News Flash- AUC 2009 USMLE Step 1 Pass Rate is 95%

EDIT: New results for 2010 are out. Click here


Trying to make a decision on which Caribbean school is best for you? Why don't you check out these new AUC stats on the testing taking class of 2010.
It was announced at the AUC white coat ceremony this past weekend that the first time pass rate for USMLE Step 1 was 95% and 1/3 of AUC students scored a 99, which is truly remarkable.

(Note: 99 does not mean 99th percentile. When you receive the results of your exam you get a two digit and a three digit score. A 99 is the highest two digit score possible, but a student can score a 99/240 or a 99/265. Of course the latter score is near perfect, but both scores are outstanding. They use the two digit score to gauge how well a student does in comparison to the rest of the test takers for that particular exam. For example, someone can score a 230/96 one year, but someone else received a 230/99 a year before, meaning that although both test takers received a 230, the one with the 99 had the better score relative to  his or her  peers for that particular exam.)

Why is the USMLE so important? Well your scores in the step 1 and step 2 portions determines where you go and what you ultimately specialize in for residency. Here is a snippet from the 2009 results of the National Residency Match Program (NRMP):

"USMLE Step 1 scores are a measure of a student’s understanding of important basic science concepts and the ability to apply that knowledge to the practice of medicine.  Although such knowledge is only one facet of applicant qualifications considered by program directors in their selection process [for residency programs], it is the only one that is comparable across applicants, and available during the interview season and prior to the NRMP’s ranking deadline. Overall, U.S. senior applicants [US med school applicants] have mean USMLE Step 1 scores of 224.3 (s.d. = 19.6) and independent applicants [foreign med school applicants] have mean scores of 211.0 (s.d. = 19.7), both well above the minimum passing score of 182." 

 The correlation between the two digit score and the three digit score changes every year, but generally speaking a 99 is something around a 235 and above. If you do manage to score a 99 on the USMLE, you are competitive for most residency programs in the United States (plastic surgery and dermatology are outrageously competitive). For more info/stats on the USMLE and specialty residency programs, the information for the 2009 Residency Match had been compiled by the NRMP and is right here.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Study identifies students at risk for difficulties in medical school (esciencenews.com)
• Usmle ck - 3 tips for a top score (slideshare.net)
• 2010 AUC Step 1 Statistics (medschoolcaribstyle.com)
• Revisiting the Idea that AUC is the Best Med School in the Caribbean (medschoolcaribstyle.com)

Stigma

Since learning of my acceptance to AUC, I find myself in a recurring situation.


I run into a friend, neighbor, or acquaintance who I haven't seen in months (sometimes even a year) and they ask what I'm up to. 
"I'm going to medical school in January," I tell them.
"Awesome!" and as certain as the rising of the sun,"where are you going?"
Without pause, I respond, "the American University of the Caribbean." 
Crickets.
"It's on St. Maarten." 


After crossing this threshold, I usually receive one of two responses: the first being some comment on the wonderfulness of the weather, the beauty of the island and/or how lucky I am to be studying on the beach. 


The second response usually involves the person taking a more direct approach and asking why I'm going to the Caribbean instead of the United States. I give my automated explanation- explaining that although I never applied to US med schools, I knew my undergrad GPA was not particularly competitive, and I didn't want to spend time and money going to a postbach program to get better grades or apply to med schools and have to wait another two years before I can start my education.


I could stop there. My response sufficiently answers the question, but somehow I never do. I always feel a need to defend myself under that familiar blank gaze. I go on to explain how Caribbean med schools are just like US schools and that I only live in the island for a short while and spend my last two years rotating at US hospitals. I explain that the thing that really matters for getting good residencies is the USMLE step scores, that I will become a doctor and end up in the same place in life regardless of the med school I attend (so long as it's legitimate), thus it doesn't really matter and I'll be as good a doctor as the next bright person.


At this point, I've long lost the interest of my company, and I realize that this particular person does not know about the medical school system or even really understands the process of becoming a doctor. They were just asking a question to simply placate a passing curiosity and don't actually care where I'm going to med school.


Even though I don't mind going to a Caribbean medical school myself (and I am really looking forward to it), why do I still find the need to defend myself? Will I have to explain my decision and bolster it for the rest of my life?  To the latter question, I honestly don't think so. Maybe in the beginning when I encounter other medical school students at home or in clinicals, it's a point of pride stating where you go to med school, but otherwise once you are in residency, I don't believe patients even ask. In reality, I think it's only other doctors and people in the medical field who will be the ones to pass judgement (if it happens at all). And even then, I believe it's for no greater reason than to be petty or to be primarily concerned with a superiority complex. I really don't know. 


What I do know is I don't mind that I will go to medical school in the Caribbean, I don't care that I'm going to a  school where "Caribbean" is in the name because AUC is giving me the shot at an MD that other schools probably wouldn't have. I know AUC will be the place where I will study hard and become a knowledgeable and compassionate doctor and that's all I'm interested in. The End. People who are overly concerned with names shouldn't waste their time becoming doctors anyway. 

Those in Favor of Removing Physics from med school prereqs say "Aye!"

This article completely boggled my mind and seriously made me wish I had known about this program when deciding my major in college. I bet I could have made the cutoff (slash not really): NY Times Article

"Required" Textbooks

Summer days are slowly drawing to a close, but the impending move to St. Maarten is not exactly looming in my mind. I sometimes even forget that I'm going to medical school all together, let alone in four months, but today I remember and today I decide to look over the required reading material for first semester students. 


The courses I'll be taking in Semester 1 include:
Anatomy/Embryology
Histology
Molecular and Cell Biology I


Total cost of books and other supplies: a whopping $737.73!


Naturally there is no way in hell I'm about to drop that much money for a single semester, so like any other intelligent and conscientious person, I defer to the knowledge and experience of my elders-- the basic science veterans on valuemd. After a quick post on what are the ACTUAL books needed to successfully pass first semester, I receive a number of replies all suggesting I invest in Netter's Atlas of Anatomy and/or BRS Anatomy. And THAT'S IT! Suddenly my ~$750 pricetag (who knows with shipping?) becomes a much more manageable $74 thanks to the used books on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com.


Woo la, magic.
~Andrea