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Saturday, December 14, 2013

A Christmas Miracle!

I got the best news ever yesterday from Facebook- of all places-. . . . WE HAVE LOANS!!!!

I began my journey with UMHS in 2010 and they had student loans available at that time. In my first semester of ARP Citibank canceled their contract with UMHS in light of the student loan situation in the states. I was devastated. I ask my (at that time) husband and he suggested I continue- he could help to support me with tuition and living expenses and I could work a masters degree to fill in the gaps.

We divorced. The gap became larger. The task of paying tuition was monstrous. I was devastated, but committed.

Many of our students went seeking other schools that had loans. I stayed. I had faith. I had spoken on numerous occasions with Mr. Ross and his family and they were all very reassuring that we would get loans again. They were very helpful and I believed that Mr. Ross would work tirelessly until he came through for us- the students.

Three years later, I had not given up hope. I have been at home with my children, and a new baby for the last year. I have been studying for the Step 1, but mostly I just had not felt the timing was right to take it.

Just recently I began feeling that I had to take the step by the end of December. I just knew that this was it. I have scheduled my test date - again!- but this one I am feeling much more optimistic about. I know that this is the date that I have been given to write my exam and I am so excited that the news of student loan availability came only two weeks after sending my notice to UMHS that I had an exam date scheduled.

Once I get my test results back I can immediately begin my rotations. Money is no longer an issue! I am screaming hallelujah. A huge prayer has been answered, not just for myself but for so many UMHS students and future students.

Do I recommend UMHS?  A resounding HECK YEAH! Would I have recommended them even without loans, yes indeed.

I have so much respect for the Ross family and for what they have been able to accomplish. I am honored and blessed to have been chosen by them for my medical education. I have never regretted a moment of caribbean medical school. I have never regretted not applying to US medical schools. I highly recommend UMHS. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about UMHS.

Missing my island friends quite a lot. Hugs to the bookstore women- and the library ladies- I miss you all tons and I wish I were there to hug you and jump up and down and celebrate with you.

All the best,
Amy Jones

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Step 1 Study Lingers

Ok so I know I have not updated in a while, and I have been feeling a little guilty for leaving you all hanging.

The truth is I have set many Step 1 dates and I have had to postpone them. My original date was for November, but I didn't feel like I was quite ready yet. After Maine I came home and played with my children for two months. I didn't even look at a book. So I postponed and decided to step up my studying and set a new date for January. I was so sure that I would be ready by January. I studied more Kaplan and really had to review some of the subjects which I felt I was really weak in. I didn't account for Christmas, New Years, and a child turning 15. So as luck would have it I postponed again.

I took two months and studied twelve to fifteen hours a day. I did all of the Kaplan Qbank questions, all of Uworld, and nine days of DIT. I took my practice NBME 15 seven days before I was scheduled to sit for the exam and I only scored 186. I was scoring 50% overall in Uworld and had improved to about 60% every block. I couldn't go into the test with my NBME score so low, so I postponed again.

Currently, I am studying with an online partner. I am reviewing Uworld again, but it is summer and I do have my children all day and I know that my study time is not as good as it was when I was locked in my house for two months alone. My hopes are to take it by the end July or first of August.

My plans are to review all the subjects again (we are almost there, this week has been a terrible week for both she and I). We are reviewing First Aid, Kaplan notes and Uworld questions on the same subject matter at the same time. Take my last Uworld practice, and take another NBME, probably 13. If I make above a 210 equivalent Ill schedule my exam (I have to pay the fee again, so I am being much more cautious in my scheduling).

I am also trying to get my masters classes finished for the summer. I wish that I had just waited for the fall.

So, that is where I am, and I wish I could tell you more. I have been trying to keep notes on what I have done and how I studied so that I could give you all the details when I finally finish. Having a family makes it a little harder because I seem to take time to spend with my children on special occasions, as I have missed them so much on this journey.

Ill write more later as I have MAJOR updates on my life in general. But you will soon see when I post pictures.

Thanks so much for reading and following!


All the best,
Amy Jones