COMLEX vs. USMLE and COMLEX - PM&R

[663212]

It has been about 5 years since someone touched upon the questions I would like answered. An updated answer would be appreciated. 🙂

I am a second year osteopathic medical student interested in PM&R. I prefer to attend a competitive residency either in California or a major city in the Northeast. From my understanding in only a few programs that I called, I will NOT be at a disadvantage if I only take the COMLEX.

However, it's been tough to get a hold of California programs. Anyone know if I'll be at a disadvantage applying to the California programs with only the COMLEX? I only got a hold of Loma Linda, and the woman I spoke to said that there was only one COMLEX only applicant interviewed this cycle. But I don't want to take the USMLE just because of them. I do not have the direct contacts for admissions in UCLA/VA, UCI, or Stanford.

Given that I am 75% sure of my interest in PM&R, I am not sure if it is worth the time and risk to study and take the USMLE. Maybe better off focusing on rocking the COMLEX this June, given that I love OMM and as I know it, the COMLEX is lighter on physiology (my weak point)? However, if I need the USMLE for California, I am happy to put my heart and soul into it.

Any thoughts?

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[NightFury]

Since you sound like you are somewhat particular in geography (not saying this is a bad thing), I would encourage you to take the USMLE so as not to close any doors. I personally don't blame programs for preferring to compare USMLE scores amongst applicants rather than COMlEX vs USMLE, since they are such different tests with different scoring. Just because they accept COMLEX doesn't mean they don't view USMLE higher. It's going to be tougher for you to get a prelim medicine or TY year as well if you only take COMLEX. Better safe than sorry in my opinion!

 

[j4pac]

I would take the USMLE. The Match rate of DOs without USMLE was 59% last year. I'm not sure of the match rate for DO's with USMLE.

Of the programs I asked, most told me that they would consider my entire package and that the USMLE could help my case. UC Irvine is the only program to my knowledge that strictly uses USMLE 1/2 as inclusion criteria.

 

[663212]

Ok, sounds good; I'll aim for the USMLE then.

The only time the USMLE will hurt is if I don't score well? What do you think of the approach I take - that if I find myself not confident that I'll score above average, I shouldn't take it? I am just SCARED of the USMLE knowing students from my school who did very well on the COMLEX but poorly on the USMLE. I hope I am not "spreading myself too thin."

j4pac, is the 59% match rate for DOs without USMLE specifically stats for DO admission to allopathic programs alone? Just want to clarify.

Thanks guys! 🙂

 

[j4pac]

Unfortunately, NRMP doesn't come out and give the match rates for DOs. They combine DO and International students into a group called "independent students". If you look at the Program Directors Survey (http://www.nrmp.org/match-data/main-residency-match-data/) it appears that most programs will consider you with only a COMLEX. According to the survey, 3% of the programs didn't take the USMLE 1 into consideration when sending invites, and 10% of the programs didn't take the COMLEX 1 into consideration when sending invites. So you may be burning some bridges by not taking the USMLE...but you may still have enough looks to get in. But also consider that just because programs will take the COMLEX doesn't mean that they will put you on a level playing field. I have reviewed 15 invites with 48 invitations...without a COMLEX. But I don't know where these programs will be ranking me.

 

[663212]

I did hear multiple times that it's hard to get a prelim medicine/TY year without USMLE. But I am thinking about the option of taking an osteopathic PGY-1 position (I am not too geographically picky on that) and then ideally attend a PGY 2-4 position in the Northeast or California. In that case, does that still justify the need for USMLE?

If you guys have the information on hand, do you mind listing the PGY 2-4 PM&R positions that have USMLE as inclusion criteria? I am trying to figure that out but it's hard to find contact info for all programs. I checked the AAPMR website here but it looks like I need to be an AMA member when I click on the link of the map of PM&R programs. http://www.aapmr.org/career/students/career-planning/Pages/guide-to-apply.aspx

I am trying to avoid taking the USMLE if I do not need to.... But what looks better on an app for PM&R?
1) One COMLEX score that is over 90%tile
2) An above average COMLEX score (70%tile or so) and an average USMLE score (220s)

I feel if I focus just on the COMLEX, I might be able to do better. But who knows? I am just at the beginning of studying.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[j4pac]

DELETED

 

[j4pac]

Ok...so I did a bit of research. Note that I had to go to four different NRMP data sheets to fill out all of the variables to get your answer. If this means a ton to you I would recommend you do your own research and math.

My sources:
[1] http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Charting-Outcomes-2014-Final.pdf
[2] http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uplo...tional-Medical-Graduates-Revised.PDF-File.pdf
[3] http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/resultsanddata2013.pdf
[4] http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/chartingoutcomes2011.pdf

CALCULATING THE NUMBER OF DO APPLICANTS (year 2013)
Total applicants for preferred specialty= 548
MD applicants= 226
Independent applicants= DO + IMG = 322
IMG applicants= 130
DO applicants= Independent applicants - IMG= 322 - 130 = 192

NUMBER OF APPLICANTS MATCHED (year 2013)
Total= 396
MD= 204
DO= 118
IMG= 63

MATCH RATES CALCULATED (year 2013)
Total= 396 / 548 = 72.3%
MD= 204 / 226 = 90.2%
DO= 118 / 192 = 61.5%
IMG= 63 / 130 = 48.5%

Now let's look at the match results of DO without USMLEs. You have to imply this information by looking at ChartingOutcomes2014 Chart PM-3 and Chart PM-4. I also looked at ChartingOutcomes2011 Chart PM-3 and Chart PM-4 (2012 and 2013 were not available) to test the validity of data.

You can imply that the "score unknown" is the number of DOs who did not perform the USMLE. Notice that more DOs took USMLE Step 1 than USMLE Step 2.

2014
USMLE Step 1- 76 Matched, 53 Unmatched. 76 / (76 + 53) = 58.9%
USMLE Step 2- 100 Matched, 67 Unmatched. 100 / (100 + 67) = 59.9%

2011
USMLE Step 1- 104 Matched, 32 Unmatched. 104 / (104 + 32) = 76.5%
USMLE Step 2- 104 Matched, 33 Unmatched. 104 / (104 + 33) = 75.9%

SUMMARY
2013 Match rate for DOs with a USMLE= 61.5%
2014 Match rate for DOs without a USMLE= 58.9-59.9%

CONCLUSIONS
Note that it is getting significantly more competitive on the whole to match to PM&R. Unfortunately I am unable to get the Charting Outcomes data sheet for 2013 because it is unavailable. If I had that data sheet I would be able to compare the DO match rates for those with and without USMLE for the same year, 2013. However, under the assumption that matching to PM&R is becoming more difficult by year, it would not be surprising to see a match rate even higher for those without a USMLE than the 2014 year.

With this data, if I had to do it over again I would NOT take the USMLE.