That said, I never came across a school on the interview trail that told me "you know, we just don't really try very hard to get our students ready for residency."
And every school in the country has above average board scores.
I would absolutely keep this in mind when you are interviewing, because residency programs will try to make you drink this Kool-Aid when you apply too.
You really have to talk to the students to get a sense of this. Instead of asking directly like "What are your rotations like? How much do you see?" it would be better to ask "What are your typical responsibilities during your 3rd year rotations?" or "During your 3rd and 4th year, what is your role in taking H&P's, presenting,
writing orders, doing procedures, presenting articles, etc."
Questions like that gives you a better gauge of how hands on it actually is. Sure 1st and 2nd year are important, but Step 1 is really what makes those years important for most people, and sorry to say, your score on that is more of an individual effort rather than good teaching than anything. Where teaching is PARAMOUNT is during your 3rd year, where you really learn to become a good intern. Ive been told the learning curve 4th year flattens a bit due to you either putting on a show half of the year (interviews, away rotations/sub-Is) or relaxing, but then it steepens again intern year.
Ive also been told by interns that the best prep for your PGY-1 year is learning a lot 3rd year. Part of that is being all up in your patients and actually getting to do stuff to them.
I feel like 3rd and 4th year are kind of glossed over during interviews because its so far away, and its not the college feel everyone is used to during 1st and 2nd year, so its not really considered in the process. Looking back, its actually the most important experience in med school, so I caution you all to take it seriously when thinking about schools!
Grading system? Its all the same in the end whether letters or P/F. Its all bulls*** because every school ranks you in the end, and almost no residency prog looks at grades anymore anyway.
Step 1 avg? Who cares? Its an individual effort. I have below average 1st and 2nd year grades, and an above avg Step 1. I did worse in class, so I studied harder for Step 1, funny how that works
The only things to me, that really matter about med school are how lectures work 1st and 2nd year (if there is a 2nd year), what you get for 3rd year required rotations, and how much and when you get elective time. I guess you can throw potential study space in there too (probably underrated). Other than dynamic with other students (class full of gunners or mostly laid back) not a whole lot else matters IMHO.
Best of luck to all! I'm cutting it off there because I want to get a chicken biscuit before vagina clinic today, and being late is not a good idea...ever...
