Discussions

It can be a bit cliche, dependin on how it's done. If their words genuinely resonate with your own beliefs and you can elaborate on that connection, it might work!

Don’t neglect wellness. Overstudying can lead to burnout real fast. Balance is key.

Skipping basics. Make sure your base, especially IM, is solid before diving into random facts.

Don’t rush into the next attempt. Take your time to really understand your mistakes in the first one.

Focus on weak spots, use different resources, and practice, practice, practice.

Depends on the speciality and program. Some are more research-focused than others. Try to get some experience if you can.

Been there! What works for me is meditation and deep breathing exercises. Also, practicing under simulated exam conditions helped me feel more prepared and less anxious.

Talking it out with someone who understands can really help. Also, try some light exercise; helps release that nervous energy!

Yeah, a fair amount. Be sure you're solid on cardiology and endocrinology especially.

IMO, case reports are low hanging fruits LOL. Better than nothing but try for more if u can.

Case reports can be a good quick win if you don't have much else. But if you have the time and resources, definitely shoot for original research!

Only if you feel ready and not too burned out. Otherwise, it's perfectly fine to wait until you're in residency.

It's different. More about applying knowledge in a practical, clinical setting.

Sure thing! 1. Pass your USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK. 2. Complete your med school degree. 3. Get your medical diploma verified. 4. Apply for ECFMG cert. Expect the whole process to take a few months minimum depending on verification speed and exam dates.

Don't forget to check timings for exam slots and verifications with your med school, times can vary wildly based on location and institution.

Improvement is always possible with focused and consistent effort. I jumped nearly 100 points from my initial practice exams to the real test, so it can be done!

Focus on understanding why you’re missing questions. Is it content or test strategy? Addressing the root cause can significantly boost your scores.

Regular breaks during your mock tests and on the actual day can help. Also, stay hydrated!

Yes, it’s smart to have a plan B just in case. Better safe than sorry!

Deep breaths, meditation, and don't forget to hydrate! Also, a good night's sleep is a must.

Felt the same tbh, just make sure you’re familiar with the US clinical guidelines.

Tough but doable. Set a strict schedule and maybe lessen your clinical load if you can?

Anything innovative or heavily demanded like AI in healthcare, immunotherapy in cancer, etc. can be pretty eye-catching.

Keep your head down and work hard. Sometimes it's best to let your work speak for itself.

Communication is key, try to understand their expectations early on and always be proactive with your duties.

Find a mentor or a senior resident who can give you specific tips on what that attending prefers.

Practice timing during review sessions and always have a plan before you start each case.

Take a complete break for a day or two. Disconnect totally from studying and recharge.

Know your formulas well and practice applying them. UWorld has good examples.

What matters most is the content of the letter, not just the prestige of the hospital.

As long as the letter is strong and from someone who really knows your clinical abilities, you’re golden!

Take a break and come back to it, sometimes stepping away for a bit helps clear your head. Also, talking it out with friends or mentors can help get some ideas flowing.

Yeah, totally get that. What helped me was just starting with a bullet point list of all the things I wanted to include and then organizing them into a narrative after!

Got to keep a balance; make it personal enough to be compelling, but not so much that it feels inappropriate. Stick to what’s relevant to your career goals in med.

Hey there! 🙌 I think it's important to be real. Share personal experiences that show your unique journey and how these have shaped your decision for residency. Just be professional about it and keep anything too intimate out of your essay!

Focus more on clinical knowledge and OMM. No need to go back to basic sciences much.

OMG, I feel you. What worked for me was focusing a lot on OMM (osteopathic manipulative medicine) since it's a big part of COMLEX. Also, try to do as many practice q’s as you can. Helps a ton!

Group study sessions helped me a lot, especially for those tricky topics. Also, have you tried the OMM app? It’s pretty helpful for visual learners.

For sure! I made a schedule and stuck to it. Also, UWorld and Anki were game changers for me. Don’t forget to take breaks and keep yourself hydrated 💧! Good luck!