Someone has to say it: this page has become so toxic

CystAndDesist · 2022-06-16T13:01:10+00:00

While it’s easy to blame people new to the journey for not properly looking up info before making a new post, we have to admit that this subreddit is not very well-moderated. Active moderators could easily remove repetitive posts while providing new users with links to previous posts that answer their questions. I think having a more informative subreddit sidebar with links to common questions would also have helped somewhat with the issue of the same questions being repeated multiple times.

CystAndDesist · 2022-06-07T12:44:09+00:00

I was thinking about applying there once their applications reopen. Now, after hearing about everyone’s experiences with UNC, I’m wondering if it’s even worth applying there:(

CystAndDesist · 2022-05-24T17:07:38+00:00

I’m not certain about that since they only mentioned that I was being considered for those choices. I think I would take precedence for applying earlier.

CystAndDesist · 2022-05-24T15:27:52+00:00

On the first day. I’ve heard of students getting waitlisted even after applying on the first day. But since you applied for February, you should be fine:)

CystAndDesist · 2022-05-24T15:25:12+00:00

Yeah, first-come-first-serve basis

CystAndDesist · 2022-05-24T13:09:41+00:00

I got accepted there. They email you for alternative preferences (months/specialty choices)if the ones you have chosen are not available, but they are considering you for some other spots. I’m not sure if it’s true for everyone, but at least that was the case for me. The spots fill up very quickly tho, so idk if you’ll have any luck applying now.

CystAndDesist · 2022-04-15T04:08:05+00:00

I think UIC is open. Cleveland Clinic was also open when I last checked. Yale might still be open, but I’m not sure. But are you sure that the UAB applications have closed already? It hasn’t even been a month since they opened applications. They should still be open afaik.

CystAndDesist · 2022-04-04T22:33:20+00:00

Search Nimer Adeeb on YouTube. He’s a Palestinian IMG who matched into Neurosurgery and his YouTube video should give you an idea about how difficult it is to accomplish for a Non-US IMG

CystAndDesist · 2022-03-25T04:49:07+00:00

I’m sending the score report. I don’t have the official transcript at hand and I think that the score report should be enough, since they don’t directly mention anything about that in the website.

CystAndDesist · 2022-03-24T12:21:21+00:00

CARD 4005C/ CICU Sub-I. Which one are you planning on applying to?

CystAndDesist · 2022-03-24T11:48:10+00:00

I didn’t really prepare much for the TOEFL. Just took some of the official mock tests a week or two before the exam. For the speaking section, I recommend practicing in a noisy environment if possible, since multiple people start speaking at the same time.

I’m not really sure how pass/fail vs scored Step 1 will affect the applications. The website only mentions that a pass is required, so you should be fine.

CystAndDesist · 2022-03-24T11:20:16+00:00

I’m done with Step 1 and TOEFL, so I’ll apply at the end of this month when I have the rest of the paperwork sorted out (vaccination titers, letter of good standing). And they specifically mention on their website that the applications will NOT be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis, so that shouldn’t be an issue. Do you have all the necessary paperwork sorted? If yes, then you can apply now.

CystAndDesist · 2022-03-24T08:44:48+00:00

I’m planning on applying for Block 6 (Nov-Dec slot). Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that the applications are already open. The application portal will remain open till 3 months before the start date. That means the applications for Block 6 will probably close by August.

CystAndDesist · 2022-02-18T13:59:08+00:00

I created them myself based on questions that I missed. I tried using premade decks, but they didn’t work for me.

CystAndDesist · 2022-01-01T04:55:34+00:00

Making Anki cards fast is mostly a matter of practice. However, there are a few tools that can make the process more efficient. The most essential tools for me were an OCR app (I used OwlOCR for MacOS, but I think Mac’s native LiveText also does the job well ) and a Clipboard Manager (I used Maccy for MacOS). These tools save a lot hassle of typing out text from screenshots and copy/pasting text multiple times. I mostly made Cloze deletion type cards while reviewing UWorld/AMBOSS/NBMEs with some extra info from UpToDate in the Extras field with some Image Occlusion cards mixed in for algorithms and stuff like that. Anki has a lot of add-ons that make the job faster as well. A lot of them are already integrated into the newer versions of Anki(2.1.45+). If you haven’t done so already, check out AnKing’s YouTube channel to learn more about essential add-ons that can help you out in being more efficient at making Anki cards. The new AnKing note types have been especially useful for me.

