Another random advice post for Anesthesia

[Gobblox]

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Hi all,

Like many before me, I will give my story, and would love some advice/guidance on how to approach this situation.

I am currently a DO 3rd year student who has become interested in Anesthesia.
I am going to give a quick list of my stats and I need some advice about matching allopathic and taking Step 2 CK.

COMLEX 1 = 561 (Did NOT take USMLE 1 because I was advised against it, which I now realize was a mistake)

I have research (published in JAOA and First Place at an Osteopathic Research Conference), Club Presidency, Awards, and other various CV things I can elaborate on if need be.

My question is if I take USMLE Step 2 early and do decent, will it help me or is it all about USMLE Step 1 and I should just take COMLEX 2 and roll the dice?
I have been turning the internet upside down for thoughts and have had minimal luck on finding advice specifically related to the impact of USMLE Step 2 on a DO applicant without Step 1.

Thanks in advance for your help. If I have somehow missed a solid source for this information, please link it and ill apologize for beating a dead horse and be on my merry way 🙂

 

[TeamZissou]

Good post, no beating a dead horse from me when you put thought and detail into your post. FWIW OMS-IV applying next Monday...

I wouldn't worry about USMLE 1, that material is a lot of stuff we didn't focus on, nor does it matter clinically.

Take your COMLEX II early (by August) before you start your audition rotations and such. Take the USMLE II as well and have it be your focus, use uworld and take a couple NBME's and the uworld self assessment lastly about 5-7 days before your test. If you do well enough on it (220+) I would go ahead and take it.

That said it is easier said than done... I studied for the tests separately this year (mistake) and took COMLEX II in August and I'm still studying for USMLE II on auditions trying to reach my goal. Get it done BEFORE auditions/apps.

 

[Per4mer8]

Study for the USMLE 2 as your focus as above. Then take your comlex 2 a few days later. If you know the stuff for the USMLE you'll do fine on the comlex (just study the OMM and ethics/random questions a day or two before). Agree you should take it before your away rotations, I think preferably the month or whatever between 3rd and 4th yr (I used vacation beginning of 4th yr).

Essentially, most programs will look at comlex but the USMLE is the standard. Not having a step 1 may cost you some interviews at programs but if you do well on step 2 USMLE and that score is available to programs from the start you'll do fine