Step 3 before internship?

[mountebank]

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hey everyone, any thoughts out there on taking step 3 before the start of internship. Has anyone heard of programs discouraging this? My only rational thought to this is that during the end of this year I have a few "lighter" rotations that are requirements and I'll have plenty of time to study. Also during intership I would rather not use limited vacation time to study. I know I wouldn't score as high as I could after a full year of medicine but many have said the step 3 score is pretty much worthless, one just has to pass.

thoughts?

 

[Brougham]

I am going to take step 3 in June before starting residency. But, I am doing this because I am going into path and so my last clinical exposure will be at the end of my 4th year of med school. I think if your doing a "traditional" intership--like peds or medicine--then you might be better off taking it after you finished intership. After a full year on the wards as an intern you won't need to study for the boards....or so I hear.

 

[southerndoc]

I was under the impression that you could not sit for the exam until you have done at least 9 months of your PGY-1 year. This was a requirement of all states. Am I completely wrong on this?

 

[felson]

Nobody cares how you high you scored on Step 3. Passing is enough to get your license, which allows you to moonlight if you want to. The earlier you take it the fresher the material is to you. I enjoyed study for the exam with my classmates before we went our separate ways. You have a lot of other things to worry about once residency starts. Do you really want to review OBGyn during your IM residency? After matching, there really isn't a lot to do during those months before residency anyway. I also felt sorry for the fellow interns who had to study for the exam and for the others on their teams who had cover for them when they took the exam.

 

[Apollyon]

Originally posted by felson
I also felt sorry...for the others on their teams who had cover for them when they took the exam.

It's only 2 days...my program only has 17 in the first year (12C, 5P), and seamlessly covered for 2 people off.

 

[Stormreaver]

Originally posted by Geek Medic
I was under the impression that you could not sit for the exam until you have done at least 9 months of your PGY-1 year. This was a requirement of all states. Am I completely wrong on this?

There are 8 or 9 states where you can take Step 3 before start of internship, as long as you have graduated from medical school, and for IMGs, have your ECFMG certificate.

 

[mountebank]

how can I find out which states?

 

[PimplePopperMD]

a couple of clicks on the mousepad, and here it is.

http://www.fsmb.org/2003usmle/html_files/2003_part_3.htm

 

[mountebank]

simply amazing, thank you

 

[ApacheIndian]

Originally posted by Stormreaver
There are 8 or 9 states where you can take Step 3 before start of internship, as long as you have graduated from medical school, and for IMGs, have your ECFMG certificate.

Hey Stormreaver... my man... it's been a while... good to see you're still alive & kicking half-way through your internship 😉.

About Step 3, I'm gonna have 2 months off before starting this July, and I was thinking about flying to one of the aforementioned states and taking it... to "get it out of the way" so-to-speak. Would this have any potential negative implications on my future... residency or post-residency? Would you recommend doing this? Thanks bro 🙂!

 

[Stormreaver]

Originally posted by Dr. Cuts
Hey Stormreaver... my man... it's been a while... good to see you're still alive & kicking half-way through your internship 😉.

About Step 3, I'm gonna have 2 months off before starting this July, and I was thinking about flying to one of the aforementioned states and taking it... to "get it out of the way" so-to-speak. Would this have any potential negative implications on my future... residency or post-residency? Would you recommend doing this? Thanks bro 🙂!

1. You don't actually have to fly to those states to take it. You just have to apply to the State board of say, Connecticut and actually take it in say, Chicago. Of course, that means you're Step 3 score will be valid for Connecticut and not Illinois... not until you fulfil the other requirements of the Illinois board which may be 1 year of GME for example.

2. It shouldn't have a negative effect, as long as you don't flunk it. Our state board for example, has been holding up licensure applications for applicants who have flunked Step 3 once or twice and requiring explanations. If you study a bit and pass it, nobody should give you much trouble.

PS-- you don't necessarily have to take it in internship. Most people I know took it either durin their elective months towards the end of intern year or in PGY-2.