Step 2CS Site -- Good, Bad, Ugly?

[Mumpu]

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Fixin' to schedule my Step 2 CS. I realize everyone has a different experience as far as patients and preceptors, but what about the sites themselves? Any wise words on hotels, transportation, etc? Any sites in really bad neighborhoods or very inconvenient to get to? I'm basically in the middle (Denver) so they are all equidistant (and equiexpensive).

Thanks!

 

[klubguts]

I took mine in Houston. The site was close to the airport (Bush not Hobby) and in an okay area. I stayed in a hotel which offered discount rates for the CS and had transportation to and from the airport and test site. I'm sorry, I don't remember the name of the hotel, but the info was given to me by my med school's deans office. Hope this helps some.

 

[Chris's patient]

Fixin' to schedule my Step 2 CS. I realize everyone has a different experience as far as patients and preceptors, but what about the sites themselves? Any wise words on hotels, transportation, etc? Any sites in really bad neighborhoods or very inconvenient to get to? I'm basically in the middle (Denver) so they are all equidistant (and equiexpensive).

Thanks!

The one in LA is right near LAX. Pretty nice suite - and probably better acting than the other sites

 

[GITM]

Houston is very convenient, near the International Airport.

My hotel was 5 min away (Baymont Inns& Suites?) was 35 bucks on the internet and I think they have a shuttle to the site. And there are other hotels even closer. This was SOOOO helpful for me because I OVERSLEPT! but still got there before they started orientation🙂
Warning- bring your OWN alarm clock and don't rely on wake-up calls.

Staff/Actors are not very good though.

Bonuses:
-you can type in all your H&Ps (great for the illegible)
-they offer PM sessions (3pm) for those who hate mornings
-We got done early

 

[SLUsagar]

Fixin' to schedule my Step 2 CS. I realize everyone has a different experience as far as patients and preceptors, but what about the sites themselves? Any wise words on hotels, transportation, etc? Any sites in really bad neighborhoods or very inconvenient to get to? I'm basically in the middle (Denver) so they are all equidistant (and equiexpensive).

Thanks!

Took mine (and passed, thank god) in CHICAGO...
the testing site in near O'Haire airport...so as long as you book your flights early, you'll find something reasonable. I stayed at a super-close Marriot (it is WALKING distance to the testing site - can't beat that), a bit more expensive (talking like $80 or so with the usmle discount offered) than some of the other cheaper ones which require a shuttle (free, but i didn't wanna waste time getting up early etc to make it on time).

Staff: totally helpful, very cheerful in such a stressful environment. Hands down made it a decent experience.

if you're coming from denver i think it's a good choice, esp. considering the proximity.