Step 3 Important for Path Fellowships?

[Byronsgoat]

I am an MSIV Path applicant. I've tried searching for this subject in old threads and can only find information on the logistics associated with taking Step 3, timing, registration, content, etc.

I agree that taking this exam "sooner" is better than "later." Does anyone have an opinion (or better, actual experience/knowledge) on the importance of this exam with respect to fellowship applications and one's competitiveness? Thanks.

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[moodydoc]

I was looking at taking it between finished med school and the start of residency. Since I have off at the end of March. I thought it might be plenty of time for both vacation and the exam.

However, I will probably be in a state that requires 1 year of PG work to sit for step3. On the interview trail several residents explaned that they took the exam prior to starting residency by registering in a state that does not require a year of PG work. However, they were able to take it at any of the prometrics places and not limited to the state they registered it.

I was hoping to have someone who has taken the step3 between med school and residency explain how they were able to register, etc.

hey less than 2weeks til the match

 

[djmd]

I have never heard of places wanting to know StepIII scores. But I guess they could ask. It is not like there is ANY pathology on StepIII.

I swear I had a question that asked about management for a patient with a "Focally Invasive Adenoma" of the colon. I wanted to see the slide, because I couldn't understand what they were saying the patient had...

Take it, pass it, and move on.

 

[gbwillner]

I have never heard of places wanting to know StepIII scores. But I guess they could ask. It is not like there is ANY pathology on StepIII.

I swear I had a question that asked about management for a patient with a "Focally Invasive Adenoma" of the colon. I wanted to see the slide, because I couldn't understand what they were saying the patient had...

Take it, pass it, and move on.

I just spoke with the head of Molecular Path at my institution and he said that he looks at steps 1, 2, and 3 when picking out a fellow.

 

[yaah]

I think they want to know that you passed it, that's about it. Take it early, don't waste time. First year will be your easiest of residency anyway, especially if you start doing projects later on.

 

[CameronFrye]

I was looking at taking it between finished med school and the start of residency. Since I have off at the end of March. I thought it might be plenty of time for both vacation and the exam.

However, I will probably be in a state that requires 1 year of PG work to sit for step3. On the interview trail several residents explaned that they took the exam prior to starting residency by registering in a state that does not require a year of PG work. However, they were able to take it at any of the prometrics places and not limited to the state they registered it.

I was hoping to have someone who has taken the step3 between med school and residency explain how they were able to register, etc.

hey less than 2weeks til the match

It's actually pretty self-explanatory if you go to the webpage. If you have any specific questions after going to the website, I can try to help.

If you have the time (and you feel like it), I definitely recommend getting it out of the way. I just took it last week, and I thought it was pretty easy (but very long), but a lot of my clinical knowledge has certainly started to get a little foggy (I'm a first year resident and I didn't really do any clinical stuff as a 4th year, so it's been a couple years since I managed patients).

 

[Byronsgoat]

I just spoke with the head of Molecular Path at my institution and he said that he looks at steps 1, 2, and 3 when picking out a fellow.

Thanks for checking!

 

[anencephalic]

I think they want to know that you passed it, that's about it. Take it early, don't waste time. First year will be your easiest of residency anyway, especially if you start doing projects later on.

Not to mention that all the clinical medicine and patient management should still be fresh in your head...at least I hope so!

 

[deleted113029]

I think they want to know that you passed it, that's about it. Take it early, don't waste time. First year will be your easiest of residency anyway, especially if you start doing projects later on.

not if you're at the brigham.

 

[deschutes]

not if you're at the brigham.

I daresay truer words were never spoken.

 

[yaah]

not if you're at the brigham.

Even then, use an elective, take it early. Residency is always going to be busy, there are always going to be things to do.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I daresay truer words were never spoken.

oh shut up, what do you know?

Anyways, i think only one person in my class has taken Step 3...i'm the second one in line to take it. It's not that we haven't had time to study for it (and no, i'm not taking a step 3 study book to the bar!), we just haven't really cared to take it My only motivation to take Step 3 now is so that I can apply for my full MA license once I pass it. Then I can start moonlighting and make extra cashola!

 

[veo1]

My only motivation to take Step 3 now is so that I can apply for my full MA license once I pass it. Then I can start moonlighting and make extra cashola!

Can we moonlight without having completed an intern year? Technically, I guess we could with a medical license but do hospitals make any stipulations? Personally I don't think my clinical skills are gonna be up to scratch come next year! What do you do when a patient is crashing in front of you?!

