Advice requested

[Propofol17]

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OK, 4th year, looking for advice.

I've applied for MD and DO programs. Didn't do super on comlex 1 (around avg), and on comlex 2 scored well above average. I could try to bank on this improvement but not sure if it's advisable ... damn comlex 1.

I had some stuff going on during years 2/3, decided not to take USMLE. Kinda sorta regretting that move. I am considering doing the DIT + FA + UW thing for Step 1. Is this plausible to do this in a month of solid study (I'll have ICU month soon, not sure how the schedule will be?) and score ~ 220-230? Any suggestions/advice?

 

[group_theory]

OK, 4th year, looking for advice.

I've applied for MD and DO programs. Didn't do super on comlex 1 (around avg), and on comlex 2 scored well above average. I could try to bank on this improvement but not sure if it's advisable ... damn comlex 1.

I had some stuff going on during years 2/3, decided not to take USMLE. Kinda sorta regretting that move. I am considering doing the DIT + FA + UW thing for Step 1. Is this plausible to do this in a month of solid study (I'll have ICU month soon, not sure how the schedule will be?) and score ~ 220-230? Any suggestions/advice?

You are a year or two removed from basic science, and you won't have time to dedicate your entire time studying for the USMLE Step 1, especially if you have an ICU month coming up. Unless you are at a small community hospital ICU where there is nothing going on, most ICUs are busy and chaotic with long hours. You are competing against MD and DO students (most of whom are 2nd years) along with FMGs who are 100% dedicated to studying for Step 1, while you will be distracted with "service obligation". Your score is not graded against those who just take it that day but against all the examinees over a period of time (the actual scoring process is very complicated, and is beyond the scope of this discussion)

Besides, ERAS is active and interviews are being sent out as we speak. Even if you do well on Step 1, by the time you take the test, have it scored, and release it to programs, it will be late in the interview season and most programs have already filled their interview slots.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Depends on big time ICU vs. small time ICU.

 

[Propofol17]

Yeah I probably should have thought this through sooner. I was given advice but I personally couldn't work it through the schedule I had previously and some rotations I thought would be easy turned out to be tough, and vice-versa. This one is a large ICU and I expect to be real busy (not at a small community hospital). I'll just bank on the big time jump and see what happens. Worst that happens is a pre-lim/TRI match, I suppose.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Wait, though ... if you were to take it in October, scores released by November -- are most interviews released by November? Plus, 2nd years aren't taking USMLE's at that time anyway. FMGs may be though (I'd think they take it with everyone else) -- and it's likely with their 36 month study schedules they'd bust the curve like nobody's business and you don't want a fail at that point. I dunno though, not really gone through the process yet (I'm with you) nor do I have plans to take Step 1.