age old question-please help

[Parapraxis]

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I'm a third year osteopathic student interested in anesthesia. I was planning to take USMLE but eventually chose not to due to fear of not doing as well as i did on the Comlex (90 percentile)....was that a totally stupid move? Or will I get interviews at university programs based on Comlex alone? I am an east coaster in NYC area. Any insight or related personal experiences would be greatly apprectiated, thanks.

 

[DOctorJay]

I just had a meeting with a DO gas resident from Jefferson. He only took COMLEX and said it in no way hindered him for interviews. I'm not sure if the current level of competition would make the USMLE a better choice at this point but he still suggested just taking the COMLEX. He also stated that he didn't want to go anywhere that he wouldn't be accepted as a DO and therefore felt that if his board exam wasn't good enough for a program then he probably didn't want to be there anyway.

I'm interested to hear what others have to say about this.

Best of luck!

 

[hermione]

I doubt you totally screwed yourself, but I would say that if you have some extra bucks hanging around, take step 1 (usmle) anyway. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you blow it, just don't release the scores, and you are in the same boat you are now. If you do well, it can only help you. I had no real problems getting interviews, but I think I would have gotten more with USMLE scores. Some programs flat out require them, so make some calls if you have particular programs in mind. I'll have to let you know how it all ends up on Mon/Thursday, though, to be 100% accurate. 😳

 

[Idiopathic]

Lets just say its a little bit crazier now than it was three or four years ago. I would not try to get into anesthesia right now without a USMLE score. I just think the competition level and numbers are greater.

 

[Noyac]

Do yourself a favor and take the USMLE and at the end of your residency take the ABA boards. It will make things easier for you in the long run.

 

[militarymd]

Do yourself a favor and take the USMLE and at the end of your residency take the ABA boards. It will make things easier for you in the long run.

ditto on thath

 

[supahfresh]

I took the USMLE (step I only) and it helped me tons. It can only help you because if you do bad, just dont report your score. I say borrow the extra money to take the test because this is your future you are investing in and you want to open as many doors for yourself as you can.

 

[Arch Guillotti]

I'm not sure if the current level of competition would make the USMLE a better choice at this point but he still suggested just taking the COMLEX. He also stated that he didn't want to go anywhere that he wouldn't be accepted as a DO and therefore felt that if his board exam wasn't good enough for a program then he probably didn't want to be there anyway.

As a DO who matched in a good allopathic program I disagree wholeheartedly with the first statement. Taking the USMLE was the best decision I ever made in securing a residency. The second sentence above is just the same old DO party line. My program wanted to see USMLE and nobody treats me any different here. Most attendings don't even know I'm a DO or they just forget about it, because when they sign my anesthesia records, they invariably put "Arch Guillotti, MD" - though it is probably just force of habit.

 

[timtye78]

I would recommend taking the usmle 1-dont worry about taking the rest (steps 2-3 take only comlex) the only reason is to demonstrate that you are comparable or even more competitive than the mds applying. This especially true at the current level of competition for the spots.

 

[AwesomeO-DO]

I doubt you totally screwed yourself, but I would say that if you have some extra bucks hanging around, take step 1 (usmle) anyway. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you blow it, just don't release the scores, and you are in the same boat you are now. If you do well, it can only help you. I had no real problems getting interviews, but I think I would have gotten more with USMLE scores. Some programs flat out require them, so make some calls if you have particular programs in mind. I'll have to let you know how it all ends up on Mon/Thursday, though, to be 100% accurate. 😳

What would "blowing it" consist of? I just took the USMLE and did above average but not THAT above average.