 

[deleted113029]

Can we moonlight without having completed an intern year? Technically, I guess we could with a medical license but do hospitals make any stipulations? Personally I don't think my clinical skills are gonna be up to scratch come next year! What do you do when a patient is crashing in front of you?!

agree to a complete post.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Can we moonlight without having completed an intern year? Technically, I guess we could with a medical license but do hospitals make any stipulations? Personally I don't think my clinical skills are gonna be up to scratch come next year! What do you do when a patient is crashing in front of you?!

Oh sorry, I wasn't talking about clinical moonlighting. There are some hospitals in this area where you get paid money to hold the autopsy pager and when the pager goes off and you do the autopsy, you get paid more money.

Any kind of moonlighting is prohibited when the resident has anything less than a full medical license.

Plus, I would never moonlight in a ward or unit...for the patient's sake.

 

[veo1]

Plus, I would never moonlight in a ward or unit...for the patient's sake.

Hahahaha. Point taken!

 

[CameronFrye]

My only motivation to take Step 3 now is so that I can apply for my full MA license once I pass it. Then I can start moonlighting and make extra cashola!

That was my reason for taking it. I plan on moonlighting as a medical examiner next year, so I needed to get it taken care of.

 

[djmd]

Oh sorry, I wasn't talking about clinical moonlighting. There are some hospitals in this area where you get paid money to hold the autopsy pager and when the pager goes off and you do the autopsy, you get paid more money.

Any kind of moonlighting is prohibited when the resident has anything less than a full medical license.

Plus, I would never moonlight in a ward or unit...for the patient's sake.

Really? where is that a rule?

I understand treating patients needs a medical license. But moonlighting an autopsy?

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Really? where is that a rule?

I understand treating patients needs a medical license. But moonlighting an autopsy?

It's a Massachusetts thing.

 

[djmd]

It's a Massachusetts thing.

Ahh that two strikes against MA. Weird beer laws and the license thing..
But at least they aren't as bad a PA's beer laws (crazy!)

In Ohio, you don't need a medical licence to moonlight autopsies. You are pretty much a glorified diener....

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Ahh that two strikes against MA. Weird beer laws and the license thing..
But at least they aren't as bad a PA's beer laws (crazy!)

In Ohio, you don't need a medical licence to moonlight autopsies. You are pretty much a glorified diener....

Yeah, we can't get beer at grocery stores. Apparently the liquor stores get all SITV'd about this issue because they want to avoid competition. This past year, there was this provision on the voters ballot that would allow for grocery stores to sell alcohol if enough people voted for it. But it didn't pass.

Not really familiar with PA beer laws. (I don't like putting the word "beer" adjacent to "law" anyway since "beer is your friend" and there should be no beer laws to begin with). My buddy lives in Philly and he has to go to a bar to purchase a 6-pack. Is that what you're referring to?

 

[DarksideAllstar]

Yeah, we can't get beer at grocery stores. Apparently the liquor stores get all SITV'd about this issue because they want to avoid competition. This past year, there was this provision on the voters ballot that would allow for grocery stores to sell alcohol if enough people voted for it. But it didn't pass.

Not really familiar with PA beer laws. (I don't like putting the word "beer" adjacent to "law" anyway since "beer is your friend" and there should be no beer laws to begin with). My buddy lives in Philly and he has to go to a bar to purchase a 6-pack. Is that what you're referring to?

I wanted to go buy some Guinness from the local grocery store (among other things) and was very disappointed. I then went across the street to the liquor store only to discover that they had already closed for the night. I and my friend with whom I was staying were SOL and ended up going to a pub in the Fenway after dinner. Definitely moved the Boston programs down my rank list. I am suspicious of any community which attempts to regulate alcohol consumption, probably moreso due to my Vegas upbringing (BEER/LIQUOR 24 hrs/day!) more than anything else.

 

[deleted113029]

I wanted to go buy some Guinness from the local grocery store (among other things) and was very disappointed. I then went across the street to the liquor store only to discover that they had already closed for the night. I and my friend with whom I was staying were SOL and ended up going to a pub in the Fenway after dinner. Definitely moved the Boston programs down my rank list. I am suspicious of any community which attempts to regulate alcohol consumption, probably moreso due to my Vegas upbringing (BEER/LIQUOR 24 hrs/day!) more than anything else.

i had no idea this was the case in MA! is it too late to change ROLs?
ummm...ok. when pushed, i will punch back. time to put my chemistry/science knowledge to practical use and brew my own beer. either that or synthesize my own 'stuff.'

 

[djmd]

My buddy lives in Philly and he has to go to a bar to purchase a 6-pack. Is that what you're referring to?

You can buy beer at convenience stores right? (I vague remembering the corner mart had a wide selection (but they had to be able to lock that area off on Sunday. NO BEER FOR YOU!))

