USMLE DO 4th yr, applying to TY bc of military-- go back and take USMLE to reach top tier next year?

[GYNEwannabe]

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Hey all--
So here's the story: I'm a 4th yr DO student, am in the top 10% of my class, top 15% for COMLEX 1 and 2 (585, 655 respectively), great LORs in my field, lots of volunteer experience, etc, etc... However... I am also in the military and matched into a Transitional Year-Civilian spot. To keep the explanation short, there just aren't as many spots in the military match, so often people with solid applications still end up not getting categorical spots.

So I'm looking at this as an opportunity to enhance my application as much as I can before next year.
I did not take the USMLE because the military basically said that it was unnecessary--however, now I am leaning a lot more towards competing for civilian residency spots--so I am wondering if as a 4th year, I should take the USMLE to boost my ACGME application for next year in hopes of getting into a more top-tier program? If so, should I take Step 1 or Step 2?

Thanks so much for any and all advice! I don't know any one who has gone back and taken USMLE afterwards, so I have no idea which would be best!

 

[seminoma]

Hey all--
So here's the story: I'm a 4th yr DO student, am in the top 10% of my class, top 15% for COMLEX 1 and 2 (585, 655 respectively), great LORs in my field, lots of volunteer experience, etc, etc... However... I am also in the military and matched into a Transitional Year-Civilian spot. To keep the explanation short, there just aren't as many spots in the military match, so often people with solid applications still end up not getting categorical spots.

So I'm looking at this as an opportunity to enhance my application as much as I can before next year.
I did not take the USMLE because the military basically said that it was unnecessary--however, now I am leaning a lot more towards competing for civilian residency spots--so I am wondering if as a 4th year, I should take the USMLE to boost my ACGME application for next year in hopes of getting into a more top-tier program? If so, should I take Step 1 or Step 2?

Thanks so much for any and all advice! I don't know any one who has gone back and taken USMLE afterwards, so I have no idea which would be best!

Civilian match is short on spots as well and competitive civilians don't get matched well all the time either. What are you trying to match into?

Here's some data for you.

Between 2011 and 2013 the 86% on step 1 was 250. 78% was 245. 70% was 240. Last year the mean was 230, whereas from 2011-2013 a 230 represented slightly above the median (52nd percentile). Clearly scores are going up each year so assuming you could translate your top 15% COMLEX 1 score into a top 15% USMLE Step 1 score you might be looking at high 240s. If you take a look at charting outcomes, the chances of matching for a given Step 1 score for independent applicants (you) are lower than they are for US seniors. This matters more for some specialties obviously. Using Ortho as an example, US senior with a 250 had ~90% chance of matching. Independent with 250 had ~40% chance of matching.