For my DO colleagues out there, PLEASE HELP!!

[mrdowntoearth]

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If I plan to apply for allopathic match only, how necessary is it to take both COMLEX Step 2 CE, PE AND USMLE Step 2 CK, CS??? I know it's probably safe and best to take both, but we're talking about spending an extra $2000! I don't think my budget permits me to do this, plus when will be the best time to take USMLE Step 2? after COMLEX? My 4th year schedule is so tight, can't even fit in another big test.

I'm wondering how other people did it in the past. The reason I'm think of doing allopathic match only is because I heard that if you do both osteo and allo match and if you got matched in osteo first, they pretty much disqualify you for allo match. Is this true?? This sucks!!

Advise please...

Thanks a bunch

mrdowntoearth

 

[smgilles]

If I plan to apply for allopathic match only, how necessary is it to take both COMLEX Step 2 CE, PE AND USMLE Step 2 CK, CS??? I know it's probably safe and best to take both, but we're talking about spending an extra $2000! I don't think my budget permits me to do this, plus when will be the best time to take USMLE Step 2? after COMLEX? My 4th year schedule is so tight, can't even fit in another big test.

I'm wondering how other people did it in the past. The reason I'm think of doing allopathic match only is because I heard that if you do both osteo and allo match and if you got matched in osteo first, they pretty much disqualify you for allo match. Is this true?? This sucks!!

Advise please...

Thanks a bunch

mrdowntoearth

Depends on a couple of questions:

1. What are you trying to match in too?
2. Do you plan on taking the entire USMLE series?
3. Did you take USMLE 1?

Yes, if you match osteopathic (not just internship) you will automatically be pulled from the allopathic match.

 

[(nicedream)]

The biggest factor is what you got on USMLE Step 1. If you had a high score on Step 1, the other USMLE steps aren't necessary. If your USMLE Step 1 score wasn't great, then Step 2 will be important to take in order to get a higher score and give you a better chance on matching. Of course if you're applying to primary care it doesn't really matter.

 

[miss senioritis]

definitely no need to take USMLE-CS... the PE is expensive enough.

the USMLE step 2 is much better than step 1... not as much random biochem/genetics junk. i took it about a week before COMLEX 2 and studied OMM the week in between and that worked out well for me (plus it made COMLEX 2 a walk in the park).

good luck 🙂

 

[mrdowntoearth]

Depends on a couple of questions:

1. What are you trying to match in too?
2. Do you plan on taking the entire USMLE series?
3. Did you take USMLE 1?

Yes, if you match osteopathic (not just internship) you will automatically be pulled from the allopathic match.

1. Internal Medicine. Thinking of going to Hem/Onc fellowship.
2. This is what I'm trying to decide
3. I took USMLE 1 and got 227/92

 

[mrdowntoearth]

The biggest factor is what you got on USMLE Step 1. If you had a high score on Step 1, the other USMLE steps aren't necessary. If your USMLE Step 1 score wasn't great, then Step 2 will be important to take in order to get a higher score and give you a better chance on matching. Of course if you're applying to primary care it doesn't really matter.

My USMLE Step 1 score is 227/92. Do you think this is competitive enough for me to not take USMLE Step 2 CK/CS? Also, my other concern is, as a DO applicant, will I be discriminated against other MD counterparts if I didn't take USMLE Step 2 ck/cs?

 

[Tired]

Also, my other concern is, as a DO applicant, will I be discriminated against other MD counterparts if I didn't take USMLE Step 2 ck/cs?

No, you will most likely be discriminated against regardless of whether or not you take Step 2.

 

[(nicedream)]

My USMLE Step 1 score is 227/92. Do you think this is competitive enough for me to not take USMLE Step 2 CK/CS? Also, my other concern is, as a DO applicant, will I be discriminated against other MD counterparts if I didn't take USMLE Step 2 ck/cs?

I'm just a fellow 3rd year, but I do believe that your Step 1 score is perfectly fine for applying to IM. Of course the higher your score the more options you'll have of WHERE to do your residency, but with a 227 if you apply broadly I'd say you have a very good chance to get in somewhere. If you look at the stats, US MD seniors match into IM at a rate of 99.7% with a score like that - "others" (which includes FMGs) match at a rate of about 75% with a similar score. You do have to consider that hem/onc is a somewhat competitive fellowship, so where you do your residency could play a part in getting one. If I were you I would study very hard and take Step 2 hoping to get the best chance at a good residency (even if you could get a less reputable one without it).

