Questions about MS3

Started by Jabbed
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
Jabbed

Jabbed

Full Member
10+ Year Member
  • Goljan: Is it worth periodically reviewing RR path throughout MS3? Should I keep playing Goljan audio on endless loop in my car? Is there perhaps something better to listen to?
  • Anki: Are there any 'must-have' anki decks for clerkships/step II analogous to the Brosencephalon deck?
  • Scheduling: Should I consider doing IM first if I'm aiming for an IM specialty and I want the H?
    • IM first
      • Pro: Step content is fresh in mind, IM knowledge/experience will make future clerkships easier
      • Con: Risk of noobing it up on the first rotation.
    • FM first
      • Pro: Frontload all of the IM, peds, and OBGYN studying into 8 weeks
      • Con: Frontload all of the IM, peds, and OBGYN studying into 8 weeks; then proceed to bomb the shelf
 
Jabbed said:
  • Goljan: Is it worth periodically reviewing RR path throughout MS3? Should I keep playing Goljan audio on endless loop in my car? Is there perhaps something better to listen to?
  • Anki: Are there any 'must-have' anki decks for clerkships/step II analogous to the Brosencephalon deck?
  • Scheduling: Should I consider doing IM first if I'm aiming for an IM specialty and I want the H?
    • IM first
      • Pro: Step content is fresh in mind, IM knowledge/experience will make future clerkships easier
      • Con: Risk of noobing it up on the first rotation.
    • FM first
      • Pro: Frontload all of the IM, peds, and OBGYN studying into 8 weeks
      • Con: Frontload all of the IM, peds, and OBGYN studying into 8 weeks; then proceed to bomb the shelf
Click to expand...

I've not used Goljan or Anki so I can't speak to those. Also, I didn't review any pre-clinical materials after step1. There are dedicated materials for each rotation and for step 2. I'd use those.

If you're planning to do IM, I would recommend doing it in the first half of third year, but perhaps not the first rotation, for the reasons you mention above. Ultimately, it probably won't matter (in case your schedule comes out and you don't get what you want).
 
If you're interested in IM, I'd recommend against doing IM as your first rotation. The content may be fresh in your mind, but you're going to be evaluated also on your ability to present your assessments and plans, to work the EMR, and to advocate for your patients, all of which are things that come with practice. I would strongly suggest completing another rotation first to get your feet wet (e.g. FM, Pediatrics or Neurology). Best of luck!
 
I wouldn't do IM if you're reasonably sure IM is what you want to do. I would definitely try to do FM before IM; I think Surgery might also be valuable. Also, I just took the FM shelf and while I haven't seen my grade yet, it didn't feel that horrible to me.

As for reviewing Goljan/RR, do it prn. Get one good review book and focus on question banks and maybe a few smaller supplementary resources like OnlineMedEd. I don't know if there are any good Anki decks, but you'd probably learn much more by making your own.
 
Last edited:
No Goljan after step 1.

Use UWorld and rotation specific review books.

Schedule IM (or whatever you're interested in now) for the middle of M3.
 
Absolutely don't do IM first. Start with FM, which will be the most challenging shelf regardless, but nobody will care about your clerkship grade in Family unless you're planning in going into Family.

No Goljan, no RR. Just do UWorld Step 2 questions for each discipline as you go, with possible addition of Case Files for FM, Blueprints (or whatever is in fashion these days) for OB/GYN, and you'll be fine.
 
Hm thanks for the tips. I'll definitely do FM → IM and stick with the recommended resources. Any recommendations though on Anki decks and/or audio lectures? Goljan audio was so helpful for MS1-MS2, it'd be nice to find something similar for shelves/step II.
 
If you're looking for something to listen to, I'd second the above plug for OnlineMedEd. It's nowhere near pathoma or Goljan quality, but it can be very helpful for getting a least a basic understanding of some more common topics.
 
I wouldn't recommend listening to Goljan, you'll be busy enough trying to prepare for whatever you're doing. With respect to Anki, I thought that the Pestana flashcards were gold for surgery.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.