Okayish Step but horrid COMLEX. Do I still have a shot at radiology?

[kelminak]

Hey there,

I just got my COMLEX results back and they were about as bad as I expected. I had a physical symptom happen that day that ruined me the entire day. My Step came out a 231, but my COMLEX is just below a 500. Are there going to be programs that overlook that? I would be happy getting into any radiology residency and realize I don't have room to be choosey. I just wanted to see if that COMLEX was a death sentence or if program directors would even care.

Thank you!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[VonHazebrook]

I'd be surprised if program directors even looked at the COMLEX score tbh, as long as you didn't fail it you should be fine

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I had a PD from a mid-tier academic say in person to me they 100% ignore comlex cause it’s the “bad test” haha

 

[risus_sardonicus]

No1 will give a **** about your comlex. Although your step is well below the median which definitely should be more of a concern.

 

[Kr#36]

No1 will give a **** about your comlex. Although your step is well below the median which definitely should be more of a concern.

I wouldn't exactly call it a concern. 98% of applicants with a score in that range matched in 2020.

 

[Butters Stotch]

How is the mean a 240 but 220 plus has about 90 percent match rate? Is there that big of a discrepancy between uni and comm programs?

 

[Neopolymath]

How is the mean a 240 but 220 plus has about 90 percent match rate? Is there that big of a discrepancy between uni and comm programs?

Basically, yes. The large number of community programs anchors the match rate.

 

[risus_sardonicus]

How is the mean a 240 but 220 plus has about 90 percent match rate? Is there that big of a discrepancy between uni and comm programs?

Huge differences in terms of education, resources, faculty etc

 

[kelminak]

So the overall sentiment is that I'll still be fine to apply even if I'm below average? I interpreted the results as I'd likely be ok at that score and I wouldn't care what type of program I go to as I'd be thankful to be a radiologist at all.