About the Author

Alina Khil, MD

Best Resources for ABSITE Studying and How to Use Them

15 min

709 Views

An operating room focusing on surgical tools.

709 Views

As you prepare for the American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam (ABSITE), it's important to have access to the best ABSITE resources. Unlike other standardized tests, it can be difficult to find comprehensive resources for ABSITE studying, and more difficult to determine which are the most effective. Surgery requires a...

USMLE Step 3: Managing Anxiety if Day 1 Didn’t Go as Planned

5 min

421 Views

A frustrated medical resident studying for day 2 of USMLE Step 3 after feeling anxious on Day 1.

421 Views

Whether you spent a lot of time preparing for USMLE Step 3 or not, day 1 for most test takers is very anxiety-inducing and feels like absolute defeat. But, there is still another day of test taking. To manage USMLE Step 3 post-day 1 anxiety, it is important to understand...

The Complete Step 2 CK Breakdown by Subject and How to Plan For Each Subject

24 min

3899 Views

A medical school student studying for the USMLE Step 2 CK in front of a laptop at home.

3899 Views

Just like other USMLE exams, Step 2 CK is written based on a content outline and has a subject breakdown. Medicine makes up 50-60% of the exam, surgery is 25-30%, pediatrics is 20-25%, obstetrics and gynecology is 10-20%, and psychiatry is 10-15%. The test is further broken down into 15...

The 2023 Best MCAT Practice Tests

14 min

713 Views

A pre-med student taking an MCAT practice exam on a computer.

713 Views

A stellar MCAT score can be achieved through an infinite combination of study methods and resources. But most successful MCAT study schedules do have one thing in common. Whether you structure your studying to include printed books, online videos, or pre-made flashcard decks, one element of preparation is necessary for...

10 Steps to Creating Your Perfect Step 2 CK Study Plan

14 min

6436 Views

A medical student creating their Step 2 CK study plan on a calendar.

6436 Views

Your dedicated Step 2 CK study time is approaching, and you need an effective study plan to keep yourself on track. It can be difficult to adjust to a premade schedule, especially when it does not account for your weaker subjects or the amount of study time that you have...

6 Reasons to Retake the MCAT

8 min

358 Views

A group of pre-med students retaking the MCAT in a prometric testing center.

358 Views

Despite months of studying, the day of the MCAT may not go as planned and leave pre-medical students considering whether a retake is necessary. Though the AAMC allows taking the MCAT up to three times per year, it is best practice to minimize the number of times this exam is...

Best Tips for Honoring your Surgery Clerkship

16 min

411 Views

Doctors performing surgery on a patient in an operating room.

411 Views

Surgery is a challenging but rewarding specialty and you should expect your clerkship to be the same. Surgery is also unlike other specialties you will rotate through and if you want to receive honors, you will need to take a different approach than you did for other clerkships. You will...

6 Tips for Contacting Medical Residency Programs for an Interview

16 min

2581 Views

A doctor shaking hands with a prospective resident at their residency interview.

2581 Views

After ERAS submission, it is time to prepare for residency interviews. If it has been 4-6 weeks after application submission and you have not heard back from your top programs, you should consider contacting them for an interview. Crafting a professional e-mail to ask a residency program for an interview...

MCAT: How to Prepare/What to Expect For Test Day

12 min

310 Views

A row of computer booths for MCAT Test Day.

310 Views

After endless weeks of studying, the day to take your Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is in sight. This can feel like the most important test of your life up to this point, especially if you have been dreaming of becoming a doctor for a while. There is no more...

2023 Residency Application Timeline

14 min

3760 Views

Student happy to receive any email that she has been matched into residency.

3760 Views

Perhaps the most exciting and nerve-wracking time in medical school is the MATCH. After years of hard work and sacrifice, the time has finally come to go through the application and interview process all over again, just as for medical school. However, this time is much more exciting. This time,...

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