chemamr
Moderator and PGY1
Topics: 703
Posts: 4,441
| | 12/18/07 - 06:43 PM
| #3601 |
Hi my dear BBB, thanks for your post in our forum, you are always welcome here  regards and take care please. All my respect and admiration for you. hats off!!
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Any time something is written against me, I not only share the sentiment but feel I could do the job far better myself.
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| egomez2001
Forum Guru
Topics: 51
Posts: 930
| | 12/19/07 - 04:26 AM
| #3602 |
Glo, I´m glad you had a good experience in Houston, you´re going to get the place you want and deserve
bbb, good to see you here
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| egomez2001
Forum Guru
Topics: 51
Posts: 930
| | 12/19/07 - 04:28 AM
| #3603 |
Confe, study hard!, hope you´re doing good with your study plan
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| tochtli
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 30
| | 12/19/07 - 08:00 AM
| #3604 |
Hi Medusin,
On the ecfmg website you can go to Medical Education Credentials, and then to Medical Education Credential Requirements for ECFMG Certification, then to Provision of credentials and Translations and then to Credentials for Exam Registration, you will find something like this:
If you are a medical school graduate, you must send the two copies of your medical diploma and the current color photograph with your application for examination (if you have not submitted your diploma and photograph to ECFMG previously). If you have graduated and met all requirements for your medical diploma but your medical diploma has not yet been issued, you must submit with the application a current, full-face, passport-sized, color photograph and a letter signed by your Medical School Dean, Vice Dean, or Registrar. The letter must include the following statement:
This is to confirm that [applicant name] has graduated and completed all requirements to receive the [degree title] degree from [medical school/university name]. The degree will be issued [month and year].
For instructions on how to submit these items to ECFMG, see Applying for Examination.
You must then send the photocopies of your diploma to ECFMG as soon as the diploma is issued. You must also complete and submit with your medical diploma the ECFMG Medical Education Credentials Submission Form (Form 344) and two copies of the Medical School Release Request (Form 345). See Credentials for ECFMG Certification.
They explain other things there like how the translations have to be, the size of the pictures, size of photocopies, etc. Hope this helps.
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"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go"
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| tochtli
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 30
| | 12/19/07 - 08:22 AM
| #3605 |
Medusin, I algo got this information from the U.S Embassy in Mexico City:
USMLE Information
The USMLE exams, Step 1 and Step 2, are administered through Prometric Testing Centers. In Mexico, the exams are offered the second Tuesday of every month at:
Institute of International Education
Berlín 18,
Colonia Juárez
México, D.F. 06600
Tel: (5) 080-2801, -02
Fax: (5) 535-5597
info@iielatinamerica.org
Instituto Mexicano-Norteamericano de Relaciones Culturales de Nuevo León
Hidalgo 768 Pte
Monterrey, N.L.
Tel: 52-8343-3907
Fax: 52-8345-1988
bbfmty@prodigy.net.mx
Registration Requirements:
You must be a medical student officially enrolled* or a graduate** of a foreign medical program listed by the World Health Organization in World Directory of Medical Schools (available at IIE Reference).
*If you have not yet graduated, you must provide documentation certified by
your Medical School Dean, Vice Dean, or Registrar that you are currently
enrolled and will be at the time of the exam.
**If you have graduated already, you must provide your medical diploma or
documentation of completion of educational requirements to practice medicine
in the country in which you received your medical education.
Exam Cost:
The cost of each exam is $615 USD*, plus a $100 USD* International charge (for Mexico). The $100 dollars International charge is sent along with the payment for each of the Steps. You may register for both exams at the same time, making the full payment of $1430 USD, though you may not take the exams on the same day.
*These prices are accurate for 2001.
For current prices, consult ECFMG website: www.ecfmg.org.
Registration Process:
1. Consult the ECFMG website at www.ecfmg.org for appropriate application
materials.
2.Submit application, all necessary documents and full payment to ECFMG to the address indicated on the application materials at least two months in advance of eligibility period. Include your email address on the application material, if applicable.
3.ECFMG will notify you, via mail or email, of your eligibility for the exam and information about scheduling and taking the exam.
4.The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) will then mail you a Scheduling Permit, though not more than six months before the eligibility period you indicated in your application. They will also send you a USMLE CD or booklet to sample the exam software and questions similar to the exam. This information is also available on the ECFMG website.
