The most common tumor of the urinary tract is transitional cell carcinoma. It is associated with Phenacetin, smoking, aniline dyes and cyclophosphamide.
Squamous cell carcinoma is due to chronic irritation of the bladder as seen with S.Hematobium infection, chronic cystitis and smoking.
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common primary renal malignancy. Gene deletion on chromosome 3. Often golden yellow due to high lipid content. Can present with hematuria, palpable flank mass, secondary polycythemia. Associated with paraneoplastic syndromes.
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Pharmacology for the USMLE Step 1 requires you to know just the basics about the commonly used drugs in medicine. Here are a few things that you MUST know about the drug.
Which class does it belong to?
What is the mechanism of action?
What are the uses?
What are the sideeffects?
Apart from this there is very little that can be asked about pharmacology. Be sure to understand the drugs you study in this manner.
Pay special attention to the side effects. The examiners love these questions.
So what resources should you use to study for USMLE Step 1 Pharmacology? Thankfully the list is quite short for this one.
“Must do” Pharmacology USMLE Step 1 Resources
Review videos and notes
Video lectures and notes summarize pretty much all the basics you need to know about pharmacology for the USMLE Step 1.
You can buy these from any of the sources available online (Kaplan, Lecturio, Becker, etc).
If you feel that the videos are very time consuming, you can watch them at a playback speed of 1.5x or more.
If you are someone who prefers to read notes instead of watching videos, stick to that. The notes by Kaplan are concise and easy to understand.
First Aid
This is an absolute essential when it comes to Step 1 prep. There is no bypassing First Aid. This book along with UWorld is your ultimate resource for Step 1.
Be sure to go through Lecturio, Kaplan or any other review material you are using before you start reading First Aid.
The information in First Aid is ONLY the most high yield stuff and it doesn’t really explain concepts. This book is good if you have strong basics and want to have a review of all the subjects from 1 common book.
Every word is super high yield. Pay special emphasis on the mechanism of action and the side effects.
UWorld
Although this goes without saying, the list of resources for pharmacology would be incomplete if we don’t add UWorld. This is an extensive learning tool. Make sure you read the explanations really well.
This is a Question bank with nearly 2500 quality questions. Make sure you solve them and spend enough time reviewing your tests. There is a massive amount of information in each explanation.
This is a good book to read during the initial years of your medical school to build strong concepts in pharmacology.
However, it is neither required nor recommended that you read this book during your dedicated USMLE Step 1 Prep as this book includes a lot of non high yield material as well which can be very time consuming.
You can also consider making flashcards of the most commonly tested drugs and practice them. There are a lot of ways to study, videos, notes, flashcards, pick what works best for you and stick to it.
Have any other resources that you would like to recommend? Mention them in the comments section below or write to us at theindianmedicalstudent@gmail.com.
When you enter medical school, the first encounter you will probably have with any subject is with anatomy. The terms used in anatomy may seem like a whole different language to you. With the right MBBS Anatomy resources you can make sure you do well on this subject.
The Anatomy resources below are classified according to whether you will be using it as a guidebook or as an exam aid to help you write answers on the exam.
For may years this has been the best book if you really want to get a good understanding of human anatomy. Everything in the book is explained in a very easy language so it is a great resource if you want to build strong basics.
Although it may be helpful for MCQs, do not try to use this book to find answers to write on your test. This book is only meant for you to really understand the subject.
You may also consider buying the students edition if you are looking for a more concise version of the book.
Reading anatomy without understanding how the structures in the body are really placed is a waste of your time. This book is an absolute must have if you want to get a realistic idea of the structures you are reading about.
The illustrations are very detailed and well labelled. Each part has been drawn separately. You can also find illustrations for the blood/nerve supply for every part.
It is a good idea to keep this book handy and refer to the images of the topic relevant to what you are reading.
This is the go to book when you are looking for answers to write on your exam.
The information is classified in a manner that it becomes easy to use the information to write answers. A lot of the book is written in the form of points to help you remember.
Pay careful attention to the diagrams. These become especially important when you are writing answers on your test.
Pro tip: Draw diagrams for extra marks! Even a simple line diagram that is appropriately labelled will do the job.
Again, it is a good idea to keep the Netter’s Atlas of Anatomy with you while you are reading.
If you have any questions use the comments section below. Want to write a post for The Indian Medical Student? Contact us at theindianmedicalstudent@gmail.com
We have with us Dr. Rohit Nathani sharing his USMLE Step 2 CK experience and how he scored 265 on the exam.
