Failed Comlex PE! Applying family medicine

[Yakuzadoc]

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Hi

4th year DO student. I'm applying to family medicine and I failed comlex PE. Unfortunately it shows up on my transcript. I only took comLEX I and II and passed both. I'm applying family medicine and some programs have already rejected me. Can i still match?

I'm a below average applicant. The only thing I have going for me, and I don't even know if it matters anymore is that I'm a URM and have been speaking Spanish for 28 years.

Thanks!

 

[Rekt]

Hi

4th year DO student. I'm applying to family medicine and I failed comlex PE. Unfortunately it shows up on my transcript. I only took comLEX I and II and passed both. I'm applying family medicine and some programs have already rejected me. Can i still match?

I'm a below average applicant. The only thing I have going for me, and I don't even know if it matters anymore is that I'm a URM and have been speaking Spanish for 28 years.

Thanks!

You talk about rejections, but how many interviews do you have?

 

[Yakuzadoc]

You talk about rejections, but how many interviews do you have?

Zero so far. I applied a week ago. I applied to 18 programs and added 9 more yesterday.

 

[PlasticBag]

You need to apply to way more programs than that

 

[Rekt]

Zero so far. I applied a week ago. I applied to 18 programs and added 9 more yesterday.

Oh jesus, you need to apply to many many more programs, immediately, you're already late. If I was in your spot, failed PE, below average scores, no Step. I'd probably apply to at least 80 programs.

 

[Yakuzadoc]

But what's the point if many just autofilter you out?

 

[Yakuzadoc]

Aoa or acgme programs ?

Both.

If I scramble, is it hard to match into family?

 

[Rekt]

But what's the point if many just autofilter you out?

And you know this how? Obviously don't apply to programs that don't accept board failures. I have several friends applying FM with terrible board scores that already have several interviews.

 

[Dr.Jekyll75]

Apply broadly with in your region for one . In your situation, if your scores arent too high have at least 30 if not 40 apps out . Be prepared to address the failure on interviews

 

[trs88]

I failed comlex 1 and the pe but I passed usmle 1, 2 and CS on the first try. I applied acgme only and I'm up to 8 interviews now but I applied to 100+ programs that I already pre-screened to see if they take board failures. You've got to apply to more programs.

 

[ortnakas]

SDN tells the average applicant to over-apply, but while the PE is a crappy test, failing it makes you not the average applicant.

Spending the money sucks, but you also can’t afford to be picky. Applying to 60+ programs total, across the country and not looking down your nose at the Midwest, would not be inappropriate.

 

[samac]

I failed comlex 1 and the pe but I passed usmle 1, 2 and CS on the first try. I applied acgme only and I'm up to 8 interviews now but I applied to 100+ programs that I already pre-screened to see if they take board failures. You've got to apply to more programs.

Trs! I’m so glad to hear this. I was wondering about you the other day.
I just took the PE and did some Pretty stupid things. Have you retaken the PE yet?

 

[trs88]

Trs! I’m so glad to hear this. I was wondering about you the other day.
I just took the PE and did some Pretty stupid things. Have you retaken the PE yet?

PM sent 🙂

 

[chizomp]

Hi

4th year DO student. I'm applying to family medicine and I failed comlex PE. Unfortunately it shows up on my transcript. I only took comLEX I and II and passed both. I'm applying family medicine and some programs have already rejected me. Can i still match?

I'm a below average applicant. The only thing I have going for me, and I don't even know if it matters anymore is that I'm a URM and have been speaking Spanish for 28 years.

Thanks!

I was in your situation a couple years ago and somehow managed to match to my top choice FM program via ACGME. I got lucky in that had already submitted my ERAS app and transmitted my Level 1 and 2 CE and USMLE step 1 to all programs when I found out about the PE failure. I ended up not ranking 1 program after asking and learning that they required candidates to have passed PE on first try in order to be ranked.

Here is my $0.02:

1) Assuming you can't find a PE date that will have scores back before ~ Dec-Jan, call AND email the schedulers at NBOME. Don't be a butt. Be nice. Explain your situation and that yo cannot graduate without passing the exam and that some programs will not interview/rank you without a passed PE. Tell the that you want to schedule the soonest available date. You will likely have to be persistent calling every day at the time the office opens for a while to see if there have been any cancellations.

2) Meanwhile: Did you already apply and transmit your passed Level 1 and 2? If not, I don't have $0.02 to offer but I'm sure someone else does. But if you DID already transmit level 1, and level 2, here is what I would do:
- Look at websites of your top programs to see if they state that a passed Level 2 PE (or equivalent) is required in order to interview (or rank) applicants.
---> If YES, it is required, I would contact these programs, inform them of your situation, tell them that your certain you WILL have passed the exam by (insert month). Tell them that you are really interested in their particular program because XYZ, and that and that you are wondering if there is any possibility that they would still consider your application despite your initial PE failure.
---> If NO, it is not listed as required, then just focus on getting an exam date and passing the exam ASAP. Study flashcards or whatever. Find some systems-based OSCE scoring sheets from any DO school and look at them to make sure you're covering your bases. Then practice, timed. Unless you have had bedside manner issues in the past, you can probably prioritize this less than getting things done. I say this because I think spending too much time milking bedside manner is the reason I failed the first go.


