Step 1 Study time: University of Iowa vs. University of Cincinnati

[katiajanah]

I am deciding between Iowa and Cincinnati for medical school currently. They have a lot of similarities, but one big difference that stuck out to me was that Iowa students take their step 1 exam during the winter during 3rd year (already doing rotations) and Cinci does them the summer after 2nd year. Iowa has two weeks of holiday break then an additional 4 weeks, and Cincinnati has about a month of protected study time.

Thoughts or opinions about which timeline is better for taking step 1? Does waiting longer in your medical training help or hurt you for taking the exam? I am currently interested in neurology and radiation oncology, so I will want to get the best score I can, of course.

Thanks!

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[Slack3r]

Go to Iowa. And you're posting in the wrong forum.

 

[PL198]

it would suck to take it 3rd year. who wants to be thinking about random biochem and etc after you get in the hospital. that's the best thing about 3rd year IMO, you get to forget all the useless stuff that doesn't actually clinically matter and focus on the stuff that does.

 

[repititionition]

I am deciding between Iowa and Cincinnati for medical school currently. They have a lot of similarities, but one big difference that stuck out to me was that Iowa students take their step 1 exam during the winter during 3rd year (already doing rotations) and Cinci does them the summer after 2nd year. Iowa has two weeks of holiday break then an additional 4 weeks, and Cincinnati has about a month of protected study time.

Thoughts or opinions about which timeline is better for taking step 1? Does waiting longer in your medical training help or hurt you for taking the exam? I am currently interested in neurology and radiation oncology, so I will want to get the best score I can, of course.

Thanks!

Go to whichever one is cheaper.

 

[Hangry]

I would hate to take step 1 during third year.

However, idk if that alone would be enough to make or break a school. On the whole I would rate it a negative factor, but your whole decision shouldn't hinge on step 1 study time.

 

[gracie369]

Both great schools located in very different environments. I would not want to take step 1 six months into 3rd year.

 

[AspiringERMD]

I got into both and I chose Iowa. Definitely a good decision.

 

[WedgeDawg]

moving to preallo

 

[restlessdriven]

I got into both and I chose Iowa. Definitely a good decision.

Would you mind expanding a little bit on why you feel like you made the right decision? I've already been accepted to Iowa and expect to hear a decision from UC post interview in a few weeks. I know that I'll struggle with the choice if I have to make it. Feel free to PM me if you're more comfortable with that. Thanks!

 

[avgn]

This is not the way to choose schools. This should never be the deciding factor.

 

[Lost in Translation]

Dedicated Step 1 study time means nothing if the student can't study effectively. Also, it would suck to take Step 1 a year into clinicals.

 

[AspiringERMD]

Would you mind expanding a little bit on why you feel like you made the right decision? I've already been accepted to Iowa and expect to hear a decision from UC post interview in a few weeks. I know that I'll struggle with the choice if I have to make it. Feel free to PM me if you're more comfortable with that. Thanks!

I've never been in such a supportive atmosphere both from the staff and the other students. There's an overwhelming sense that everyone wants you to succeed and any help you need is available from someone or other. Most of the lecturers are great, and no complaints about the curriculum, especially now that it's 1.5 years pre-clinical. Outside of school, Iowa City is awesome. Everyone is friendly and the food is amazing. PM me if you have more specific questions.

 

[Pastamahn]

I have nothing vested in either school and don't know much about the schools, but I feel like there could be something to say about being in a predominantly college town/city versus a bigger city like Cincinatti.

 

[RudyRude]

I agree with others that the step exam shouldn't really be a reason why you pick a school, more important things would be where you would be happier, where you would rather live, cost, etc.

But based on your question and which timeline I'd prefer, I'd probably pick U Cincinnati

 

[restlessdriven]

Thanks @AspiringERMD! That's certainly the vibe I picked up on my interview day. I can't say I'm not a little intimidated by the unknowns of studying for boards during rotations but I really only see it helping in terms of preparedness. And @Pastamahn, I agree that UC is more appealing in terms of location and acuity of cases (I think that's what you were getting at) but I lived in Cincinnati for 5 years and I certainly wouldn't bulk at the chance to get to know a new area. Comparing schools, cost difference will likely be negligible also.

 

[Glandzburg]

Dedicated Step 1 study time means nothing if the student can't study effectively. Also, it would suck to take Step 1 a year into clinicals.

Not necessarily. NYU recently changed their curriculum such that you take Step 1 after a 1.5 year curriculum and 1 year clinical and their scores have significantly increased.

This seems to be a new trend among schools that are changing their curriculums. A dean once told me that the reason is because Step 1 is starting to include more clinical material than it used to, so having 6 months or a year of clinicals beforehand is (in theory) beneficial. Can't say that it sounds appealing to me personally.