“Dear Dr. Swartz,
This is Nataliya Gulyayeva. I have just received my CS test result, and I was very happy to find out that I passed.
I attended you workshop in July, and this course totally changed my view on this exam.
I’ve learned that effective communication is the key to success. While taking the exam, I did everything that you have taught us: I introduced myself properly, stayed in the room for the whole 15 minutes, asked appropriate questions, and performed a focused physical exam. I also constantly reminded myself that I was a Generalist. The exam, actually, seemed easier to me than the workshop simulation, probably, because I was very well prepared. I also believe that all the information I have learned from you will help me in the future when I start practicing in the US. Everything you taught us was very important.
Thanks a lot for all your hard work.
Sincerely,
Your student,”
“Dear Dr. Swartz and Anna!!
I passed!!! It was a real pleasure to work with both of you during my workshop session. The workshops helped me tremendously to pass this exam. I know I wouldn’t make it without your step-by-step help and guidance. Your training is extremely important for IMGs!”
“Dear Dr. Swartz, Anna and Charles,
I just found out that I passed.
I appreciate your thorough explanation of the exam process. I really followed your advices and realized, as you told us, that, it is not a medical exam.
Thank you so much for teaching us the concept about the “American culture”, as it really helped me with understanding the requirements of the exam.
I will suggest your classes to all the IMGs that I know.
Great regards,
Your Student,”
“Dear Dr. Swartz, Anna and Charles,
I am so happy to let you know that I passed USMLE Step 2 CS exam!
Every single moment on the real exam reminded me of everything you mentioned in your course. Even the voice in the room as God!
Three days on your course were more than helpful. First of all, the confidence you gave me during this course helped me to be more relaxed and focus on real exam. During your course, I gained not only good experience, but also good friends. Some of us communicate and support each other. Your book is the best for preparation for this test. I will keep your book in my library and maybe one day, my daughter, who wants to be a physician, will use it.
You are a wonderful Team and deserve the best recognition from all of us, foreign physicians!!!
With all my heart…
Very sincerely,
Your student,”
“Dear Anna,
With the greatest pleasure, I am informing you that I passed my Step2 CS test and got my ECFMG certificate.
Please accept my gratitude for everything Dr. Swartz, you, and the wonderful actors taught me during the course.
You all are a great team doing a wonderful job! In few words my experience with the test was better and easier that I expected. It wasn’t too stressful, just emotionally (and in a way physically) draining. I didn’t come across extremes you presented at the course. I got a pretty good “score chart” results. My only weaker part (rated as average performance with slight skew to the left) was for “Information Sharing” of the CIS part. My feeling is that I had to cut short my conclusion statement few times because of time shortage. That was my general feeling – NOT ENOUGH TIME for cases with physical examination where you have so many things to do in 15 minutes.
Should you have any questions, please, feel free to contact me at any time.
Please, send my thanks and warmest regards to Dr. Swartz.
Have a great weekend.
”
“Dear Dr. Swartz, Anna, and everybody at C3NY!
I PASSED! Thank you all so very much. Step 2-CS was the only USMLE that I took a preparatory course for, mainly because I did not have a slightest idea how they grade it, what to emphasize the most, and where my weaknesses were. Even though my other USMLE scores are in high 90s, I realized that there is a very good chance of me not passing this exam, because of the lack of confidence that I could pass it.
Well, you gave me just that. Barbara’s (the SP’s) feedback, was probably the most necessary and powerful tool that helped me through the day. I kept repeating to myself that Barbara said I made it extremely difficult for her to play the depression role, even though at that time I thought I was a big failure.
My first patient on the exam almost made me cry from frustration and anger at myself, but when I left his room I kept thinking: “Dr. Swartz said that you cannot tell, you will never know just what was going on in that room; it is just like a job interview. So maybe what happened was not because of me, but because of the role he played”. My next cases I approached with a lot more confidence, and that is what the SPs, and real patients are looking for in their doctor, I think…
Thank you Dr. Swartz for your willingness to share your knowledge and skills and for your dedication to teaching. It made this workshop so exceptionally helpful and unforgettable. And of course, dear Anna, there wasn’t a single thing that you have told us that wasn’t useful. The breathing technique, the clarification questions, and especially the introduction really helped me feel that I am in charge in the room.
And special gratitude from me to Barbara, the SP. Last week I had a residency interview, and if it weren’t for her feedback, I would never have lived through that one. She gave me the confidence of knowing that I appear to the interviewer like I am in charge of my emotions even when it seems everybody can hear my heart pounding.
I wish all of you, dear C3NY, many years of professional prosperity and a long productive life.
Thank you so much.”
“Dear Dr. Swartz and Anna,
I have just found out that I passed CS exam. I participated in C3NY workshop in August, and it helped me tremendously to understand what this test is about.
You are great educators and very nice people whom it was a real pleasure to work with.
Thank you so much!”
“Dear Dr. Swartz,
Today I got my “PASSED” after the exam that I took on 05.19 in Philly.
Thank you very much for the great learning experience I had during the workshop. It had transformed my attitude toward Step 2CS and helped a lot to understand what this exam is all about.
I would gladly attend your workshop once again, but now it is not necessary anymore :)
Please say “Thank you” to all actors; they are great!”
“Dear Dr. Swartz:
I’m happy to inform you that I have received the results of my CS exam and I PASSED!
I became aware of the fact few hours ago; I had my exam on 24th of June in Chicago-one week after C3NY course. If you remember, I was so upset after you have told me that I was on the wrong way memorizing mnemonics, but I rearranged and focused only on listening to patients and asking appropriate questions according to the situation, making compliments and recognizing different tips they showed. Thank you very much for precious work!
I’m also grateful to Anna Lank and all your superb SPs.
Sincerely,”