Comlex only applicants

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DOgirl1

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You’ll be fine.

You will match

I matched into a surgical specialty with average comlex numbers. IM is less competitive than surgical fields as a whole. Unless you want to get into a brand name university setting, you’ll be just fine.
 
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Let me elaborate more.
Based on my experience, there are a ton of hospitals in the US.
I thought I wouldn't care where I work during residency but this interview trail has changed my mind.
I want to spend my 3 years of residency somewhere I can be happy and see myself working as an attending.
Sure you will get into a program somewhere with just comlex (our scores aren't too different. Average at best if not slightly below) but you want to be at a position where you can choose rather than be chosen (you are chosen at the end but I hope you understand what I'm saying).
And having just comlex will put you in the latter.
You won't find too many comlex only applicant threads because most (at least majority) have taken USMLE also (to my knowledge).
That just goes to show how important usmle is.
As much as @DocWinter is correct that "you will be fine, you'll match," you don't want to be just fine. You don't want to just match.
Your residency program can determine your 3 years, your fellowship opportunities, your career, and etc.
I'd recommend giving yourself the best shot by taking usmle.
It would be a different story if your comlex great but that's not the case here.
 
JustPass said:
Let me elaborate more.
Based on my experience, there are a ton of hospitals in the US.
I thought I wouldn't care where I work during residency but this interview trail has changed my mind.
I want to spend my 3 years of residency somewhere I can be happy and see myself working as an attending.
Sure you will get into a program somewhere with just comlex (our scores aren't too different. Average at best if not slightly below) but you want to be at a position where you can choose rather than be chosen (you are chosen at the end but I hope you understand what I'm saying).
And having just comlex will put you in the latter.
You won't find too many comlex only applicant threads because most (at least majority) have taken USMLE also (to my knowledge).
That just goes to show how important usmle is.
As much as @DocWinter is correct that "you will be fine, you'll match," you don't want to be just fine. You don't want to just match.
Your residency program can determine your 3 years, your fellowship opportunities, your career, and etc.
I'd recommend giving yourself the best shot by taking usmle.
It would be a different story if your comlex great but that's not the case here.
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As much as I agree with you, I think they're aware of the power of the USMLE and are looking for novel commentary from COMLEX only applicants/residents.
 
Sardonix said:
As much as I agree with you, I think they're aware of the power of the USMLE and are looking for novel commentary from COMLEX only applicants/residents.
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Yea, I understand. But since OP is going to be applying postmerger and all of current residents and applicants are pre-complete-merger, I don't think comlex only applicant commentary carries that much weight as before. Just my 2 cents.
 
DOgirl1 said:
Hi guys, I've been a lurker for a long time, but I finally decided to make an account!

Im a 3rd year DO student and I'm interested in IM residency programs (want to be a hospitalist). I've only taken comlex 1 and scored in the 520's. I am not restricted to any particular region and I am open to community IM programs. I was hoping to get some feedback about match process experiences from 4th year DO students who are currently applying to ACGME IM programs with comlex only or IM residents who went through the ACGME match process with comlex only.

I am not intending to start another debate about why DO students must take usmle to match acgme etc. I searched these forums for comlex only applicants' post and I honestly did not find much feedback from actual comlex only applicants. I still have time to take step 1 and I am highly considering taking it. However I am fearful of messing up on test day and making my application worse than it is now. Therefore I just wanted to get some feedback from applicants who have actually been through the process without a usmle score.

Thank you so much for all your help guys!
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I spoke with a graduate from my school who matched IM/PEDs acgme with an average comlex (lower than yours actually I believe). She did do several audition rotations, but none of those places actually took her and she ended up at her 9 place on her match list. That was in 2015.

I believe @ortnakas has done it more recently and might have some better thoughts.
 
BorntobeDO? said:
I spoke with a graduate from my school who matched IM/PEDs acgme with an average comlex (lower than yours actually I believe). She did do several audition rotations, but none of those places actually took her and she ended up at her 9 place on her match list. That was in 2015.

I believe @ortnakas has done it more recently and might have some better thoughts.
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I graduated/matched last year and did take USMLE. I have several friends who matched into decent IM programs with COMLEX only (I don’t know their scores), but all of them did so in DO-friendly regions like Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York & Florida.
 
