PASS ProgramReviews of pass-program.com

I decided to enroll myself in the PASS program after my dean told me that he would be “extremely surprised” if I passed step 1 based on my first- and second-year grades. My school had pretty much given up on me—especially since I had already completed a course before the PASS program, and I still was deemed as “not ready” for boards. However, Dr. Francis didn’t. He made me believe that I could still accomplish the goal that I had set out for myself and he was there for me throughout the entire journey. He literally helped me study and prepare weeks after my live online course ended. For anyone who is undecided about joining the PASS family, please take my advice. DO IT. Yes, its going to cost you extra $, but if that extra money means you achieve the goal that you’ve worked so hard to obtain, then its money well spent. He taught me how to THINK. It was something that no professor could ever teach me how to do. When I received my boards score, Dr. Francis was the first person I called. All he could say was, “Now, didn’t I tell you that the nay-sayers were wrong about you?” It was the first time in all of medical school that I passed something on my first try with flying colors. My deans were SHOCKED to say the least. Now that I am a third year, even my preceptors are amazed by my clinical reasoning skills—Dr. Francis taught me how to do that too... I went from “least likely to pass in your entire class” as per my deans during first and second year to “you exude a competence and confidence unlike any other” as per my 3rd year preceptors. If I can do it, I know you can too. P.S. I didn’t get any incentive for writing this review, but I remember being a skeptical reader if these comments a year ago, so I just wanted to provide someone out there with a little bit of hope. Take a chance on yourself. If you believe in yourself just a little, Dr. Francis will believe in you a lot. Thanks Dr. F! I’ll see you for step 2!!

When I first came to the PASS program, I was like the other students in the class - downtrodden, depressed, broken, and looking for an external excuse to just give up. Over the course of the last 2 years, I had failed Step 1 once and just failed Step 2 for the second time earlier before being unceremoniously dismissed from medical school in November 2019. Three and half years of hard work and years of preparation prior to it down the drain just like that. Thankfully, I was able to write an appeal letter to the Dean in February 2020 to claw my way back in, but coming to Champaign in May 2020, I was at my lowest of lows, contemplating suicide so as to avoid paying the massive debt in front of me with nothing to show for it. That's how I came to Champaign. But it's not how I left. I left with a support system intact. A group of friends I could count on who reminded me to FOCUS and take ONE day at a time. To stay committed. To keep me disciplined even as I struggled to discipline myself. Those 6:30 AM morning sessions start off painful but keep that schedule up, and it'll become a part of your routine. I'm a night owl, but I ended up looking forward to those sessions because I quickly learned that those morning sessions were the true gem of the program. Going through UWORLD with an experienced test taker is just something else. And it comes with practice. I started off with a 45% percentage and slowly climbed my way up to 70% over the course of PASS. I left with a mentor who understood and could TEACH medicine in a way I never envisioned. I've met many amazing physicians along the way, but Dr. Francis is truly one in a million. He makes the connections and then teaches you to make the connections yourself. Learn normal physiology so that you can predict abnormal pathology. And most importantly, I learned to not give up on myself while also learning to love medicine itself again. Passing a board exam is such a small step in the grand scheme of things, but such a big one at the same time because it's a test of your FOUNDATION. So get rid of what you knew before and start from scratch. I was a 4th-year medical student from a top tier DO school learning Biochem again for Level 2, but swallow your pride. Learn it his way and you won't forget it. Not for the test and not for your future patients. Overall, it was a great experience for me. Trust Dr. Francis, trust the process, and envision trusting yourself again. You'll get there. You got this. Don't give up on yourself because he and his team never will.

Studying for Step is a gauntlet, and I felt ill prepared for so long. I tried so many methods, whether it be Kaplan, or First Aid, or any number of resources. But I never felt as if I truly understood the concepts as well as I wanted. Pass Program is different. It may take time to acclimate to the new sytem, I admit (especially if you are used to rote memorizing). However, the course actually instills a methodology and a pattern to medicine. It was so much easier to understand and retain the concepts, once Dr. Francis worked with us. They always say "you have been empowered" at the program, and that's precisely how I felt, for perhaps the first time during my studies. I think it speaks to the quality of the program, that this was the resource that finally allowed me to progress my academic career. Thanks to the team at Pass, and Dr. Francis, for all your time and support!

I am so happy that I took the Pass Program to prepare for USMLE Step 2 exam. I love that this program not only prepare you for the exam, it makes sure that you have a strong medical foundation through clues and concepts to be ready to practice medicine. After taking the program, I gained confidence and started processing medical information with curiosity. I’m so grateful for the Pass Program.

The PASS program was a empowering experience for me! It helped to rekindle the motivation to study for step 1 after many obstacles. The students, tutors and instructors created a positive and encouraging environment to help us achieve our goals. Dr. Francis broke down high-yield and harder concepts in ways that were digestible and applicable to questions. I can approach the questions with new-found confidence and organizational skills. I found the Pass textbook to be helpful as well as the PP Clues. I would highly recommend this program!

Dr. Francis I can't thank you enough, you changed my life I wish if I knew about you 2 years ago. I'm more confident now about my way of approaching the questions and solve them, I always remember the concept with your genuine voice, thank you!

Much more than just a Step 1 prep course. If you are preparing for USMLE step 1, I would advise you to join pass program as soon as possible. I can't stress that enough. It would make the process so much easier; and actually very enjoyable! However, I think the course is amazing and very beneficial no matter what stage you are in. It'll give you a great understanding of basic science and how that translates into what you see and do in a clinical setting. It's like seeing all pieces of a puzzle fall into place. I am so glad to have found this program; and beyond grateful to Dr Francis and his wonderful team for the amazing work that they do.

The Pass program is an exceptional review program for medical students who are studying and preparing for national board exams. The program empowers students by teaching them test taking strategies, knowledge, and skills necessary to be effective in patient care. Through the Pass Program, I learned how to approach and break down question stems in order to be successful. In addition, through daily lectures and drills, I was able to gain a better understanding of the fundemental of science and organ systems. Daily, I was challenged to go beyond memorization. I was challenged to actually understand concepts and make connections. In doing so, The Pass Program has empowered me by bridging gaps in my knowledge. I am grateful for the time Dr. Francis as well as other instructors invested in the Pass program to help me be successful as a medical student.