I am an international medical student from Mumbai, India. I appeared for the USMLE Step 2 CK in December of 2018. Through this post, I want to share my USMLE Step 2 CK experience with the hope that it will help you in your preparation.
I have also written a book titled How to Crack the USMLE Step 2 CK which is available on Amazon Stores all over the world as an eBook. I have discussed my strategies in greater detail in this book.
My Background
The last year of medical school in India is formally called as “Internship”. This is a one year training period where we work in the hospital setting and learn skills. To be honest, it is a lot of scut work. It is also very time consuming and tiring as well as dealing with a lot of shit from your seniors.
Anyway, I decided to take my exam during internship because I wanted to get done with the exam before the elective and residency application process would begin.
It was February of 2018 and I decided that I will start studying from March. I still hadn’t recovered completely from the mental exhaustion of giving Step 1. Starting to study for another exam seemed like a daunting task. However, I gathered the courage and decided to find out all that is needed to study for the exam before March when I actually start studying.
What are the resources that I should use?
Unlike Step 1 where everyone gave you the same “First Aid and UWorld” advice, things were very different for Step 2 CK. There are so many different views about the resources to be used that it can leave you confused.
Speaking to people who had given the exam gave me the three most commonly used names of review books – MTB, First Aid for Step 2 CK, and Step up 2 Medicine.
Everyone had used a different combination of resources. However, there was one name common to all – UWorld. So that was one thing I decided I’m going to do for sure.
After going through the pros and cons of the different resources, I decided to do MTB 2 as my review resource.
So, the resources that I used finally were MTB 2 and UWorld. I bought the one year subscription of UWorld because I wasn’t sure when I will be giving the exam and also because you can reset the bank if the subscription is more than 6 months.
I would also recommend using MTB 3 for Pediatrics and ObGy as they are covered more in depth in these books.
To summarize
Review Book : MTB 2 (You can also use First Aid)
Peds and ObGy: MTB 3
Question Bank : UWorld, UWorld, UWorld!
How I studied : USMLE Step 2 CK Experience
I started to review MTB. The book is quite simple and everything is given in the form of bullet points. It is quite easy to understand. However, use this book only to quickly review the topics covered in each section. Do not try to memorize the contents. You will end up spending too much time for something that is not required.
After reading the topic I would solve a block from UWorld. The most important thing about UWorld is making notes once you have finished solving the questions.
Always do the block in TIMED mode only!
I made separate notebooks for each topic of UWorld notes. Make sure to use the flashcards feature of UWorld. They are quick and easy to revise before the exam.
I have discussed about how to solve UWorld, how to effectively make notes and question solving strategies in my book. Since they are out of the scope of this post I will not be discussing them here.
Another important thing I discuss in great detail is the “spaced repetition timeline”. This is basically a way by which you end up revising the stuff you have read and make notes about again and again.
Repeating what you have learnt at regular intervals helps you remember the vast amount of information that you need to know for this exam. This is something that goes a long way to help you on exam day.
August
Balancing prep with internship was difficult. However, I finished my first round of UWorld around August. After this, I took a break for a couple of days and then I reset my UWorld subscription.
I strongly recommend doing a second pass of UWorld since it is impossible to master UWorld in one go. Also it is such an important resource that it would be injustice to do a half ass job on that.
This is also the time I had some confidence that I will be able to give the exam by the end of the year. I went through my timetable and decided that I will give my exam in December since that was a relatively light month for me.
I strongly recommend that you have a rough idea of when you will be able to give the exam depending on your schedule.
2nd Pass of UWorld
The second pass of UWorld was in Random and Timed mode. Although the review process was faster, I still felt that there was a lot of information that I had missed the first time. Since, the notes were already made, I just added the extra stuff.
Tip : Make sure you keep saving your flashcards and make a separate deck for tables and images so that it is easy to revise close to exams.
Booking my test date
Since I had already decided the month in which I will be giving the exam, the next step was to book my test date. I had already started doing UWorld the second time and was fairly sure I will be done by the start of December.
I zeroed in on the 6th of December and started my application process. I would recommend that you give at least 2-3 months so that you can finish the application on time. Keep in mind potential delays at the level of your medical school as well.
Once you book a test date, I strongly recommend that you stick to it so that you don’t risk getting burnt out. This is one more aspect that I have discussed in my book – What is burnout and how to avoid it in your CK prep.
