INVISTA NO SEU SUCESSO:
When preparing for the ERAS application, particularly the hobbies section, it's essential to keep descriptions concise yet intriguing. Reddit users suggest using brief descriptions to summarize each hobby and expanding slightly on unique aspects that could serve as conversation starters during interviews. Resources like UWorld and AMBOSS are invaluable for structured preparation. UWorld provides extensive practice questions with detailed explanations, while AMBOSS offers comprehensive articles covering essential topics, ensuring a robust understanding necessary for exams.
Clinical experiences are crucial for building practical skills and forming relationships with mentors who can provide guidance and recommendation letters. Securing Electives, Observerships, and Clerkships is essential for this. Engaging in Research Opportunities significantly enhances a CV, showcasing a commitment to advancing medical knowledge through publications and presentations. To create a standout CV, ensure it has a professional layout, is regularly updated, and includes diverse achievements such as research, volunteer work, and leadership roles. Use platforms like LinkedIn for networking and finding opportunities, and strategically plan your schedule to accommodate electives and research activities.
For Step 2 and shelf exams, resources like NBME Practice Tests, Divine Intervention podcasts, and study materials such as UWorld and AMBOSS can be highly effective. Balancing these resources with feedback from practice exams helps reinforce learning and ensure readiness. Recommended methodologies include utilizing Anki for spaced repetition, participating in study groups, and regularly assessing knowledge through practice tests. Combining these strategies with effective time management and a focused study plan will help maximize performance on critical exams and applications.
For radiology, understanding when to use CT, CTA, MRA, MRV, etc., can be challenging. Resources like Learning Radiology and the ACR Appropriateness Criteria are helpful. Engaging with radiologists during rotations and looking at study indications can also enhance learning. Additionally, using tools like the AMBOSS add-on for Anki, which integrates with study cards to provide contextual information, can be a game-changer for efficient studying. Utilizing these methodologies and resources will help ensure a well-rounded and effective preparation strategy.
A medical student is struggling to fill out the hobbies section of the ERAS application within the 300-character limit and asks if it's better to list hobbies briefly.
Commenters advise keeping hobbies concise, as most are self-explanatory. Using a short list format with minimal description works well and can facilitate more in-depth discussion during interviews. This approach can also make the applicant appear more engaging and personable when elaborating on hobbies during interviews.
Medical students share words their instructors often mispronounce, which can be as irritating as nails on a chalkboard. Examples include "puss-y" instead of purulent and "nuculus" instead of nucleus.
Participants highlight a range of frequently mispronounced medical terms, such as "duodenum," "NSAIDs," and "macrophages." They discuss regional variations and the importance of proper pronunciation in medical communication. The conversation reflects a mix of humor and frustration, emphasizing how these mispronunciations can impact learning and patient care.
A medical student seeks urgent advice on how to prepare for the surgery shelf exam with only one week left and minimal prior study.
Commenters recommend focusing on Pestana's Surgery Notes, UWorld questions, and taking practice NBMEs. Key tips include prioritizing high-yield topics, such as trauma protocols (ABCs, FAST scan), and understanding the indications for common surgical procedures. Utilizing condensed resources and practice questions can maximize retention and improve exam performance in a short timeframe.
An M3 student asks whether AMBOSS alone is sufficient for preparing for Step 2 and shelf exams, given financial constraints.
The consensus is that both AMBOSS and UWorld are excellent resources, but consistency and thorough review are more important than the specific platform. Commenters emphasize the importance of using Anki for spaced repetition, completing practice NBME exams, and thoroughly reviewing incorrect answers. Balancing resource use and focusing on comprehension and retention can lead to successful outcomes on exams.
A medical student expresses frustration over the general public's lack of understanding about what medical school entails, often mistaking it for other healthcare professions.
Responses reflect a shared sentiment among medical students, who frequently have to explain the difference between medical school and other healthcare training. The discussion touches on the gender bias faced by female medical students, often being assumed to be nurses. Tips include simplifying explanations to "studying to be a doctor" to avoid confusion. The post underscores the need for better public awareness of medical education and the distinct roles within healthcare.
New interns are discussing the start dates for their residency or orientation, and how these dates might affect personal plans like weddings and honeymoons. A couple planning a wedding and honeymoon right before residency is seeking advice on balancing these important life events with their professional responsibilities.