 

[smgilles]

1. Internal Medicine. Thinking of going to Hem/Onc fellowship.
2. This is what I'm trying to decide
3. I took USMLE 1 and got 227/92

I would take USMLE 2...it's far easier than step 1 and a million times easier than COMLEX 2. There is no reason for you to take USMLE CS, unless you plan on taking all 3 steps of USMLE...which there is absolutely no reason for you to do so.

Take USMLE 2 and get the same score if not higher than your step 1 and you will be golden for some very strong IM programs.

 

[(nicedream)]

I've always wondered why, if Step 2 is so much easier, programs care about the scores (a higher score helping offset Step 1 etc.).

 

[tkim]

The more competitive programs might place a greater emphasis on Step I, but other specialties place some value on Step II, as it is more clinically oriented of the two.

 

[stretch210]

I know as of this year if you take the USMLE then it will show up on your application no matter what (it wasn't always that way obviously), but are you allowed to take USMLE Step 2 without first taking Step 1? I'm obviously a DO student wondering if this is an option...thanks?

 

[DrMom]

but are you allowed to take USMLE Step 2 without first taking Step 1?

yes

 

[stretch210]

yes

So, is this something people think is completely useless, or can it be helpful for opening some more doors?

Also, what is everyone's opinion on taking the USMLE step 1 as a DO, but not doing well (passing, but below average)? Is this better than not taking it at all or is this detrimental?

 

[DrMom]

IMO, doing poorly on the USMLE will not help you at any program that won't take the COMLEX scores and it'll also hurt you at the programs that would've been okay with just a decent COMLEX.

 

[mrdowntoearth]

Thanks a lot guys for all the advice. As far as when to take them, do you guys have any suggestions? I give myself about 3 weeks off in August to study, but don't know which one I should take first.

 

[(nicedream)]

Thanks a lot guys for all the advice. As far as when to take them, do you guys have any suggestions? I give myself about 3 weeks off in August to study, but don't know which one I should take first.

Don't think it really matters, I know for Step 1 I just scheduled them a week apart. I did COMLEX first and spent the week going over molecular/biochem. For Step 2 it probably doesn't matter - I'd take USMLE first since it will probably cause more stress.

 

[kalico]

I took step 2 within 2 days of each other (COMLEX and USMLE) after also taking both Step 1's. I would NOT take CS. It's unnecessary and PE is just fine. Good luck.

 

[sophiejane]

IMO, doing poorly on the USMLE will not help you at any program that won't take the COMLEX scores and it'll also hurt you at the programs that would've been okay with just a decent COMLEX.

True, but you don't have to report your USMLE score if you don't want to. You do have to report the COMLEX.

I took both. No regrets whatsoever.

 

[DrMom]

True, but you don't have to report your USMLE score if you don't want to. You do have to report the COMLEX.

I took both. No regrets whatsoever.

but you're in an ethical bind if you didn't report your USMLE b/c of a poor score & a program asks if you took it.

 

[SexPanther]

Since I applied to only allopathic programs, I took and did well on both the USMLE steps 1 & 2. I was told this was an extremely positive/smart thing to do on each and every one of my interviews, as many had no idea what the COMLEX scores meant. This allowed them to compare apples to apples, which is also what I wanted.

With that being said, I had utmost confidence that I would do great on the USMLEs; you can definitely be hurt by a poor performance as DrMom alluded to.

 

[stretch210]

True, but you don't have to report your USMLE score if you don't want to. You do have to report the COMLEX.

I took both. No regrets whatsoever.

As of THIS year, you MUST report your USMLE scores...you no longer have a choice.

 

[tkim]

As of THIS year, you MUST report your USMLE scores...you no longer have a choice.

Does this apply to people undergoing the match this year, because this is the first I'd heard of it. I reported USMLE scores to some programs, COMLEX scores to others, and both to some.

Perhaps you meant to say that if you release your scores, you have to release *all* of them, where in the past you could select the scores you wanted to release, i.e., Step I but not Step II, etc.?