As a DO: Submit USMLE scores?

[Anguscrimm]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all,

I'm sure this topic has been discussed before, but I'd like to know what you guys think.

For step 1 I took COMLEX and USMLE. I Scored better on the COMLEX than the USMLE. I am applying to MD Psych residencies. For my best chances, should I submit my USMLE scores even though they are lower than my COMLEX scores or should I just pretend like I never took it?

Or does it not even matter what I do?!

🙄

Cheers,

LT

 

[normalforce]

If you scored above average (216) then submit. I would check with the programs b/c some places will only accept the USMLE. However, if they all accept COMLEX and you did score less than the mean, then I would submit only COMLEX. Good Luck.

Normalforce

 

[Renovar]

I'd say submit USMLE to all if above average.

But submit to only absolute required programs if average or below. And COMLEX to all of course.

 

[Arch Guillotti]

I too am in the exact same boat, COMLEX score much better than USMLE score. To Anguscrimm, can you select which programs to submit USMLE to if they require it - I was under the impression that releasing the score was an all or none type deal. Very curious - I have registered for ERAS but haven't filled everything out.

Arch

 

[Anguscrimm]

Hi Arch -

I may be wrong, but I believe it's an all or none deal. As far as I know, you input your USMLE ID#, and then the transcripts (scores) get sent to all the institutions you apply to, and you don't have a choice. Of course this can be problem for applicants like you and I who may want to submit scores to only a certain # of programs that want to see USMLE scores.

Right now I'm leaning towards not releasing my USMLE scores, because of the responses so far. I just wonder if how the PDs will compare a COMLEX score vs. a USMLE score of another applicant. *shrug*

And it also makes me think - Why the #$%^ did I take the damn thing in the first place?! (USMLE) 😱

LT

 

[Kiki2004]

what if you're a DO student, took COMLEX and USMLE Step 1, passed the COMLEX , didn't pass USMLE, but took it again a year later? do you think that's wise or do you think PD's will frown upon that when applying to allopathic programs? i've heard arguments to both sides...

just wonderin' what you all think. 😕

 

[CT4]

Hello,

I am in the same situation. I did well on the COMLEX but below the mean on USMLE Step 1. I was debating whether or not to take step 2 as well. I would like to try to apply to radiology programs. Do residency programs look at mainly Step 1 or both steps? Thanks

 

[Jim Picotte]

If you're going for ACGME radiology programs then you better submit the USMLE scores. A lot of the radiology PD won't have a clue as to what the COMLEX score means...many PD's will but you need to submit those USMLE scores for radiology. For the AOA radiology programs then of course only COMLEX. A lot of programs will look at both steps but tend to screen based on board scores so you'll need to take Step II early to have it matter for the interviews. Step I is typically used because not a lot of people have Step II completed by September or October of their 4th year but it will help to do well on it. I would shoot for as high a score as possible as well. Radiology applicants are a nervous bunch and apply to a ton of programs (average was I believe around 37 last year) so programs with a few spots get around 500 applications and some programs many more. They don't have time to read everyones complete file and ERAS has great query features like...show me all the applicants with scores greater than 230. A program knows how many people it needs to interview to get a good match and that's how it's done unfortunately (of course being local or knowing someone can get you by the initial screen).

 

[Kiki2004]

when do you suggest is the latest time to take Step 2? I'm planning on taking mine mid-to-late October. Do you think that's too late considering you factor in about 6-8 weeks to get your scores back?

 

[CT4]

Can the USMLE Step 2 be registered for online? If so, how soon can one schedule a test date? I'm not sure how late "too late" is. I was wanting to take it after the COMLEX, but it might be too late even at this point if the scores take 6-8 weeks to come back.

 

[Jim Picotte]

In my opinion October is too late. You're looking at mid August to beginning of September as it takes 3-4 weeks to get your scores back and most radiology programs will have offered the majority of their interviews slots by the end of October. This advice is mainly for those who are uncomfortable with their Step I scores and for those who would want Step II scores in order to get interviews. If you think you can get a lot of interviews based on your Step I or COMLEX I score then October would be an ok time frame as they'll have your score before they rank the applicants.

No you can't apply for Step II online.

 

[Kiki2004]

Could it be specialty-dependent? I can see October being too late if you are applying for Rads, as you explained. I know OB/GYN programs don't usually interview till December-January...Hopefully that will work?

 

[Anguscrimm]

Hi Kiki -

In response to your previous post, I'm not sure if it's a good thing to not pass the USMLE even if one were to take it a year later and pass. I'm saying this because I know that failing any step can be pretty detrimental to one's app if going for a competitive specialty. If one were to not pass, I think it may be best to pretend as if one didn't take it at all, and submit only your COMLEX scores. This is one of the advantages of being a DO student, as you prolly already know.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Kiki2004]

thanks for the reply, anguscrimm!

