charlise
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hec23md, i'm from glenn's group. goodluck on your step 3. i've always believed that you'll eventually get to where you want to be as long as you work hard enough for it. this is a very anxious time for all of us. bilib ako sa yo nakakareview ka pa for step 3.
toxic_doc, tell me your email address so we can invite you to our group.
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| charlise
Forum Newbie
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este hecmd23 pala. ano ba.
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| hecmd23
Forum Newbie
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charlise, ka group mo pala si glenn, which i heard is in new york as a pharmacist ata? Dominee and i might visit him after the match.
Well, the firts day for step 3 is over for me, and it was a very big blur for me. PRetty much how i felt after i left the testing room when i took step and step 2, but this time, i'm more in need of time. So i was literally running against time. In step 1 and 2, i believe i had a lmost 5 minutes left per block, but ahwile ago, i used every second of the 60 minutes! I was reading my last question with 45 seconds left, and had to choose the correct answer with 5 seconds left. Talk about cutting it close, and no time for reviewing previously marked items ( which i was able to do in the previous steps).
I'm sharing my experience so that for you guys who haven't taken the step 3 yet, you'll be prepared with what to expect. I studied Kaplan step 2 notes, First aid for step 3 and Crush step 3 - i realized they were not that great, but yes, for reviewing they are helpful. What i mean is, step 3 is not about facts, it does not ask about what the diagnosis is (though this is important), its's about doing the right things at the right time. Sure we all know statins are the first line of treatment for hyperlipidemia, but when do you start to give it (at which LDL level - there's a protocol on this based on risk factors), and when do you just start on diet alone; we know warfarin is the long term management for pulmo embolism, but when do you stop it ( 3, 6, or 12/indefinite months based on the cause - reversible, idiopathic, or recurrent PE, respectively); yes HAART is the recommendation for HIV patients, but when do you check the viral titers again when you xpect them to go below 5000, 500, or 10 (1, 4, and 6 months respectively); and biphosphonates can help in osteoporosis, but when do you give it (when dexa scan scores >2.5). A lot of the questions i got ahwile ago was " What is the appropriate management AT THIS TIME? just like this one question which is a very long vignette about a teen with high glucose (800) and presence of ketones, with acidosis and stuff - obvious DKA right? we already know how to manage it, but the vignette already included the managemnt, IV fluids given started on IV infusion drip with potassium, given bicarb, then glucose dropped to 250. The question was what do you do at the time (stop IV, overlap oral insulin, serioal blood chemistries). The step 3 is about when to do the right thing, and about treatment protocols - so scrap whatever you learned about TB exposure (not actual TB) treatment in the philippines, it's different when you handle a TB exposure here. And lastly, polypharmacy. it's not about the basic warfarin interacting with cimetidine stuff.... questions are designed not to spot the obvious. It's like in every question, you have to eran the point, unlike in step 1 and 2, some answers are deducible.
So, for suture takers, study well, i'm not sure if i studied well enough for this exam, but i believe i have a reason for every answer i gave awhile ago (sana lang tama reasoning ko). Well, tomorrow's another day, the last day i need to face another computer screen, hopefully. Til then! 
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"I'm still the best there is at what i do best" -James Howlett
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| hecmd23
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finally done with step 3! today was more relaxed, 4 more blocks of 36 items each, got enough time answering them and questions are much much shorter. and then came the simulated cases, which i found enjoyable. out of 9 cases, i got 5 office cases, 3 ER and 1 inpatient. i tried to manage them to best of my ability, and it was good everyone felt better after my treatment - except 1 (low back pain, acute compression fracture of spine secondary to osteoporosis - hehe, ginawa ko na lahat and narefer na rin sa neurosurgery, pero di pa rin nawal sakit ng likod nya!)
if you have questions, just give me ring....its back to the clinic for me. good luck everyone, hoping for the best, the match is just a month away. 
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"I'm still the best there is at what i do best" -James Howlett
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| tg250
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Topics: 0
Posts: 26
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to toxicdoc, when are you going to take step 1? i would like to communicate with you if possible.my number is 321 274 3794, kindly leave a message if un attended. thanks.
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| alhambramd
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 128
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Wow, nice to see an active pinoy thread here... it's my first time checking this website since I started residency with my first choice program (YES! I LOVE THE MATCH!) in June 2006. Any pinoys out there going for California? I'm with the Stanislaus Family Practice Residency Program in Modesto, CA and there are 3 pinoys in my class alone... it's very relaxed, I keep my friends that we're spoiled rotten here 
It's a community program and it's unopposed. We take care of county and uninsured patients mostly, and it's been a great experience so far.