Best of luck to you !

 

[chizomp]

Oops, sorry. I see I'm behind the game on this one. But I agree, add more programs if you can. the SOAP is terrible and many US grads that don't match don't get positions there. I've heard similar things about the SCRAMBLE. Really try to avoid these by being persistent, showing interest, and really applying anywhere you'd be willing to go, even though it will cost you more.

 

[Yakuzadoc]

Thanks everyone for your input. I also talked to friends who have kicked my butt and I'm gonna up the # of applications.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Zero so far. I applied a week ago. I applied to 18 programs and added 9 more yesterday.

I need more applications, either go up to 100, or start calling individual programs to see if they will give you a shot. That PE failure is gonna make this tougher but you will get it done.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

But what's the point if many just autofilter you out?

Then call before you apply. Either you do the legwork or you pay a bunch of money to apply to enough that some will interview you.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

I failed comlex 1 and the pe but I passed usmle 1, 2 and CS on the first try. I applied acgme only and I'm up to 8 interviews now but I applied to 100+ programs that I already pre-screened to see if they take board failures. You've got to apply to more programs.

You passed 1 2 and CS! Way to go! That is the best argument you could make for the inadequacy of COMLEX IMO.

 

[W19]

Zero so far. I applied a week ago. I applied to 18 programs and added 9 more yesterday.

Does your school have any advisors at all? This is madness!

 

[Rekt]

Does your school have any advisors at all? This is madness!

Most DO schools tell us absolutely nothing about matching. It's a surprise that the match rates are even as high as they are with all this terrible or non-existent advice floating around.

 

[Dr.Jekyll75]

Most DO schools tell us absolutely nothing about matching. It's a surprise that the match rates are even as high as they are with all this terrible or non-existent advice floating around.

These next two years will show multiple admins that they are half assing it when it comes to advise for students when their match rates start dipping


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[narcan't]

Zero so far. I applied a week ago. I applied to 18 programs and added 9 more yesterday.

You should be applying to 80+ programs and focusing on AOA. With AOA and ACGME there are close to 800 family med programs. If you don't match, it's because you don't approach it smartly. Most programs explicitly say on their website under 'how to apply' or 'application requirements' what the screening requirements are. I suggest you start going through programs and apply broadly to programs that allow a fail. This is not a time to be picky. Even if a program is not an ideal location, ask yourself if you would rather go there or risk not matching? If by rank time you have enough interviews than you can put those programs you didn't like at the bottom of your list but for now, apply to any program that you qualify for. You can also check out the NRMP match data for family med programs that have had unfilled seats in previous years. Is there a reason why you failed? It might be in your benefit to add a blurb about it in your personal statement and explain what you learned and what steps you are taking to rectify it. Programs understand things happen and you make mistakes but they want to see that you can learn from those mistakes. You can't edit the PS you've already sent but you can send a new one to the additional programs you apply to. Failing the PE also makes programs worried about your clinical skills and ability to communicate with patients so make sure your LORs are strong and speak to those factors. Good luck! I personally know residents that have failed the PE and successfully matched so it's not impossible, just apply to WAYY more programs 😉

 

[Angus Avagadro]

You should be applying to 80+ programs and focusing on AOA. With AOA and ACGME there are close to 800 family med programs. If you don't match, it's because you don't approach it smartly. Most programs explicitly say on their website under 'how to apply' or 'application requirements' what the screening requirements are. I suggest you start going through programs and apply broadly to programs that allow a fail. This is not a time to be picky. Even if a program is not an ideal location, ask yourself if you would rather go there or risk not matching? If by rank time you have enough interviews than you can put those programs you didn't like at the bottom of your list but for now, apply to any program that you qualify for. You can also check out the NRMP match data for family med programs that have had unfilled seats in previous years. Is there a reason why you failed? It might be in your benefit to add a blurb about it in your personal statement and explain what you learned and what steps you are taking to rectify it. Programs understand things happen and you make mistakes but they want to see that you can learn from those mistakes. You can't edit the PS you've already sent but you can send a new one to the additional programs you apply to. Failing the PE also makes programs worried about your clinical skills and ability to communicate with patients so make sure your LORs are strong and speak to those factors. Good luck! I personally know residents that have failed the PE and successfully matched so it's not impossible, just apply to WAYY more programs 😉

Well said.
Another point consider. If OP thinks applying to 80 programs is expensive, imagine your student loan payments when they come due if you dont match

 

[narcan't]

Well said.
Another point consider. If OP thinks applying to 80 programs is expensive, imagine your student loan payments when they come due if you don't match

One year not matched = one less year of a ~200k salary.
Plus even if you hate the program or the location you're only stuck there for 3 years.