Having scored a 272 on Step 1 of the USMLE, I have often been asked “how in the world did you do THAT?!”. This post is an attempt to summarize what I believe were key steps in making that happen.

Do you love the ears, nose and throat? Me too! The residency application process in ENT can be daunting and stressful – the best way to navigate the system is by talking to friends and colleagues who have been through it before!

The most important step in deciding where to apply for residency is an honest evaluation of what specialty you are applying to. While it can be hard sometimes to “get real” with yourself about your USMLE scores, distinguishing features, etc. this step is critical because it can determine whether you match or not.

Flashcards are best used as a supplementary study aid, where they support knowledge retention from other core resources. For students preparing for USMLE Step 1, these core resources can vary, but often UWorld, First Aid and Pathoma are among the most widely used.

If you haven’t already heard of the Brosencephalon (Bros) deck, it’s time to get acquainted! Bros is one of several popular pre-made flashcard decks