I have last year's notes and lectures... I don't know how much benefit there is in actually being there and listening to all the lectures.... Do you think it's a good investment of time and money? Any sceptics out there? Until recently I was confident I'll do OK on the boards without the review course... but I've started to freak out recently, and the perfectionistic habits of doing-everything-you-can is taking over... help.
Would you recommend the Osler review course?
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I hear you. I'm a sceptic. I have lousy auditory learning skills (don't ask me how I got through all that school). Like you I have previous years' material, so I figure I'll get through it on my own. I did bits and pieces over residency, primarily on CP rotations, after I realized the Osler Course was probably the only "core curriculum" that exists for pathology residency. All I need now is time.
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I didn't listen to any lecture notes and I passed - personally I agree with deschutes I do not learn as much by listening. I also don't have a long commute - audio notes work well for people who have long commutes.
As far as actually GOING to the course, I guess it depends on how motivated you can make yourself. Some people like going to the course because it is a few days of pure dedicated studying and it can help focus them. Others don't like it because either they don't have much of an attention span or they like making their own timelines for things.
The ASCP course is also an option, from what I have heard they may have better handouts (copies of powerpoint presentations, more practice questions in some areas).
My suspicion is that if you have the notes and have been an attentive resident during training, the course isn't going to give you much else apart from piece of mind. You have the knowledge, it's a matter of synthesizing it and remembering as much as you can. I did not go to a review course and do not feel it hurt me. But it depends on your own personality and study habits.
As far as actually GOING to the course, I guess it depends on how motivated you can make yourself. Some people like going to the course because it is a few days of pure dedicated studying and it can help focus them. Others don't like it because either they don't have much of an attention span or they like making their own timelines for things.
The ASCP course is also an option, from what I have heard they may have better handouts (copies of powerpoint presentations, more practice questions in some areas).
My suspicion is that if you have the notes and have been an attentive resident during training, the course isn't going to give you much else apart from piece of mind. You have the knowledge, it's a matter of synthesizing it and remembering as much as you can. I did not go to a review course and do not feel it hurt me. But it depends on your own personality and study habits.
I attended OSLER 2y. ago, mainly to see glass slides. The OSLER glass slide cases had nothing to do with the actual AP Board exam cases. OSLER cases were way much more difficult, not to mentioned poor quality.
Want my advice?
Do not waste money!!!!!!!!!!
Get OSLER audios and notes. Even better, get ASCAP CD, and CP Companion, new edition. That's it.
Want my advice?
Do not waste money!!!!!!!!!!
Get OSLER audios and notes. Even better, get ASCAP CD, and CP Companion, new edition. That's it.
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I took the course back in 2007 (LA). I thought it was worthwhile. However, the lecturers can be hit or miss. From what I could tell, the traveling instructors (ones that teach at all 3 sites) are much better than the local ones. We had one guy from UCLA that gave us a rehash of the CV chapter in Robbins. I didn't pay for the slide session.
I think part of the reason I went was because it was relatively local (at least 1 hr drive). I'm not sure I would've traveled to attend because it would've gotten very expensive.
Also, I tend to learn more when I'm being taught. I don't particularly like sitting & reading on my own unless it's to supplement (not saying that I can't do it).
In support of an earlier post, I do think the notes from the ASCP course are much better organized.
There's a 3rd option in terms of review courses, but I don't know anyone who's actually attended. It's done by Damjanov, who writes some pathology review books.
----- Antony
