D.O. student applying ACGME

[BlueNotePreMed]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all, I am a 4th year DO student looking to go ACGME for Anesthesiology. I am from the midwest so I would like to end up around there if possible, but I am open to going pretty much anywhere I can match. I have good grades, honors in all core clerkships, good letters, good activities/extracurriculars, sigma sigma phi, etc.

I don't have a USMLE Step 1 score but I have:
COMLEX Level 1 559,
COMLEX Level 2CE 672,
USMLE Step 2CK 236

Any thoughts about how many programs to apply to (40, 50?) chances of landing interviews/matching?
Goal is to submit everything when ERAS opens Sept 15th.

Any advice is much appreciated 👍

 

[BobBarker]

Looks like you are in pretty good shape! Apply to Indiana and Univ of Kentucky. Those were my favorite Midwest program.

 

[scudrunner]

;

 

[kazuma]

I agree, you will have a great shot at matching. There are a lot of solid programs in the Midwest esp Kentucky and Oklahoma. Ohio has a several solid programs too. It won't hurt you to apply to 60+\- programs, you can always turn down interviews. Best of luck!

 

[AngryBird69]

The glaring question is: why no step 1 if you wanna go ACGME?

 

[AngryBird69]

2x post sorry

 

[TeamZissou]

55-60 apps --> ~15 interviews --> 13 programs ranked --> probably greater than ~93% chance of matching...

 

[BlueNotePreMed]

The glaring question is: why no step 1 if you wanna go ACGME?

Thanks for the replies. Not much in the way of guidance from my school so it's good to hear. I didn't take Step 1 because our school discouraged it and I didn't think I would be going ACGME or applying to something competitive during the time we all took step 1 (didn't know what I wanted to do yet). I contacted several programs and explained the situation and they told me to sit for Step 2 and shoot for >225. I wish I had a step 1 score as well, but I just didn't do it. Hoping it works out.

 

[AngryBird69]

Thanks for the replies. Not much in the way of guidance from my school so it's good to hear. I didn't take Step 1 because our school discouraged it and I didn't think I would be going ACGME or applying to something competitive during the time we all took step 1 (didn't know what I wanted to do yet). I contacted several programs and explained the situation and they told me to sit for Step 2 and shoot for >225. I wish I had a step 1 score as well, but I just didn't do it. Hoping it works out.

Well thats totally understandable. I think the step 2 score puts you in the running for many reputable programs.

 

[gasblaster]

Thanks for the replies. Not much in the way of guidance from my school so it's good to hear. I didn't take Step 1 because our school discouraged it and I didn't think I would be going ACGME or applying to something competitive during the time we all took step 1 (didn't know what I wanted to do yet). I contacted several programs and explained the situation and they told me to sit for Step 2 and shoot for >225. I wish I had a step 1 score as well, but I just didn't do it. Hoping it works out.

They told you to shoot for >225? That's like 11 points below average for the AMG matches.

 

[hawthorne]

Thanks for the replies. Not much in the way of guidance from my school so it's good to hear. I didn't take Step 1 because our school discouraged it and I didn't think I would be going ACGME or applying to something competitive during the time we all took step 1 (didn't know what I wanted to do yet). I contacted several programs and explained the situation and they told me to sit for Step 2 and shoot for >225. I wish I had a step 1 score as well, but I just didn't do it. Hoping it works out.

Did any programs elaborate on why they wanted a step 2 score? I have only taken comlex and have contacted a few programs that have all told me > 600 comlex is sufficient and they would not require a usmle score to be considered in the running for a spot. Just curious if you are being told something I haven't! Granted the programs I contacted were in Mi, maine, and Tn......But there were a couple other programs I wrote down whose websites said that they accepted comlex as well with no requirement for a usmle. My situation might be different though too.....I am still applying to some DO programs as well but I'm nervous about the quality of the programs as well as that there are so few spots overall. I have considered taking step 1 but I don't think it will be in my best interest now bc I am a couple months out from when I took comlex and not sure I remember everything and my schedule is so busy now I just don't think I have time to study for it.

 

[BlueNotePreMed]

Did any programs elaborate on why they wanted a step 2 score? I have only taken comlex and have contacted a few programs that have all told me > 600 comlex is sufficient and they would not require a usmle score to be considered in the running for a spot. Just curious if you are being told something I haven't! Granted the programs I contacted were in Mi, maine, and Tn......But there were a couple other programs I wrote down whose websites said that they accepted comlex as well with no requirement for a usmle. My situation might be different though too.....I am still applying to some DO programs as well but I'm nervous about the quality of the programs as well as that there are so few spots overall. I have considered taking step 1 but I don't think it will be in my best interest now bc I am a couple months out from when I took comlex and not sure I remember everything and my schedule is so busy now I just don't think I have time to study for it.

Sounds like we are in a similar boat. I just decided to take step 2. There definitely are programs out there that will accept comlex only. I would keep doing what you're doing (contacting programs individually) and see what they say. I'm sure it'll work out!

Good luck!

 

[DO4lifer]

most midwest programs are EXTREMELY D.O. friendly. Cleveland Clinic straight up asked why I took the USMLE when they accept the COMLEX.

You honestly don't need to apply to that many programs if you are judicious in the choosing process. Apply to top tier, mid tier and low tier programs in the midwest and you should be fine.

Away rotations will definitely get your foot in the door.

Good luck! 👍