“Dear Anna and Dr. Swartz,
I’m happy to inform you that I passed the exam!
Yes, despite the fact that I forgot to do several things, I PASSED!
So, even though I don’t have a reference to compare (since I haven’t taken the old exam), I do not think that this exam is difficult with the proper guidance that you provided in the workshop. Overall, the encounters were pretty much the same as we learned in your classes.
Thank you for your support and your advice. Keep up the good work!
Best regards,
”
Brazil
“Dear Ms. Lank,
I’m writing to tell you that I have passed the exam.
Received my score today!
You and Dr. Swartz were very important in my success!!!!
Thank you very much!”
“Dear Anna and Mark
I’ve just received my score report. I PASSED!
You know that I’m happy, and I really am, but more than that, I want to use this email to show how much I appreciate your help and how important C3NY was in my prep.
You made it real. You taught me those things that are not in the books. You made me more confident. You gave me the real feedback that I needed.
And the most important thing: I believed you from the first moment. For those who are using mnemonics and training with other IMGs like I was, you must agree that it’s hard to believe in your method, but during the first hours of your course I got the point, and from that moment on I followed 100% of everything I saw.
I told you right after my test that, regardless the result, I felt well prepared during the cases, and the SPs liked me, had no problem at all. And here is the result: PASS. Not my score, but OURS.
You deserve the best! I strongly recommend that everybody should do C3NY workshop, not just those who are going to do CS, but every doctor in training. C3NY is more than a test preparation, I could say that is a “life preparation”.
Besides preparing me for the test, you prepared me for life, I learned things there that I didn’t learn in 15 years of medical experience. You made me a better doctor.
Please fell free to contact me. I would like to share my experience with all the world, and would like to show everybody how professional, competent and passionate you are in your work.
Please, make sure that my email will be transmitted to all your actors; they are the best, specially Paul, who is a great teacher.
Wish you all the best,”
“Dear Dr. Swartz,
My name is Suzana Tanimoto, I did the C3NY course in May 2008, and I’m happy to tell you that I passed the test. I also got 2 interviews for residency in Florida coming in December!
I’d like to tell you that you were right about the percentages of cases of each area and that the apparently “easy” ones were actually the difficult ones. I followed your advice completely. And because I tried to see “out of the box,” I did not focus on a diagnosis but on the interview and the close contact with the patient.
Thanks for reassuring me what I always think is important in our field: being a human being and not a machine! I wish I could help more people to understand your message!
I would like to say also that the people I met in the course made me feel good because they encouraged me just for by being in the same situation that I was.”
“Dear Anna and Dr. Swartz,
I am glad to share with you good news! I just got the results of my Step 2 CS and I passed!!! Yeah!!!!!!!
Thank you all for cheering, supporting, listen to me, etc., etc.,etc….
Both of you and my workshop colleagues helped me a lot, and I am sure I would have missed the goal of step 2 CS test if I had not attended your workshop.
I have to say I am sometimes quite stubborn, and I was reluctant to accept or agree that it was a test about the patient, not about my medical knowledge – probably because I was never exposed to that. Following your advice, I accepted the option to direct all my attention to what my SPs had to say and sometimes I even sacrificed parts of the PE in order to make a good closure, addressing their the concerns. And it worked!!!!!!
Have we all a great day (my day begun wonderfully!)
”
“Hello Dr. Swartz,
I’m writing to let you know that I passed!!!! I’m the Brazilian Ob-Gyn from the August class. I am so happy! When I left the exam center, I was absolutely sure I had failed.
Thank you so much for everything and keep doing this wonderful job!!
”
“Dear Dr. Swartz and Miss Anna!
Last week I received my Overall pass step 2CS letter and ECFMG Certificate!
It took 9 weeks, but finally I can breathe with relief. As you may remember I failed on my first attempt in the Data Gathering component. So I’ve tried to repeat and master everything I used on my first attempt, but I needed to avoid the same mistakes, and now I can say for sure!nothing is better than Dr. Swartz’s approach to understand the exam mechanics, secrets, and to obtain that inner feeling of self trust.
I know that in the universe of FMGs a small part takes the C3NY workshop. The experience of the workshops is invaluable not only for exam taking, but for the entire professional life and it is worth much more than the workshop fee.
I’d like to send special thanks to our SP Charles who patiently took part in workshop during 2 days, and I thank every SP on the third day for the incredible learning experience they provided.”
“Dear Dr. Swartz, Anna, and Sandy,
Hey guys……..finally good news!!!!