I dont often read this forum, except somebody sent me a private message, which fortunately I found before I erased my spam Anybody want to get in touch, PM me or email through alhambramd@yahoo.com.
Good luck!
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| alhambramd
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 128
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Toxicdoc & charlise... I'm crossing my fingers and hoping our plm_alumni yahoogroup would get some activity in the next couple of days. I'm running out of ideas na e on how to keep the conversation going
Kwento naman dyan!
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| alhambramd
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 128
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Hi EEZZY! Saw your question about the CA Letter. I'm in residency in Modesto, CA right now. I could probably help (probably!)
And in case di ako reply agad, PM me na lang!
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| toxic _doc
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 15
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alhambramd wrote:Hi EEZZY! Saw your question about the CA Letter. I'm in residency in Modesto, CA right now. I could probably help (probably!) And in case di ako reply agad, PM me na lang!
Abi, I am moving to California soon...hopefully we will cross paths...kudos to you for making it to the residency.....family med pala ang specialty mo...like me (sa pinas)...anyway, long way to go pa ko but I wish you all the best sa endeavors mo and I know you will ace through the years of raining...goodluck and see you at the yahoo forum..
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| charlise
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 8
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abi, i think kaya wala masyado nagsusulat, it's because in our group we don't have the comfort of anonymity. the match is such an inherently stressful process, there are a lot of bumps in this particular road. personally, i would love to help those who are planning to pursue residency in the states. it's just that i feel too exposed if i talk about my match experience in the context that you want us to (i.e. posting rejections). but if anyone has queries about anything i am somehow well-informed in, i would definitely provide answers in the best way i know how.
toxic doc, are you reviewing for step 1? i enrolled in kaplan for step 1, but you really don't have to do that. especially here sa states ang mahal mahal, ako kasi sa makati nag-enroll. just make sure you have the right review materials. i did pretty well in mine and i think it might help you if i share with you how i studied for that.
here are the materials i used:
kaplan notes, kaplan videos, kaplan qbook, first aid, kaplan qbank.
i studied for 4 months, fulltime
first i did advance reading before watching the videos. then while watching i made oc notes para di ko na panoorin uli. after watching the videos, i read everything twice (so parang 3x ko binasa plus yung first reading before manood). i made flash cards for difficult topics while doing 3rd reading. then i read first aid, which is a must-read for step 1. then i did kaplan qbank for the last 10 days of my review. i simulated the exam so as to build my endurance, doing 10 blocks in a day, then reviewing the 10 blocks the day after i answered them. so alternate na nagaanswer ako tapos next day review ng sagot. para sa kin patok tong kaplan qbank. goodluck to you, i hope this helps.
i suggest din magobservership ka sa fam practice doctor after you cleared the steps. they could give you strong lor's which is a big help in your application.
hecmd23, glenn's in stratford, ct. we met up in NY and he toured me. i'm sure he'd love to hear from you.
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| alhambramd
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 128
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well yeah charlize, that is one way of loking at it. some people do prefer to remain anonymous, especially if they're not too happy or proud of what they have to share, hehehe. thank you for the new perspective
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| charlise
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you're welcome
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| hecmd23
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 146
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charlise,
yep, connecticut pala. probably we'll visit him after the match (when everything clears up for the future) good luck everyone, the countdown to march 12 begins!
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| Pnoydoc
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 59
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wow! all of you are so quiet. is it because of the up coming match results on March 12? hey guys, i will pray that all of the pinoys will get matched. and those who will apply for the scramble, goodluck and we'll pray that all of you will get in. masarap ang scramble with klim. hehehehehehehehe. just breaking up the ice. next matching will be my turn to feel the tension.
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| Pnoydoc
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Topics: 3
Posts: 59
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alhambramd, can you help me how to go about applying for PTAL and where in california should i go to apply for it?
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| hecmd23
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 146
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yep pnoydoc, its a very stressful time for everyone going through the match this year, a few more days and our fate will be sealed, for me, its going to be the scramble who's going to decide.
and oh by the way, i passed step 3. not with flying colors, but i just need to pass this lang naman for visa purposes. i'm glad i'm finished with all these exams. And i m glad i don't have to take the step 3 again, i had a feeling i failed (due to the limited prep time i had -4 weeks only), but it's good i passed and its finally over. now, scramble here i come.
good luck everyone!
