lactobacilus
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 9
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Hi all; i took my cs last week in chicago, my post is mostly to describe my experience in town, because the exam experience was the same as every one, the cases were in the usmle world, same old, same old.
Once you have your appointment the first thing to do is to book the hotel, the sooner the better, what I did was to go to expedia and I put the center address and they gave me options from 0.06 miles to 10 or even more miles, the ones that are really close are REALLY EXPENSIVE, like the Marriot and the Ramada that cost about 200-250 per nigth, because this area is very busy and comercial , but there`s others that aren`t that expensive, and the good thing is that the public transpotation is very good so you can take the train (blue line) or a bus ( the cumberland Av. is on front of the building so you can take it to); or a cab. If you could`n get a hotel in the neigborhood, and you have never been in chicago, I recommend you to go to CTA.com and there is a link that you introduce your address and your destination and they give you the route and the buses/trains that you have to take.
As for the exam use formal clothes, try to look nice and professional, use long sleeves white coat, it dosn`t matter if is short or long, very confortable shoes, but not sporty, cause your gonna be running like a rabbit. And the mos important thing: try to be on time, I irrived at 8:00 and I was one of the last to get there, our group was mostly Americans graduates (80%). And in the center the personnel was Ok, probably in other centers are nicer, but they weren`t bad, the food was ok: Sandwiches, fruits , salad, cookies, sodas, coffe, tea and bottled water. The sp were nice, very profesional, looked like real px, no one was mean, or difficult they don`t have accent and speak very clear so you won`t have any problem understanding them.
In the center once the orientation beguins they give you a number and a seat and in this seat you are allowed to have some snaks, medications like pain relievers or antacids, and chap stick, so if you thing you are gonna need it , take them with you. One last thing, chicago is really cold , but not in the center, so don`n wear too much layers.
I hope this helps and gl.
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| amirhossein
Forum Guru
Topics: 57
Posts: 857
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Thank you for sharing. Where did you stay?
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All human wisdom is summed up in two words: wait and hope
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| lactobacilus
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 9
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I stayed at Haptoms inn
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| kanyuek
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 1
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Thanks ! Go for the USMLEWOrld
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| danzx8
Forum Newbie
Topics: 10
Posts: 13
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I just reserved a room at the Marriott hotel, which is 0.02 miles from the test center. It costed me 89$.
Make sure you check the hotel list on the USMLE website, and when you call to those hotels, don't forget to mention that you are taking USMLE step 2 exam ( it is actually a discount code).
Ramada Inn was even cheaper (75 $), but I preferred the Marriott, which is in a walking distance from the cneter.
Hope this helps.
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| amirhossein
Forum Guru
Topics: 57
Posts: 857
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I bought a package from expedia.com for a roundtrip flight from philadelphia and one night stay in Ramada Plaza Interantional O'Hare. it cost me $250. the hotel does not have a discount for CS taker. the hotel is 0.8 mile far from center.
___________________
All human wisdom is summed up in two words: wait and hope
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| bikerdoc
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 110
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Actually you have to speak to the front desk not the main ramada Inn reservations for the dicount. They quoted me 75$ and I am staying there next week for my exam. Damn if I had known Marriot also gave a discount i would have stayed there.....ah well....doesnt matter....
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| bikerdoc
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 110
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Hey Lactobacilus...do you think all your cases at the Chicago center were from the USMLEworld ? or FA?....like i mean not exactly but was there any case that yu felt was way outta what we usually see in UW and FA?
Thanks...am taking CS in Chicago on Tuesday......am a bit nervous....but overall cool....
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| lactobacilus
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 9
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Hi guys, to Amyr: I thing you got a pretty good deal, keep practicing and you`ll be great.
To bikerdoc the cases in general were more similar to the UW , I got 5 cases that were in the sample cases, the others were similar, but they can change the scenario, like for example if is an acute case in UW they make it chronic, and that way the change the whole scenario and Dx, but the Qs about this particular system is gonna be the same, do you know I mean. I think pediatric cases are better in FA, but if you don`t have it, just stick ti uw beause at the end is the almost the same. I got 1 case that wasn`t in any of the materials, but it`s pretty easy, and if you use pamhusgfoss and liqoraaa you are gonna be just fine. I was nervous too but take a deep breath, try to smile, and be cool in front of the px, you are not gonna get something that you are not familiar with.
Best of luck to all of you, bye
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