Practice tests
Around a month and half before my exam date I started to take my practice tests. I solved NBMEs 6,7,8 and UWSA 1,2. I scored between 250 and 260 in all of them.
I was now fairly confident about giving the exam on time.
The last month
I spent the last month finishing off the remaining 2nd pass of UWorld, solving practice test, reviewing flashcards, reviewing important information from MTB.
This was also the time that I slowed down my pace a little to avoid the burnout since I had been studying since March along with internship. However, it is important to be consistent and keep studying.
Tip : I would recommend that you take atleast the last week before you exam completely off. This is to make sure you are completely focussed on the exam and you are under less stress that you would be if you were working simultaneously.
Tip : Try not to solve any practice tests 5-7 days before your exam date.
The day before the exam
Under a lot of stress obviously. I tried to keep it under control. I had made some strategies in my head which I went through.
It is important to have in mind how you are going to solve questions, what food you are going to carry, what are you going to wear, how are you going to take your breaks.
Although they may seem trivial, they play a huge role on exam day. Each of these strategies has been discussed in great detail in my book.
Exam day
The exam day. The D day. You are obviously going to be stressed. But, try not to freak out. Have trust in yourself, you have worked a lot.
Remember, this is a 9 hour exam and you are going to be tired (exxxtreeemeeelyy tired) by the end of it. You start off all fresh but by the time you reach the 5th block, you are half dead.
The questions are quite long and the options are really close. Some of them are outright vague. Make sure you manage your time well. The last thing you want is not finishing the block on time.
Then it is almost as if you are solving questions on autopilot. Make sure you take breaks. Carry coffee!
Make sure you have practiced so much that even though you are tired, you solve the question correctly.
When you come out of the exam hall, you feel like the entire life has been drained out of you. It is also normal to go back and think about which questions you are going to get wrong, etc.
You need to actively block such thoughts. No one knows what the right answer was and you did your best. Try to relax. You ahve given one of the toughest exams of your life.
This exam is tough, but with the right knowledge of how to master the resources you have, the spaced repetition timeline and strategies, I think you will do well.
All the best. If you need a more thorough guide about the things I have mentioned, you can find them in my book, click the button below!
Choosing high yield USMLE Step 1 Physiology resources will go a long way in building basic concepts that you need to master this subject. But is physiology really even tested on the USMLE Step 1? And what are these high yield resources? Let’s find out.
Why is Physiology even important for the USMLE Step 1?
Unlike the topics like biochemistry and anatomy which involve a lot of memorizing, physiology is conceptual. This means that if you have a mastery over a few concepts, you should be able to tackle these questions on the exam.
Another reason why mastering physiology is so important is that you need to have a good understanding of physiology to really understand pathology for the USMLE Step 1.
How to master USMLE Step 1 Physiology and what Resources should I use?
I am going to give you a comprehensive list of the most high yield resources that are out there as well as when and how to use them.
At the start of medical school
These are the physiology resources that I recommend you use at the start of your medical school. This is when you will be forming your basic concepts. You will also have time on hand so, take this opportunity to really learn physiology.
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology
Although this book may seem like a lot to study, don’t get overwhelmed. When you start reading the book you will realize that everything is explained so simply.
There are diagrams and flowcharts that will simplify what you read. Don’t try to remember every word of the book. Read it like a novel and try to take home the important points only!
Dr. Najeeb’s Video Lectures
If you are an audiovisual learner, this is the best resource for you to build a foundation in Physiology. Dr. Najeeb explains concepts at the most basic level.
His diagrams and his teaching style will make sure you understand every concept.
Here are a few pro tips to keep in mind while watching these videos
Make notes during the lectures. It will not be possible for you to watch the entire video again as it is very time consuming.
If you find that the lectures are a little slow for you, increase the playback speed to 1.5x or 2x. But make sure you have enough time to think about what he is saying.
Do NOT try doing these videos if you have a deadline. They will take up too much time and you will end up doing too little.
During your dedicated USMLE Step 1 Physiology prep
Kaplan Physiology
If you want to do a quick review of physiology, the video lectures and notes from Kaplan should be your “go to” resource. The high yield points are covered very well.
I recommend that you buy the entire series of notes from Kaplan as you will be needing it for the other subjects as well.
However, if you feel that the amount of information is not enough and you have time on hand, you can use BRS physiology.
BRS Physiology
If you do not have solid concept in physiology from you medical school years and you think the the amount of information in Kaplan is insufficient for you, BRS physiology is what you are looking for.