5.The Scheduling Permit includes your name, mailing address, name of
exam, eligibility period, testing region, your personal Scheduling Number
and your Candidate Identification Number (CIN). It also includes the information to contact Prometric to schedule your exam date. Test center staff do not have access to this number.
6.If you are unable to keep your testing appointment on the scheduled date or at the scheduled location, you may change your date or center by contacting Prometric. To avoid a rescheduling fee, your request must be made by noon (Eastern Time) at least five business days before your appointment.
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"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go"
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| Medusin
Forum Elite
Topics: 17
Posts: 279
| | 12/19/07 - 04:50 PM
| #3606 |
Thanks you so much Tochtli! Thats just what I needed!!!
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What Starts Here Changes The World
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| floresmd
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 66
| | 12/20/07 - 06:04 PM
| #3607 |
hello to all,i need help.i can not download the goljian's slides and notes if someone in this forum have it ,is possible to send me to my e-mail please. my mail is
quique_flowers@yahoo.com or tell me where is easy to download them
thank in advance
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| rodmty
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 5
| | 12/21/07 - 07:52 AM
| #3608 |
Hey Guys,
Maybe some of you that have gone through the process can answer a question for me. I just finished medical school (in Mexico) last week. I am about to start my social service February 1st, 2008. I haven't taken any Steps. My plan is to take the steps during 2008. I want to send my applications in August or Sept and interview in Nov-Dec aiming for the March 2009 match. Is this realistic? What I'm worried about is the ECFMG certificate. I will finish the social service in Feb 2009 and then I don't know how long it takes for me to get the final Medico Cirujano Degree, send it to ECFMG and get the certificate. I doubt that it will be in time for Match day, but I don't know if it's absolutely necesary to have the final degree before match day...
Hope somebody can help...
Thanks!
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| GLO MD
Forum Guru
Topics: 9
Posts: 815
| | 12/21/07 - 10:16 AM
| #3609 |
Dear rodmty... I'm sorry to be the one to drop the bad news but.... I will be honest to you... it is not realistic at all.
I have always been a positive person but it is not about your skills but of some other factors that I will explain in detail.
For once I think that for the steps you should always take your time. Don't ever take them lightlly. Doing all 3 steps (1, 2ck and 2cs) in 6 months flat would be a titanic task especially if you have not started studying at all and are not familiar with the format. I personaly know a lot (A LOT!) of people that just because they were in a rush, were tired of studying or simply because they felt like they could do it w/o enough preparation went there and flunk it or got a very low score.
Your goal here is to get the BEST score possible... you should aim to get at least 90 if possible. Nowadays competition is incredible!! (you have no idea)... even 99ers have trouble getting IV's. Other thing that you did not mention... do you have US clinical experience? can you get at least 3 letters of recommendation from good US doctors? If you don't have any of those I strongly recommend to do at least 3 months of a rotation, there are plenty of places to do this and if you are from MTY houston is a great option!
Now... the most important factor that we haven't discussed and will prevent you from making it for the 2009 match is the fact that you will finish your community service in february 2009!!! You will never make it to that year match I will tell you why...... After you finish your community service, providing that your school is really good to you, it will take you AT LEAST a month to get your medical diplomma. Now, pay close attention to this.... if you want to be able to participate on the match you need to be ECFMG certified by the end of the rank order list submission.... this date is february 28!!!
See my point? Now let's stress it a little further...
Once you get your medical school diploma... providing that you already passed all the requires steps you need to send copies of it among other things to get your ECFMG certificate. Once you send everything out even if your school is really good at this and knows the correct procedure this willl take AT LEAST another 2 months. So in the best of cases you will be ECFMG certified until May 2009.....
See my point... you can't even scramble like this.
Now, if you allow an opinion from someone that is living the match process here is what I would do if I were you:
Take your time!! Study real REAL hard .... you can do your steps in your year of community service as I did. Divide your service in 2 blocks. Be sure to do your step 1 in the first block and then the ck and cs in the second. This way you will be able to do your best because nowadays as I told you, one needs really good scores to be competitive.
You can even do step 1 in the first 6 months and 2ck in the second 2 and leave cs for after your service as long as you do it in May or so you will be in great shape for application time.
Apply for the 2010 match. You will have the best chance of getting a spot with a complete aplication, medical diploma and ECFMG certificate.
After you are done with your community service and hopefully also with the steps I recommend to spend the rest of the time doing rotations and concentrating on pumping your cv and getting good letters.
