Failed COMLEX PE but applying ACGME

[Sonya13!]

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I failed COMLEX PE but passed on the retake. I am wondering how bad will that look for applying to ACGME Anesthesiology residencies in the upcoming cycle? Should I take the CS so that I can "prove" to program directors that I can actually be a doctor? I plan to talk about my failed PE in my personal statement. It was a rough time in my life in which I had several acts of violence and several crimes done against me (I live in an urban environment) and even dealt with a death threat someone tried to act on 🙁 . It was a really depressing and scary time in my life, but I was so afraid to move the exam). I took the exam with so much built up anxiety, obviously, and ended up standing up rather than sitting down during the history taking for all twelve patients even though I did soooo many things for empathy that few other people did. And I forgot to sit down because on clinical rotations, esp. in the hospital, no one really sits down when taking the history for a patient.

 

[W19]

What are your step scores? If they are solid, there is no need to address that. Many PDs don't put too much weight on that test. My friend matched at a solid IM program and she still has not taken the CS exam yet.

It's usually advised not to emphasize minor issues in one's application. If that was CK or CE, I would have said address it. Addressing something minor like that in your PS if your application is otherwise solid is unwarranted IMO.

 

[Sonya13!]

What are your step scores? If they are solid, there is no need to address that. Many PDs don't put too much weight on that test. My friend matched at a solid IM program and she still has not taken the CS exam yet.

It's usually advised not to emphasize minor issues in one's application. If that was CK or CE, I would have said address it. Addressing something minor like that in your PS if your application is otherwise solid is unwarranted IMO.

So the problem is that I also failed Step 1 the first time as well. I took it at the same time as my PE, when all this awful stuff was happening. Thankfully, I retook it with a much better score. I felt that because I have to address my step 1, I also have to address my PE. I am also addressing how I overcame this situation and became stronger as a future resident.

I spoke to a few PD's about my usmle step 1, and they understood my situation. They said that they just wanted to see me do better the second time around. However, when I spoke to them, my failed COMLEX PE score hadn't come out yet. I am just wondering if I should take the CS as well to really show ACGME programs that I am capable of taking a physical exam. I know AOA PD's place a huge emphasis on the PE, but I really am not sure how much ACGME PD's care. I am confident that I could pass the CS.

 

[24blue8]

It sounds like you have done everything you could to get back on track but you should probably apply broadly and to a backup specialty just to keep your bases covered. Hopefully you did well on your comlex exams but a failed step I (though now passed) and a failed PE (also succesfully remediated) may prove to be an uphill battle.

 

[W19]

So the problem is that I also failed Step 1 the first time as well. I took it at the same time as my PE, when all this awful stuff was happening. Thankfully, I retook it with a much better score. I felt that because I have to address my step 1, I also have to address my PE. I am also addressing how I overcame this situation and became stronger as a future resident.

I spoke to a few PD's about my usmle step 1, and they understood my situation. They said that they just wanted to see me do better the second time around. However, when I spoke to them, my failed COMLEX PE score hadn't come out yet. I am just wondering if I should take the CS as well to really show ACGME programs that I am capable of taking a physical exam. I know AOA PD's place a huge emphasis on the PE, but I really am not sure how much ACGME PD's care. I am confident that I could pass the CS.

If you fill like you can pass CS, go ahead and take it. But it is such an unpredictable exam; therefore, anything can happen... Since you passed step1 in 2nd attempt, I think you apply broadly (~100 anesthesia programs) and use low tier IM programs or FM as a back up plan.