However, keep in mind that you need not do both Kaplan and BRS Physiology. One will be sufficient.
First Aid
As with all subjects in USMLE Step 1, you will ultimately be studying from First Aid. Since this book is a compilation of all the subjects in one book, it is difficult to explain each concept in detail.
Make sure you are familiar with the basics from the resources mentioned above before you start using First Aid or else you will not be able to do justice to the information in this book.
Although there are a lot more resources out there for you to choose from, limiting your resources to a select 2-3 will help you master what you study.
Want to learn how to master the resources mentioned here as well as a lot of useful tips and strategies on how to ace the USMLE Step 1? Check out our eBook The ULTIMATE USMLE Step 1 Study Guide for IMGs
Do let us know if you come across a resource that you would like to recommend to others in the comments section below. You can also reach out to us at theindianmedicalstudent@gmail.com
A lot of international medical students who are looking for US Clinical Experience consider doing electives. These electives give you a feel of what exactly a residency in the US will be like. One of the common questions people have is “How much will a clinical elective in the US cost?”
While the cost of the elective will vary from program to program, as well as where in the US you do your elective, there are a few basic expenses you need to consider.
Below I discuss the cost on an average, just to get a rough estimate of how much your elective can cost you.
The Application Fee
$300 to $500. Some may be as high as $1000 but $500 is a safe bet on an average.
The Elective Program Fee
$1000 to $2500. A few programs do not charge you for the elective. These programs generally require Step 1 scores. ( Check out the article on 6 Clinical Electives with Step 1 scores). Some can be as high as $6000.
Accommodation
$500 to $1000. Depending on which part of the country your elective is in, this is highly variable. For example, a room in New York could easily cost you at least $1000. This number will be lower in smaller towns.
Airfare
$500 to $1000. Again, depending on factors like when you book, which airlines you choose,etc.
Miscellaneous
$500. Consider this additional expense for food and other utilities you will pay for.
As mentioned earlier, the cost of an elective is highly variable depending on a lot of factors.
Considering an average expense of $4000 per month is a safe bet.
If you are looking to have a rough budget for electives, do take all these expenses into consideration.
This article has been written by Dr. Rohit Nathani who is a medical graduate from Seth GS Medical College. Ask your questions in the comments section below.
Post-graduation is the next step for most MBBS students. Becoming
a surgeon, a physician, a paediatrician, etc is something we have dreamt of
since our childhood.
Today, what stands in our way like a seemingly insurmountable wall is NEET PG. (1.5 lakh doctors will appear for this exam, and seats are limited.)
Final year and internship are easily the toughest 2 years of MBBS. Everyone works hard more or less. So, what should be your plan? How to crack NEET PG and remain healthy and fit at the same time?
First, I will elaborate the broad strategy for Cracking NEET
Fundamentals
The foundation of your knowledge will be laid in the years of MBBS. Here comes the role of standard books – Robbins, Harrison, Bailey, Reddy, etc. Books which might not fetch you marks in University exams but are needed to build your concepts.
Study Material
Once you are in internship, you will have to choose your study material. It depends on whether you have joined any class or are going to do MCQ books. Both are equally good – I had joined Dams in 3rd minor and used MCQ books during internship.
The most important thing is stick to the same thing!
Either, class notes or MCQ books. Revise from the same source again and again. The material is not inadequate.
Number of revisions
You should do at least 3 revisions before the exam. Some might even go for a fourth (like I did for short subjects). You can plan a 6, 2,1 schedule (months) or a 5,3,2. Anything that works for you.
The most important thing here is Speed.
I had set a target of 100 pages per day. Do big subjects like Medicine, Surgery, Pathology in 15,5 and 2 days for 1st, 2nd and 3rd revisions respectively.
Giving Mock tests / Grand Tests
Once you have finished 1st reading, you can start giving Mock tests or GTs – Dams / Bhatia / marrow / prep ladder etc.
Tests serve many purposes – time management, identifying your strong and weak subjects, getting an idea of number of negatives so you don’t attempt too much or too less. You should reach 200 positives at the least for a good rank. Then try to slowly minimize your negatives. That will improve your rank.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses
During 2nd revision, you know what subjects you are weak at. Revise them more. Give them more time.
By this time All India mock tests will be conducted – around September. You might not finish your 2nd revision by then but it’s OK! You might not get a good rank but that’s also OK.
