Quote:
Originally Posted by 504girl
"25 MCAT is carribbean stats?"
I'm so tired of hearing these things - it's NOT ABOUT COMPETITION!!! Its about TAKING CARE of people.
And while half the research is still unable to definitively link MCAT score to performance on Level I Boards, those that do have only been able to consistently show 2 correlations : 1) the verbal score is the highest indicator of success [and my MCAT verbal was a 12] 2) as for overall score, the only statistical significance is seen at an MCAT score of 22 - those who scored above a 22 have a statistically significant chance of passing Level I boards, while those who score at or below 22 do not. THATS IT. NOTHING MORE. Standardized test taking has become ingrained in our society as a way to size up people's capabilities. But just like any other stereotype, it's only valid when it's applies to a general population, NOT specific individuals. Like someone already said, 25 is simply a caribbean stat because of supply and demand. Nothing else. It's not reflective of my intelligence or capability as a physician. And neither are the Level I Boards. That being said, I do need to pass them to prove that I have the knowledge. All I'm saying is that I have it and I CAN PASS THIS EXAM. Why I haven't yet, is the weirdest thing to me!
I do sincerely think that if I make it through this, I will not have as difficult of a time with Level II or III.
"You really need to reevaluate your career options. While there's an argument to be made that standardized tests are poor markers of physician competence, they're all we have. " -well said Johnnydrama
bleeker10 - good quote reference. I often feel like I might be the "Rudy" of medicine. You're right - work my butt off and thats all I can do. I'm going to do just that for the 4th try and i'm going to take it when i'm healed fully. And then if i still fail, then it's just not meant to be. But if i pass......  |
Your situation is the worst I've read to date on these forums. While people on here can be very blunt, several valid points have been expressed and it is important that you recognize just how dire your situation is. That said, I think you understand where you stand and I don't see the harm in giving the 4th try to comlex. If I were in your position, I would see no other choice but to try. If you are able to pass, your scope of practice will likely be limited, but it will still exist. I looked up my school's policy regarding this and they auto-eject you after the 3rd failure as well, but I also looked up LMU-DCOM's student hand book and on page 61 it says:
"Students are not allowed to start the second semester of their third year unless they have passed COMLEX Level 1. A student who fails COMLEX Level I a second time will be placed on a LOA until they pass the exam."
http://www.lmunet.edu/DCOM/pdfs/lmud...book_09_10.pdf
There appears to be at least a little hope for you. I by no means did an exhaustive search, so there may be other places you would be considered, but If I were you I'd get in touch with their admissions and possibly set up a meeting with their dean to discuss your situation asap. I think simply passing COMLEX would be insufficient at this stage of the game.
Extend your subscriptions to all the question banks (UWorld, COMbank and I'd add kaplan too, the more questions, the better) and do eight 50 question sections per day until your exam. Get a notebook for each system and take physical hand-written notes on every single question you miss. Do 2 sections of 50 and take 30-40 minutes off to do nothing and let it sink in, then go back and do another 2 sections and repeat until you've done 8. Then take an hour off, and passively flip through the notes you have taken in the evening. I think you could take one day a week to do nothing but review your hand-written notes to give yourself a little break. Attacking the material from three angles (actively answering questions, physically writing notes and passively reviewing your weaknesses) will force your brain to make the connections necessary to be successful in taking this exam. I think if you get through all three of these 3 times in this manor and do NOTHING else but prep for the test, there is no way you will fail a 4th time, esp given the 2 point margin of your 3rd attempt. Forget about USMLE and work your ass off and do your best, that's all you can do at this point. I think you can do it, and I wish you the absolute best of luck.
