Neerajs notes 1

Neerajs Notes
Plan a trip: USMLE CS

USMLE examinations are very expensive and every penny saved may contribute in your
residency and match process. It requires a smart and economical planning. Planning
before you leap always pays and makes the life simpler on the road.

Id like to give some important tips before you schedule your trip for CS examination.

Step-1: Arrange the documents:

Usually the most important document is your scheduling permit.However, an IMG may
also require certain other documents especially if coming from another country. It
includes:
1. Passport
2. International driver's license: In case if you are planning to drive to your center
from a neighboring location or city.
3. Tourist visa: It is usually a B1/B2 visa and you need to apply to nearest American
embassy in your country.

Step-2: Learn about travel safety:

Though U.S.A is a one of the safe countries in world but any travel may have its inherent
dangers. Many people grown up in small cities or other countries should be aware that
not everybody in metros has best interest at their heart. Be aware of the areas of high
propensity of street crime in the respective city. Try to avoid these areas. Being a youth
you are often a target of conmen and touts. Avoid walking alone in the deserted streets
especially in the night. Follow some of the universal but important tips:
Keep eye on your baggage while traveling in a taxi, train or public transport.
Never carry anything into your baggage which doesnt belong to you. You will be
taken as guilty unless proven otherwise if your baggage contains unwanted
objects.
Dress like a locals.

Step-3: Pack smartly

Packing before air-travel requires a lot of preparation. Here are a few useful tips for smart
packing:

Though its rare but be prepared for a probable baggage delay. Do not keep you
scheduling permit, lab coat and stethoscope in your checked baggage.
Always put copy of itineraries of your entire travel plan including air-ticket and
hotel booking into your baggage. It will allow the concerned authorities to trace
you in case of lost baggage. Also provide a similar copy to one of your relative to
trace you while you are in transit and not able to communicate due to some or the
other reason.
Neerajs notes 2
Always tag your baggage with some unique identification mark like a fluorescent
tape on handle to identify it easily at luggage carousels.
Take a photograph of your baggage in your mobile phone or camera to provide it
to the authorities in case of delayed or lost baggage.
Carry the right and light cloths.
Put small objects into the pockets of cloths or stuff into the shoes to save space.
Roll clothing you do not want to wrinkle.
Always read airport security and airline baggage rules on internet before you
pack.
Always keep a first aid kit and essential medicines in your baggage.
Do not forget to keep an extra spectacle.

Step-4: Know the location of test center.

Ascertain its location from airport and your hotel on internet. Know about the city, its
public transport and also calculate cab fares for all expected distances. It will allow you
to protect yourself from exploitation.

Step-5: Planning visit and booking hotel


1. Try to schedule your examination well in advance, say about 1 month in advance
at least. The advantage of advance planning is getting cheaper air tickets and
saving some money for the accommodation.
2. Before you book a hotel or a flight always try to compare its prices at multiple
websites. Commonly used websites are Hotwire, Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak and
sidestep.
3. Once you have compared the prices at various sites mentioned above, do not
forget to recheck its price at hotels or airlines own website. It is possible same
room or flight might have different rates at different websites.
For example First of all, get the prices from well known websites like expedia,
hotwire or sidestep. Afterwards check its price with airlines/Hotels own website.
You will surely get some unexpected price at any of this site.
4. I generally preferred Sidestep.com as it had so many advantages.
You can compare many sites simultaneously.
You can find out location of hotel from the point of interest
You can arrange the results as per the price and distance
5. Before you choose any hotel please ascertain following points before you finalize
any:
Distance from examination center
Free airport shuttle
Free breakfast
Free shuttle to examination center
Neerajs notes 3
Access to free WiFi internet facility: Allows you to talk to your relatives
and friends via messengers and telephony softwares like Google talk and
skype.
Safety
Access to city transportation.
Facilities in room e.g Iron, TV, microwave, Refrigerator and utensils.
If you get these facilities free of cost, you save a lot of money.
6. Another alternative to hotel is International Hostels and YMCAs. They are
cheaper and decent accommodation ($15 -$35) depending on the city and its
location. They have facilities like common kitchen / fridge, iron, wi-fi (often with
some charges in public area), TV room and laundry.
7. Whether it is hotel or hostel, the prices of room vary with season and the website.

My experience at Atlanta:

The airport:
The Hartsfield-J ackson Atlanta International Airport was a huge airport. You have air-
train to take you other terminals and baggage collection. Courtesy hotel shuttle service is
freely available in the Ground Transportation area. This area is situated immediately
outside the Airport. Once you come out of main gate you will see the signs for taxis/hotel
shuttles. Simply follow that wall and move around to enter into Pink Bus aisle. Here you
will find hotel shuttles. Courtesy phones to the hotels are also available inside the
Terminal in the baggage claim area, as well as outside in the Ground Transportation area.
The Airport is also accessible via local Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
(MARTA) trains and buses, downtown and suburban shuttles and interstate highways.

My choice of Hotel:
As I told you, you need to weigh many important aspects before booking any hotel. I
actually booked Econo-Lodge, Virginia Avenue. Though this was about 5 miles away
from the center but there were so many advantages. I got its room at 45$ per night with
free airport-shuttle, free breakfast and free Wifi access. It took about 15 minutes and 13$
to reach center through cab.
The stay was satisfactory at this hotel.

Id suggest you to have a look at usmles website before you finalize any hotel.
http://www.usmle.org/examinations/step2/cs/AtlantaGuide.pdf