DO resident, can I go back and take USMLE for fellowship applications?

[JediZero]

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Hello,

Had trouble finding a previous thread on this, but here goes: I'm a first year resident at a DO internal medicine program (we expect to receive ACGME accreditation within the next few months), and I'm looking at programs for critical care in the southern California area. There is one fellowship program that would be my top choice, but they do not accept COMLEX. I have not taken the USMLE, which obviously was a bit of a tactical error on my part. I did pass all four COMLEX exams on the first try, and absolutely crushed level III.

It appears that I am at least eligible to take the USMLE, if I'm reading the bulletin of information correctly (http://www.usmle.org/bulletin/eligibility/). My question is, how will programs view this? Will they accept a USMLE Step I score when it's taken by a second year resident? Will they just kind of laugh at me? Should I take their unwillingness to accept COMLEX as an indicator that DOs in general are not welcome? I'm not sure of the best way to proceed, so I'd appreciate any insight from people who have experience in the MD-DO borderlands...

 

[gutonc]

They will laugh at you.

 

[JediZero]

They will laugh at you.

I was afraid of that. Is there any other route for me to pursue, or if this just a door that is probably now closed to me?

 

[burgerkingbaby]

just take step 2. what do you have to lose (except precious time and 2000 bucks)

 

[JediZero]

just take step 2. what do you have to lose (except precious time and 2000 bucks)

Can I take Step 2 if I never even took Step 1? I think Step 1 is the absolute bare minimum here...

 

[j4pac]

Apply somewhere else. If you can't get in anywhere without a USMLE...be a great IM doc.

 

[burgerkingbaby]

Can I take Step 2 if I never even took Step 1? I think Step 1 is the absolute bare minimum here...

what fellowship you applying into?

 

[hallowmann]

Can I take Step 2 if I never even took Step 1? I think Step 1 is the absolute bare minimum here...

Pretty sure you can do this. People I know who didn't take step 1 and took step 2 had no problem. If you really want to apply to these programs, why don't you just contact them and find out if they would prefer you to take Step 2 or Step 1, or nothing, etc.

 

[Raryn]

Can I take Step 2 if I never even took Step 1? I think Step 1 is the absolute bare minimum here...

You can take 1, CK, and CS in any order. All three must be done prior to 3. IMGs frequently take 2 first (since they may have had clinicals more recently than basic science).

That said, it seems like a dumb idea. I'd just apply with the COMLEX and see what happened, one potential fellowship program that is probably not even all that DO friendly isn't worth studying for the steps for a second time.

 

[JediZero]

what fellowship you applying into?

Pulm/Critical Care