I feel like I am stuck b/w a rock and a hard place. I want to go OB/GYN (mainly California programs) so I am scared that submitting USMLE scores will hurt my chances. I am awaiting my scores, they will probably come in about two weeks. Now, I think why the heck did I bother re-taking it?

😕 😕

Did you ever decide whether or not you were going to submit both COMLEX and USMLE?

 

[Anguscrimm]

Hiya Kiki-

I wish I could give you a better answer to your problem. Unfortunately, the only thing I know about OB/GYN is that I'll need to get a consult whenever ANY OB problems come up. 😀
I know even less about the residencies and competitiveness about the programs.

You oughta consult some more people, though, and it sounds like you already have. I'd hate to give you bad advice and for you to not have the best possible opportunities in Cali.

I can empathize with you in that yes, it does suck to take Step 1 once or twice, or however many times. It just sucks. 🙁

About USMLE vs. COMLEX I think i'm going to submit my USMLE scores.

Reason:

1) The consensus on the board was that if the mean was scored, then submit. I scored like a fraction below the mean, so I figure what the heck, who's countin' a few points? With that in mind, I figured that for Psych, it didn't really matter that much that I was a few points below the mean.

I dunno. We'll see what happens. Best of luck to you.

 

[Arch Guillotti]

This topic is very interesting to me. I am wondering why I took the USMLE in the first place. I guess there is no right answer. Anyways, I took the USMLE Step II a few weeks ago. It wasn't that bad really. I walked out feeling a whole lot better than Step I. There were a few zebras (charcot Marie Tooth and prader willi amongst others, but I got both of those). Only a few were real head scratchers. A lot boiled down to the ubiquitous two answers that both seemed right. So I am gonna finish up my ERAS in the next week or two and just wait on my USMLE scores. I will have ERAS teed up by the time the scores come back. Good scores - then I will release. Bad scores - then COMLEX only. I really don't know why I am obsessing about this so much. Hopefully the news will be good, cuz I feel a little funny about not releasing scores (though I passed comfortably). I have a worst case scenario of being asked about USMLE in my interview, and there is no way I am gonna lie about them.

To Anguscrimm, I think you are set for psych with or without releasing scores unless you are going for somewhere high-end. And also, just from poking around ERAS, it looks like we release the scores to ERAS in general, then we can release individual scores to individual places. So if you want to releaese your scores to only certain programs, it looks as though you can. However, it seems that if you do not release your usmle scores to a certain program, they will not get myour scores but they can likely see that your scores have been released to eras so they will know that you have taken this exam. Does this make sense. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Arch

 

[Arch Guillotti]

And also, just from poking around ERAS, it looks like we release the scores to ERAS in general, then we can release individual scores to individual places. So if you want to releaese your scores to only certain programs, it looks as though you can. However, it seems that if you do not release your usmle scores to a certain program, they will not get myour scores but they can likely see that your scores have been released to eras so they will know that you have taken this exam. Does this make sense. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Anyone?

 

[Anguscrimm]

Hi Arch -

I agree with you, and think you're right. I think that if you don't release your scores, it isn't hard for PDs to look at your CAF and say "hey, he's got a USMLE ID here, where are his/her scores?", which might prompt them to ask you, and you might then have to say why you took USMLE, but did not release, etc...
And then you have to tell them anyway, and also tell them why you chose not to release.

So, I think it's best to either

1) Enter the USMLE ID, and send the scores

or

2) Don't enter the USMLE ID and pretend like you never took it at all and just bank on your COMLEX scores.

Entering your USMLE ID basically tells them you took the test, IMO, and if you don't want them to know about it, don't enter the #.

I may be wrong, welcome to other ideas/thoughts.

Good Luck with ERAS and all this other nonsense.

What are you trying to match into?

 

[Arch Guillotti]

Your reasoning makes perfect sense to me. I am applying for gas. The personal statement is just killing me - I just can't seem to crank it out.

On an unrelated note - what do we do about LOR's if you are applying to a preliminary or transitional year - as I am for those gas programs that are 2-4 and don't have a clinical base year included? In other words, the LOR's that I have are specific for gas, 2 from anesthesiologists and one from an ED attending that knows I am doing gas. Do gas specific letters work for medicine and transitional year programs? TIA

Arch

 

[kristing]

dangit. Did anyone find out the official answer about this? I asked our assistant dean and he said the PDs could know if you took the test. How could they know if you don't enter the USMLE ID? And is it lying by omission if you don't list it on your application? arrrgggg