Just received my ECFMG certificate. All steps concluded!! Now I’ll start looking for a spot in the Internal Medicine programs for 2007.
Thank you so much for your collaboration in the conclusion of this last step. Every word that you advised me was crucial to this accomplishment as well as for my professional and personnel life. Despite the “couple yawnings” during our talks, I guess I picked up the most of the tips you guys gave me.
I’ll let you know about this next step that will make me able to apply in real life all those skills and others that will come up!!!
Thank you again for everything Anna, Sandy and Dr. Swartz.”
“Dear Dr. Swartz & Ms. Lank,
I recently got my result. I passed!
I found C3NY on the web. The first thing that caught my attention was your very useful website. You have information about absolutely everything, from transportation to accommodations in New York City. I chose one of your hotel recommendations, and it was a great deal.
The workshop was excellent. You provided me with some information that I would not find anywhere else. Some information was even shocking for me. But I trusted you Dr. Swartz and Ms. Lank, and I did the right thing. You both were observing everyone very closely, and you gave feedback all the time, with all the students.
The place where the workshop was conducted was also very nice. I would like to thank not only both of you, but also all the SPs at C3NY. Congratulations for the great job you are all doing.
I hope physicians in Brazil, just like me, preparing for CS have the opportunity to attend the workshop. Feel free to contact me if I can help you in any way.”
“Dearest Dr. Swartz, Anna and SPs,
We are the couple of Brazilian psychiatrists who attended your C3NY workshop last July. Our test results just arrived and we both passed!
Attending your lectures was fundamental for our success. One of us had previously failed the exam, but our gloominess and intimidation completely faded after the first day of classes. Your way of dissecting the test, showing its purposes and what it is to be expected from the examiners and us was key in taking lots of question marks from our heads, and making us believe that it was doable. That alone provided enough confidence to face the task, but as we saw from the last couple of days, there was more!
The recap of the physical exam was great. You clearly showed that we could get what we needed from the SPs on those fifteen minutes, physical exam included. Timing ourselves afterwards proved you right and brought even more confidence.
But it seems the best was served last. The supervised encounters with feedback from Anna, Dr. Swartz, the SPs and our colleagues ranked among the best educational experiences ever. You learn from others, help others to learn, and that happens right in front of our eyes during the last day of the workshop. It was incredible to compare our moods before the first day of classes to the ear-to-ear smile we had on our faces when we left to the airport after the last day. And we had not even taken the test yet!
The main trouble on the day of the exam was keeping ourselves calm, but for that we had some theatrical tips learned from Anna. It was facing the beast and “following the leads”. They were there and proved to be invaluable. The toughest part ended up being the wait for the results, but now it is over.
We would like to thank all the colleagues who participated in the July workshop with us, and especially for the C3NY team we would like to say thank you, thank you, thank you so much! Muito Obrigado! May God bless you all, and keep on sharing your light.”
“Dear Anna, Dr. Swartz and SP’s
I took my exam on 11/09/2012 and learned today that I passed Step 2CS.
The course was really amazing, and even before I have known the results, because I thought I did not make it because of the report. I am faster with my handwriting so I could not finished it for all encounters.
One funny thing that I noticed was how SP’s were happy when after introduction they realized I did not read First Aid. I would recommend your class to anyone.
Feel free to contact me if I can help you in any way.
Sincerely yours and thank you very much!”
“Dear Dr Swartz,
I am happy to inform that I passed Step 2CS! Thank you for all your help and support! Your course really made a difference!
Best,”
Colombia
“Dear Dr. Swartz, Anna, and SPs:
I want to thank you all for the advise, critiques, and support that you gave us. I just learned that I passed the Step 2-CS exam, and I have found out that many of those who took the workshop with me in July passed also.
The workshop was great …. and in the test nobody cried so I did not cry either!
Dr. Swartz you are a great teacher!!
”
Sandra Jimenez, MD, Columbia, Video Testimonial
“Dear Ms. Lank and Dr. Swartz,
I just wanted to let you know that I passed my STEP 2 CS!
I could not have done it without your help. I am immensely grateful with you and your team.
Thanks mucho!”
“Dear Anna,
I have the pleasure to tell you I passed my Step 2CS exam!
Thank you and thanks to Dr. Swartz and all the SPs.
God Bless You!
Best Wishes,”
Ecuador
“Dear Dr. Swartz and Ms. Lank,
Thanks to your efforts and the highly efficient workshop. I PASSED the step 2CS exam! Your workshop was one of those classes that I shall remember as a remarkable one.
