USMLE/NATIONAL BOARD EXAM

Current school policy requires that students successfully pass Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) in order to proceed in the third year of medical school. This comprehensive exam is the first step in becoming a licensed physician. As you progress through the first two years, please remember that it is not enough to simply pass the Medical School curriculum. You must also master the information sufficiently to pass the USMLE Step 1 exam given at the end of your sophomore year. Consult the 2005-2006 Health Sciences Center Catalog for additional details on school policy regarding the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2. If you have questions, talk with Dr. Platt, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

CAREER GUIDANCE: A LOOK TO THE FUTURE

It is not too early to be aware of the range of specialties for medical practice. Residency positions for some of these are very competitive. If one of them interests you, it is important that you begin to investigate what is required to get into that residency. You may want to take electives or do research related to the field of your choice as early as your freshman and sophomore years. The book Choosing a Medical Specialty is especially informative. Also, look at the appropriate section in the FYI Handbook.

During your Junior year there is a workshop, cosponsored by the Office for Student Affairs and the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society chapter, which will provide you with much information, including a schedule of all of the things which you must do to select a residency training program. The Office for Student Affairs will notify you by email of the specific dates.

During your Junior year you should receive a "token" to enable you to register on "Careers in Medicine" web site of the AAMC, this site is very comprehensive and has several questionares to poin you in the right direction.

In February of your senior year in medical school, you will make your residency program choices (ranking the programs by preference), and enter these in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), known as The Match.

Through all of the above, the Office for Student Affairs will be your resource and help, so stay in touch and read your email and your mail.