Any benefit for a DO in allopathic residency to take USMLE Step 3?

[95439]

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I went to a DO medschool, but am in an MD internship in internal medicine, and headed to an MD neurology residency next year.

I know this question has been phrased in various formats, and no, the USMLE is not needed to complete residency. What I'm wondering though is if there is ANY possible benefit to taking USMLE Step 3 as well? I've taken both COMLEX and USMLE Steps 1 and 2. I see no reason to take the USMLE step 3 (with it's $700 price tag) along with the COMLEX Step 3 if there is no TANGIBLE benefit in doing so (ie not just so I can say to my peers "I may be a DO but I took all 3 USMLE Steps").
Would a neurology fellowship prefer if I'd taken USMLE step 3 as well as the COMLEX?

Thank you in advance!

 

[markglt]

doubt it.
sounds like a waste of 700 bucks and 16hrs.

 

[DrMom]

USMLE and COMLEX are used for licensure. Some states have an Osteopathic medical board and require all 3 steps for licensure. In others it doesn't matter.

Basically, as a DO you limit what states you can be licensed to work in if you don't take COMLEX step 3. There is no reason to take USMLE step 3. All the residency program will care about is whether or not you can get a license to practice in the state you are training.

 

[95439]

Excellent! Thank you both...so I'm not going to look back if/when I apply to a fellowship and think 'darn I wish I'd have taken the USMLE step 3 too'? I've heard that Step 3 is basically just a hoop to jump through, and that your score won't determine your future in anyway, so long as you pass. Is that true also? Sorry for the add-on question but there's really nowhere else to turn for reliable answers to questions like these...

 

[mms2k7]

I actually was wondering the same thing, bblue. What is the significance of step 3? Is it useful at any point?

Honestly, I was thinking about getting it out of the way at the end of my 4th year. The question format seems so similar to step 2, and most people used step 2 study materials for step 3 anyway.. The UWORLD Qs don't look much different from step 2 q bank either.

Thoughts? Good idea ? Bad idea?