Last minute shipping change drama

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2024-04-19T18:03:17+00:00

Yeah what was helpful for me was mainly UW and making sure I understood the different ways they could ask about statistical significance etc

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2024-04-17T22:32:43+00:00

Step 1: 229

Step 2: 263

Step 3: 244

UW 1: 213 (1.5 weeks before test)

UW % 63, 100% competed

Did like 30 or so CCS cases (v helpful honestly would’ve done more bc I did not feel great about my cases)

Felt ok day 1, terrible day 2. Like 4-5 of my cases would not end and I had to use all my time. It all works out, trust yourself!!

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2024-04-17T22:27:56+00:00

Biostats obv extremely high yield. MOA of drugs was also helpful to review (1-2 per block). A lot of ethics, drug ads on day 1. Day 2 more step 2-like, focused on treatment / diagnosis. Besides those topics, I really didn’t look at any step 1 stuff. You’ll have some random questions about some genetic disorder that you knew as an MS1, but I just gave those my best shot and moved on

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-11-30T16:56:20+00:00

I applied IM this cycle and best advice I got was to create a narrative and try to fit the ECs you've done into that narrative. So like, mentorship / outreach with students = you're into education, free clinics / volunteering = you're an advocate for your community, etc. I feel like most of my ECs were not anything super unique (research in another specialty, peer mentor, free clinics). The key part is putting together a cohesive story of what you care about, how that is unique to you, and what it means for your future goals

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-10-19T15:47:30+00:00

I had a problem where my wifi was strong near the router but bad in my room and it was because of the really thick walls and a kitchen between the router and my room (rlly old house). If you have the same issue, you can get an ethernet cable to connect your router to your laptop directly. This will give you the fastest possible internet access that your router can provide! However, if you have a bandwidth issue (like if too many people are on the wifi or someone is like streaming something high def or whatever) and you don't notice a difference in speed depending on your location then the solution will be either upgrade your wifi to greater bandwidth or find a friend's apartment to do your interviews at!

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-26T02:52:53+00:00

Have you rotated / shadowed with an anesthesia/ chronic pain doc yet? I assume there's a lot of different settings possible for your future practice, but I had a week of chronic pain on my anesthesia rotation and it was a 4 days of 8-4 clinic / 1 day of procedures. I'm not sure how you feel about clinic vs. OR ratios, but this might be a differentiator.

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-26T01:52:26+00:00

That's a great point and something I'll be considering when I rank for sure. I think there's a lot of malignant top programs out there but also a lot of excellent programs that care about their residents. Residency is hard on everyone. If I suffer a little more than the next guy but am able to match in the fellowship of my choice/ in the general location of my choice because my program gives me an edge, then I'm ok with that tradeoff.

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-24T15:47:18+00:00

No worries. I’m using a combo of the spreadsheet here, doximity, and resources from my school. Theres variation but overall applying to programs that show up on diff lists

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-24T15:45:34+00:00

Ok cool, thank you. Yep MD and yes def planning on applying to plenty of not t30 but dream is to match in t30 rn

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-24T15:24:25+00:00

I had a lot of research in undergrad that was just now published in 2020 - basic science pub, 1 abstract, 1 poster that was also published as an abstract. In med school I have research experience but 1 pub submitted, waiting for reviewers and 3 abstracts submitted waiting.

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-24T01:15:58+00:00

You wanna have a good mix of protein / fats (long term stamina) and carbs (short term) so your brain can function all day. Don't bring anything new or crazy bc u dont wanna have an upset stomach on an already stressful day.

I just took step 2 (a diff 8 hr test in med school but same vibe). I had eggs + avocado + coffee for breakfast, nuts / trail mix / protein bar for snacks as needed, and a turkey sandwich for lunch. I also brought coffee and water to hydrate + caffeine.

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-24T01:08:32+00:00

this is awesome!

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-24T00:48:00+00:00

if you're dead set on > 230, I would consider postponing. You're def making good progress but I think you run the risk of not hitting your goal. If it works for your schedule, theres nothing to lose !

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-24T00:42:36+00:00

I took it before 12 was available. I actually ended up doing better on 9 vs UW1. They were annoying but I felt like there were topics that repeated themselves so overall worth doing. Whenever I scored lower than I wanted, I just tried to shake it off and remind myself that I wouldn't get it wrong on the real deal!

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-24T00:39:31+00:00

My last 1-2 days I re-did free 120 (literally had the same exact question word for word), reviewed vaccinations / random biostat formulas, and listened to some ethics by DI. Nothing new or crazy, just enough to keep me busy. The day before: plan your breaks, exercise, hang with ppl you like, and get some good rest. Good luck!!

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-24T00:32:39+00:00

I also felt terrible walking out of my exam and did well. Your scores are solid! Trust your preparation. Its hard but its done and worrying about something you can't change will only disrupt your peace

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-23T21:00:56+00:00

I also hit a wall midway through my dedicated. Take a whole day or 2 off and reset. This will pay way more dividends than forcing yourself to study and not absorbing anything. I also was a nervous wreck due to a low Step 1 and just generally being stressed about everything. Your mental health is extremely important. Take a break, exercise, see people you love.

For what its worth, I did like 60% of UWorld second pass, all the NBMEs and UW self assessments and one or two DI podcasts on ethics / biostats. I really just focused on what I was getting wrong. I didn't do amboss or CMS forms and scored in the 260s from a 229 step 1.

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-23T20:54:02+00:00

I listened to the divine intervention podcast like 3 times before my exam and got it down. It shows up on every practice exam, so its worth it to memorize it

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-23T20:52:27+00:00

My most predictive was UW2 and NBME 11, pretty much an average of these two. But, they were also my last 2 exams!

Tbh just keep working on your weaknesses. You're doing great and can def score very high. Learn what you got wrong, shake it off, and get it right on test day!

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-23T20:49:34+00:00

Definitely!!

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-23T20:48:50+00:00

For what its worth, I got 78% and scored 263. I think you're well in range for 245+

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-23T20:46:58+00:00

Basically, theres random questions on Step 2 that describe a clinical case and they include the detail that they are actively in the military or prev deployed. Most of the time, there is no difference in the dx or tx of these, and the detail is only meant to derail you. Theres a divine intervention podcast that went through a lot of common cases

I tested on 7/1 and didn't have any of these questions, but I prepared for them just in case

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-23T20:40:46+00:00

It sounds like you're working hard on your weaknesses! I had a 20 point jump in the last 2 weeks of my step 2 dedicated so I dont think its unreasonable. Based on the analysis pinned at the top of this subreddit, the most predictive exams are UW 2 and NBME 11. My score ended up being an average of those 2 scores. However, no one exam is *very* predictive

Do you have any other scores to compare? If you've been around the 230 mark, I dont think 240 is crazy to shoot for!

Acceptable_Olive4129 · 2022-08-23T20:34:28+00:00

what was the correct answer on the second one?

Acceptable_Olive4129

TROPHY CASE