ankurkalra
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 64
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Dearest forum members
I want suggestions for my travel plans. I have my Step 2 CS in Philadelphia, on March 19, 2007. I am an IMG from India. Kindly suggest how many days prior to the examination day, must we reach the examination city. This question is in regard to getting used to the time zones, knowing your examination centre location, and meeting of course, and discussing with other IMGs. I think these factors are essential to get comfortable for the examination day. Looking forward to some wonderful suggestions.
Regards!
Edited by ankurkalra on 01/23/07 - 12:39 AM
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| ankurkalra
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 64
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Dearest forum members
Its been three days since I have posted my request; can any one please come up with answers! Really looking forward to them; common, do not disappoint! Regards!
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| hari.v
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 8
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hi!
at least 2 days i would say...esp if you've never been to the place ever before.....most definitely if this is your first time out of the country.....do make sure tht you pick a hotel close to te exam centre...(oftentimes a costly affair ) ......public transportation isn't reliable.......and walk down to the exam centre to know where it is......on d-day the last thing you want to be caught doing is faffing around the place asking for directions!!
make sure you have some insant snacks/foods on you...that can be a bummer esp for veggies!
good luck!
___________________
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| ankurkalra
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 64
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Dearest hari.v
Thank you very much for the suggestions! They are appreciated. Its not my first time out of the country; yes, I have searched for a hotel that is 2-5 minutes walking distance from the examination centre. Thank you indeed! Regards!
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| dev
Forum Guru
Topics: 70
Posts: 1,794
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i think it depnds on if you are alreadyin US. Then u can come a day before. IF you are directly flying from INdia then atleast 2days cause u will be jetlagged.
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| ankurkalra
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 64
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Dearest dev
Thank you very much. Yes, I will be flying directly from New Delhi, India. I do not know if there is any direct flight to Philadelphia; I will find out subsequently. I have my Visa interview next week. Forum members, your suggestions are welcome for flight details. Regards!
PS: In the employment letter for the Visa interview, is it fine to mention "the employer will finance my trip to US"?
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| fighting_it_out
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 14
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Clinical Skills Evaluation Collaboration (CSEC) Center – Philadelphia
3624 Market Street, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2685 USA
USMLE™ Step 2 Clinical Skills (Step 2 CS)
Examinee’s Guide to Philadelphia
Travel and Transportation
The Philadelphia Clinical Skills Evaluation Collaboration (CSEC) center is located in the University City section of Philadelphia, approximately 7 miles from Philadelphia International Airport.
By Air
Philadelphia International Airport is served by all major domestic carriers, with flights from more than 100 cities in the United States. The International Terminal is a gateway for flights to and from Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean, with connections to Asia. For more information, contact the Philadelphia International Airport at (215) 937-6937, or visit its website at www.phl.org. For current information regarding airline arrival and departure, as well as gate assignments, call (800) 745-4283.
The SEPTA Airport Rail Line (the R1 train) connects each terminal of the airport with 30th Street Station, which is 6 blocks from the CSEC center. For information on the R1 Rail Line, stop at one of the information booths located in all of the airport terminals. (See Public Transportation.)
Airport Shuttle Service Lady Liberty (215) 724-8888
Service between the airport and the CSEC center costs $8.00.
By Bus
Inter-city bus service is excellent, with daily arrivals from all parts of the country. The CSEC center is a 10-15 minute taxi ride from the bus terminals on Filbert Street. Taxis are readily available at either of the following bus terminals, and the fare to the CSEC center is about $9.00. From the bus stations, you can also easily access the SEPTA Market-Frankford subway line. Board a westbound train (toward 69th Street) and get off at the 34th Street stop, which is 2 blocks from the CSEC center. (See Public Transportation.)
Greyhound Lines, Inc. (800) 229-9424
10th and Filbert Streets www.greyhound.com
Peter Pan Trailways (800) 343-9999
10th and Filbert Streets www.peterpanbus.com
By Train
Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station is served by Amtrak, which operates rail service along the Northeast Corridor from Boston, MA to Washington, DC. The CSEC center is a 5 minute taxi ride from 30th Street Station, and the fare is about $5.00. From 30th Street Station you can also take the SEPTA Market-Frankford subway line westbound to 34th Street. The 34th Street stop is 2 blocks from the CSEC center.
Amtrak (800) 872-7245
30th and Market Streets www.amtrak.com
NJ Transit rail service connects New York City and cities in New Jersey with SEPTA’s 30th Street Station.
NJ Transit (215) 569-3752
www.njtransit.com
Public Transportation
The Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) offers rail service throughout the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Two major subway lines divide the city: the Market-Frankford line runs east-west; the Broad Street line runs north-south. The two lines intersect at City Hall at 15th and Market Streets, where you can make a free transfer from one line to the other. The SEPTA Market-Frankford subway line stops at 34th and Market Streets, 2 blocks from the CSEC center. You can make connections between SEPTA trains, including the SEPTA Airport Rail Line (R1 train), and Amtrak trains at 30th Street Station. SEPTA also operates buses and trolleys throughout the city, with concentrated service in the downtown ( Center City) area.
Cash fare on most SEPTA bus and subway routes is $2.00 (exact change required). Discounted tokens and passes are available at SEPTA sales offices and at commercial sales outlets. SEPTA Day Passes allow one day of unlimited rides on all city transit vehicles, plus a one-way trip on the Airport Line (R1 train). The cost of a Day Pass is $5.50. Day passes can be purchased at SEPTA’s 15th Street Store at 15th and Market Streets.
