Tufts

[frankrizzo18]

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I am curious about the Tufts curriculum for the first two years prior to the USMLE step 1. I want to know if it is good preparation for the USMLE exam? Some schools make students take "shelf exams?" during the first two years, does Tufts? Is there an option to take "shelf exams?" I know I will work diligently in medical school so my concern is for myself. I want to make sure that my hard work will transcend into a good step 1 score. Additionally, for those people doing the combined MD/MPH is there a difficulty to do well in classes and the USMLE? How about for the MD/MBA and MD/MS? Thanks

Frank

 

[DoubleJumbo]

I'm currently a 4th year student at Tufts and I think the first two years prepares you very well for Step 1. You take the standard pre-clinical classes with Biochem, Clinical Anatomy, Physiology, etc. in the first year to get the basic sciences exposure. Overall during the first year, Tufts tries to teach you how the human body works in a healthy, normal state. The second year is a bit more interesting. You take classes like Pharmacology, Pathology, Pathophysiology, etc. and start learning about how the human body works and responds to different derangements/disease. There are no shelf exams during the pre-clinical years, only during the third year, but they do administer an exam around late winter/early spring of the 2nd year that is like a mock Step 1. This exam is just like the real thing (only shorter) and is meant to highlight your strengths and weaknesses so you can tailor your Step 1 studying. Also, second semester, second year has a much lighter class load than the previous three semesters and this is done so you have more time to study for Step 1. Towards the end of second year, there are a bunch of basic science reviews designed to refresh your memory in preparation for Step 1. Second year classes are over in mid-May and third year rotations usually don't start until after July 4th so there is plenty of time to do some hardcore studying. I was very happy with my Step 1 score and overall, I think Tufts did a great job preparing us not just for Step 1 or Step 2 but for residency and beyond.

 

[prettymd05]

I'm currently a 4th year student at Tufts and I think the first two years prepares you very well for Step 1. You take the standard pre-clinical classes with Biochem, Clinical Anatomy, Physiology, etc. in the first year to get the basic sciences exposure. Overall during the first year, Tufts tries to teach you how the human body works in a healthy, normal state. The second year is a bit more interesting. You take classes like Pharmacology, Pathology, Pathophysiology, etc. and start learning about how the human body works and responds to different derangements/disease. There are no shelf exams during the pre-clinical years, only during the third year, but they do administer an exam around late winter/early spring of the 2nd year that is like a mock Step 1. This exam is just like the real thing (only shorter) and is meant to highlight your strengths and weaknesses so you can tailor your Step 1 studying. Also, second semester, second year has a much lighter class load than the previous three semesters and this is done so you have more time to study for Step 1. Towards the end of second year, there are a bunch of basic science reviews designed to refresh your memory in preparation for Step 1. Second year classes are over in mid-May and third year rotations usually don't start until after July 4th so there is plenty of time to do some hardcore studying. I was very happy with my Step 1 score and overall, I think Tufts did a great job preparing us not just for Step 1 or Step 2 but for residency and beyond.

What is the grading system for the first two years and the clerkship years?

 

[DoubleJumbo]

What is the grading system for the first two years and the clerkship years?

The first two years are graded Honors/Pass/Fail. Honors is usually reserved for the top 10-15% of the class in a class of about 168. This grading system can be both frustrating and a godsend depending on the way you look at it. On the one hand, it's nice to not worry about trying to ace every test because it's essentially pass/fail. However, you can be doing really well in a class and average an 89.9% and get a P on your transcript when only 0.1% more would've gotten you an H. Overall, though, I liked the grading system the first two years because it takes off a lot of pressure.

During 3rd and 4th year the grading system changes to Honors/High Pass/Pass/Low Pass/Fail. All the clerkships have a shelf-exam after the rotation except for Family Medicine. The exams are really only a tool for you to see how you measure up to Step 2 type questions and aren't used for your grade EXCEPT for the surgery clerkship. In order to Honor surgery, you have to score at least an 85% or 90% (can't remember) on the shelf. The third year grades are really determined by your performance on the wards with input from various attendings and residents. For the most part, it's not an issue passing a rotation if you show up. Honors are tough to get and you need to really work hard for them.

 

[Mutt]

You're going to get some biased info/wording from a Tufts student, so here's what I know from having friends at Tufts.....

Tufts' board scores are right at the national mean, so they aren't doing anything special to prep their students. In fact, they don't make any efforts to prep their students for the boards.