If you are within 3-4K you have a very good chance of improvement. I myself jumped from 3K in CBT (Conducted by DAMS) to 53 in NEET PG.
The last month
You should focus on high yield subjects and topics. Dermatology, psychiatry, biochemistry, anaesthesia, FM, are subjects that can be quickly revised entirely.
For other bigger subjects be selective. Read high yield notes, tables etc. You may even leave a big subject like Medicine. But among the final year subjects do OBGYN well.
A few days before exam
Revise only high yield things. Do tables, markers, genetics, chromosome numbers, etc. Stay calm, everyone is going through the same stress.
The one who handles it well in the last moments will win.
On the day of the exam
Read till the last moment – you never know! What you read a few hrs before can be asked in the exam. And in such exams even 1 mark can mean a rank difference of 100
How to Remain fit during this 1 year?
Most people will ignore their health. Internship is stressful, you might not get time to sleep, eat, exercise. But, try to manage whenever you get time. Exercise has many benefits – it keeps your mind fresh and body healthy.
From my personal example – I am a cyclist, trekker and gymmer. At the start of internship, I completed Mumbai – Goa solo cycling – 523 km in 5 days which was my long-held dream.
As monsoon came, I went on treks – any holiday I could find in the busy schedule, I would go on a trek and come with a fresh mind. Nature does heal you. I did 6-7 treks in monsoon alone.
Walk whenever you can, avoid cabs for short distances. Say no to alcohol or smoking.
For being fit, you might not get time, but there are certain things of omission – Avoid junk food, too much oil and salt is not good. Avoid free sugar in the form of Soft drinks. These you can easily manage.
Today the risk of sudden cardiac deaths, chronic diseases, are all rising. Doctors are an especially high-risk group. Despite knowing this fact, if we don’t change our lifestyle then that’s the most idiotic thing possible.
One exam doesn’t decide your future. But bad health will eventually. Longevity is more important in our field. And for that one must be fit.
Value yourself! Your body and mind are precious! Success will come sooner or later. Don’t spoil your health for your rank. Both can be achieved together like I did.
All the best! The society and India need you Doc!
This article has been written by Dr. Abhijeet Shukla who is an intern at Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai. He scored an All India Rank 53 in NEET PG 2019. Dr. Abhijeet Shukla is an avid cricketer, trekker, cyclist and gymmer.
What if you had someone to guide you through the entire process of how to Crack this exam?
Presenting to you the eBook How to Crack the USMLE Step to CK. This is a step by step guide to acing this exam. This is not a review book! The strategies and tips discussed in this book will help you master the resources and ace it on exam day.
These strategies have been tested over time and used by the author himself to score 265 on Step 2 CK.
Testimonials
“The book is precisely what I was looking for. It is a step-by-step guide. I jotted down points regarding what I wasn’t following correctly and worked on my mistakes. It paid off in the end.”
Parth Gada
Medical Student, India 5/5
“This book is a quick read that answers most of the possible questions that come to your mind about Step 2 CK, right from prep to results. It tells you the best resources available and more importantly how to use them effectively. I would recommend this book before starting your prep or Step 2 CK”
Shreya Sodhani
Medical Student, India 5/5
What will you learn?
Resources
Learn about the top resources and select the right one for you.
UWorld
Learn how to master this resource as well as question solving strategies.
Strategies
Well tested and proven strategies. Breaks, clothes, food, plan it all for exam day!
The Spaced Repetition Timeline
Learn how the spaced repetition timeline can be implemented to your schedule to make sure you practice till you are perfect.
Insider Tips
Tips from people who have been there and done that to ensure you have an upper hand on exam day.
Starting September 2018, ECFMG has now made it compulsory for international medical graduates to fill out an ECFMG Form 186. This process is required in order to proceed further with your USMLE applications. Without filling Form 186, you cannot get access to the link to apply for USMLE.
Here is a complete guide about how you should go about filling ECFMG Form 186.
Step 1: Download ECFMG Form 186
When you log in to your ECFMG applicant portal, you will see a link that opens up your form 18 in a PDF format. The first page of the PDF looks like this:
The second page will have your personal details pre filled. It will look something like this:
The blocked areas will have your personal information
Read through the information carefully.
Step 2: Upload your documents on the NotaryCam Website
This is a website that provides online notary services. Go to the ECFMG portal of NotaryCam.The page will look like this
On the next screen, you will be asked to fill your personal details as well as upload the Form 186 that you downloaded from the ECFMG website.
