doctorpdg

MS3 is known as the first year of clinical sciences, while MS1 and MS2 are 2 years of basic sciences. Medical school consists of 4 years (the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree).  Between MS2 and MS3, I had a break for about 7 months. This is because after completing my coursework on the island, I wanted to take time out to study for the USMLE Step 1. In order to be eligible for Step 1, we have to take an exam called Comprehensive Basic Sciences Exam (CBSE) a.k.a. 'Comp'. If you would like to know how I studied for both, Comp and Step 1, please see my stories under the 'Medical School' highlight on my Instagram page.  After sitting for Step 1, we are required to complete a 6-week clinical 'training' session that primes us for third and fourth year clinical rotations in hospitals in the U.S. of A. This 'training' is called Internal Medicine Foundations (I.M.F.), and is held in Miramar, Florida. I lived about 10 minutes from campus and about 1 hour from the...

If you have not already read my MS1 post, please read that first. MS2 was very different in comparison to the other two semesters in MS1, because each semester was formatted differently. Additionally, I was on the accelerated track at RUSM, which consists of 4 semesters (versus the 5-semester regular curriculum). Feel free to read more on the RUSM website .  Semester 3 was very similar to Semesters 1 and 2 in terms of the schedule. However, for Semester 4 (and 5), class is only three days a week: Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Classes are all day long from 8 AM to 5 PM. My schedule looked like: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 6:00 A.M.: Wake-up 6:15-7:00 A.M.: Work-out 7-7:45 A.M.: Get ready & breakfast 8 A.M.-12 P.M.: Class 12-1 P.M.: Lunch 1-5 P.M.: Class 5-6 P.M.: Dinner 6-9 P.M.: Study 10:00 P.M.: Sleep Tuesdays and Thursdays: 6:00 A.M.: Wake-up 6:15-7:00 A.M.: Work-out 7-7:45 A.M.: Get ready & breakfast 8 A.M.-12 P.M.: Study 12-1 P.M.: Lunch 1-5 P.M.: Study 5-6 P.M.: D...

For those who know, MS1 is the first year of medical school. After being accepted to Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) as a non-traditional student, I attended MS1 on the island of Dominica, West Indies. Post-hurricane relocation is to Barbados, where they have permanently situated now.    MS1 was quite a challenge, not only in terms of academics, but adjusting to a new environment. For those who know me, I am born and raised in New Jersey. I have never really left the country or the state, for that matter, unless it was for vacation. Moving to a new country, which is not like the United States of America was definitely difficult. Nonetheless, with the support of my cousin, who at the time was in his last semester of the accelerated program was there (he was the one who encouraged me to apply and start when he was still on the island), I was able to adjust better. Assimilating to a new culture was enhanced through the rich transition I had via the help of my stron...