Any chance?

[schwasted589]

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I've been a little (lot) bummed after getting my COMLEX score back. I scored a smidge below 450 (much much lower than my predicted scores given my COMBANK % and COMSAEs) and because I was so stressed/anxious about doing so poorly on COMLEX that I cancelled my USMLE.

I've been interested in EM for a bit now and though I'm not 100% sure (since I just started clinical rotations) that I want to pursue it, I want to know if I'm even in the running for it right now. 1/2 our class wants to do EM at the moment and I've been hearing for some time how competitive it's getting.

If it matters, I have a 3.0 in preclinical and plan to take step 2 for USMLE and Comlex level 2 FOR SURE. Any other ideas on what I can do (or if I should just give up?). We have practically no advising at our med school so I'm at the mercy of websites online.

Thank you

 

[Mr Cousins]

The way you stand right now I'd focus more on participating in the Osteopathic match. ACGME is not totally out of the equation if you take USMLE 2 early and do well, but it still sounds like it would be an uphill battle. Put the energy into the Osteopathic match. Do well on clinical rotations. Work early to set up aways at the programs you're most interested. Get strong letters. Make a COMLEX 2 jump.

 

[schwasted589]

The way you stand right now I'd focus more on participating in the Osteopathic match. ACGME is not totally out of the equation if you take USMLE 2 early and do well, but it still sounds like it would be an uphill battle. Put the energy into the Osteopathic match. Do well on clinical rotations. Work early to set up aways at the programs you're most interested. Get strong letters. Make a COMLEX 2 jump.

Yeah I realized I'm going to have to focus on AOA programs which isn't what I wanted to do but it is what it is. Is the level of training significantly worse (that's what I've always heard from people ...but most of them are AOA/DO skeptics so not sure what to make of it). When I got my score back, i figured i'd be screened out of AOA residencies as well, but you're saying I have a shot at those?
As far as taking USMLE step 2 "early"...how early would you suggest?

thank you so much. I've been so bummed about it because I feel like I closed a ton of doors with my score, which sucks considering I studied for the test pretty hard.

 

[Mr Cousins]

I'm in an ACGME residency and never pursued the AOA side, so take my advice as you will. If you think you may go after ACGME programs, you'd need a step 2 USMLE score before applications for out (Sept). But you'd also need SLOES from ACGME places. If I were you I'd probably just skip USMLE and the ACGME process and go all in AOA and set up some good aways. You're score isn't too far off from the 500 avg. I can't provide information for specific AOA programs, but you should be able to dig out some forums.

 

[Makati2008]

Yeah I realized I'm going to have to focus on AOA programs which isn't what I wanted to do but it is what it is. Is the level of training significantly worse (that's what I've always heard from people ...but most of them are AOA/DO skeptics so not sure what to make of it). When I got my score back, i figured i'd be screened out of AOA residencies as well, but you're saying I have a shot at those?
As far as taking USMLE step 2 "early"...how early would you suggest?

thank you so much. I've been so bummed about it because I feel like I closed a ton of doors with my score, which sucks considering I studied for the test pretty hard.

I am going to be honest. With your comlex you should be happy with wherever you get a spot. EM is very competitive now. Fortunately some of the smaller programs should be willing to give you a chance but even then I met folks with >500.

I would just be careful with the extremely small as well newer AOA programs with the merger being the big unknown. There has already been one EM program causality due to it.

I would say the Florida programs will be out of your reach. The stronger Ohio programs, the older oklahoma programs(unless you rotate). Michigan has programs that would interview you with that score (not sparrow) and some of the ohio ones.

Work hard and take comlex and USMLE early. I took comlex 2 very end of June. So I could plan how and where to apply. I will be honest the AOA programs are a mixed bag. Some of the smaller places are subpar( I know this from rotating and didn't even rank some of these places. I knew the risk I was taking but had ACGME EM as well as FM as back ups)

Good luck

 

[racerwad]

I've been a little (lot) bummed after getting my COMLEX score back. I scored a smidge below 450 (much much lower than my predicted scores given my COMBANK % and COMSAEs) and because I was so stressed/anxious about doing so poorly on COMLEX that I cancelled my USMLE.

I've been interested in EM for a bit now and though I'm not 100% sure (since I just started clinical rotations) that I want to pursue it, I want to know if I'm even in the running for it right now. 1/2 our class wants to do EM at the moment and I've been hearing for some time how competitive it's getting.

If it matters, I have a 3.0 in preclinical and plan to take step 2 for USMLE and Comlex level 2 FOR SURE. Any other ideas on what I can do (or if I should just give up?). We have practically no advising at our med school so I'm at the mercy of websites online.

Thank you

My COMLEXs were 433/500 something and USMLE was 219/235. I had similar grades to you. I matched ACGME. I agree with @Makati2008 that AOA programs are a mixed bag (at best). However, I don't think that ACGME is impossible, especially if you do well on your aways. I assume you are still early in your 3rd year? Go to ACEP/SAEM and network; rotate at reach and safety programs; try and get some research; pursue the Match you want, but have a realistic backup plan. Good luck!

 

[schwasted589]

I'm in an ACGME residency and never pursued the AOA side, so take my advice as you will. If you think you may go after ACGME programs, you'd need a step 2 USMLE score before applications for out (Sept). But you'd also need SLOES from ACGME places. If I were you I'd probably just skip USMLE and the ACGME process and go all in AOA and set up some good aways. You're score isn't too far off from the 500 avg. I can't provide information for specific AOA programs, but you should be able to dig out some forums.

So you're suggesting that I don't even bother with Step 2 for USMLE? I figured that was the only way to redeem myself for not taking USMLE if i go the ACGME route. I haven't been able to find exact comlex cut off scores for programs yet so I just assumed my <450 score would screen me out of most/if not all EM residencies and I would have to take step 2 usmle to have a shot with acgme.

I am going to be honest. With your comlex you should be happy with wherever you get a spot. EM is very competitive now. Fortunately some of the smaller programs should be willing to give you a chance but even then I met folks with >500.

I would just be careful with the extremely small as well newer AOA programs with the merger being the big unknown. There has already been one EM program causality due to it.

I would say the Florida programs will be out of your reach. The stronger Ohio programs, the older oklahoma programs(unless you rotate). Michigan has programs that would interview you with that score (not sparrow) and some of the ohio ones.

Work hard and take comlex and USMLE early. I took comlex 2 very end of June. So I could plan how and where to apply. I will be honest the AOA programs are a mixed bag. Some of the smaller places are subpar( I know this from rotating and didn't even rank some of these places. I knew the risk I was taking but had ACGME EM as well as FM as back ups)

Good luck

Thanks, would you recommend taking it june at the earliest then? Do you wish you had taken it sooner?

My COMLEXs were 433/500 something and USMLE was 219/235. I had similar grades to you. I matched ACGME. I agree with @Makati2008 that AOA programs are a mixed bag (at best). However, I don't think that ACGME is impossible, especially if you do well on your aways. I assume you are still early in your 3rd year? Go to ACEP/SAEM and network; rotate at reach and safety programs; try and get some research; pursue the Match you want, but have a realistic backup plan. Good luck!

I'm 2 weeks into my 3rd year but we have to select our elective rotations so I'm trying to figure out how badly I've shot myself in the foot with my score. I completely psyched myself out after comlex but now I'm wishing I had taken the USMLE. :S

Thanks guys. I really wish our school had any sort of advising. If it wasn't for SDN, I would have no idea what to do.