Board Scores and Peds Residency

[studentdocpediatrics]

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Hey everyone,

This may be a little drawn out and perhaps a bit too personal, but I kinda need some guidance as far as boards and residency go. So if anyone has the time, I would appreciate any advice you have for me. (I bolded my questions/concerns to help anyone navigate and sort through all this personal stuff.)

I am a third year osteopathic medical student.

I took both USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1, thinking that I didn't want to limit myself by just taking the COMLEX. However, I got my USMLE Step 1 score recently, and I failed it by 4 points (not that a low passing score would have served me well, anyway). I started studying for both exams since December 2013 and took them in June 2014. There are a lot of reasons why I think I might have done so poorly, but when it comes down to it, I just didn't study for it adequately and it's all on me. I'm still waiting for my COMLEX Level 1 score, and honestly, not to sound pessimistic, but I'm just hoping I passed it at this point and that I didn't fail it. It's pretty sucky and so ironic because my decision to take the USMLE was so that I would have more chances, but now with my failing score, I feel like I've closed a lot of doors.

I'm not the strongest test-taker, and my current fear is that I failed my COMLEX and will have to hold off on my clinical rotations, and I'm already half-way into my first one and I'm loving it and learning a lot! Has anyone else ever been in my situation? What advice do you have and any success stories? I really need some positivity right now.

I hate the feeling of my life possibly being put on hold by a three-digit number. I've always had a bad history with standardized tests ever since high school. I feel like I'm just being told over and over again by these standardized tests that I'm not cut out to become a doctor, and it's really discouraging. I graduated college early, didn't take a year off, and jumped straight into medical school. I've always felt like I got accepted into medical school by the skin of my teeth because of my test scores. Grades and volunteer work were considered "outstanding" or at least "adequate" by those who interviewed me, so I feel like my standardized test scores have always put me in a negative light when being evaluated by medical schools.

I'm definitely interested in pediatrics. I've been interested in it since the sixth grade when I decided medicine was what I wanted to pursue.

What's the recent statistics of DO students and pediatric residencies as far as board scores go? I know I already have to work much harder than my peers because of my board scores, and I'm willing to do that and put in 110% during my clinical rotations, but I'd like to somewhat know my chances of being accepted into a pediatric residency should I pass my COMLEX Level 1. What about taking USMLE Step 1? Should I retake it? I honestly don't think I should judging from my history with it, but I would really like to know what my best option is and get a second opinion.

Also,
What are good study strategies for Step 2/Level 2? Test banks? Books?
When is a good time to take Step 2/Level 2?
What about the PE? When should I take it?

Thanks in advance for any input and advice. I apologize for such a long post, but I'm really stressing out and I'm trying not to panic or fall into a pity-slump, and would really like some opinions from fellow colleagues.

 

[superscrewed2014]

I'm in the same boat. I passed the COMLEX but failed the USMLE by four points, so you are not alone. I am also not interested in re-taking USMLE because ALL of my rotations for the next 6 months are pretty hard core (surgery, OB/GYN, internal, etc) and I'm just not going to have the time to study appropriately. Unless your heart is set on an MD residency I would just focus on DO exams from here on out and apply through the AOA. Rock your rotations, rock your COMLEX II, and apply broadly to DO programs. You will have to report that you took the USMLE on your residency applications, but you will not have to report your score (those are the rules as of right now at least). If you are asked about it during residency interviews, I would be truthful, if you are not asked about it then don't worry about it (obviously you will have to do research for each program you apply to make sure that a failing USMLE score doesn't exclude you from the program). If you are applying to ACGME programs then you will likely have to re-take the USMLE. I don't know what the future holds, but I have a feeling things will work out for you 🙂