Would this apply to FM as well but being able to stay in a particular state like CA? Almost in the same position as OP but I'd like to stay in CA
 
JustPass said:
Let me elaborate more.
Based on my experience, there are a ton of hospitals in the US.
I thought I wouldn't care where I work during residency but this interview trail has changed my mind.
I want to spend my 3 years of residency somewhere I can be happy and see myself working as an attending.
Sure you will get into a program somewhere with just comlex (our scores aren't too different. Average at best if not slightly below) but you want to be at a position where you can choose rather than be chosen (you are chosen at the end but I hope you understand what I'm saying).
And having just comlex will put you in the latter.
You won't find too many comlex only applicant threads because most (at least majority) have taken USMLE also (to my knowledge).
That just goes to show how important usmle is.
As much as @DocWinter is correct that "you will be fine, you'll match," you don't want to be just fine. You don't want to just match.
Your residency program can determine your 3 years, your fellowship opportunities, your career, and etc.
I'd recommend giving yourself the best shot by taking usmle.
It would be a different story if your comlex great but that's not the case here.
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Have you yet sat for your board exams, and gone through the matching process? I have.

By “you’ll be fine” I’m saying that he has very solid odds of matching into a good residency program of his choice, if his expectations are reasonable. And they are, he would like to get into a IM program, open to a wide geographic area and wide range of program type. It is very reasonable.What you are missing here is key...if you have a 520 on comlex, what are your odds of taking USMLE and getting a non-damaging score? If you haven’t gone through this process yet, please don’t argue me on it.

Sure it is best to take USMLE. While it might be the correct board answer ha ha pun intended to take that exam, it’s not always the most practical, logistical or intelligent thing to do Depending upon the circumstances, ability and intentions.
 
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If you are hell-bent on not taking a step you better apply broadly and audition in friendly states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. But Don’t be salty if you don’t get a interview at a university program even if you audition there. Lastly, I recommend you kill your level 2. The odds are somewhat against you for “ high tier” programs


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
DocWinter said:
Have you yet sat for your board exams, and gone through the matching process? I have.

By “you’ll be fine” I’m saying that he has very solid odds of matching into a good residency program of his choice, if his expectations are reasonable. And they are, he would like to get into a IM program, open to a wide geographic area and wide range of program type. It is very reasonable.What you are missing here is key...if you have a 520 on comlex, what are your odds of taking USMLE and getting a non-damaging score? If you haven’t gone through this process yet, please don’t argue me on it.

Sure it is best to take USMLE. While it might be the correct board answer ha ha pun intended to take that exam, it’s not always the most practical, logistical or intelligent thing to do Depending upon the circumstances, ability and intentions.
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I don't know why you have to make it sound like I'm arguing with you but whatever floats your boat.
No I had not sat through my board exams (if you are talking about step 3 or ABIM) and no I haven't gone through the matching process.
BUT, I am going through the matching process now and therefore closer to the process than you are.
With merger occurring, your experience from several years ago may not be representative of what OP will go through.
Can I represent it? No. It's is still technically premerger but I am closer to the matching process than you so I think I can say something here.


if you have a 520 on comlex, what are your odds of taking USMLE and getting a non-damaging score?
By “you’ll be fine” I’m saying that he has very solid odds of matching into a good residency program of his choice, if his expectations are reasonable.

These two are almost contradictory. If he/she scored 520 and have a very solid odds of matching, why can't he/she take usmle and get a score that will also help him/her have a very solid odds of matching?
 
JustPass said:
I don't know why you have to make it sound like I'm arguing with you but whatever floats your boat.
No I had not sat through my board exams (if you are talking about step 3 or ABIM) and no I haven't gone through the matching process.
BUT, I am going through the matching process now and therefore closer to the process than you are.
With merger occurring, your experience from several years ago may not be representative of what OP will go through.
Can I represent it? No. It's is still technically premerger but I am closer to the matching process than you so I think I can say something here.


if you have a 520 on comlex, what are your odds of taking USMLE and getting a non-damaging score?
By “you’ll be fine” I’m saying that he has very solid odds of matching into a good residency program of his choice, if his expectations are reasonable.

These two are almost contradictory. If he/she scored 520 and have a very solid odds of matching, why can't he/she take usmle and get a score that will also help him/her have a very solid odds of matching?
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Because it’s an unnecessary risk, cost, and stressor.. the OP wants IM, not derm or ortho, and has realistic expectations for a comlex only applicant. The kool-aid around here is pretty strong on SDN.. an average comlex score is not a doom and gloom scenario for a relatively uncompetitive specialty
 
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DOgirl1 said:
Do you guys think taking usmle step 2 along with level 2 will help make my application more competitive?
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Yes.

