEX or USMLE. She's a smart lady and a pretty good lecturer, but if you want to do well on USMLE, her materials are not enough. If you feel you're in danger of failing COMLEX, then by all means take the course. If you want to do well on USMLE or COMLEX, then use the review books that everyone else uses.

Agreed.

If you're a strong student, don't bother with these courses. There are TONS of outstanding Step 1 study strategies on SDN and information regarding the best review books. Make your own study plan and STICK TO IT.

Why waste your money on BBC?

 

[UditNarayan]

Agreed.

If you're a strong student, don't bother with these courses. There are TONS of outstanding Step 1 study strategies on SDN and information regarding the best review books. Make your own study plan and STICK TO IT.

Why waste your money on BBC?

I don't even worry as much about wasting the money as doing the thing that best works for me. These board review programs have a schedule that you basically need to stick to and i dont work that way at all. if i feel like doing pharm one day, ill do that and it has worked out for me really well. SDN has such good information that if you are a strong, motivated student who would like to have more control over your study plans, you can be successful doing it by yourself. dont feel pressured to take classes since everyone else is and ask yourself what you think will work best for you.

 

[BusterDO]

agree with the above advice. I'm one of those students that started the program and ended up dropping it...wasted some money, but you do what's best for you.

I think the important thing to remember is you have to do what works for you. I signed up for it b/c people had recommended it...i figured if it worked for so many others why wouldn't it work for me? Although the lectures were excellent, I found that spending 4 hours sitting in lecture was not as productive (for me) as spending those 4 hours studying on my own. I ended up dropping it and doing my own thing.

I haven't received my score yet, but I know i won't regret dropping the class. I got the most out of my own studying, I wouldn't have done anything different.

With that said, a friend of mine got a lot out of the lectures and their structured study plan...he loved the class b/c that's how he learned best. So with any of these courses, don't just do it b/c someone else said it was the "best money they've ever spent", know how you learn the best and figure it out from there.

 

[dingleberry007]

anyone use the online lecture program?

 

[URSHAW]

I would definitely choose this program again. I took the comprehensive class and followed the study plan to a T, and it really paid off. I would recommend it to anyone getting prepared to take the boards. Most of my class did at least one of the several different plans that BBB produces, and I never heard anyone complain. In fact, all i ever heard was how good everyone felt about the program. I know that in the live classes Dr. Dolinsky really wraps up your knowledge from the first two years of med school. She explains things in a way that is easy to grasp and even easier to remember for boards day.

 

[Amy B]

anyone use the online lecture program?

Yes and I think they are great for both the boards as well as being a doctor!!

 

[BoardsStryker]

Hey guys, anyone use this Prep Course recently? and if so, was it helpful in passing Level 1 of the Comlex? Thanks!!

 

[DocMom2014]

I was wondering the same thing, my school has purchased it for our class and I was wondering if it improved scores for anyone else. I am trying to decide if it is worth devoting the time to the program or if using an alternative strategy would be higher yeild.

 

[Bacchus]

I was wondering the same thing, my school has purchased it for our class and I was wondering if it improved scores for anyone else. I am trying to decide if it is worth devoting the time to the program or if using an alternative strategy would be higher yeild.

I know several people who used it and got good results. 100% pass guarantee. I wouldn't recommend Northwestern Review. And, from what I've gathered from several people DIT is nothing more than a guy reading from First Aid.