Do I have to report USMLE?

[MahlaB]

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I know this question has come up a lot but unfortunately I'm still confused. I took both USMLE and COMLEX and did considerably better on COMLEX. Therefore I don't want to report or have on my record that I took USMLE. I didn't know what I wanted to go into so I was keeping my options open. I am applying to Neurology and I don't think they put too much weight on scores
Anyway on ERAS it says you must report ALL test you have taken but on the same page it says Osteopathic applicants need to report any tests that leads to their medical licensure, which I assumed was just COMLEX.
Also if I do put down that I took USMLE and passed in the examinations section but don't request my transcript, would that look horribly bad?
I basically just want interviews and if need be I can explain myself face to face. I think having a USMLE score that is poor will allow them to compare me to others with higher USMLE scores and may not get me an interview when in reality I didn't need to take the test at all.

 

[ChiDO]

I'm not 100% sure of this, but if you are apply to ACGME programs and HAVE taken the USMLE, you have to report it. If you fail to do so and they later find out, it is a violation and your match can be rescinded.

If you are only applying to AOA programs, you do NOT have to give them your USMLE scores.

 

[MahlaB]

Does that mean that I have to say that I took it and passed or that I actually have to send my transcript/scores to the programs?

 

[ChiDO]

Does that mean that I have to say that I took it and passed or that I actually have to send my transcript/scores to the programs?

Once again, I may be wrong, but from what I read previously you have to submit your USMLE scores on ERAS if you are applying to ACGME programs.

 

[ShyRem]

the current ERAS rule states that if you are applying to ACGME residencies and have taken any USMLE exam, you must release your USMLE score. If you are applying only to AOA residencies, you do not have to release your USMLE scores. In both instances you must release your COMLEX scores.

 

[tideleonheart]

the current ERAS rule states that if you are applying to ACGME residencies and have taken any USMLE exam, you must release your USMLE score. If you are applying only to AOA residencies, you do not have to release your USMLE scores. In both instances you must release your COMLEX scores.

Thank you for this post! Just to make sure I understand. Let's say you take both USMLE and COMLEX. Here are the 3 possible scenarios as I currently understand them:

1) If you rank/apply ACGME AND AOA residencies, you MUST submit both, and both programs can see both scores.

2) If you rank/apply ACGME only, you only have to submit USMLE.

3) If you rank/apply AOA only, you only have to submit the COMLEX.

Is this correct? Does this apply to Level/Step 2 as well? Is there any way that AOA programs in scenario 3 can see that you took the USMLE? Do those ERAS rules apply for RANKING residencies, or simply APPLYING to residencies? Is there any finagling you can do in between the ranking and applying process?

 

[J1515]

This is exactly the reason why I tell DO students not to take the USMLE unless they 100% know they will do well (ie: take one or two NBME practice tests).

Just last week there was a post from a DO student attending the school I graduated from, asking whether or not he should take the USMLE. He had about 25 idiots flat out telling him that he must take it.

 

[Haole]

Thank you for this post! Just to make sure I understand. Let's say you take both USMLE and COMLEX. Here are the 3 possible scenarios as I currently understand them:

1) If you rank/apply ACGME AND AOA residencies, you MUST submit both, and both programs can see both scores.

2) If you rank/apply ACGME only, you only have to submit USMLE.

3) If you rank/apply AOA only, you only have to submit the COMLEX.

Is this correct? Does this apply to Level/Step 2 as well? Is there any way that AOA programs in scenario 3 can see that you took the USMLE? Do those ERAS rules apply for RANKING residencies, or simply APPLYING to residencies? Is there any finagling you can do in between the ranking and applying process?

Scenario #1 above is incorrect. You can designate which tests you release when you apply. You can release only COMLEX scores to DO programs, even if you have taken both. Last year, I only submitted COMLEX to the DO programs I applied to...not because I was embarrassed of my USMLE score...I just didn't think the DO programs cared...there's no worry about the apples-to-apples thing when everybody has a COMLEX score.

