AICM 5th Semester in Chicago

It’s been a while since I wrote a post; the reason being is I just graduated basic science and I had to get things prepared for AICM once I arrived in America. I am in the January batch for AICM so I had less than a month to turn in everything and head to Chicago on time. It was a pain getting the paperwork done for the hospital; however, they were not BS papers the Bonaire government asked for. They were papers the hospital asked for such as insurance and immunization proof. The following is what I had to get or sign:

Personal Health Insurance

Immunization Proof

- MMR

- Hepatitis B Vaccination

- PPD Test/BCG Vaccination/Chest X-Ray for TB

- Vercella/Zoster/Chickenpox

Personal Health Insurance

Liability Insurance

Student Clinical Contract

CPR Certification

Police Report

Now, the AICM program is held in a Chicago hospital; I will not say which hospital for legal purposes. I don’t think it would be a problem to say which hospital but I rather be safe than sorry.

For AICM we have to get our drug test done at the hospital, which is $20. AICM is a prep course and an introduction to clinical clerkship. AICM seems to be an 8-weeks review course to prepare for the USMLE Step 1 and another 8-weeks clinical clerkship. The review course was created to help us; however, I don’t think it’s helpful. In the beginning we have to take NBME test and another one at the end of the 16 weeks. SJSM requires AICM students to pay for NBME test which is $45 per test. On top of that it’s mandatory for us to sign up for USMLE World and the lowest price is $180 for 3 months. So, we’re looking at $270 on top of the drug test. These charges and requirements were a surprise for me, but it looks like I have to do it.

USMLE Step 1 Restriction

SJSM also has set forth new restrictions for the students who graduated basic science. The teaching in Bonaire isn’t sufficient enough to get a good score in the USMLE Step 1; therefore, you need to do more in order to get a 90+ on the test. According to the new rule SJSM set, students need to get a 650 or above on the NBME exam and at least a 75% or above in the Exam Master test made by the SJSM office. I don’t know about you but 650 on the NBME is a 99 on the USMLE Step 1. The funny thing is this rule is not set in stone and it’s not written anywhere.

I made a mistake for signing up for the AICM so early. If I took AICM at least 4 months after basic science then it would give me enough time to study and so I would be fully prepared to get a 650+ on the NBME exam. If you get a chance to delay taking AICM I advise that you do so. Take the extra free time and study for the USMLE Step 1.