Oh it's true.
So Dr Costanzo runs it. She is the professor that writes the physiology book that all medical students across the country use for physiology board review. She and Goljian are the big names in board study across the country.
Anyway, during the second semeser of 2nd year, there are lectures 2-3 times per week during the lunch hour where you review material from either first or early second year classes. There is a syllabus for each lecture.
Then, after classes end, there is a 3 day all-day review where you review the big subjects: pharm, path and physiology as well as some microbiology right before you start your solo studying. You solo study for around 30 days.
In addition, Dr Costanzo meets with every student and reviews their grades, their MCAT and their weaknesses and comes up with a study plan. She tells you which books to get and gives you a day-by-day study plan. There is no guess work involved. She tells you exactly what to do essentially down to the hour.
She also does a significant amount of research into which books are best and most liked as well as the ideal period to take the exam. So you know which books have worked best for VCU students and the period of time where you will maximize your score.
When I met with her, prior to me even studying, she was able to predict my score within a few points just based on my grades and MCAT.
I can tell you that this was a godsend. I did great on step 1, in part because all the guess work was taken out of it. I am a 4th year at VCU now.
