Failed step1, passed with low comlex; chances at FM ACGME match?

[hummingbird62]

Failed usmle step 1
Passed comlex level 1 with 450

Chances at ACGME Family med programs?

1. Can I apply on the AOA match with MD programs that are dually accredited without reporting usmle? Can I selectively choose these programs to not receive usmle scores?
2. Is it truly required to report usmle scores to MD programs that only need a comlex?
3. Is it dumb to do the acgme match and just rely on scramble/SOAP since many FM spots are left unfilled?

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[calvinhobbes]

You will match into an FM DO or MD-that-used-to-be-DO (converted to ACGME) program with no problem.
As for your questions:
1. Yes, you can choose to only just show/report the COMLEX if you are applying to a DO program.
2. You have to show a USMLE score, if you took it, if you're applying to an MD program.
3. Your goal is to always match. Don't aim for the SOAP.

 

[hallowmann]

Failed usmle step 1
Passed comlex level 1 with 450

Chances at ACGME Family med programs?

1. Can I apply on the AOA match with MD programs that are dually accredited without reporting usmle? Can I selectively choose these programs to not receive usmle scores?
2. Is it truly required to report usmle scores to MD programs that only need a comlex?
3. Is it dumb to do the acgme match and just rely on scramble/SOAP since many FM spots are left unfilled?

I'd honestly forget about the NRMP match if I were you. Apply broadly on the DO side of ERAS to dual-accredited or recently initial accredited FM programs. I'd also throw in some AOA only ones as a backup.

1. As ERAS is now, you literally cannot release your USMLE scores to programs you apply to on the DO side (i.e. dual-accredited and AOA only programs). They will only see your COMLEX.

2. Yes, it is required. You have to do it if you apply on the MD side of ERAS (MD only or MD app for dual-accredited programs), and it's safe to say that a Step 1 fail isn't going to take you very far on the ACGME side. This is why you shouldn't even apply that way.

3. Yes, it is dumb. I want you to look at the SOAP thread right now. There are DOs in there with 220s-250s Step scores trying to get anything including FM. The scramble on the MD side is basically useless, because barely anything is left over after the SOAP. On the DO side, you're going to be fighting with hundreds of others for fewer spots at generally less desirable programs (some that might not even make the transition). Just stop with this idea. Stop it right now.

You need to put all your eggs in the NMS match.

Also, just wondering, do you go to a school that requires you to take the USMLE?

 

[medstudent9009]

You can definitely get interviews for ACGME programs. I still got interviews to both dually accredited and some ACGME only programs even without taking USMLE and with a failing level 1 score, low but passing level 2. It's not fun and you will need to address the failure. I'd also suggest applying broadly and to a lot of programs. I found that the programs I could see myself at anyways cared more about why family medicine than my scores. They did want to make sure I would not fail level 3 or FM boards. I did match to my first choice to a dually accredited FM program, through the AOA match because I wanted to try that first. Good luck!!

 

[grapefruit17]

Apply for ACGME and the DO match as well. A step 1 fail may put you out of the running for a lot of specialities but def not FM. Im currently in the match, although not for FM. You have nothing to lose by applying to both and if you get enough acgme interviews then you can focus on that match. A lot of FM spots always go unfilled.

 

[hummingbird62]

I'd honestly forget about the NRMP match if I were you. Apply broadly on the DO side of ERAS to dual-accredited or recently initial accredited FM programs. I'd also throw in some AOA only ones as a backup.

1. As ERAS is now, you literally cannot release your USMLE scores to programs you apply to on the DO side (i.e. dual-accredited and AOA only programs). They will only see your COMLEX.

2. Yes, it is required. You have to do it if you apply on the MD side of ERAS (MD only or MD app for dual-accredited programs), and it's safe to say that a Step 1 fail isn't going to take you very far on the ACGME side. This is why you shouldn't even apply that way.

3. Yes, it is dumb. I want you to look at the SOAP thread right now. There are DOs in there with 220s-250s Step scores trying to get anything including FM. The scramble on the MD side is basically useless, because barely anything is left over after the SOAP. On the DO side, you're going to be fighting with hundreds of others for fewer spots at generally less desirable programs (some that might not even make the transition). Just stop with this idea. Stop it right now.

You need to put all your eggs in the NMS match.

Also, just wondering, do you go to a school that requires you to take the USMLE?

thanks for the honest advice. No, our school doesn't require it, but it was emphasized and 80% of our class took it. I believe a lot of people didn't do well.

 

[hummingbird62]

You can definitely get interviews for ACGME programs. I still got interviews to both dually accredited and some ACGME only programs even without taking USMLE and with a failing level 1 score, low but passing level 2. It's not fun and you will need to address the failure. I'd also suggest applying broadly and to a lot of programs. I found that the programs I could see myself at anyways cared more about why family medicine than my scores. They did want to make sure I would not fail level 3 or FM boards. I did match to my first choice to a dually accredited FM program, through the AOA match because I wanted to try that first. Good luck!!

Congrats on matching to your first choice! I wish I didn't take usmle so I didn't have that mark against me and could have applied to ACGME with just comlex scores. I'll try to apply broadly, see how many interviews I'll get, and go from there. Thanks for the advice!