Failed COMLEX 2 CE, seeking advice

[lovePOP]

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Background: I have audition rotations in IM. I applied to 10 non-competitive osteopathic IM places (unfilled spots last year) and was also planning on applying to MD Family medicine places. Now that I learned I failed Level 2, I'm planning on applying to DO family medicine as well.

Some questions:

1) The programs I previously have applied to show only Level 1 and PE scores (both first time pass, level 1 is low), however, I noticed when I apply now, my failed level 2 comes up too. Should I wait to apply to DO family medicine until my retake passing score comes in? Or just apply now with the failing score visible? Is there a way to hide the failing score at this point?

2) Should I even apply to MD family medicine? Or save the 100$. I also applied to MD IM, I doubt I have any chance at those places now. Maybe it would be better to try my chances in osteopathic match and scramble into something there if I get in nowhere?

3) If I get interviews before my retakes comes back, what should I say? Should I volunteer that I failed level 2 and am retaking, or just avoid it/ be vague and say I'm still waiting for the score? If asked directly, of course I'll be honest. Just not sure how to "play the game" at this point.

4) Anyone ever been in this position or know of someone who was? How did the match turn out? I was already not that competitive before this failure so I'm worried. 🙁


thanks

 

[Leggomyeggo128]

I think the best advice for you moving forward is to absolutely destroy this audition rotation. Leave no doubt. Get a great letter. Maybe they will even take you.

I can't imagine a failed level 2 looks very good, especially for the specialties you are looking at.

Retake the test. I'm sure you will find an AOA family medicine spot or TRI. And if not your school should help you scramble into an open spot.

You could apply NRMP and scramble when you don't match. But I would focus on AOA. It's your best bet.

Good luck.

 

[hallowmann]

1) I don't think there is a way to hide it at this point. I honestly don't know if you should apply now with the failed score or wait until you get the new one. When do you think you'll get the passing score? Before November?

2) I'd definitely focus on the AOA match, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't apply to some not very competitive MD programs.

3) I wouldn't say anything unless you're specifically asked about your Level 2. I didn't get any interviews until after my Level 2 score came out, but I also submitted my app only a week before that happened.

4) I would really focus on the DO match. Obviously others have been in this situation before, but it kind of completely changes your plan of attack. Your goal right now is to get a passing score ASAP, so you can still attain enough interviews to rank a bunch of programs. If it doesn't work out, then you should strongly consider scrambling. FM will continue to offer interviews until Dec/Jan, but you will need to apply by Nov to most places.

You need to spend some time researching every program that is lenient with board failures. They absolutely exist in the FM world, and I imagine they exist to some degree in the community IM world. Try and be strategic with any apps you submit from here on out. Good luck!

 

[MrChance2]

Pass it ASAP. Don't change your plans. If you are fine clinically osteopathic IM would rather have you than nobody. I definitely wouldnt wait to apply. By time you get a passing score it will be pretty late. If you have to scramble then you have to scramble just get that pass and you'll get osteopathic IM barring other complications. Auditions can be your friend too.

Look at most recent charting outcomes to determine whether to apply to MD family medicine, it looked like the worst osteopathic applicants still had a good shot at MD Family med if I recall correctly, but I think you'll get osteopathic IM if you go for it and get a pass in time for programs to see it

 

[nrdas]

I know a colleague that failed CE 2x and still got offers from DO family med. So.. pass it ASAP, and apply do family med and im.
🙂

 

[JustPlainBill]

Background: I have audition rotations in IM. I applied to 10 non-competitive osteopathic IM places (unfilled spots last year) and was also planning on applying to MD Family medicine places. Now that I learned I failed Level 2, I'm planning on applying to DO family medicine as well.

Some questions:

1) The programs I previously have applied to show only Level 1 and PE scores (both first time pass, level 1 is low), however, I noticed when I apply now, my failed level 2 comes up too. Should I wait to apply to DO family medicine until my retake passing score comes in? Or just apply now with the failing score visible? Is there a way to hide the failing score at this point?

2) Should I even apply to MD family medicine? Or save the 100$. I also applied to MD IM, I doubt I have any chance at those places now. Maybe it would be better to try my chances in osteopathic match and scramble into something there if I get in nowhere?

3) If I get interviews before my retakes comes back, what should I say? Should I volunteer that I failed level 2 and am retaking, or just avoid it/ be vague and say I'm still waiting for the score? If asked directly, of course I'll be honest. Just not sure how to "play the game" at this point.

4) Anyone ever been in this position or know of someone who was? How did the match turn out? I was already not that competitive before this failure so I'm worried. 🙁


thanks

Recall that this and $1.00 will get you a coke out of the machine ---

1) You're not going to be able to hide anything, so may as well just get it out in the open -- you will be asked about it so have a valid reason and then make sure you pass the next iteration.

