Best Med School in England for a student wishing to practice in the USA?

**Lizzi** · 28-07-2008, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by KKerr

2) If you do study in the UK AND still plan to take the USMLE's - best time to take them is at the end of the 2nd year - and I would strongly recommend a non-PBL based course (some PBL is good - but you will need a balance) and a 5 year course. That way you have some time free in the summers to study the USMLE material. Get hold of a US syllabus - I think Yale has a good one online - and compare what you have covered in the first year to theirs, and study over the summer to fill any gaps, same goes for second year - then take USMLE's the end of second year. If you try taking step 1 any later than that you will forget all of your basic sciences. Dont worry about the clinical stuff, that is covered in Step 2 - and you can take that at the end of your course.

K

KKerr, I found reading all of this very useful ! Just a question;
you said the best time to take the USMLE's would be at the end of second year, do you mean of medical school or the second foundation year? This probably has an obvious answer but just to..check.

**Spencer Wells** · 28-07-2008, 06:16 PM

Second year of med school. Step 1 is all the basic sciences stuff, so it is best taken (obviously) after you've done your basic sciences (at the end of second year) and before you move on to clinical sciences. Then take Step 2 as you're coming up to finals, and Step 3 can be taken during internship.

**Bambi** · 12-08-2008, 10:32 PM

I would say as long as you have thorough notes a PBL course is probably better prep for the USMLE. Although step 1 is basic sciences the questions make you really think about the clinical and PBL cases are based on clinical situations.

**Scottish Chap** · 23-08-2008, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by Bambi

I would say as long as you have thorough notes a PBL course is probably better prep for the USMLE. Although step 1 is basic sciences the questions make you really think about the clinical and PBL cases are based on clinical situations.

Perhaps if it's an American PBL program. Otherwise, no.

**Bambi** · 23-08-2008, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Scottish Chap

Perhaps if it's an American PBL program. Otherwise, no.

I would say it depends on the person. I know at Manc the amount of detail people do for PBL varies massively, if you are one of those that does loads and reads around everything a lot then it would prepare you quite well, well, better than just being given a bunch of info and never having to apply anything. People vary though. Some people are great with memorising and then seem to be able to apply it really well as well, a lot of people can't though, especially the younger folks. At least PBL helps a bit with the application of info but it still depends on the person.

**Scottish Chap** · 23-08-2008, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by Bambi

I would say it depends on the person. I know at Manc the amount of detail people do for PBL varies massively, if you are one of those that does loads and reads around everything a lot then it would prepare you quite well, well, better than just being given a bunch of info and never having to apply anything. People vary though. Some people are great with memorising and then seem to be able to apply it really well as well, a lot of people can't though, especially the younger folks. At least PBL helps a bit with the application of info but it still depends on the person.

True but, again, keep in mind that the USMLE is geared toward the American medical system where you are held responsible for far more details and esoteric minutia.

In addition, the USMLE performance is very much about ability in taking these tests in a multiple choice format. Many smart people tank on this exam. For this reason, medical schools with a more traditional curriculum with lots of similar exams provide better preparation.

**Gizmo says -** · 23-08-2008, 10:59 PM

you could do all the year 1 and year 2 science work you could possibly muster and still be an incompetent fool in a ward.

wif 2 years of pbl under your belt, you've been trained for 2 years of experience in patient problems.

dunno ow this works wif this big wierdy USMEL though.

**Scottish Chap** · 23-08-2008, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Gizmo says -

you could do all the year 1 and year 2 science work you could possibly muster and still be an incompetent fool in a ward.

wif 2 years of pbl under your belt, you've been trained for 2 years of experience in patient problems.

dunno ow this works wif this big wierdy USMEL though.

Indeed, 'book smarts' do not always correlate with clinical performance.

**Bambi** · 23-08-2008, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by Scottish Chap

True but, again, keep in mind that the USMLE is geared toward the American medical system where you are held responsible for far more details and esoteric minutia.

All the stupid details are driving me crazy! I just keep thinking I'm never really going to use any of it so it makes it pretty hard to get motivated!

One thing I would say about UK schools, none of them prepare you for any of the biochem, we just don't really do it. If I hadn't done a degree before I wouldn't have even heard of anything in the biochem section of first aid let alone understand it.

**Scottish Chap** · 23-08-2008, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Bambi

All the stupid details are driving me crazy! I just keep thinking I'm never really going to use any of it so it makes it pretty hard to get motivated!

One thing I would say about UK schools, none of them prepare you for any of the biochem, we just don't really do it. If I hadn't done a degree before I wouldn't have even heard of anything in the biochem section of first aid let alone understand it.

Yes, that surprised me, too. I already had a detailed background in biochemistry from post-graduate classes (before medical school), and I was amazed at how much detail the American medical students are held accountable for in U.S. medical schools....at least, for a short time....