Should You Take COMLEX or Step First?
Osteopathic students often decide to take both the M.D. USMLE Step board exams in addition to the D.O. COMLEX board exams. The recent change of both Step 1 and Level 1 to pass/fail may affect the decision to take both exams in the near future, however until it becomes more...
The Complete Step 2 CK Breakdown by Subject and How to Plan For Each Subject
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...
Can I Cancel My MCAT and Postpone It?
If you are deciding whether or not you should cancel and postpone your MCAT, you are not alone! Many students experience the stress and frustration of being in this position, and in fact it is not uncommon at all. There are a great variety of unpredictable things that can impede...
Six Tips to Help You Succeed on Your Clinical Clerkships
During your third year of medical school, you will get the opportunity to go into the hospital and help with patient care during your clinical clerkships. For many students, this is the first time they get to work with patients, round with a medical team, assist with surgeries, and more....
10 Steps to Creating Your Perfect Step 2 CK Study Plan
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
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...
How Important is Your MCAT Score for Medical School Admissions
The MCAT is one of the most difficult standardized tests you will take, and it is a key component of medical school applications. However, its importance for medical school admissions, and specifically its value to admissions committees, remains shrouded in mystery. Placing too little or too much emphasis on the...
Best Tips for Honoring Your Surgery Clerkship
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...
How to Talk About Re-Applying for the Match in Your Residency Interviews
Imagine this… it’s 9:59 AM on the Monday of Match Week. You’re sitting at your desk or with your loved ones, nervous, waiting for an email notification from the NRMP that will determine your future career. Thoughts are racing through your mind. “Will I match? What will I do if...
6 Tips for Contacting Medical Residency Programs for an Interview
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 residency thank-you email to ask a residency program for...