DO's: USMLE Step 2 without USMLE 1?

[AR1776]

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I am an osteopathic student. I didn't take the USMLE step 1 but am considering taking the USMLE step 2 to improve my odds at getting a good allopathic EM residency. Would taking USMLE 2 help the directors to compare me to MD students? Any thoughts?

 

[colforbinMD]

I am an osteopathic student. I didn't take the USMLE step 1 but am considering taking the USMLE step 2 to improve my odds at getting a good allopathic EM residency. Would taking USMLE 2 help the directors to compare me to MD students? Any thoughts?

I second this question in that my GF is struggling with this now. She didn't know during step 1 time that she was interested in a specialty that is competetive and much stronger allopathically. She rocked COMLEX 1 but doesn't have much available time to go back and study that stuff and take USMLE 1 again? Is just taking step 2 CK along the time she takes COMLEX 2 a viable option? Thanks in advance for your thoughts

 

[bostongirl22]

I took Step II USMLE w/out Step I and am glad I did. Almost everywhere I interviewed commented they were glad I took the USMLE II. I received 10 interviews at allopathic programs.

 

[kungfufishing]

I got quite a few interviews without either USMLE and the rest of my application was good but not spectacular. Having said that, my current understanding is that you dont have to disclose your USMLE score unless you want to. Had I realized this, I wouldve taken it. Id say do it because it will only help (assuming Im correct about the disclosure part). Good hygeine is another tip, free of charge.

 

[AR1776]

That's some good information, thanks! Where did you interview, and have you matched yet? Location isn't that important to me (other than I like it warmer if possible) so across the whole US what programs stand out for being DO friendly?

 

[DOnut]

Do a quick SDN search. EM is extremely DO friendly. I submitted COMLEX only, received 18/25 interview invites. Completed 15, cancelled 3. Now it's time for the ROL.

Good luck!!

That's some good information, thanks! Where did you interview, and have you matched yet? Location isn't that important to me (other than I like it warmer if possible) so across the whole US what programs stand out for being DO friendly?

 

[corpsmanUP]

If you study for COMLEX Level II, you may as well take USMLE II at the same time. USMLE is actually as easy as COMLEX at the Level II/Step II level because all that basic science BS is removed. Its all about treating patients and clinical know-how. I found USMLE to actually be easier in some respects than COMLEX. Your score on COMLEX II and USMLE II should correlate, and your COMLEX I should correlate with COMLEX II. So basically anyone who rocks COMLEX I should also rock USMLE II by default. If you only take USMLE II and score in the 210's to 220's, I don't think it helps you to submit it. But if you kick its a$$, it pays serious dividends in my opinion. I took both USMLE I and II and almost everywhere I went commented on how impressed they were not only because I took it, but because I they were impressed I did so well as a DO. I know there are a lot of genious types on SDN in the 280's and such but I can tell you that with a 262 on Step II, I had several PD's tell me it was their high score of the year in their own applicant pool. Had I not paid the 400 bucks, I might have missed a couple of great interviews, so to me it was worth a shot. Take it and rock it, and that at least gets you some extra interviews. I doubt it helps after that though...you have to still be able to do well at the interview. Good luck fellow DO'ers.

 

[NKMU]

i have a related issue:

i took COMLEX I and USMLE I and did fine on both. i was planning on only taking COMLEX II when the time comes. i figured "proving" myself on USMLE step I was enough. should i reconsider?

 

[corpsmanUP]

i have a related issue:

i took COMLEX I and USMLE I and did fine on both. i was planning on only taking COMLEX II when the time comes. i figured "proving" myself on USMLE step I was enough. should i reconsider?

I think it probably depends on how your scores are and where you will be applying. The reason I would recommend you taking step II is because everyone I know who took Step II as a DO did much better, like 30-40 points better. It is our kind of exam. I found it so much easier than step I or Step I and II of COMLEX. It was straighforward, clinically relevant, and covered a broad cross section of subjects. You can predict how you will score on Step II USMLE if your school is one that takes SHELF exams by NBME. The 2 digit score for Shelf average will be very close to your 2 digit overall on USMLE II. Just take it and let it work for you.

