DO student interested in Peds

[pedsforever]

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hello everyone. I am a third year, soon to be fourth year, osteopathic medical student. I took my step 1 COMLEX last year and passed it but not in flying colors. needless to say, i am freaking out at the moment about my upcoming residency applications. i talked with my student affairs dean and she said that programs around philadelphia accept applicants with a COMLEX score of 550. that alarmed me. Please, is there anyone out there that can tell me where i can find information regarding the board scores that various programs look for? I am def set on peds and i would to stay around PA, NJ, NY or DE. I plan on rotating at most places that do offer pediatric residencies and i have been doing well on my rotations so far (getting honors in many of them). Thank you for your help and advice. anything would be appreciated.

 

[sideways]

Here's my theory:

Peds isn't a competitive residency. So by simply passing the COMLEX, you will match in MD peds, provided you apply wisely (sorry, Harvard's out). A crappy score may negatively affect you in DO peds PD's eyes (in theory, because they understand what a crappy score is), but I think a lot of the MD residencies aren't going to be able to interpret the score, nor will they care to. They know you passed, and will use the interview to gauge how they feel about you.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

aka.... have a pulse.

seriously though.... peds is NOT competitive at all. you can match at decent peds programs with comlex only.. and dont need to audition.... don't roll with DO peds b/c the options are very limited.....👍

 

[ShyRem]

I know other students with low COMLEX 1 scores that chose to take level 2 early to show they can do well on boards. They rocked level 2, and it helped them. Now if you do poorly on level 2 of course it would hurt you.

Apply broadly. You may be surprised where you get interviews. Take heart that residency application fees are MUCH cheaper than med school application fees. On the other hand the interview costs can be a bit pricey.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

I know other students with low COMLEX 1 scores that chose to take level 2 early to show they can do well on boards. They rocked level 2, and it helped them. Now if you do poorly on level 2 of course it would hurt you.

Apply broadly. You may be surprised where you get interviews. Take heart that residency application fees are MUCH cheaper than med school application fees. On the other hand the interview costs can be a bit pricey.

Always better to have a crap ton of invites and then scale back than vice-versa......👍

 

[phrygian]

I'm doing peds in that area and you will do fine. It will depend if you did well in clinicals along with good letters and rotating at the program. With a low COMLEX, the pure children's hospitals in that area will be tougher to land, but there are plently of other programs in those states. In my opinion, 550 would be a score to match in to the larger programs such as St Chris, Dupont, Hershey, and UMDNJ. I know people who got peds spots in the area with scores in the low 500/upper 400. I would still apply to all of them and see where the interviews take you. Like everyone else said, peds is not competitive, but that also depends on the number of applicants in that given year.

If you are planning on sticking to NJ, PA, DE, NY, apply through the NRMP and not AOA since you can rank the programs in the order you want. Besides the AOA does not have many choices in that region. Most programs in the area will work with you to get your ACGME spot AOA approved anyway. Everyone I know that went in to peds this year got either their #1 or #2 and there were a lot of us... Feel free to PM me with any specific questions

 

[pedsforever]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I just needed peace of mind since the people at our school who are supposed to help out refuse to pass out advice.

 

[DrWBD]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I just needed peace of mind since the people at our school who are supposed to help out refuse to pass out advice.

DOs eat their young. Get used to it.