Hey guys, quick question from an DO MS3. I took USMLE step 1, was about 3 points above avg. Took COMLEX step 1, was in a higher percentile. Nevertheless, do most DO students take both USMLEs when applying to allo EM programs? I'm just thinking I might not want to take step 2 bc its expensive, and I'm already going to be spending a lot of $$ traveling to electives and such. Any help would be great, thanks!
DO students taking usmle step II for EM
- Thread starter ouecm25
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if you can an push your usmle step 2 score higher than the avg, I definitely would, if it's marginal, I may hold off. I only took step 2 and that's all they looked/commented on during my MD interviews. don't let cost be a factor in possibly getting the residency you want. yes, your 4th yr with both written exams, PE, electives, applications, and the interview trail gets very expensive! do what you can to shave the costs now to prepare for later. you might have to suck it up here and there but there's always a way. good luck!
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Hello, OUECM!
There's been a couple of discussions on this topic. In general, the trend (although somewhat disappointing) is towards the USMLE for DOs applying to allopathic programs. This places additional intellectual and financial burdens on osteopathic students, but the bottom line remains that USMLE scores facilitate a more direct comparison. I don't personally endorse this theory, but it comes up again (and again) during rank list meetings. Our program, for example, accepts "COMLEX" but almost every interviewing faculty member asks about how the scores compare to the USMLE. In general, I only recommend taking USMLE step II if your scores are average or less. There's little point since the subsequent steps don't mean much to your graduation prospects. USMLE step II is all about making your residency application look better. Most PDs and faculty will recognize that a DO who takes the initiative to pass and excel at the step one examination is a rather serious candidate.
Hope this helps,
-P
There's been a couple of discussions on this topic. In general, the trend (although somewhat disappointing) is towards the USMLE for DOs applying to allopathic programs. This places additional intellectual and financial burdens on osteopathic students, but the bottom line remains that USMLE scores facilitate a more direct comparison. I don't personally endorse this theory, but it comes up again (and again) during rank list meetings. Our program, for example, accepts "COMLEX" but almost every interviewing faculty member asks about how the scores compare to the USMLE. In general, I only recommend taking USMLE step II if your scores are average or less. There's little point since the subsequent steps don't mean much to your graduation prospects. USMLE step II is all about making your residency application look better. Most PDs and faculty will recognize that a DO who takes the initiative to pass and excel at the step one examination is a rather serious candidate.
Hope this helps,
-P
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On another forum the general consensus seemed to be that Step I is the most important test for the committee to make the decision, while a Step II might be a nice little extra but not enough for anyone to shell out the extra cash.
Not true for EM? I didn't take USMLE Step I. Would it be worth it to take Step II? Both CS and PE?
Not true for EM? I didn't take USMLE Step I. Would it be worth it to take Step II? Both CS and PE?
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Did a search and didn't see an answer so ill resurrect this thread.
As a M3 DO student looking to apply to allopathic EM programs with Step 2 only, when do you guys recommend taking the exam?
Would it be worth taking a whole month off say July of next month to study and take it at the end of July or would it be more worthwhile to utilize July as a month for an audition rotation? thanks a lot.
As a M3 DO student looking to apply to allopathic EM programs with Step 2 only, when do you guys recommend taking the exam?
Would it be worth taking a whole month off say July of next month to study and take it at the end of July or would it be more worthwhile to utilize July as a month for an audition rotation? thanks a lot.