Obviously, a Step 1 would have been even better, but I generally recommend against taking it this late/far removed from Level 1. It works out for some and that’s awesome, but in my personal opinion the material is so different from what you’re studying during rotations it really deserves that dedicated period, plus all that clinical knowledge you have now won’t help with Step 1 biochem minutiae you’ve already forgotten. If you weren’t confident in getting a solid score after dedicated, I wouldn’t risk it now. There’s a lot more overlap between Step/Level 2 so I think that is a great plan.
 
JustPass said:
BUT, I am going through the matching process now and therefore closer to the process than you are.
With merger occurring, your experience from several years ago may not be representative of what OP will go through.
Can I represent it? No. It's is still technically premerger but I am closer to the matching process than you so I think I can say something here.


if you have a 520 on comlex, what are your odds of taking USMLE and getting a non-damaging score?
By “you’ll be fine” I’m saying that he has very solid odds of matching into a good residency program of his choice, if his expectations are reasonable.

These two are almost contradictory. If he/she scored 520 and have a very solid odds of matching, why can't he/she take usmle and get a score that will also help him/her have a very solid odds of matching?
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Well I went through between 17-18. And I explained it above and intheclouds just explained as well, so I don’t know how you’re coming out with the result you are. The OP has low odds of doing well on step one, which would hurt his odds of matching. By not taking the unnecessary risk, he will still meet his goals, so why take the risk? You are talking in ideals, and I’m offering a reality. I agree with your ideals, but I don’t feel like you grasp the reality.
 
DocWinter said:
Well I went through between 17-18. And I explained it above and intheclouds just explained as well, so I don’t know how you’re coming out with the result you are. The OP has low odds of doing well on step one, which would hurt his odds of matching. By not taking the unnecessary risk, he will still meet his goals, so why take the risk? You are talking in ideals, and I’m offering a reality. I agree with your ideals, but I don’t feel like you grasp the reality.
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The reality is 520 isnt good enough to safely land someone in a good
DocWinter said:
Well I went through between 17-18. And I explained it above and intheclouds just explained as well, so I don’t know how you’re coming out with the result you are. The OP has low odds of doing well on step one, which would hurt his odds of matching. By not taking the unnecessary risk, he will still meet his goals, so why take the risk? You are talking in ideals, and I’m offering a reality. I agree with your ideals, but I don’t feel like you grasp the reality.
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My cycle vs your cycle is a different story brother. And OP's cycle will be whole other beast.
 
Feel good, touchy feely commentary aside- take USMLE. I did and scored average (albeit with a higher COMLEX) and while I haven't matched yet, I had numerous PDs tell me that they were glad to see that I had taken both Step exams and that they were surprised how many DO applicants had taken Step 1 and 2. I'll update on March 15th, but at this point, I'm thrilled that I sucked it up and took the test.
 
MoLarryKerlyBLine said:
Feel good, touchy feely commentary aside- take USMLE. I did and scored average (albeit with a higher COMLEX) and while I haven't matched yet, I had numerous PDs tell me that they were glad to see that I had taken both Step exams and that they were surprised how many DO applicants had taken Step 1 and 2. I'll update on March 15th, but at this point, I'm thrilled that I sucked it up and took the test.
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I also had a similar experience. I applied anesthesia. The downside is that class of 2020s level one was severely scored under because of score inflation for class of 2019. I scored a 659 and then at 5:59. With a step of 228 and 233. You can make a judgment call on that yourself


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
For the record, I absolutely think current first and second years (and future classes) should plan on taking Step 1, unless they are absolutely 100% sure they want to do the military match or a community program in a DO-friendly state or are at risk of failing it as indicated by poor NBMEs or repeated course failures.

I don't think going back and taking Step 1 as a third year or fourth year is going to be helpful, especially if you did mediocre on COMLEX after dedicated. That doesn't bode well for a Step 1 going a lot better, especially when you're that much more removed from the material and don't have a dedicated period of time to do nothing but sleep/eat/UFAPS like you did before. Hindsight's 20/20 and maybe you might wish you took it, but in that scenario, I don't know that the odds are in your favor on a delayed Step 1 attempt.
 
You will probably be fine with fine being rather subjective. But the fine is getting less fine year by year but honestly you have a good comlex that is probably above 50th percentile for our year and remmeber most people place. 3/5ths or so people at my and many other do schools have a comlex lower then yours and place.

Just don’t expect anything above lower tier university and community programs but yeah you can be a hospitalist easy w that.

