I have a 205 USMLE step 1 and a 550 COMLEX I. In the DO world the comlex makes me competitive but I know in the MD world, 205 is really low for EM. My question is whether I should take USMLE step2. If I do considerably better, will that help me? It is also a little late now, I won't be taking it until september...is it worth it?
Is it worth it to take step2?
- Thread starter H2DO
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You will pretty much need to take the step II if you hope to match ACGME EM with a score of >230.
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Probably not going to make a huge difference because you won't get your scores back in time and most of your interviews will already have been scheduled. However, if you release the score once you have it in, it might make a difference in whether they take you or not when they are doing their final ranking in Feb.
I don't know anything about Comlex scores but if that is a good one, and it's a program that is DO friendly, then they more than likely will take that into consideration.
I don't think your step 1 excludes you from matching although it is certainly low to match EM. I'd apply very widely, DO friendly programs, and think you might have a 50/50 chance at matching in an ACGME program, otherwise you'll have to match into a DO one. You could match into a DO program and then apply to switch the next year. You could also match into a DO program that is combined with a MD program... Isn't St. Luke's in Bethlehem, PA one of these? You'll have to decide whether to take the risk or not. Either way, I'd say go ahead and take step 2. It can't hurt, can't do much of anything...except help, unless you scored the same on it too. Good luck.
