JohnUC33 said:
I just wanted to say thanks to all the current WVSOM students who are posting advice on this thread. I'm sure all future students would agree that we will listen to whatever advice is given.
Not to start a PBL vs SBL war, I would like to discuss this subject a little more. I just got accepted into the PBL program and look forward to starting. Why? Mainly because I learn best on my own and find lectures to be a complete waste of time for me. For me, PBL seems to be the perfect fit. I know the main argument presented in this thread against PBL is the COMLEX preparation. If I understand correctly, do not PBL students have a lot more spare "time" and liberty to study what they choose. I know this is coming from someone who does not actually have first-hand experience in the subject. But, if a person is disciplined enough to study on his own and go over the board review material on his own, why would he want to sign up for ineffectual lectures (from his prospective)?
About biochem, I never took that in undergad. But, I basically taught myself O-chem I and II w/A's in both. I would like to know if biochem is that much harder than O-chem to learn?
Anyways, I really would like to hear more discussion on this topic. Current students please continue to contribute because your prospectives are very valuable.
I also learn best when studying on my own and not wasting time in lecture. That is probably the one saving grace about the PBL program. However, you are bound to study whatever the group agrees on for that day, so if you have already studied that topic in a previous group you have to waste valuable time going over the same material you learned months ago. I just love being tested on the same material twice!
Reviewing material is ok (and necessary before exams of course) but the insane volume of material that we are expected to master in two years simply doesnt allow it. Compare the daily workload that SBL gets vs. PBL- it just doesnt compare. In medical school you want to err on the side of getting too much thrown at you rather than too little (ref COMLEX performance).
But dont PBL students learn the material better? Probably. But if SBL had two weeks to study just one class of drugs, they would know it inside and out too!
Another major flaw in our PBL program is that 30%-40% of your final grade is based on your participation and group discussion skills, not on your knowledge base about the material you have learned. So unless you are an alpha dog and gun for control of the group, even if you ace the content exam, there is no guarantee of a decent grade. It is absolutely ridiculous to grade someone in MEDICAL SCHOOL based on whether or not they work well with others wasnt that an elementary school thing?
When I was applying, they presented the PBL program to us as the best thing since sliced bread. Even though it was only in its second year at WVSOM, we were told that the exact same system had worked fine for 10 years at a different school, all of the bugs were worked out, that board pass rates were excellent, etc. Nothing could be farther from the truth, because it is obvious that this thing was simply thrown together. And as ronin put it, any complaints or suggestions to better the program are viewed with hostility by the administration, and you are sent on your way with a Dont worry about it, the system works, youll see. Sorry, but I dont like other people gambling with my education (or my money).
Regardless, in the grand scheme SBL vs. PBL doesnt really matter (so long as you pass boards)
what really matters is clinical education. I dont mean to discourage or pi$$ any of you off, but clinical ed here is another circus sideshow all of its own. If you havent laid down that awful $2k deposit yet, I would seriously consider other options for your medical education. Even if you have paid it, it is a small loss.
Was kind of the plan all along. How can i resist being the first class in the new fancy lecture hall.