People tend to forgot that besides last years class who were basically given gentleman’s pass 600s half of people score sub 500 and are ok for fm im


Doing well on step is harder and esp during third year
 
alprazoslam said:
You will probably be fine with fine being rather subjective. But the fine is getting less fine year by year but honestly you have a good comlex that is probably above 50th percentile for our year and remmeber most people place. 3/5ths or so people at my and many other do schools have a comlex lower then yours and place.

Just don’t expect anything above lower tier university and community programs but yeah you can be a hospitalist easy w that.

People tend to forgot that besides last years class who were basically given gentleman’s pass 600s half of people score sub 500 and are ok for fm im


Doing well on step is harder and esp during third year
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Just curious, but is their a current national average floating about for the 2018-2019 level I? I know the final one won’t be out for a few months, but curious if any other colleges have given any info to students? (If the colleges even get something)
 
IntheClouds4ever said:
Just curious, but is their a current national average floating about for the 2018-2019 level I? I know the final one won’t be out for a few months, but curious if any other colleges have given any info to students? (If the colleges even get something)
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I heard 520s not sure.
@ProfAnon Calling you ole Wise one
 
Only problem I see is some programs require a passing USMLE for an away rotation, so that slightly limits your options if you were looking to boost your chances with a subI at a desired location. You're probably limiting yourself on residency locations as well, but that's debatable anything anyone has to say on it is operating purely on hearsay and conjecture.

Otherwise 520 is good...I wouldn't worry so much about what Justpass has to say, he sounds like some other blowhard trolls on this site saying you need over 600 to do anything in any specialty and the only way to be successful in anything is to do everything at a large research heavy academic institution.

Also, here's a good video on hearsay and conjecture.
 
MightBeACylon439 said:
Only problem I see is some programs require a passing USMLE for an away rotation, so that slightly limits your options if you were looking to boost your chances with a subI at a desired location. You're probably limiting yourself on residency locations as well, but that's debatable anything anyone has to say on it is operating purely on hearsay and conjecture.

Otherwise 520 is good...I wouldn't worry so much about what Justpass has to say, he sounds like some other blowhard trolls on this site saying you need over 600 to do anything in any specialty and the only way to be successful in anything is to do everything at a large research heavy academic institution.

Also, here's a good video on hearsay and conjecture.
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sure.
just as my ID says, I think passing is good enough. But I'm just trying to say a good score in USMLE is going to open up more doors and etc.
Nothing wrong with that, I don't think.
What is considered good may be different between you and I. I never said one needs to go to a large research heavy academic institution. I'm not going to those places (based on my score and my interests) and I don't think one needs to go to those places to be successful.
But even among community programs, you can tell a difference between a bad one and a good one if you've been to interviews.
You don't need to be condescending when trying to make your point. It hurts my feeling, just kidding.
I'm not saying 520 isn't good. My score isn't much above it. But having been through this interview cycle, I can surely say that OP's interviews will be limited based on his score.

AND, we are talking about POST-merge now. Things have changed and will continue to change.
 
Mona nucleosis said:
Lol. Ob/gyn is not a surgical specialty.

And you're a male. You could have no usmle scores, horrible comlex scores and still get into a midtier OB program solely based on sex.




Op will match, but they should stay smart and apply to extra programs as they will be filtered out by a decent amount for lack of usmle.
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In what basis are you spewing this nonsense?
 
You will match OP, but it will be a low tier university or community program... and nothing is wrong with that.
 
Anyone saying OP needs to take usmle 1 to meet their goals is wrong. They want to match IM, without strict limitations on location or prestige. They will be 100% fine. And guess what? If they don't match IM they can always scramble it. OP, continue as planned, take step 2 if you can, and enjoy being a hospitalist in 4.25 years.

/thread.
 
I have a similar situation. I took COMLEX and scored in the 520s but also took USMLE and scored 203. People have told me not to report my USMLE due to my poor performance compared to COMLEX. Planning on applying PM&R and IM. Willing to apply very broadly. What are my chances?
 
Mona nucleosis said:
Lol. Ob/gyn is not a surgical specialty.

And you're a male. You could have no usmle scores, horrible comlex scores and still get into a midtier OB program solely based on sex.

Op will match, but they should stay smart and apply to extra programs as they will be filtered out by a decent amount for lack of usmle.
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The bold part is the only thing you said that's true. The rest is delusional.
 
Mona nucleosis said:
Lol at you too. The funny thing is that OB/Gyn folks never have the guts to claim they're surgeons when they're in a room with actual surgeons. Keep flexing on online forums.

