Hi Ninebillion,
Congrats on your admission. I understand your feelings about the curriculum. I will state that the curriculum is an on going changing thing, and they School has definitely revamped it over the past few years. The curriculum is more traditional than many other medical schools. However, I personally feel that it's not a bad thing. There is attention to detail because it may be more traditional, but in fact, I think I'm learning a whole heck of a lot of information. After every joint, you look back on the past few weeks and the exam and you really come out feeling that you learned a TON. Whether or not the exam went well, you have a feeling of awe of the amount of 'stuff' that you've memorized.
Yes, the transcript service is a big deal. I find it to be a great resource -- and just that, a resource. It's not the end all study method for anybody. I'm sure there are people in my class that spend hours looking at transcripts (heck, I do!). But at the same time, they look at their lecture notes, they look at book, etc. While many people don't come to class, the majority of the class does. I go to class every time, unless I'm ill or something. And I have to tell you truthfully, that for the first year class, the majority of people are there. Again, it's a personal choice. Some people feel like the get more out of studying on their own. That again is a personal decision. And you have to make the same choice WHEREVER you go to med school.
About Joint exams... There is a cycle. People hardcore study for the two-three weeks before a joint and then take a few weeks to lightly study and relax. Personally, I think this is greater preparation for the boards. You will need to be very diligent during the few weeks before the Boards. What is studying for the joints doing? Just that. We learn to digest a vast array of information in many different classes in a few weeks. This is not to say that people don't study before those few weeks before a joint. People do. You have to keep up. Not keeping up can make medical school horrible. And think about this -- USMLE step 1 is a LONG, LONG exam covering basically everything that you learned over the past two years of medical school. The Joint exams are anywhere between 4.5-6 hours long during the first year of med school. While that may seem rough (and it is, I'm not going to lie), what better prep for taking the USMLE Step 1. From my friends that are in the third year, they say that the board exam feels like another joint. You develop a certain stamina, and I think Emory does that well. It's good to have a few weeks to relax and taking studying slowly. All med schools have their own style. In my opinion, it's better this way than have an exam every week and be stressed every single day of your first two years.
The preclinical years are rigorous -- and Emory knows it. And Emory is proud of it. We go into the clinics with a really good scientific base and are able to hone those skills in the 3rd and 4th years.
You should have been given last year's match list at the interview. If you don't have one, I'm sure you could call up the admissions office and have one sent/faxed/emailed.
And I don't know exact board scores. I do know that a large percentage of Emory students score in the 99th percentile every year and even a great percentage scores in the 90th percentile. Ask the admission office for more specific information.
I hope that helps some. Please feel free to PM me or post other questions here.
Good luck!
Johnisit1234
ninebillion said:
I really enjoyed my visit to Emory and Atlanta, and I'm fortunate for my acceptance. I think I'll be attending Emory next year, but I feel kind of lukewarm about the curriculum. I don't mind the grading system at all, but a lot of students I met told me that they rarely went to class, that the teachers weren't that great, and that they rely on the student transcription service for notes. Every med school has its fair share of bad profs and no-big-deal-if-you-miss-it classes, but I didn't meet *any* students who felt enthusiastic about the curriculum. Also, because the "joints" exams are every six weeks, people get into a very vicious cycle of "party hard for two weeks, study lite for two weeks, cram for two weeks, take test, and repeat." I know I'm not disciplined enough to break that cycle, and I fear that it may hurt when time comes for the USMLE Step 1.
Does anyone know how Emory students do on the boards? Does anyone have a match list? Can anyone from Emory who reads this thread comment?
Thanks a lot -- I loved the people and the school, but I really don't know what to think of the preclinical years.
If you're traveling from outside Atlanta, you can get in as early as Thursday April 14, but all the main activities start on the 15th.
When is it?