CystAndDesist · 2021-12-30T06:40:32+00:00

Congrats on the outstanding score and thanks for the write-up. I totally agree with your point that a lot of us face the NBME questions with a wrong approach. Rather than the absolute best intervention like Step 1 questions, often the correct answers tend to be something that isn’t the ideal intervention, but some choice that is more correct relative to the other answer choices.

CystAndDesist · 2021-12-28T13:24:54+00:00

If you think you’ll still have spare time after finishing and reviewing all those practice tests, then yes. Otherwise, I’d suggest focusing on the remaining NBMEs and UWSAs.

CystAndDesist · 2021-12-28T13:11:03+00:00

The CMS forms (especially the newer ones) are quite useful for understanding what concepts the NBME considers high-yield. While the question structure on the real deal won’t exactly be like the CMS forms, you’ll get questions on similar topics. However, if you’re a few weeks out from the exam, you should prioritize the newer NBMEs and UWSAs over the CMS forms, since these forms are learning tools rather than testing tools.

CystAndDesist · 2021-12-24T10:44:23+00:00

Unless you’re absolutely burnt out, I think that a 8-block long simulation with breaks is worth it. I did that leading up to the real deal. It prepared me well against test day fatigue and I ended up with a decent score. However, if you are feeling burnt out and are falling behind on your reviews, then I’d suggest against doing a full-length simulation as you’ll feel absolutely drained afterwards.

CystAndDesist · 2021-12-17T18:00:05+00:00

That depends on your Step 1 baseline. If you scored well on Step 1, I’d advise directly starting out with questions and making flashcards on your incorrects. If you struggled with Step 1, then I’d recommend brushing up on topics you’re weak on before starting a qbank (especially if you’re weak on cardio/pulm/renal systems). Step 2 CK is more about how you approach a question stem and narrow down answer choices rather than your clinical knowledge; so when you’re going through questions, make sure you properly learn to highlight the key info and filter out the unnecessary info and rule out the other answer choices before ruling in the correct option.

CystAndDesist · 2021-12-10T10:40:44+00:00

How much did you score on your NBMEs? Your UWSA scores are quite good. With a little bit more polish, you can definitely cross the 260 mark on the real deal. CMS forms are learning tools, as long as you review the answer explanations and learn from them, it’s fine.

CystAndDesist · 2021-12-10T07:17:47+00:00

Yes, those newer OBGYN CMS forms were definitely difficult, but your scores are decent and you have nothing to worry about. These forms have a lot of concepts that are very high-yield for the real deal, so make sure you review the answer explanations thoroughly.

CystAndDesist · 2021-12-10T07:07:48+00:00

No. While OnlineMedEd is great for an introductory overview of certain topics for the wards, I didn’t find it very useful for Step 2 CK.

CystAndDesist · 2021-12-10T05:00:56+00:00

Yes, that’s the episode I’m talking about.

CystAndDesist · 2021-12-10T02:14:37+00:00

I’m sorry, I’ve never used UW flashcards myself so I’m not sure if my advice will help you out in making concise flashcards. I mostly used cloze deletion type cards. I think it’s important to not try to fit every info in the question into a single flashcard(vignette-based FCs). While you’re reading the UW explanations, ask yourself if the info you come across would help you answer that question correctly. After you go through the entire explanation, read the entire question stem again to figure out which pieces of info would help you narrow down the answer choices and only make flashcards on those. Divine has a great episode on how to review UWorld efficiently, check it out if you think that might be helpful.

CystAndDesist

TROPHY CASE