usmletarget2007
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 8
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I will sit for step2 CS in the first week of July. is there any body want to practise with me from June 26 to July2 in LA
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| busy_mom
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 100
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Hi All,
I took the CS in LA in Feb. Except for one case, ALL of them were basically from the FA.
On my first case I ran out of time due to nervousness, and my voice was really shaky, my mouth totally dry - but it helped that the patient was nice, and that I noticed the other exam takers looked pale and nervous as we lined up for the next case. After that it gradually got better. I really messed up my DDs for one case (donīt ask me why, but for some reason I wrote DDs for URTIs, where the patient had been vomitting !), and on another case I forgot to write the most obvious DD (the patient had actually asked me whether he might have this disease, and I had answered "Well, Mr. Smith - honestly, considering your symptoms, this is definitely something that we can not rule out at this time. But why donīt I finish my exam first, and then weīll discuss this possibility some more. If that is alright with you ?!" Anyway, I ended up forgetting to write this diagnosis on my DD.)
And on one case (the one not in the FA) I actually had to admit to the patient, that I knew nearly nothing about what she had just asked me. I tried saving myself by telling her what little I did know, and how embarassed I was about this (I really was !), but I just hadnīt seen a case like this for quite some time, and would read it up and get right back to her with the information she was looking for. I think my being honest and sincere might have helped !
Anyway, I just wanted you to see that I messed up on some pretty important things, but ended up passing. The patients were very nice, as was the staff in LA. After my experience, I would def. go back there again if I had to, and Iīll def. recommend this location to others !
As for accomodation: I stayed at the Hacienda hotel - www.haciendahotel.com It is the closest one to the testing site. I was actually able to see the CS-building from my hotel-room. Itīs a 7-10 minute walk to the testing site from there. There is a supermarket right across from the hotel - so if youīre on a tight budget (like I am !), you can buy yourself something in there, instead of going to a restaurant. They actually had a deli in the store, so I got myself a really big sub-sandwich for maybe $4.00, along with some (diet) Coke. Thereīs also a Quiznos and a Starbucks right accross from the Hacienda, in case youīre looking for some time-out.
The hotel has renovated rooms for about $89, and un-renovated rooms for $79. Needless to say I chose the less expensive one. At first I was a bit shocked as I entered my room, because it seemed a bit yucky. But after looking around it, I realized that it was just the room itself that wasnīt so great: the paint was peeling off in places, the carpet was really old, etc. But the "maid" had done a really good job of keeping the room clean ! (And trust me: I am picky, so if I say that, it is true ! I had even brought some desinfection, thatīs how picky I am !  )
The hotel (and testing site) is about 10 minutes away from the airport. And since it offers free shuttle service 24 hrs. per day, you wonīt have to worry about transportation. Oh, I noticed that there was another hotel almost accross from the Hacienda, in the neighboring street (though I forgot which one-sorry !). So that one would be in walking distance as well.
I hope this post helped some of you. All in all: the SPs in LA were very friendly and cooperative, as was the staff, and I had no issues with transportation whatsoever, since it is so close to the airport. 11 of the 12 cases were in the FA. Since I had also used USMLEWorld and the Kaplan CS book, I can say that the FA was def. the best way to prepare ! That 12th case wasnīt in any of the other resources. Maybe it was one of the experimental ones ? Of course Digitaldocīs page is a must-read: http://csprotocol.blogspot.com - but Iīm sure you know that already !
I should really get back to studying again. My CK is coming up next week - I canīt believe Iīm sitting here, writing this instead of cramming ! Wish me luck ! And good luck to you all as well !
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| doc179
Forum Guru
Topics: 67
Posts: 1,217
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Thanx busy_mom. I am not taking CS in LA but in Chicago. But I must say that your experiences really help me as I was really very much worrying as I dont know how to save my skin most of the times but looks like its going to be alright even if I said to the SP that I dont know what you are asking abt, will read it up and will get back to you.Thank you very much.
GL for CK
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| busy_mom
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 100
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Thanks Doc179 and GL for you too ! Remember to always be extremely friendly, smile at the patient (I wasnīt able to do that until maybe the 5th patient - but then I started to behave more like myself: and my nature is to smile, be super-friendly -I always ask Pats to let me know if what Iīm doing is hurting them, and I always assist them in any way I can-, care about the patients, and Iīm always apologetic and honest if I messed up on something. So luckily I didnīt have to do any acting during this exam !), and admit your mistakes !
After all, who knows: maybe if the SP really likes you, heīll forget to write down that you forgot to drape him or forgot to listen to his bowel sounds. I know thatīs what I would do if I were a SP - as long as it wasnīt something REALLY important, and if I thought that this guy would make a great doctor, I might just "smuggle" a checkmark here and there occasionally. Of course, thatīs just me ! But some of my SPs (especially the older ones) seemed like they might just do the same... 
GL again - hope everything goes well !
Edited by busy_mom on 05/16/06 - 04:50 PM. Reason: spelling
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| drk1980
Forum Guru
Topics: 147
Posts: 1,038
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busy_mom, very useful information. thanks lots! all the best to you for the Match.
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| busy_mom
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 100
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Thanks drk - all the best to you too !
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| doc179
Forum Guru
Topics: 67
Posts: 1,217
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Thank you I feel a lot better now.
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| digitaldoc
Topics: 35
Posts: 369
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am glad csprotocol helped u busy_mom !
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| yaghoobi
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 4
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Hey busy MOm
Do you have a phone number, so I can call you and have some advice.
thanks
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| yeswhy
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 15
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Hi.. I am taking it on July 21 in LA also! I'm looking for any study partners to start preparing on July 1 ..if interested please message me!!!
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| SilatK
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 581
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LA CENTER IS A great place. The hotel across La Hacienda is Homestead Inn, but around the center there's a Double Tree Hotel. The name of the place where the test is at is called the Pacific Towers. Very hard to miss. also the beach is about at a 20 min. walk from la hacienda. Just walk on grand and it will take you to the beach.
The Staff were very friendly and very nice. Never knew there names thought.
The test as always felt bad afterwards. but we'll see the results in 2 months. I felt the cases were more UW based. FA is perfect to study the D/D's and workup. Case-Based has good cases and good pictures but definitely is a book to practice with someone and also very good tips.
Good luck to all!!
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