2) Why wouldn't you apply to the programs you're interested in -- what are they going to do other than decline to interview you/extend an audition rotation to you? Shave your head and send you to Iraq? And if they're not willing to give you a chance (assuming you've passed the next iteration) I'm not so sure I'd want to be there.

3) Apply to what you want to go into -- you only get one shot at this thing called life -- better to have applied and had the door closed than to look back in 20 years and say,"I wonder what would have happened if..." --

Anyway, good luck to you -- the biggest thing I see is D.O. students limiting themselves on the basis of a perceived disparity of skill/ability/whatever ---

 

[lovePOP]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement everyone - it helps.

1) I don't think there is a way to hide it at this point. I honestly don't know if you should apply now with the failed score or wait until you get the new one. When do you think you'll get the passing score? Before November?

I'm set to retake level 2 on october 21....results to come back by November 23rd. So that leaves December and January for interviews I guess. Is that enough time?

The only other available test date is october 3rd, which would get results back by the end of october, but im scared to rush it...i cannot fail this thing again..

 

[hallowmann]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement everyone - it helps.


I'm set to retake level 2 on october 21....results to come back by November 23rd. So that leaves December and January for interviews I guess. Is that enough time?

The only other available test date is october 3rd, which would get results back by the end of october, but im scared to rush it...i cannot fail this thing again..

Don't rush it, you need that pass. It's a little late, but see when you get closer if you are ready and earlier dates open up. If not, just take it as scheduled and don't worry about it.

 

[renee093]

Any quit tip on retake? I did all combank, but my real
Comlex 2 was a random exam full of msk , biostatistics , rare peds or obgyn disease and ethics questions. All questions were long and I did not finish.

I was crying when I got my failed score last week and I think I have depression now. I am worried my current scheduled interviews will be taken away. I am applying for DO im only. Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[hallowmann]

Any quit tip on retake? I did all combank, but my real
Comlex 2 was a random exam full of msk , biostatistics , rare peds or obgyn disease and ethics questions. All questions were long and I did not finish.

I was crying when I got my failed score last week and I think I have depression now. I am worried my current scheduled interviews will be taken away. I am applying for DO im only. Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Your interviews aren't going to be taken away. The issue is whether you'll be ranked to match. Your best bet is to study and take, and pass the retake fast enough to get the score before the NMS rank period. You will probably have to take it before the holidays. If that's not possible, maybe talk to your school about your options (e.g. LOA, programs in your OPTI, etc.). If you can get a pass in by then, you might be OK for AOA programs. If not, scramble into something.

Don't worry about the past now. You've come this far. Study hard, take practice tests and make sure your ready and pass it. Good luck.

 

[lovePOP]

Here is an update (for Renee and others who may be in the same boat and viewing this post)

I passed my retake. The big difference I feel that helped was I studied OMT a lot more the second time around. My score on that section went way up. The first time I didn't study it as hard because I figured I won't use it as much as the other stuff in real life, but its a big portion of the exam. Don't neglect that section. Other than that I just studied everything again, and did questions. My score went up on every section. I don't feel I was any smarter the second time aside from omt, but my score went up a good amount. This test does not predict how good of a doctor you will be, but these tests are something we have to get through.

I've had 3 interviews and have 2-3 more coming up. I will likely match into my top 1-2 residency choices. I had applied to mostly non-competitive DO internal medicine, and I've done audition rotations at some of those places, so that helped. I've gotten 3 interviews at places I did not audition at too. If you're going for a more competitive specialty, it may affect your chances. If you're going for FM or IM, you have a better chance.

If anyone who failed needs more advice or just needs to talk, feel free to message me. I know how hard it is. The 2 months from finding out I failed to when I found out I passed was AWFUL. One of the worst periods of my life. I had to rearrange my rotations for my retake, tell my family I failed, worried I would have to delay graduation due to missed rotation time or if I failed again, worried I would be kicked out of med school if I did fail twice, had to go on my audition rotations not even knowing if I passed the second time, feeling embarrassed during interviews when they asked about it. One resident on an audition told me I was doing great, and in my head I was thinking "I hope you don't see my scores or maybe your opinion of me will change".

My score came back at noon during the first week of my current rotation. I couldn't look until 9pm that night. I got home, sat in front of my computer, I minimized the screen so I couldn't see the whole page, logged in, and sloooooowly scrolled down to see if I passed or not. My heart was POUNDING. When I saw "passed" I took the deepest breathes ever. The whole thing was so taxing.