Click Submit.
Step 3: Book an interview appointment
Once you submit the form, you will receive an email from NotaryCam saying that they will verify your document.
This is a relatively quick process and you will receive another email (typically within 15-20 minutes) saying that your document is verified and you can proceed for your session with an online notary.
You have one of two options here
Proceed with the online session immediately
Book a date for your online session
Step 4 : The Online Session
Before you start your session make sure you have 2 important things
You are dressed appropriately
Your passport should be handy
You will be taken to an online chatroom with your document already uploaded. Once the notary official is ready for the session, you will see a blinking message that allows you to turn on your computer’s webcam.
The people on the other end are really nice, they will ask you for a few things:
To confirm your personal details
To show your passport on the laptop screen for verification
To place a digital signature on the already uploaded form 186
Once this is done, they will tell you that everything is OK and that they will forward the document to ECFMG. You can exit the chat screen now.
Step 5 : Waiting for ECFMG Verification
This can take a few days. The ECFMG will notify you once your Form 186 is accepted!
Congratulations! You have just completed your Form 186. You can now log into your ECFMG account and find a link to the Form 183. The steps for the rest of the application are the same as mentioned in my article on The [6 Step] USMLE Application guide.
This article has been written by Dr. Rohit Nathani who is an intern at Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai, India. To ask questions, use the comments section below.
An MPH, or Master’s in Public Health, is a graduate degree lasting generally for two years, out of which one year is purely academic, while the second year is practicum, or internship. A comparable degree is an MSPH, or a Master’s of Science in Public Health.
Why pursue an MPH degree?
If you’re interested in a career in public health or want public health research to be a part of your career, an MPH degree will give you a solid foundation. It involves learning aspects of epidemiology, biostatistics and global health program management. People are likely to work in multinational public health organisations like WHO and UNICEF after an MPH degree.
What are the minimum qualifications necessary
to apply for an MPH?
Most institutes need a bachelor’s degree before you can apply. Some schools, including Harvard, need an MD degree before you can apply. Furthermore, some public health work experience is appreciated, but not always necessary.
What exams do you need to give?
You will need to give the GRE to apply to any college in the USA. If you have given the USMLE Step 1, you may get a GRE waiver in SOME colleges. You will also need a minimum score of 100 in the TOEFL, or band 7 in the IELTS, to qualify for admission.
What is the application process like?
Most application deadlines fall between December and January. It is advisable to have all your documents prepared and ready at least 4 weeks before the deadline, because processing times in the US can vary between 10 – 30 days. You can apply for an MPH or an MSPH while doing your internship. Apply for the Fall term of the year you are expected to graduate. The main documents that you will need are:
Application
Transcripts
Three letters of
recommendation
GRE scores
TOEFL scores
CV
Statement of
Purpose
Almost all applications are through the SOPHAS website www.sophas.org. You will need to create a profile and add all the programs you want to apply to on it. Don’t forget to read the FAQ section to ease the application process.
Do I need to send the documents to each
college I apply to?
The applications
should be done online on SOPHAS.
The transcripts
need to be sent for WES evaluation.
The letters of
recommendations will need to be uploaded directly by your referrers on the
SOPHAS website through their accounts.
GRE scores need
to be sent to each institution’s GRE code online.
TOEFL scores need
to be sent directly to SOPHAS.
You should upload
your CV in your main SOPHAS application.
The SOP should be
uploaded on SOPHAS for each college separately.
What is WES evaluation?
It is the process of evaluating your transcripts and converting them to grades and credits that US colleges will understand. You will need to create an account on www.wes.org, pay the fees and acquire a WES number. Then the university that conferred your degree will have to send, by courier, a copy of all your verified transcripts in a sealed and stamped envelope to the WES office in New York. PLEASE KEEP ATLEAST TWO MONTHS TIME FOR THIS WHOLE PROCESS TO TAKE PLACE.
What are supplemental applications?
Some US states require a separate state specific
application on its own application website. These applications generally do not
require payment, nor do they need any additional documents.
When should I start expecting responses?
You may start getting responses 4 weeks after your
application. You will receive emails within a week if your application is
incomplete, or if they need any additional documents.
Where can I find more information?
The SOPHAS website has an informative FAQ section that will help guide you. You should also browse the websites of each college that you are thinking of applying to to understand program competencies and requirements.
This article has been written by Dr. Spruha Kurlekar who is an intern at Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai, India. To ask questions to the author, use the comments section below.
