LOA for COMLEX Step 1

[studocplsignore]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I understand a lot of posts have been made about LOAs and I've gone through them, but I wanted to ask the opinion of the board. I'm scheduled to take the COMLEX on July 2nd (10 days). I've had about 4 weeks of dedicated study time, I've gone through FA except for four organ systems (endocrine, neurology, heme/onc, GI) and have to review OMM. I've done about 25% of UWorld and I took the COMSAE C a week ago and scored a 478. I'm not very confident about my ability to get a good score on the COMLEX/pass it and would like to take a month LOA. As far as I know, it doesn't show up on the transcript, but is mentioned in the Dean's Letter. I will graduate on time. Basically, I really would like to take this LOA but I'm not sure if this will ruin my hopes at matching in EM. I was also planning to take the USMLE during MS3, but this LOA will mean I can take it concurrently with the COMLEX in late July. It would be an academic LOA for 'Additional study time for the COMLEX Level 1'.

I wanted to hear anybody's thoughts/recommendations on my situation/decision to take a LOA. Thanks for all your help!

 

[hallowmann]

I understand a lot of posts have been made about LOAs and I've gone through them, but I wanted to ask the opinion of the board. I'm scheduled to take the COMLEX on July 2nd (10 days). I've had about 4 weeks of dedicated study time, I've gone through FA except for four organ systems (endocrine, neurology, heme/onc, GI) and have to review OMM. I've done about 25% of UWorld and I took the COMSAE C a week ago and scored a 478. I'm not very confident about my ability to get a good score on the COMLEX and would like to take a month LOA. As far as I know, it doesn't show up on the transcript, but is mentioned in the Dean's Letter. I will graduate on time. Basically, I really would like to take this LOA but I'm not sure if this will ruin my hopes at matching in EM. I was also planning to take the USMLE during MS3, but this LOA will mean I can take it concurrently with the COMLEX in late July.

I wanted to hear anybody's thoughts/recommendations on my situation/decision to take a LOA. Thanks for all your help!

Failing the COMLEX would hurt you more than taking an LOA, but I'm not sure taking an LOA with a 490 would be that much better than a 470 without an LOA. Honestly, if you have the time, it won't put you off schedule, I don't think it'll be a huge deal, just be prepared to have an explanation for it.

Really makes me wish I had a buffer like that at my school. We get at most 4wks dedicated time (and to do that we have to come in for an hour every weekday in that time and then "log" study hours on campus), and taking an LOA after that would mean potentially delaying graduation. Be happy that you can do something like that and still graduate on time.

 

[studocplsignore]

When you say have an explanation for it, do you mean just state the reason why I took it - to study for Step 1?

 

[hallowmann]

When you say have an explanation for it, do you mean just state the reason why I took it - to study for Step 1?

I would steer away from saying you took it just to get more study time, but if that's the only reason you have, I guess that's all you've got. My point was more, just expect to have to explain a gap, especially if its in your dean's letter. It might not come up at all, but just be prepared for it.

 

[studocplsignore]

Well, there's really not much else I can say - I didn't have any medical or personal issues. I will be prepared to explain it.

Anyone else have any other advice?