SEPTA (215) 580-7800
www.septa.org
Public Transportation for Individuals With Disabilities
Most SEPTA City Transit Division bus routes are lift-equipped. Market East Station (Market Street, between 10th and 12th Streets) is fully wheelchair accessible, as are all SEPTA trains and the Airport Terminal stations.
Customized Community Transportation (CCT)
Customer Service (215) 580-7145
Taxis
Readily available outside the airport terminals, taxis are metered, with set fares for trips to downtown Philadelphia. The cost of a trip between the airport and downtown Philadelphia is a flat fare of $25.00.
Liberty Cab Company (215) 389-8000
Olde City Taxi Coach Association (215) 338-0838
PHL Taxi (800) 936-5111
Quaker City Cab (215) 728-8000
Yellow Cab (215) 333-3333
Car Rental Alamo (800) 462-5266 www.alamo.com
Avis (800) 230-4898 www.avis.com
Budget (800) 527-0700 www.budget.com
Dollar (800) 800-3665 www.dollar.com
Hertz (800) 654-3131 www.hertz.com
National (800) 227-7368 www.nationalcar.com
Driving Directions to the CSEC Center
From Philadelphia International Airport, Washington, DC & Points South
Take I-95 North to I-76 West. Follow I-76 West to 30th Street Station exit. Proceed directly through 1st traffic light. Turn left at 2nd traffic light onto Market Street. Proceed on Market Street for 6 blocks to 3624 Market Street (on the left).
From New York and Northern New Jersey
Take New Jersey Turnpike to exit 4. Take Route 73 North for 2 miles to Route 38 West. Proceed on Route 38 West for 10 miles and cross the Ben Franklin Bridge ($3.00 toll) into Pennsylvania. Follow signs to I-676 West. Take I-676 West to I-76 East. Follow I-76 East (0.2 miles) to first exit, 30th Street Station. At top of exit ramp, turn right and go around station to Market Street. Turn right onto Market Street and proceed for 6 blocks to 3624 Market Street (on the left).
From Princeton /Trenton in Southern New Jersey
Take I-95 South to I-676/Central Philadelphia exit. Follow signs to I-676 West. Take I-676 West to I-76 East. Follow I-76 East (0.2 miles) to first exit, 30th Street Station. At top of exit ramp, turn right and go around station to Market Street. Turn right onto Market Street and proceed for 6 blocks to 3624 Market Street (on the left).
From Western Pennsylvania
Take Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) East to Valley Forge exit (exit 326). Follow I-76 East to 30th Street Station exit. At top of exit ramp, turn right and go around station to Market Street. Turn right onto Market Street and proceed for 6 blocks to 3624 Market Street (on the left).
Parking Near the CSEC Center
Parking is available across the street from the CSEC center. Examinees should expect to pay approximately $13.00 per day for parking.
Lodging Near the CSEC Center
*International House ($)
(dormitory-style accommodations) (215) 387-5125
www.ihousephilly.org/living-housing-options-rates.htm
3701 Chestnut Street
(2 blocks from the CSEC center)
*Sheraton University City Hotel ($$$) (215) 387-8000
36th and Chestnut Streets (2 blocks from the CSEC center) www.philadelphiasheraton.com
*Hilton Inn at Penn ($$$) (215) 222-0200
3600 Sansom Street (3 blocks from the CSEC center) www.theinnatpenn.com
*Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast ($$) (215) 387-6065
3300 Baring Street (5 blocks from the CSEC center) www.cornerstonebandb.com
*Penn Tower Hotel ($$) (215) 387-8333
Civic Center Boulevard and 34th Street
(6 blocks from the CSEC center) www.upenn.edu/penntower/
*Wyndham at Franklin Plaza ($$) (215) 448-2901
17th and Race Streets (1.8 miles from the CSEC center) www.wyndham.com
$ ratings are based on published rates.
Establishments marked with an asterisk (*) offer significant discounts for Step 2 CS examinees, based on availability. Since these discounts may only be available by telephone, it is recommended that you call these establishments to make your reservations. Ask for the “USMLE Step 2 CS discount” when inquiring about rates.
Local Hospitals University of Pennsylvania Medical Center -
Presbyterian (215) 789-7366
39th and Market Streets (0.3 miles from the CSEC center)
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (215) 662-4000
3400 Spruce Street (0.6 miles from the CSEC center)
Important Telephone Numbers Police, Fire, and Medical Emergencies 911
Accidental Poisoning (215) 386-2100
Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities (215) 686-2798
Traveler’s Aid Society (215) 523-7580
For Emergencies on Your Test Date
The CSEC centers are test administration facilities and are not equipped to handle routine inquiries. However, in the event of a real emergency on your test date, you may call (215) 966-3944 to contact a Philadelphia CSEC staff member during test administration hours. Please keep in mind that CSEC staff members cannot answer inquiries related to registration, scheduling, rescheduling, or general inquiries about the exam. For information on these topics, refer to the website of your registration entity.
Other Travel Resources
The following websites may prove useful in planning your trip to Philadelphia:
www.aaa.com
www.expedia.com
www.hotels.com
www.hotwire.com
www.mapquest.com
www.orbitz.com
www.priceline.com
www.travelocity.com
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| fighting_it_out
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 14
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http://www.usmle.org/step2/step2cs/Guides/PhilaGu...
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| fighting_it_out
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 14
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hi
coming rom India and givng the exam directly is a challenge ....
i prefer that u have to give yourself some time ......
well anyhow ...
http://www.usmle.org/step2/step2cs/Guides/PhilaGu...
go to that site ... call the hotel guys .... make u r reservations ... it is very eay that way .....
you can trust those guys ......
best of luck
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| ankurkalra
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 64
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Dearest fighting_it_out
Thank you very much for the post! It is appreciated! Regards!
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