 

[streetdoc]

I think it probably depends on how your scores are and where you will be applying. The reason I would recommend you taking step II is because everyone I know who took Step II as a DO did much better, like 30-40 points better. It is our kind of exam. I found it so much easier than step I or Step I and II of COMLEX. It was straighforward, clinically relevant, and covered a broad cross section of subjects. You can predict how you will score on Step II USMLE if your school is one that takes SHELF exams by NBME. The 2 digit score for Shelf average will be very close to your 2 digit overall on USMLE II. Just take it and let it work for you.

Hey. is that pretty accurate, Corpsman? the 2 digit shelf # and the correlation to the 2 digit step 2 #? it makes sense, but i've been averaging mid 90s on the shelf tests and was hoping for better on the real deal (as i have been riding my 98 on step 1 and don't want blow it on step 2). Anyway, thanks for the tips, you're great about posting...or just REALLY, REALLY bored 🙂
thanks,
streetdoc

 

[AR1776]

I didn't take the usmle step 1 only comlex. Am I allowed to take usmle step 2 having only taken comlex 1?

 

[corpsmanUP]

I didn't take the usmle step 1 only comlex. Am I allowed to take usmle step 2 having only taken comlex 1?

yes

 

[TerraMedicX]

I'm gonna bump this old thread for some more up-to-date information!

I'm getting ready to take my Step Is this summer and I'm trying to decide if I should take USMLE Step I, Step II or both.
I'm looking primarily at EM residencies back west (Colorado, Utah, Oregon) and in the Northeast (UMass, Maryland) along with a couple dual-accredited programs. I talked to people from all of these programs a few months ago and they all "highly recommended" USMLEs for DO students.
Does anyone have any experience/advice on how the waters are these days? As I understand it, we now are required to disclose our USMLE scores if we take them.

Thanks!
Nate.

 

[oxytocin]

Yes, I have heard that the USMLE scores will show up now.

Many of the allopathic programs I've looked at do require USMLE Step1&2 though....which of the following programs are willing to take USMLE Step2 only?

 

[Emergency!]

I didn't have to disclose my USMLE scores (at least, not step 2), but the general consensus from our deans was that we should disclose them.

 

[oxytocin]

I've been trying to search to see which allopathic programs will accept DOs based on only their COMLEX scores, but I can't seem to find a link for it. Is there a better way than to browse through 150 programs' websites/contact them individually?

Also, the new change for disclosing USMLE scores starting this coming year.

 

[Packamylase]

I didn't know that you could take the Step II with out the Step I. Is this true??!

 

[It'sElectric]

I'm gonna bump this old thread for some more up-to-date information!

I'm getting ready to take my Step Is this summer and I'm trying to decide if I should take USMLE Step I, Step II or both.
I'm looking primarily at EM residencies back west (Colorado, Utah, Oregon) and in the Northeast (UMass, Maryland) along with a couple dual-accredited programs. I talked to people from all of these programs a few months ago and they all "highly recommended" USMLEs for DO students.
Does anyone have any experience/advice on how the waters are these days? As I understand it, we now are required to disclose our USMLE scores if we take them.

Thanks!
Nate.

I would personally recommend taking both Steps of USMLE if you're applying allo EM. There certainly are programs out there that are perfectly fine just looking at your COMLEX scores (only way to find out is by looking at or contacting individual programs), but more and more programs are wanting to see USMLE. Keep in mind EM views the Step 2 as a more important exam.

That being said, you will have an uphill battle at Oregon, Utah, and Denver even with stellar USMLE steps. The very best of luck to you!

 

[MSmentor018]

I took usmle step 2 only just for competitiveness and it's paying off during interviews b/c they know what the score means. most have told me they haven't seen enough comlex scores to accurately judge a candidate. makes sense. until I took the usmle I had no idea what the numbers mean

since being on the interview trail, i've only ran into one place that requires both step I and II usmle