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| scalpeldocph
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Posts: 39
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Congrats hecmd23. Good luck to all Scramblers
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| scalpeldocph
Forum Newbie
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Posts: 39
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Dear fellow pinoys who did not match. Hows the scramble going? Its another frustrating process for me ( and also to many applicants, as I browse today's fora). Just relied on ERAS and did not even fill completely the 30 free program quota of ERAS since by the time I got to talk to somebody from the program, its usually filled etc etc. I did send applications blindly to some programs with unfilled positions though since they were unreachable. I think connections or previous interview experience with the program gives you an edge in the scramble. I was able to contact a program with 3+ unfilled positions within 20 mins of the scramble and the answer was its already filled
Im just spending the hours checking updates on which program with unfilled positions goes last hehehe. . . pretty boring. I
I hope next years match would be better for me. . . . uupps not yet, few days more to go til this years match is officially over.
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| hecmd23
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 146
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well, as the dust starts to finally settle, I have given up on the scramble. After hundreds of phonecalls which either result to a busy line or no one actually picking up or the numerous voicemails that greeted me; after a hundred fax tries that never went through (i successfully sent only 2) and as i watch the 30 programs i applied through ERAS slowly fill up their positions....
i guess it takes courage to know when to really give up.
Now i only wait for my "phone to ring and my inbox to ding" Hopefully, there are still programs out there deliberating, and i would like to think that they're deliberating on my application. Haha.
But nevertheless, it was a great ride. and i know i'll be a better applicant next year. Gear up boys, we got six months to prepare - again. Good luck everyone, i learned a lot this year, i hope those people aiming for the 2008 match learned a few ones too from our experience. Yer in for the ride of your life. I'll be seeing you guys next year, it was so great meeting y'all.
hecmd23
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"I'm still the best there is at what i do best" -James Howlett
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| hanskenneth
Forum Junior
Topics: 2
Posts: 55
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Hi. I've been reading this post for a number of months now, but I didn't really have anything to contribute yet so I just stayed at the sidelines. I'd just like to ask if any of you guys used the NBME self assessment? My step 1 is on the 27th and I haven't used it so I don't really know where I stand right now. I cannot postpone the exam anymore because this is the last month of my eligibility. Do you suggest that I take it or will it just be a waste of money and effort at this point? Maraming salamat po.
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| charlise
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 8
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hanskenneth,
i didn't use the nbme self-assessment but i subscribed to kaplan qbank for step 1. i heard if you're getting 70% of the answers correct you'll do fine in the exam. i got 73% and my score on the actual exam was pretty decent. i also answered the usmle cd and scored 80%. kaplan qbank for step 1 rocks, i strongly recommend it.
did you have any form of self-assessment? my opinion on this is if you haven't used any qbank and you don't have any idea how prepared you are, you're better off requesting for an extension of your eligibility. i think it costs $50.
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| cbl_md88
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Topics: 0
Posts: 4
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Pinoys! Thank God I found you guys. Can I join in? I'm batch 88 graduate, been here in Houston, tx since 91. Been busy raising 3 kids - now daug is in college, son on his way to college and baby is a teenager - Now I can start studying for myself. But I don't know where to start. Help! Anyone? I'm planning to take Step 1 in Jun/July? Does that sound realistic? Works two jobs- but it's not so hectic/toxic! I can have time to study if I put my mind into it. I just need a little push to get started . . . help!
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| scalpeldocph
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 39
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Hanskenneth,
I tried KAplan Qbank, USMLE world and NBME. I think ( many do) that NBME has a strong correlation with possible USMLE scores. It made me wonder how it could give such good assesment with just 200? questions, but it does. It could serve as final check of how prepared you are. If your scores on these practice exams consistently points to barely passing mark, postpone it as Charlise suggested. I had my regrets ( until now)in my pushing my luck from haphazard prep when it was my time then. Note: the NBME doesnt give answers to their online questions. USMLE world for me has closer resemblance to the actual USMLE questions than Kaplan Qbank.
cbl_md88
welcome to this forum. YOu will surely get a lot of insight from this forum indirectly thru browsing others experiences or directly from personal advice of the participants.
askdoc has a thread on this forum on how he got great scores. learn from it. If you are the type who does not get easily discouraged, you may try the NBME/USMLE retired questions ( its in Kaplan website etc etc.) so you will have an idea of the USMLE way of asking questions then go start studying
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| scalpeldocph
Forum Newbie
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eezy and nokia kmusta na. hope to see more posts from you
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| Pnoydoc
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 59
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wow! i have read some of the postings here about the matched. some have low scores but matched while others have outstanding scores but not matched. it is very unpredictable. I know a friend of a friend of mine who's a pinay who was matched with only one interview. Such a lucky girl. she was very much thankful. Guys and gals, goodluck to all of us on our next journey toward the match 2007-2008. We will all pray hard.
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