MCAT vs CBSE vs USMLE

[MD'05]

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After taking the Comprehensive Basic Sciences Exam from the NBME I got curious as to why our school does not require students to sit for the exam. I never got that question answered, but I found some information that some might find interesting.

http://oca.slu.edu/comm/cocmin2002/cocmin52102.phtml

http://oca.slu.edu/comm/cocmin2002/cocmin62502.phtml

I know our school is freaking out about the number of "at risk" students and the school is taking remediation measures. My question is why wasn't something done before the student became "at risk" of failing step 1. I guess the school doesn't care if the student doesn't learn anything as long as the student doesn't pull down the school's average step 1 score. What utter bullsheat!!

😡

 

[shindog]

This should not surprise you if you are a student at SLU. I have posted several times regarding the many problems at SLU med school. It is amusing to me that they are now trying to blame low MCAT scores for high USMLE Step 1 fail rates.

SLU's MCAT average (30) is higher than my school OSU-COM (27). However, our pass rate for USMLE Step 1 is 99%. Granted, only about half of our class (40 students) usually take the USMLE each year. Obviously our curriculum, professors dedicated to teaching rather than research, and Dr. Goljan have all played a big part in our success.

It's a joke how SLU would rather blame MCAT scores than its own curicculum and faculty for poor performance.

Yet another reason to carefully think about matriculating to SLU. I know several bright students that are currently regretting their decisions.

 

[bonecutter]

MCAT scores are in fact linked to performance in med school and on the USMLE. Here is a link to a study performed by the AAMC.

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/research/bibliography/julia001.pdf

Bonecutter

 

[shindog]

Originally posted by bonecutter
MCAT scores are in fact linked to performance in med school and on the USMLE. Here is a link to a study performed by the AAMC.

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/research/bibliography/julia001.pdf

Bonecutter

That's very interesting. I can't argue with statistics, but obviously OSU-COM and KCOM are exceptions to the rule. I'm sure there are other schools that also do not adhere to this correlation with a solid teaching faculty and curriculum. Both OSU and KCOM have average pass rates of 99% for USMLE step 1, and their MCAT average is below many allopathic schools at 27. One side note is that not all students at these schools take the USMLE. Maybe that has something to do with the discreptancy.

 

[DW]

Originally posted by shindog
That's very interesting. I can't argue with statistics, but obviously OSU-COM and KCOM are exceptions to the rule. I'm sure there are other schools that also do not adhere to this correlation with a solid teaching faculty and curriculum. Both OSU and KCOM have average pass rates of 99% for USMLE step 1, and their MCAT average is below many allopathic schools at 27. One side note is that not all students at these schools take the USMLE. Maybe that has something to do with the discreptancy.

hmm, you stated that only about half the class at your school took the USLME. do you have any idea if these were the ostensibly "smarter" students at your school (i.e. higher ugrad GPA, MCAT) or is it random selection? Just curious 🙂

 

[shindog]

Originally posted by DW
hmm, you stated that only about half the class at your school took the USLME. do you have any idea if these were the ostensibly "smarter" students at your school (i.e. higher ugrad GPA, MCAT) or is it random selection? Just curious 🙂

That's a very good question. I was wondering the same thing. It appears as though the students who do take the USMLE at our school may be more apt to perform better because they usually apply to more competitive residencies. However, this is not always the case. I think Goljan can take a lot of the credit for our success.

 

[NUcat]

You can't be too conclusive without knowing the average MCAT of those who took the exam. They may have averaged 30 as well. Not to say that your curriculum isn't a factor as well of course.