DO Students: USMLE Step 2s, too?

[Dr Fleischman]

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I'm a 3rd year at KCUMB and I still need to schedule my step 2 exams. My question is this:

If I want to be competitive for DO and MD residencies, should I sign up for COMLEX II and USMLE Step 2, and should I do this for CK and CS?

I know the Step 2 exams don't hold as much weight as the Step 1s when it comes to matching, so if I can skip the USMLE tests this time around and still get the residency I want, then I'll opt to save some money.

What are other DO students out there doing? What have you heard about DO-students and the Step 2s? I welcome student-MD opinions, as well.

Right now, I feel like USMLE Step 2 CK would probably be a good idea, but I can't see taking both the PE and the CS.

Thanks for reading and any advice you can offer.

 

[FutureInternist]

First off, if you do decide to take step 2 USMLE, you don't have to take the CS part of it, just the CK. From my understanding the only reason to take CS is to be able to skip out on COMLEX 3 & take USMLE 3 instead, but since you have to take COMLEX 2 anyway (both parts) you end up paying much more.

Next.....you have to do the research yourself. Since lots of schools match people before they have their Step 2's, you are right in that it doesn't carry that much weight BUT there certainly are schools that do not interview/rank until step 2 results are in (COMLEX or USMLE). Then there are the schools like, UT San Antonio, that do not even interview unless you have USMLE 1 AND 2.

You may have to do a lot of research but then there is no guarantee that things won't change for a particular school b/w now & next year. It depends somewhat on the residency you are going for as well.

 

[Instatewaiter]

what are you going to go into?

 

[Instatewaiter]

the reason I ask is that more competitive things may ask for it.

 

[Dr Fleischman]

Right now I'm planning on going into radiology, but that could definitely change. I'm thinking since that is so competitive it probably would be a good idea to take the USMLE step 2 CK.

So no to the CS? Residencies don't care whether you do PE or CS, but some do care about whether or not you took the USMLE CK?

 

[JStub]

Some of my classmates are taking ONLY step 2 (as far as the USMLE is concerned). Others decided to skip it because they have a strong Step 1 score and others take it because their Step 1 score was not as good as they had hoped. I'd also reconsider Step 2 not being as important. It seems that many programs require step 2 scores now. You have to weigh in all these factors (and more) since its very unique to each situation.

 

[FutureInternist]

So no to the CS? Residencies don't care whether you do PE or CS, but some do care about whether or not you took the USMLE CK?

👍

 

[JStub]

I would definately not take CS! While passing the PE is required to graduate, the CS will only cost $$ for a little PE practice

 

[Lamborghini1315]

Some of my classmates are taking ONLY step 2 (as far as the USMLE is concerned). Others decided to skip it because they have a strong Step 1 score and others take it because their Step 1 score was not as good as they had hoped. I'd also reconsider Step 2 not being as important. It seems that many programs require step 2 scores now. You have to weigh in all these factors (and more) since its very unique to each situation.

Alright most programs don't require usmle step 2 scores, the best way to find this is by going to the program's website. The programs that require step 2 actually tend to be really competitive and also more importantly is a requirement for foreign grads. In addition, step-2 holds less weight compared to step-1 so you will still have a better outlook if you have done well on step-1 and performed equally well on step-2. However trying to forgo step-1 for step-2 is not the smartest thing in the world. For those on the fence about whether or not to take step-2, it is subjective go to your programs website and see what they want. It will never hurt to take it and do well but trying to force it in your schedule and ending up with a poor score won't bode well. I am still considering whether or not to take step-2 since i have already taken step-1. But i can tell you that 80 percent of programs i plan on applying to clearly state that they only require letters, transcript, step-1 score. So i am considering focusing my attention on research than worry about more board exams. Hope this helps..

 

[bravotwozero]

I think I must be missing something here. The allopathic programs may or may not require the Step II usmle for admission, but in order to graduate from said programs (and get your dea license), you'd need all three steps of the usmle anyway, right? Or would step II/III of the comlex suffice?

This is all really confusing.

 

[FutureInternist]

No....if you are a DO you only need COMLEX I, II & III to get license regardless of whether you do an MD residency.

USMLE is NOT required by any accrediting body, just by individual programs.

 

[hooperg]

Take the USMLE Step II CK if you did not do well on USMLE Step I. If you did not take USMLE Step I, take it or you will not be competitive for MD radiology programs with perhaps one or two exceptions.