I did horrible on the COMLEX. Horrible!
I got a 423.
I understand I did really bad on this exam. I know this sounds stupid but I'm smart. I don't feel this score reflects me. I have many excuses/justifications for my performance which I know are all pretty worthless now.
I feel like I messed up my entire life!
Does anyone know what my options are now:
a. What residency specialities would accept this (besides family practice)?
b. If I score higher on Step 2, do I at least have a shot at something besides family practice? I'm sorry -- I'm really anti-family med.
I've tried looking for websites that list avg scores with residency programs and I could not find one.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.
They won't let you in Fam med with scores that high ....seriously though, why not take USMLE step1? Obviously, you would need to study pretty hard to do well as USMLE scores tend to be lower than a student's COMLEX score. Also, you're stressing out too much - I don't think your scores would preclude you from IMed - certainly not a DO program. It's also down to location - ACGME progs in OB in are not that competitive in Chicago - can't be, as I got interviews there.
I'm still very ignorant about residencies at this point still. My school pushes family medicine very strongly - we have to do a six month family med rotation. I think that really limits the exposure we get to other specialities.
However, everything I was interested went out the window with this score. I am still interested in internal medicine.
You'll be ok getting into primary care with those scores (besides FP, IM and peds). They simply want you to pass - of course this depends on the competiveness of the programs you're looking at.
But you better rock step II. Study hard and take it early and have it ready for eras when you send out your apps. A good score on step II will show them that you're as smart as you say you are.
well you've just succeeded in making everyone who did worse than you feel like total crap. honestly, your score isnt so horrible. plenty of people did worse. i know someone who got a 400. and plenty of people who got a score near yours and most are going into fields other than FP. no windows have closed on you- its just step I. you still have step II, and two years worth of rotations to make an impression. you can go anywhere with the right connections. the most important thing for you to do would be to either take the usmle (study like a maniac), or take step II early, so your scores will be in when it comes time to apply, smile and be nice and helpful on rotations, and do lots of audition rotations in the fields you are interested in and get lots of good letters. you'll be fine. its still so early in the game for you. i know someone who got scores near yours who did rotations in ENT and anesthesia, and has program directors who are begging him to apply because they really like him and think he's doing a great job- and they have no clue what his scores are.
remember- the comlex is a crap test and means nothing, and just about everybody knows that. and quit whining about your low score- that will get you nowhere.
