We’re excited to share some remarkable changes that have been implemented within Kaplan Medical’s USMLE In Centerprograms. These changes will enhance a Kaplan student’s study experience and better prepare our physicians for USMLE success. Within our full-service centers, Kaplan developed a new, dynamic academic advising model. The robust enhancements include more student and advisor-structured interactions, ensuring that students attain their timeline targets, and are equipped with all the tools and techniques needed to master the medical residency application process. Kaplan’s new USMLE In Center course overview It all began when, recently, a dedicated team of Kaplan academics and advising experts came together to redesign Kaplan Medical’s advising structure and strategic motif. As a result, we now have a three-tiered educational model based upon a student’s distinct phase of study. The specified study phases are: Overview: Under academic advising support, students appreciate the span and scope of information to master, andthey begin to absorb and cultivate basic concepts and fundamental definitions. Review: Academic advisors guide and supervise students through an extensive and thorough study plan that emphasizes content knowledge analysis, comprehension, and retention. Practice: Students work with advisors and gauge their mastery of the content presented with a vast array of assessment tools. The USMLE testing experience is simulated in a variety of ways as students learn to synthesize and apply the information acquired, utilize appropriate test-taking strategies and fortify their exam-taking stamina, which is critical to succeed. If a student has also enrolled in a scheduled, Live Lecture program within the center, an additional phase of study is implemented as an augmented layer of preparation and support. Aptly named the Live Lecturesphase, students will have real-time exposure and interactive access to Kaplan’s top-rated and world renowned faculty. Our faculty are proven content experts and masters of USMLE concepts, content and high-yield focus. Moreover, Live Lectures give students the opportunity for peer-to-peer networking and other forms of collaboration and academic interactions and alliances. Throughout the In Center programs, Kaplan’s trained advisors partner with students as they traverse through all the different study phases. Cooperatively, the advisor guides the student and collectively, the best time to transition from phase to phase of study is determined. Some of the features that have been added to enrich the student-advisor communication include: The initial advising session for a new student within one week of his or her start date. Twice monthly new student orientations. Individual advising sessions regularly scheduled every 4 weeks to monitor specific student progress. Additional exclusive advising sessions available upon request Also, within the new In Center program, two distinct, regularly scheduled group sessions have been created, both with broad scope and depth. Also, both are designed to leverage the benefits of shared learning from facilitator-lead group activities. Critical thinking sessions Weekly, two-hour sessions re divided into a pre-clinical (for those preparing for Step 1) and a clinical emphasis (for those preparing for Step 2CK or Step 3). Kaplan-trained facilitators conduct small group-based interactive and engaging sessions with a focus on problem-solving and critical thinking. High-yield and highly tested disease states are discussed and examined as facilitators guide students to engage each other in a qualitative analysis of board-style questions. Students gain insight to the integrated complexity of USMLE questions and collectively develop approaches to effective problem-solving while strengthening their grasp and improving their understanding of the content. Weekly advancement workshop A series of discussion-based sessions for all In Center students whose overall course objectives are for students to actively advance. The sessions fall into 3 broad categories: o Licensure Progress o Study Progress o Personal Progress Examples of Discussion-Based Sessions include, but are not limited to: o Completing your ECFMG application o Guidance on using the QBank o Developing and revising your study plan The calendar schedule also has “Monthly Topics”. These sessions are the same for all phases, both preclinical and clinical, and are tied to specific licensure events that students should be aware of in that month. Monthly topics include, but are not limited to: o Drafting a personal statement o How to prepare for your interview o The challenging patient encounter Source
