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Background
The Office of Medical Student Programs (OMSP) establishes annual deadlines which all students must meet for each required USMLE (Step 1, Step 2CK, Step 2CS). Students who do not meet these deadlines will not be eligible to progress in the RMC curriculum. Delays of any of the required United States Medical Licensing Exams (USMLE) are reported to the Committee on Student Evaluation and Promotion (COSEP) which may or may not require additional information or take additional actions.
Process
A student must have approval in advance of a deadline from the Senior Associate Dean to delay any required USMLE Step exam beyond the deadlines established by the Office of Medical Student Programs (OMSP). Delays beyond the deadlines set by the OMSP are approved only for significant extenuating circumstances.
Students requesting a delay in USMLE Step 1 must complete the following steps in the order listed:
- Send an email request to the Senior Associate Dean detailing the reasons for the requested extension of the deadline to take any component of the USMLE as far in advance of the deadline for the upcoming exam as is reasonably possible given the circumstances.
- Meet personally with the Senior Associate Dean.
- Complete a checklist of requirements including a meeting with a financial aid counselor, completion of paperwork for a Leave-of-Absence (LOA), and other requirements.
- Upon approval of the LOA, the OMSP will provide the student with two forms: 1) the university’s Leave-of-Absence/Withdrawal form and 2) the RMC Financial Implications Form. The student is required to speak with a counselor from the Office of Student Financial Aid to discuss the financial implications of a Step 1 delay. The completed forms must be returned by the student to the OMSP.
Deadline for Step 1
The Step 1 exam must be taken by M2 students no later than the Saturday before the start of the orientation for the M3 clerkships (currently called “CRASH”). The OMSP strongly encourages students to take the exam at least a week before then to allow a break before the next phase of the curriculum.
A student approved for a delay in Step 1 (see requirements above) will be placed on a LOA at the beginning of the first term of the M3 year and will return to active enrollment no earlier than the beginning of the second term; this will require the student to delay graduation by a year. In addition, students approved for a delay must meet these requirements:
- Completion of the orientation for the M3 clerkships.
- Completion of the Step 1 exam by a deadline set by the OMSP.
- Achievement of a passing score before engaging in the M3 curriculum at the start of the second term.
If the student does not meet any one of the above requirements:
- The LOA will be extended to the beginning of the next academic year.
- The pre-course for the M3 clerkships must be repeated.
- A passing score for Step 1 must be received by the deadline set by the OMSP.
Student’s Clinical Schedule
If a student is approved for a delay of Step 1, the student’s schedule assigned through the lottery will be cancelled. Upon return to active enrollment, a new schedule will be developed by the OMSP.
When returning from a LOA and prior to entry into the M3 curriculum, the student must:
- Be approved for registration by the Office of the Registrar and Student Financial Aid Office.
- Have a zero account balance or confirmed payment plan with Financial Affairs.
- Be current with the requirements of LEAP Online and fully compliant with all immunization and health requirements.
- Complete the Clinical Review Course.
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