You must however release your USMLE to to MD programs if you have taken it (I submitted both).

And this whole argument against taking the USMLE unless you think you can rock it is crap. Just man up, learn the material and take it. If you didn't do so well, admit it/submit it, do better on step 2 and prove yourself rather than trying to hide it.

 

[DrWBD]

And this whole argument against taking the USMLE unless you think you can rock it is crap. Just man up, learn the material and take it. If you didn't do so well, admit it/submit it, do better on step 2 and prove yourself rather than trying to hide it.

Agreed.

 

[DrWBD]

the current ERAS rule states that if you are applying to ACGME residencies and have taken any USMLE exam, you must release your USMLE score.

I often see you, and others, post this statement. However, searching the NRMP and ERAS 'rules' that are posted online I saw nothing that explicitly stated this to be the case. Do you have a citation of some sort to actually verify that this is true for osteopathic students?

 

[spicedmanna]

I often see you, and others, post this statement. However, searching the NRMP and ERAS 'rules' that are posted online I saw nothing that explicitly stated this to be the case. Do you have a citation of some sort to actually verify that this is true for osteopathic students?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=613935

 

[tideleonheart]

Ok, so we've established that if you stick ACGME programs on your ERAS, then you must submit a USMLE. What if you apply to a dual program (AOA + ACGME) like a lot of Family Medicine residencies are?

 

[DrWBD]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=613935

Thank you.

I wonder, though, if this rule is even enforceable practically. As I remember when applying for residency years ago, ERAS couldn't get your USMLE scores unless you specifically authorized them to have it, thus there was no way for them to know (legally) whether or not you took the USMLE unless you released your scores to them. Things have changed since then, I suppose.

 

[Haole]

Thank you.

I wonder, though, if this rule is even enforceable practically. As I remember when applying for residency years ago, ERAS couldn't get your USMLE scores unless you specifically authorized them to have it, thus there was no way for them to know (legally) whether or not you took the USMLE unless you released your scores to them. Things have changed since then, I suppose.

You still have to release the scores and pay the fee to do so. So you theoretically still have the ability to not submit even though the rules state you must. As far as enforcement...?

 

[Instatewaiter]

You still have to release the scores and pay the fee to do so. So you theoretically still have the ability to not submit even though the rules state you must. As far as enforcement...?

if a program were to find out later that you did poorly on usmle that would likely be grounds for dismissal. personally I don't think it's worth it

 

[DrWBD]

if a program were to find out later that you did poorly on usmle that would likely be grounds for dismissal. personally I don't think it's worth it

But if you never released the scores, how would they find out? I seriously doubt that any program would fire an otherwise competent resident for something like this. Program directors have enough things to worry about (like making sure their residents don't quit!). Besides, by accepting the COMLEX in lieu of the USMLE, the PD has already decided that the USMLE is not important to them.

As to whether it is worth it or not to bend the rules like this, I think that is a decision that needs to be made individually. I personally don't think that ERAS even has the right to make rules like this. They can say whatever they want on their site, but there is a reason one has to formally release scores to them.

 

[MargoH]

Ok, so we've established that if you stick ACGME programs on your ERAS, then you must submit a USMLE. What if you apply to a dual program (AOA + ACGME) like a lot of Family Medicine residencies are?

I don't think anybody ever answered this question? Does anyone know about the situation with reporting USMLE scores for dually accredited programs if you are a DO student?

 

[Instatewaiter]

As of the last year or two, you are required to report them. Not doing so is a match violation (ie you could get fired and never allowed to use the NRMP again)

 

[survivordo]

the current ERAS rule states that if you are applying to ACGME residencies and have taken any USMLE exam, you must release your USMLE score. If you are applying only to AOA residencies, you do not have to release your USMLE scores. In both instances you must release your COMLEX scores.

+1

Survivor DO