Whereas the USCSOM class of 2020 is in the midst of a grueling 4-5 week period of study for USMLE Step 1, which we're told is "the most important test of our lives thus far," and every day and hour is precious to our efforts,

The USCSOM class of 2019 was not required to complete or pay for drug screening,

The 3rd year students at MUSC have mandatory drug screening paid for by student health and the USCSOM Greenville does not require its 3rd year students to complete or pay for mandatory drug screening,

And Physicians at Palmetto Health are not required to pay for their drug screening.

Considering the above, we politely ask for the following amendments to the drug screening process:

1) The deadline for completion of the drug screening be pushed back until the last day of orientation week, July 6th, so that we do not have to waste valuable time during our dedicated study period to complete the screening.

2) The USCSOM or Palmetto Health will pay for the mandated drug screening given that the policy of requiring students to bear the cost is brand new and no other medical institutions within South Carolina share the policy.