PA? Crazy. You can't buy any ETOH at normal stores. Hard stuff/wine is all at state run stores. Beer? You can buy 6 packs from the bar (very limited selection which thankfully generally includes Yuengling beer )

To buy a wide selection, one must go to the "Beer store" Which sells ONLY beer, and in nothing smaller than case sizes.
It is like they are TRYING to make alcoholics.

 

[PathOne]

Geez, had no idea that you can't by beer at stores in MA & PA?!?!?!? Guess I've just never thought about it. But then again, I'm a "bars or wine" kinda person.

As regards OP: Don't know anybody offhand that really cares about Step3, but I guess a few probably do, and anyway, it's nice to get irritating stuff off your back, so you can go down to the store and grab some brew (unless you're living in MA or PA, obviously).

 

[yaah]

I think Massachusetts lawmakers are under the auspices of the great "Kappy's" liquor store chain. I think growing up I didn't see many liquor stores that weren't Kappy's. There also aren't very many small liquor stores, unlike michigan where there is are liquor/porno bistros every 300 yards, like Starbucks.

Allstar - it is not an attempt to regulate liquor consumption, it is an attempt for politicians and the state to make more money by forcing you to jump through hoops for a liquor license. Of course, those hoops can probably be avoided for a small fee.

 

[Tiki]

Jersey doesn't sell alcohol at grocery stores either. You have to go to the liquor store to get alcohol. I was shocked the first time I left the state to see that this isn't the case everywhere.

 

[DarksideAllstar]

DAMN YOU'S POLITICIANS STRAIGHT TO HELL !!!!11!!!!one11!!

 

[b&ierstiefel]

You can buy beer at convenience stores right? (I vague remembering the corner mart had a wide selection (but they had to be able to lock that area off on Sunday. NO BEER FOR YOU!))

We have dedicated liquor stores here. No beer at gas stations, convenience stores, or grocery stores. Yeah, kinda bites. Then there's the whole Sunday issue...I have found a few liquor stores that are open on Sunday but many are closed.

PA? Crazy. You can't buy any ETOH at normal stores. Hard stuff/wine is all at state run stores. Beer? You can buy 6 packs from the bar (very limited selection which thankfully generally includes Yuengling beer )

Yuck.

 

[PathOne]

Thou Art Not Supposeth to Get Drunk on Sundays. (Unless you're on a multi-day bender, of course). Perhaps they should just do the Swedish thing, where they not only limit alcohol sales to gov't owned shops, but actually register people who buy more than "normal" and can force them into rehab (don't know if it's true, but that's the alcohol gospel according to Swedish friend). Which is, btw, yet another reason not to gun for that Nobel Prize, as an offer of Swedish citizenship comes attached with it.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Thou Art Not Supposeth to Get Drunk on Sundays. (Unless you're on a multi-day bender, of course). Perhaps they should just do the Swedish thing, where they not only limit alcohol sales to gov't owned shops, but actually register people who buy more than "normal" and can force them into rehab (don't know if it's true, but that's the alcohol gospel according to Swedish friend). Which is, btw, yet another reason not to gun for that Nobel Prize, as an offer of Swedish citizenship comes attached with it.

Who said anything about getting drunk on Sundays? I consider Sunday a day of rest...for mah livah. Plus, it's nice to be able to buy alcohol on Sunday so that you can get drunk on Monday!!!!!111!!11!!one!!!!!

 

[djmd]

We have dedicated liquor stores here. No beer at gas stations, convenience stores, or grocery stores. Yeah, kinda bites. Then there's the whole Sunday issue...I have found a few liquor stores that are open on Sunday but many are closed.

I think they changed the laws in the last ten years.

 

[CameronFrye]

We have dedicated liquor stores here. No beer at gas stations, convenience stores, or grocery stores.

Yeah, that definitely contrasts with places like NC where you have the drive thru "Brew thrus".

 

[b&ierstiefel]

We have dedicated liquor stores here. No beer at gas stations, convenience stores, or grocery stores.

Yeah, that definitely contrasts with places like NC where you have the drive thru "Brew thrus".

There used to be a place like that near my med school...we'd stop there after picking up indian food...

Guy at Indian Restaurant: Name?
Me: Leviathan
GaIR: OK, you got order of lamb vindaloo, lamb vindaloo, lamb vindaloo, and...lamb vindaloo. That will be $42.50.
Me: Here's fiddy.
GaIR: OK, seven-fiddy is your change. Thank you, come again.

Me drives to drive thru brew thru next door...

Vendor: What do you want?
Me: What can I get for seven-fiddy?
Vendor: 6-pack of Miller Lite or a three forties of Colt 45.
Me: I take the three Colt 45's.

That place closed down. I shed one tear...just one.