Just got an email from my dean about step 1

[FindingVeritas]

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Hello all,

I am in total confusion. I originally planned to take some time off (on a shortened preclinical curriculum) to prepare fully and finish studying for Step 1. I made this known to my dean at the beginning of second year, letting him know that I was experiencing problems. At the end of the second year, I was definitely closer to making a final decision to take time off and finally let my dean know about my decision.

I have kept in contact with my school and dean during my step 1 preparation time but that time is now almost over and school is set to begin again. I originally thought that I could simply delay step 1 by a few weeks in order to take the exam being more prepared as I am not currently ready (a mix of burn out, lack of focus, etc).

I knew that my school had a leave of absence policy and the year off seemed fine, I planned to enroll in research during the rest of that time.

However I was emailed tonight that when I go on a leave of absence I actually cannot sit for the Step 1 any longer until next year at this same time. I am in shock. I don't know what to do and I wasn't aware of this policy at all. In many threads (including one I made myself several years ago) Sdn members have assured each other that it is totally fine to take a year off and take step 1 a little later than your peers, then do research with the remaining time.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Phloston]

Can you please pose a targeted question.

 

[tasar1898]

How can they ban you from actually sitting it whenever you like as long as you don't start rotations?? Dont you just apply to the USMLE page with your own 3month eligibility period??

Worst case scenario take the year off , do research and stop 2-3 months off from your test date to prepare.. IMO you should talk to the dean personally to sort this confusion out , step 1 seems pretty important to me

 

[FindingVeritas]

Can you please pose a targeted question.

Hello, apologies for the confusion. Basically my question is this: I don't understand how I am taking a leave of absence from the school of medicine but they won't allow me to sit for Step 1 similar to how others on this forum take a leave of absence or year off and can sit for Step 1. According to them, I will no longer be enrolled at the medical school and as a result, I cannot sit for the Step.

I am just very confused how medical schools can have policies that range this widely in what a leave of absence was. I understand not all have the same policy, but I am just super confused why my school is making it so difficult for me to study and pass this exam. I even spoke to my dean several times and am now ONLY NOW hearing from them that this is the case, I was totally blind to this policy before last night.

Appreciated!

 

[Entadus]

How can they ban you from actually sitting it whenever you like as long as you don't start rotations?? Dont you just apply to the USMLE page with your own 3month eligibility period??

Worst case scenario take the year off , do research and stop 2-3 months off from your test date to prepare.. IMO you should talk to the dean personally to sort this confusion out , step 1 seems pretty important to me

It's NBME policy that you must be an actively enrolled student at an accredited school in order to sit for the exam. Some schools consider a student on leave of absence to still be enrolled, while other schools do not. It's really up to your individual schools' policy.

I would advice you maintain contact with your school at every step of the way. Schedule a time to meet with your dean to clarify your concerns and come up with a good plan. Maybe you should delay your Step1 prep and take the exam later than you originally intended? The research is a great idea for your year off.

 

[tasar1898]

ohh they actually delete you if take a year off