And your head is in the sand if you're unaware of the advantage being a male applicant has. Here's word from a PD on the matter. Why men are considered a 'diversity pick' for some OB-GYN residency programs: While the majority of OB-GYN physician residents are women, the ratio was significantly different 50 years ago, when 90 percent OB-GYNs were men, according to WFAE News.


--
Ob/gyn is closer to FM than any other field. That's why FMs have job posts listing "w(/o) OB" clarified right in their jobpost titles. C-sections, D&Cs, fibroid removals are all within scope of FM as well.


Should we start calling FM w OB a surgical subspecialty job now?
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I don't know what you mean by "keep flexing" on online forums when I have no aspirations to do OB. I have no dog in the fight other than I had an OBGYN rotation where two days of each week were spent in the OR and then 1/4 of each day was spent doing various procedures in clinic.

Similarly, I don't know what you call it when someone cuts into someone's belly while they are under anesthesia, removes their uterus and ovaries, but I feel like it might be some sort of surgery.

While I do agree that OBGYN is trying to recruit more men, your claims about anyone with "terrible COMLEX" scores is not supported by data. In 2018 there were 140 DOs that matched OB, 90 that did not match. The average Lvl 1 score was 568, average step 1 was 226. Those scores will only get more competitive now that there are no more protected AOA spots.

Your rants aside, the numbers do not support what you are saying.
 
Mona nucleosis said:
Lol. Ob/gyn is not a surgical specialty.

And you're a male. You could have no usmle scores, horrible comlex scores and still get into a midtier OB program solely based on sex.




Op will match, but they should stay smart and apply to extra programs as they will be filtered out by a decent amount for lack of usmle.
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That’s a stupid comment. OBGYN is listed as a surgical specialty lol. Dunno about the sex ratio thing but they are gynecological surgeons.
 
NecFasc92 said:
That doesn’t help at all but thanks for replying... I guess...
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Come on man, the average changes every year. It is, in fact, helpful to say he had an average level 1 and below average level 2. The numbers are actually less useful on the COMLEX side.
 
They should get rid of the COMLEX tbh and add in like an OMM comat at the end of 2nd year that gets added in your transcript. Then everyone takes USMLE. COMLEX is a useless test since even some FM programs are requiring/prefer usmle .. smh
 
DOgirl1 said:
Hi guys, I've been a lurker for a long time, but I finally decided to make an account!

Im a 3rd year DO student and I'm interested in IM residency programs (want to be a hospitalist). I've only taken comlex 1 and scored in the 520's. I am not restricted to any particular region and I am open to community IM programs. I was hoping to get some feedback about match process experiences from 4th year DO students who are currently applying to ACGME IM programs with comlex only or IM residents who went through the ACGME match process with comlex only.

I am not intending to start another debate about why DO students must take usmle to match acgme etc. I searched these forums for comlex only applicants' post and I honestly did not find much feedback from actual comlex only applicants. I still have time to take step 1 and I am highly considering taking it. However I am fearful of messing up on test day and making my application worse than it is now. Therefore I just wanted to get some feedback from applicants who have actually been through the process without a usmle score.

Thank you so much for all your help guys!
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As said, don't take Step 1 at this point but Step 2 can certainly be helpful if you do well. Have you taken and NBME's for Step 2 yet? If you're scoring decently (in the 220's) I'd definitely recommend taking it. Scores below that you'd have to ask others more directly connected to the culture in IM than me.

DNC127 said:
And guess what? If they don't match IM they can always scramble it.
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This is a terrible line of thought. Yes, there are some good programs that have openings in the SOAP, but many of the programs available in SOAP are malignant or poor quality. No one should go into SOAP thinking it will work out well as it very often does not. That's also assuming they actually find a position to SOAP into. I've talked to a few people who seemed to be solid applicants who failed to SOAP into anything.

Mona nucleosis said:
Ob/gyn is closer to FM than any other field. That's why FMs have job posts listing "w(/o) OB" clarified right in their jobpost titles. C-sections, D&Cs, fibroid removals are all within scope of FM as well.
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No, the reason FM positions have that listed in their job descriptions is not because OB/gyn is closer to FM than any other field (this is a ridiculous and blatantly false statement), it's because OB/gyn as a whole is so much more demanding than an FM job without ob/gyn responsibilities. I can think of plenty of fields where pretty much everything is "within the scope" of FM as well (peds, psych, non-specialized IM, etc).

