Hell No...I dont take no COMLEX scores in my ACGME program?

[dreambig2night]

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Anyone know of top ACGME programs on the East Coast where they do not take COMLEX scores?

I want to avoid applying there and save myself some money. 🙂

 

[sammybear]

Just about every program in the country accepts COMLEX, thus not requiring USMLE. If you are unhappy with your COMLEX score, taking USMLE will certainly not hurt. Do well (>550/575 for the more competitive programs) on your COMLEX and you should be fine.

 

[Taus]

Based upon the experiences of my classmates who took COMLEX only, I can say with absolute certainty that the following solid north-east programs will interview you w/o a USMLE score: Temple, Jeff, Kessler, JFK, Mt. Sinai, NYU, Columbia/Cornell. I'm not sure about Spaulding or the east coast programs south of PA b/c I don't know if the people I'm talking about had applied there.

This is strictly for interviewing though. I'm pretty sure you'd be given a fair shot at matching at most of these programs w/ only COMLEX, but can't say for sure, as I personally did have a USMLE score. That being said, classmates of mine got their number one choices at Temple and Jeff w/o USMLE scores.

 

[sammybear]

I only took COMLEX and got interviews at all of the programs Taus mentioned, including Spaulding and Emory (didn't apply to other southern programs) and ended up matching at UW. Having a USMLE score certainly makes it easier for a PD to compare you to the allopathic applicants. However, most PDs know what a good COMLEX score is.

 

[drusso]

You won't be punished for only having COMLEX scores, but USMLE scores help with "apples to apples" comparisons--at least Step I scores. I took, and would advise future applicants to take, both COMLEX and USMLE steps/levels I and II.

 

[rgerwin]

sorry to dredge up this old thread, but what would a range of interviewable comlex scores be?

 

[olafa]

You may want to take usmle for those internship program you might also be applying to, transitional med years typically appeared to have a better total set of rotations. They also got the derm, rads candidates as well making them a bit more competetive that the typical internship year in medicine