Step I USMLE - specifically UK IMG's

[hj0517]

Hi, I'm just in the process of going through medical school in Manchester (UK), I did my BSc. in St. Andrews and now completing my MBChB in Manchester.

I realise that this is a stab in the dark but has anyone got any advice on when UK students should consider taking Step 1? I feel like I've sort of missed the boat because I'm getting very clinical teaching at Manchester mainly at the bedside, and from what I understand step 1 has a big emphasis on basis sciences. Is this correct?

I'm grateful for any advice, I'm sorry if this question has been answered before for IMG's, I was just thinking of any advice specifically for British graduates.

Thank you!

 

[Femtochemistry]

Hello there;

I am a UK IMG--graduating in 2009 from a top 5 medical school (4-year programme) based in England. I am an American citizen.

At our school, most of the clinical teaching is done bedside during rounds, etc. But we do have at least 2 lectures a week. Currently, I am in my 3rd year. I am taking step1 in May 08 and step2 in October 08--going for a 2009 match. Thinking about it now, I should have taken step1 at the end of our non-clinical phase; although, foreign schools don't give you time to study for american boards. As I said before, i am taking step1 in may because I am doing an elective in the States and I should have enough time to re-review what I have been studying over the past few months.

While most of your teaching is bedside, I don't think that will set you back as long as you put in the effort afterwards and do some reading. Remember, you're not the only IMG going through this--we just have to work harder to compete with the locals 🙂

good luck! i hope that helps and makes sense.

 

[hj0517]

Thanks for the reply, you seem to be planning something very similar to myself 🙂, I'm in 4th year of a 6 year course and I'm seriously contemplating taking step 1 in autumn 2008, if not definitely 2009. I'm also hoping to do my elective in the US but I've found that a good step 1 score makes life much easier in terms of getting a good elective.

Do you have a specific study plan? I ask this because I feel a bit strange trying to read things like mol. bio and basic pharm when I spend my mornings in theatre or in clinic! In fact any advice on a long term study plan would really help me out 🙂 🙂 thanks.

 

[Femtochemistry]

My study plan focuses on finishing all the kaplan videos alongside the kaplan books. I am trying to finish all the videos by the time my elective starts in march 3rd. I should have went over the kaplan books, Firstaid, and Goljan pathology by then, so when i am done with my elective I have 3-4 weeks to look over things and do lots of practice tests. The question banks I am planning on doing are Usmle World, Qbank, and Elsevier.

It does really suck looking back at this stuff since I ALWAYS feel I am falling behind in the clinical medicine aspect. I try to do about 2-3 days dedicated to studying for the rotation, and leaving 3-4 days for the boards. My finals are in May 2009, so I'm just focusing on the boards right now...I think I should be able to pass my finals as I have a solid 6 months dedicated to them.

 

[bambi]

Hello there;

I am a UK IMG--graduating in 2009 from a top 5 medical school (4-year programme) based in England. I am an American citizen.

At our school, most of the clinical teaching is done bedside during rounds, etc. But we do have at least 2 lectures a week. Currently, I am in my 3rd year. I am taking step1 in May 08 and step2 in October 08--going for a 2009 match. Thinking about it now, I should have taken step1 at the end of our non-clinical phase; although, foreign schools don't give you time to study for american boards. As I said before, i am taking step1 in may because I am doing an elective in the States and I should have enough time to re-review what I have been studying over the past few months.

While most of your teaching is bedside, I don't think that will set you back as long as you put in the effort afterwards and do some reading. Remember, you're not the only IMG going through this--we just have to work harder to compete with the locals 🙂

good luck! i hope that helps and makes sense.

A top 5 med school? We don't really have that kind of distinction, it's more opinion over here so don't quite know where you get the top 5 thing from.

 

[hj0517]

True but unnecessary comment don't you think?? Guardian league tables would tell you rankings for one thing...

 

[Femtochemistry]

I was referring to the Guardian tables published every year ranking universities.

 

[bambi]

True but unnecessary comment don't you think?? Guardian league tables would tell you rankings for one thing...

It is indeed quite an unnecessary comment and I even thought that while writing it but I just think it's a bit misleading which is why I mentioned it. Guardian league tables change massively from year to year and aren't exactly official. Technically all UK med schools are considered equal, saying that though most people, myself included view some as being better than others. Anyway, that's my pointless comment over, it's revision time so I'm just looking for anything else to do.