I’d like to appreciate your wonderful workshop that has definitely helped me, and those whom I practiced with, understand better what’s really being tested in the Step 2CS exam; where to pay more attention and what to avoid; how the SP is evaluating us; and how to develop a strategy that leads to successful communication not just in this exam , but for our personal and profession life in the US.
C3NY has blessed me with a better understanding of the art of medicine, thank you, and I’m proud to tell you all my study partners also successfully passed the Step 2CS. It’s important to practice the major cases.
I have told my friends about your course as a guide for preparation and especially on the day of the exam I remembered your and Anna’s advice. The interaction with the Standardized Patients at the workshop was a great opportunity for me. As an IMG, I had some difficulties that could only be discovered by the personal attention that is given to each and everyone of the students on the third day of your program. The day before the last day, we could practice with each other, and it was also a very special day also of the workshop. We had study groups to practice with before taking the test, which I found to be a very useful means for consolidating the skills we had learned in the workshop. As a result, one of my best friends is planning to attend your workshop this summer.
Once again thank you.”
“Dear People from C3NY,
After 7 weeks of anxiety and waiting, I got my Step 2-CS result. I PASSED THANK GOD.
I’m really happy and thankful to all of you from C3NY. During the June 2006 Workshop, I built the confidence that I needed to succeed in the exam. I just did what Doctor Swartz told us……….”This exam is a matter of communication with the patient in which you have to show the humanistic part of being a doctor”……….YOU A RE REALLY A “MAESTRO”……MASTER DOCTOR SWARTZ.
Thanks once again to Doctor Swartz, Anna, and the SPs. The workshops made a real difference in my confidence and attitudes toward the exam.
Besides learning how to deal with this nerve-racking exam, I learned many important aspects that I will apply during my professional life. That’s why I extremely recommend this course to ANYBODY facing Step 2-CS.
Best regards,”
Paraguay
“Hello People from C3NY…
Hello Dr Swartz and Miss Lank…
I am not sure if you remember me…I am the guy from Paraguay, who looks like an Asian…
Today I have with me the result of my test…..It’s incredible…I’ve passed….
Thank you from the bottom of my heart…
Sincerely,”
Peru
“Dear Dr. Swartz,
My name is Fidel Barrantes. I am a doctor from Peru who took your Step 2-CS workshops in late March.
Since the first day of the workshops, I learned a lot of things that I previously did not pay attention to before….little details that can make a difference between “Pass” or “Fail”. The three days were excelent, especially the last day where I could receive the feedback from the SPs, you, Anna and the other students around. Finally seven weeks after taking the exam, today, I received my results… I am very happy …I passed the exam… The Step 2-CS is now history for me.
Thanks for your help once more!”
“Dear Doctor Swartz and Anna,
I took this course with you a while ago, and I am very grateful I had the opportunity. I am pleased to tell you that I took and passed the step 2 CS.
I can tell you honestly that I felt comfortable when I took the exam. I believe this course was fundamental not only to take and pass the exam but also help us develop skills that are very important when interacting with patients. This course is excellent!
Thank you Dr. Swartz, Anna and all SPs,
God bless you,”
“Dear Dr. Swartz,
I just wanted to tell you that I passed step 2 CS. I am very happy, and I want to say “thanks” for the wonderful course. I took the March 2006 workshop.
I’m very happy I took the course which provided me the foundation to study and pass the exam.”
“Dear Dr. Swartz,
In the Step 2CS workshop in August, we (all participants) promised you to send you an email if we passed the exam. I finally took my exam on September 8th. This morning I got my results which indicate that I passed the exam. I am very happy and proud of myself, and I wanted to thank you for teaching me how to manage an American patient. I learned many things during the workshop that I am sure I will apply during my training in a US hospital.
I remember that after my practice case the last day of the workshop, you told me: “You are going to pass this exam Fernando”. After that, I felt more confident, and I studied very hard for 3 more weeks, and you were right; I passed the exam.
I also want to thank Ms. Lank for her help, support and tips, and Ms. Drda for giving us a very good training on an SP.
Once again, thank you very much.”
Venezuela
“Dear Anna,
Sorry in my delay on letting you know… got my test results two months ago, and I did pass! Thank you guys so much!
A friend of mine also passed. I taught him all what I learned from you! ALSO RECOMMENDED C3NY TO SOME OTHER FRIENDS HERE IN DALLAS!
Thanks a lot!
”