Most commenters share their start dates for residency, with the majority starting around mid-June. Many advise planning the honeymoon either before the wedding or saving it for a later date when vacation time is more flexible. Tips on coordinating vacation time with your partner and the importance of planning ahead to manage both personal and professional commitments are highlighted. Programs often try to accommodate couples by aligning their schedules, ensuring they can enjoy their honeymoon without the added stress of immediate relocation and orientation.
A medical student is seeking advice on whether to use UWorld and AMBOSS together for Step 2 preparation, or to focus on just one resource.
Commenters generally recommend choosing one resource and using it thoroughly rather than splitting focus between both. The consensus is that mastering one question bank and understanding the explanations is more beneficial than spreading oneself too thin. Tips include leveraging the high-yield sections of AMBOSS and focusing on UWorld Self-Assessment exams (UWSA) close to the test date. Effective use of Anki for retention and understanding of incorrect questions is also emphasized.
A first-year medical student is debating whether to attend a summer school course on the nervous system or return home to complete driving lessons they've already invested in.
Advice is split but leans towards prioritizing medical school commitments to avoid falling behind. Commenters stress the long-term benefits of staying on track with studies, noting that the financial and time investment in medical school should take precedence. The importance of future career alignment and staying on par with batchmates is highlighted, with the understanding that the driving course can be resumed later without significant long-term consequences.
A female medical student seeks advice on the feasibility of pursuing orthopedic surgery while planning to start a family with her physician partner.
The discussion emphasizes the significant challenges but also notes that it is achievable with proper planning and support. Key points include the demanding nature of surgical residencies, the need for strong support systems such as nannies or family members, and the importance of mutual understanding and flexibility between partners. Personal anecdotes from female surgeons with families underscore the possibility but highlight the necessity of strategic planning and realistic expectations regarding the work-life balance.
A medical student questions whether it is better to fail Step 1 rather than postponing it, as advised by their school.
The overwhelming response is that postponing the exam is far preferable to failing it. Commenters note that failing Step 1 can severely impact residency prospects as many programs filter out applicants with failed attempts. Conversely, a gap due to postponing can be explained and is less likely to raise red flags during residency applications. Tips include ensuring thorough preparation before taking the exam to avoid failure, as the repercussions of a failed attempt are far more detrimental to a medical career than a postponement.
Medical students discuss the most effective search engines and resources to use while studying. The original poster wonders if there is a more efficient alternative to Google for medical information.
The overwhelming favorite among commenters is AMBOSS, praised for its comprehensive knowledge bank and integration with Anki. AMBOSS's Google Chrome plugin is highlighted as a powerful tool for quick access to medical definitions. Other resources mentioned include UpToDate, Wikipedia, ChatGPT, and Google Scholar. Tips include using the Anki search function and checking out Perplexity.ai, which cites sources in-text, making it easier to verify information.
A rising M2 student questions the value of participating in a summer research program that focuses on basic science with minimal clinical correlation, expressing concerns about its impact on their career.
Commenters suggest that while basic research can enhance a CV and provide valuable research skills, its impact on residency applications depends on the competitiveness of the chosen specialty. For highly competitive fields like plastic surgery, research experience and publications are crucial. For less competitive fields, the primary benefit may be a strong letter of recommendation. However, some view basic research as less beneficial, labeling it as "cheap labor" with limited immediate returns unless the project leads to authorship or significant findings.
A third-year medical student seeks resources to improve understanding of when to use different imaging modalities (CT, CTA, MRA, MRV) and how to interpret them.
Commenters recommend LearningRadiology as a valuable resource for understanding imaging indications and basics of interpretation. ACR Appropriateness Criteria is also suggested for learning the appropriate use of various imaging tests. It is emphasized that medical schools do not typically provide extensive radiology training, and students should focus on learning proper indications rather than interpretation. Tips include speaking with radiologists during rotations for practical insights and utilizing introductory videos on YouTube.
An incoming MS3 is frustrated about not having access to UWorld for the first month of their surgery rotation and seeks advice on how to prepare effectively.
Commenters suggest alternatives like DeVirgilio's Surgery book and corresponding Anki decks as valuable resources. The free AMBOSS trial is also recommended to compensate for the lack of UWorld access. Practical tips include leveraging Pestana's Surgery Notes for a concise review and focusing on core topics through available resources. Commenters emphasize that persistence and using multiple resources can help bridge the gap until UWorld access begins, ensuring adequate preparation for the shelf exam.