Discrepancy between my step 1 score and COMLEX 1 score... will PDs just look at step or also consider comlex?

[Dr. Michael Scott]

I'm currently a 3rd year student at a low tier DO school. Above average student in my class. I got a pretty devastating STEP 1 score: 215 I was predicted in the 230s and really don't know what happened on test day other than bad luck and bad anxiety. I have been pretty devastated the last two weeks about it. However, today I received my COMLEX L1 score today and got a 589, which to the best of my knowledge is around the 73-75th percentile per the score converter on the NBOME website. Clearly I did much better on COMLEX, but I also have always been told that if you take both, nobody looks at your comlex score. I am very interested in OBGYN, but i am extremely worried after getting my step score. I know i still have a chance for OB with good rec letters etc but Im wondering, how likely am I to match OB with these scores? will Comlex help me at all?? any advice appreciated.

 

[MDMechEngr]

Tableau Public

public.tableau.com

 

[DO2015CA]

there’s no such thing as a low tier DO school. Comlex won’t help you at any historic MD programs. The historic DO programs that are comfortable with comlex should be fine. You are fine. Audition at historic DO programs. And do better on step 2. If you do you may be able to sneak into historic MD programs as well.

 

[hungrydoc710]

Passing Step first time is an accomplishment itself as a DO, even though it's not the score you wanted.
Your COMLEX is great.

Focus on Step 2 230+ and Level 2 600+

OB really isn't that competitive. You'll be fine. Don't just apply to academic programs and be flexible geographically.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

OB really isn't that competitive. You'll be fine. Don't just apply to academic programs and be flexible geographically.

What charting outcomes did you read? Average Step of Matched is 229 with Unmatched being 221... That's not that wide of a split.

Based on Step score OP has about a 50% chance of matching, and based on COMLEX it's 73%. OB is competitive now.

there’s no such thing as a low tier DO school. Comlex won’t help you at any historic MD programs. The historic DO programs that are comfortable with comlex should be fine. You are fine. Audition at historic DO programs. And do better on step 2. If you do you may be able to sneak into historic MD programs as well.

OP I agree with this. Audition at the former DO programs and focus on those, while applying broadly trying to snag a few MD interviews. Doing better on Step 2 will help quite a bit. I wouldn't say you need to dual apply, but you should have a plan B ready just in case you don't match.

 

[eberge3]

The fact that a lot of residency's share this opinion shows how useless comlex unless you apply to D.O. programs, they will say the opposite

 

[FutureDoctor5000]

Here’s a list of former aoa programs, focus on these and low tier md programs.

ACGME - Accreditation Data System (ADS)

 

[ortnakas]

Graduated in 2018; had a similar COMLEX and low 220s USMLE. Applied IM and got plenty of interview invites— admittedly largely community and/or former AOA. But if you apply broadly I don’t think all hope is lost.

 

[FutureDoctor5000]

Graduated in 2018; had a similar COMLEX and low 220s USMLE. Applied IM and got plenty of interview invites— admittedly largely community and/or former AOA. But if you apply broadly I don’t think all hope is lost.

For IM or OB? OP’s asking about OB

 

[ortnakas]

For IM or OB? OP’s asking about OB

My experience is IM, but I think as long as OP applies broadly they would be okay for OB too.

 

[hungrydoc710]

Graduated in 2018; had a similar COMLEX and low 220s USMLE. Applied IM and got plenty of interview invites— admittedly largely community and/or former AOA. But if you apply broadly I don’t think all hope is lost.

Can't imagine that you couldn't swing a decent chunk academic places with those scores for IM

 

[FutureDoctor5000]

Can't imagine that you couldn't swing a decent chunk academic places with those scores for IM

Was thinking the exact same thing. I know people who matched university IM with just comlex. Maybe he/she had a red flag?