Once application time arrives you can start working on research or doing rotations at your favorite program or hospital to get the most chance of getting an IV there.
If you follow this instructions I assure you a perfect match on 2010. Forget about 2009, it is not your year... why rush it? You can have much better results if you wait for one year... and after all what do you lose? You would actually only have to wait until August!!
Hope I had help. If you have any more questions feel free to send me a PM or ask it out in public. Take care and keep us posted! I wish you the best of lucks in this difficult but amazing journey!
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Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground....Theodore Roosevelt
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| GLO MD
Forum Guru
Topics: 9
Posts: 815
| | 12/21/07 - 10:42 AM
| #3610 |
Hey dear I read you 2 topics and here are my answers I hope it helps:
Full time studying?? I did my steps during my community service also (all of them in little less than a year). It helped me that my spot was in Tijuana (5 mins away from home) and I only went to our university clinic from8 am to 12 pm monday to friday. I studied the rest of the day and weekends for about 8 hrs a day EVERY DAY!! I remember those days... I only rested for a week after step 1 and then hit the books again for ck and one month after ck I did cs.
I believe I studied more than actual work at my service and that helped. Studying was my actual work during my social service. But it depends alot on your spot because I know of people that has a whole lot of work and as much as they want they can't study at all and also it depends on your will because there is people who did their service in the same place as I did and have not done the steps yet.
If you can, research your school possible spots and get the easiest possible as I did so you have lots and lots of time to study. I was very happy with my community service!! And I got to kill two birds with one shot!!
Oh one more thing! Don't ever start with step 2ck!! Believe me! I've seen it before! Your ck results will be far better if you do it after step 1!! There is a reason for it being step 2.... don't skip step 1!!
Second question:
Are kaplan live lectures worth it? Yes they are! I did the step 1 live lectures back in Houston. I think it helped me a whole lot because in the beginning you have no idea of how this works I mean it is a whole new world for you and they carve your way into it until you are super comfortable and used to this format. The classes are amazing!! If you can do step 1 live lectures I deffinitely recommend them. After step 1 I felt comfortable enough to be able to design my own study method plus I knew the whole steps environment... I did not do live lectures or courses for 2ck or cs. I did those on my own and I did very well but I'm sure I would not be able to do step 1 as well as I did if I wouldn't have the initial instruction I had.
They are not completely necessary by the way!! If you have a close friend that can get you all the material and can guide you through the process you will be more than fine, the point is that you need some guidance in the beginning after that you'll be able to handle it on your own.
For instance my best friend told me that he wanted to do the steps. I was his personal tutor through step 1 prep. I gave him all the kaplan video lectures and books. I told him what to do, how to study, what was more stressed during the exam etc etc, he did not have the money or time for live lectures and he did very well! He got a 92. I'm very proud of him! So if you don't have the money don't panic! Live lectures are very very helpful but are not strictly necessary.
Let us know if you have any more q's
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Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground....Theodore Roosevelt
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| KARIME
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 84
| | 12/21/07 - 04:37 PM
| #3611 |
Hi Guys!
Thanks Tochtli for that valuable info. I'll need it I hope soon!!
My study is going on slowly, but, I agree with you GLO.....there's no reason to rush into anything 
Hahahahaha, I thougth....Oh yes!.....I can do step1, Step 2 and CS in one year, but......OMG, there's a universe of information you need to know....and not only that, so you have to understand it, to compare it, to digest it!
Personally RODMTY I think you shoul read a little bit the ECFMG Bulletin of Information, and calculate your times. As GLO said, depends how busy you'll be in your social service. I'm doing it right know. My period (August-July) didn't give me many options, despite all of this I could choose the better place compares with my friends, because, the most of "pasantes" have to make a life in El centro de salud, SSA don't let them go out, and all the paper work!!!! ....forget it!....
SO If you can choose, do it!...Pick up a comfortable place, so you can dedicate entirely to your study. Good luck.
See you guys.
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Eterea
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| SilatK
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 579
| | 12/22/07 - 09:36 PM
| #3612 |
hola a todos!!
Just saying hello y siganle hechando ganas!!!!!!!
Sayulita,
How are you doing?
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| egomez2001
Forum Guru
Topics: 51
Posts: 930
| | 12/24/07 - 03:12 PM
| #3613 |
Merry Christmas to everyone!!!
Hope you enjoy the holidays!!!