NecFasc92 said:
didnt say they did hotshot but if you respond when someone asks kindly its decent courtesy to actually answer the question. or else dont respond?
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No one owes you an answer beyond what they are willing to share. If you're not satisfied with their response then that's fine, but sarcastic responses because you didn't like the content is unnecessary, immature, and certainly not a way to ascertain more information from anyone.
 
NecFasc92 said:
I wasnt being sarcastic but the person replying to me was being passive aggreessive. you conveniently missed that. way to assume a hell of a lot about my post— cringe
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And just like that you or a mod has deleted your posts. But saying "That doesn't help at all but thanks for replying...I guess..." comes off as sarcastic and ungracious and isn't really a way to illicit more information from anyone.
 
NecFasc92 said:
i did because i didnt wanna deal with the hoards of trolls. i literally do not care what you have to say on the matter, have a good one
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Regardless, if you want an answer to something they want to keep private, just PM them next time. And for reference, you're coming off as either entitled or just as much of a troll as the other posters, just saying.
 
camng11 said:
They should get rid of the COMLEX tbh and add in like an OMM comat at the end of 2nd year that gets added in your transcript. Then everyone takes USMLE. COMLEX is a useless test since even some FM programs are requiring/prefer usmle .. smh
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I bet a large number of people would fail the OMM comat if they did it this way.
 
camng11 said:
Why? How much effort is needed to even pass the OMM comat? A few days probably
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That depends on what your school sets as standard. The OMM Comat, even tho I scored 'well' on it, was by far the worst one. Questions were atroucious, but thats not why I think more would fail. The main reason is that people would blow off OMM even more than they do now, and no one would care at all about the 'OMM test' because residencies certainly wouldn't.
 
camng11 said:
They should get rid of the COMLEX tbh and add in like an OMM comat at the end of 2nd year that gets added in your transcript. Then everyone takes USMLE. COMLEX is a useless test since even some FM programs are requiring/prefer usmle .. smh
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BorntobeDO? said:
I bet a large number of people would fail the OMM comat if they did it this way.
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Does everyone not already have to take the OMM Comat exam? We’re taking it the last day of this semester.
 
sunshinefl said:
Does everyone not already have to take the OMM Comat exam? We’re taking it the last day of this semester.
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At my school we have to take it 'at some point' before the end of third year. Its not a requirement to sit for level 1 or anything like that. If you are taking it in second year, well I guess it doesn't make any difference, it will suck either way.

Its still ridiculous, even more ridiculous than actual COMLEX imo. I wouldn't use it to gauge how your COMLEX will be. Although anecdotally, I did above average in OMM on both, so I guess there is some coorelation.
 
sunshinefl said:
Does everyone not already have to take the OMM Comat exam? We’re taking it the last day of this semester.
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KCU used to just have to take it and score didn't matter. Had classmates walk out after 5 minutes becuase they just picked a random answer for each question.

Seems like that policy no exists there and students actually have to pass I think now, which is stupid but probably warranted since it's a DO school...
 
Stagg737 said:
KCU used to just have to take it and score didn't matter. Had classmates walk out after 5 minutes becuase they just picked a random answer for each question.

Seems like that policy no exists there and students actually have to pass I think now, which is stupid but probably warranted since it's a DO school...
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COMATS at end of each core rotation and OMM CoMAT at end of your first elective rotation.
 
Gotten a few dms asking about my thoughts on applying IM with comlex only. So I tried to put together some post-match thoughts. I have no idea if any of this is applicable for you guys, especially with next year being 100% acgme, so just take it as a n=1.

General thoughts:
* Apply to as many programs as you can afford. Stack both reaches and safeties. (Btw, I don't even know what safeties means outside of home institution) So just keep applying until you can't spend anymore. You will be surprised both by invitations to places where you have no business applying to, and also programs that you thought you are competitive for but never hear back from.

* Did I mention apply to as many as you could? This is a thread for comlex only folks, so we don't have the luxury of being sought after by programs. Btw if you are a rockstar, then kill the USMLEs and stop reading this thread.

* Popular programs are, well, popular. Interview invite to these places equals hope, but be mentally prepared to not match at any of these outstanding programs.

* Go to all interviews and rank them all. SOAP sounded like hell this yr. Don't ever plan for SOAP.

* Auditions don't seem to mean much in my n=1 case. Though they can be very good educational experiences.

* Post-interview communication is just a game. Play the game. Do NOT put any meaning in receiving letters/emails from programs. I got a letter from my #1. I also sent a letter to my #1. Guess who didn't match there.

Gotta take off now. Will come back and add if I thought of something else. Best of luck, may the match god be with you next yr. Feel free to reach out.
 
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