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| Medusin
Forum Elite
Topics: 17
Posts: 279
| | 12/24/07 - 09:07 PM
| #3614 |
Feliz navidad a todos! Les deseo lo mejor! Merry X-Mas!
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What Starts Here Changes The World
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| laloblum
Forum Junior
Topics: 2
Posts: 58
| | 12/24/07 - 09:26 PM
| #3615 |
Dear compatriotas!
Have the most merry Xmas of all... may this day bring blessing to you and your families. This is a time for joy and also to give thanks for all that the Lord has given us.
The next year is full of changes, anxiety and challenges, take them on step at a time and you will be able to reach our common goal. Pass the USMLE and practice in the US.
For me, well I am back to the interview process, but now for a fellowship position. So changes, anxiety and challenges are once again full in my next's year prespective.
But today we celebrate (even that I am on call), and tomorow will be a good day.
Feliz Navidad
Lalo
PGY-2 Peds Texas
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| tochtli
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 30
| | 12/27/07 - 07:58 AM
| #3616 |
Merry Christmas to everybody!!!!
Dear Flores md, maybe this website can help you:
http://usmle-1-2-3.blogspot.com/search/label/USML...
___________________
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go"
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| floresmd
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 66
| | 12/27/07 - 06:11 PM
| #3617 |
thanks a lot tochtli, merry x-mas to everybody and happy new year!!!!!!!!
this coming year all of your dreams come true people!!!!!!!!!!!
cheers, god bless you all
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| SilatK
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 579
| | 12/29/07 - 02:14 PM
| #3618 |
Hola chicharro bienvenido al foro!!!!
Egomez, Felicidades!!!!!!!!!!!!! Salud!!!!
Suerte a todos!!!!!!
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To know is to not know..
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| spitmetal
Forum Guru
Topics: 25
Posts: 635
| | 12/30/07 - 02:01 AM
| #3619 |
ho ho ho jajajaja :P hey i just came by to say HELLO its been a long time i dont read anything abput the steps but now i'm begining to study for ck so i'm gonna be around a lot again
have a sweet new year 
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NEVER REGRET IF U DID YOUR BEST--"THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T DO SOMETHING WILL KEEP SAYING THAT YOU CAN'T DO IT.....BUT REMEMBER YOU CAN DO IT!!" by Dr. Luck a member of this forum
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| damian33
Forum Junior
Topics: 5
Posts: 91
| | 12/30/07 - 07:04 AM
| #3620 |
Hello everyone I just wanted to wish you all Good Luck for the match and my best wishes for the incoming year. Happy New Year and to those in my situation(several attempts,old grad,low scores .......It is possible it is just a little bit tougher than others and of course it won't be a very nice program but as long is ACGME accredited the rest is not important ,because in the end we will have the same Licence to practice.
Remember is not about how hard you got hit.. It is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward...how much you can take and keep moving forward. If you know what you worth you go ahead and get what you worth. But you gotta be willling to take the hit. (of course rocky balboa..)
Happy New Year everyone
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Expect the worst and you won't be disappointed
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| SilatK
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 579
| | 12/30/07 - 02:56 PM
| #3621 |
 Damian,
Don't give up just change strategy!!
A todos!!!!!!!!! Happy and prosperous New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!ajuaaaaa!!!
Salud!!!!!!!!!
Felicidades a los que ya pueden decir that they are in a program!!!!! Good Luck and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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To know is to not know..
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| tochtli
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 30
| | 12/31/07 - 10:58 AM
| #3622 |
Happy new year to everybody!!!!!!!!!!!!
May all your wishes come true
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"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go"
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| GLO MD
Forum Guru
Topics: 9
Posts: 815
| | 01/01/08 - 10:49 AM
| #3623 |
Happy New year everybody!! Hope 2008 comes filled with grateful surprises and fulfilled dreams for all of us! God bless everyone and thank you for all your support and wisdom. Sincerely, Glo
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Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground....Theodore Roosevelt
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| KARIME
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 84
| | 01/03/08 - 05:57 PM
| #3624 |
Hi everybody.
I just want to say HELLO!!!
Spit....good to see you again!
Keep going, keep going!!
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Eterea
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| SilatK
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 579
| | 01/05/08 - 06:58 PM
| #3625 |
spitmetal,
Adelante con fuerza!!!!!!!!! good to see you are preparing for CK!!!!!!!!!!
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