Low comlex 1- late switch to PMR?

[IzMayonnaiseAnInstrument?]

Hey guys,
Wasn't thinking about PMR until the beginning of fourth year. I had two PMR rotations and secured a strong PMR LOR. No auditions since the late change.
Comlex 1- 490-500 and Comlex 2- 600-620. No USMLE scores. Do I even have a shot?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[OverlyRomantic]

I think you have a shot. According to charting outcomes, people who scored <500 on level 1 and 620~ on level 2 with no STEP scores a 100% match rate. Now, the sample size is super small. You will obviously also need to not be picky about location at all. Feel free to fiddle around with it.

 

[DO2015CA]

People match PMR sub 450 because it’s a field that values students that do rotations in the specialty and are committed to it.

 

[exodian1]

I think you have a shot. Pm&R values personality and commitment to the field moreso than board scores from what I've heard. I am also applying this year with a higher comlex 1 score but lower comlex 2 and both step exams taken(weak passing step 1 and stronger step 2). I've met 1 or 2 people on my auditions who also haven't taken USMLE. I think the biggest thing holding you back is the lack of auditions. From what I've heard since pm&r is a small field, they really value connections and doing auditions is the best way to make connections and get your name out there. For example, at my last audition and my current audition, I've worked with two attendings who did their residency at a location where I'll be auditioning in the future so it's def something I can bring up to the PD. However, you have done two rotations and gotten a letter which is great. I think as long as you can really show you have a strong interest in PM&R and it's not just a backup field for you, I think you can match. Make sure to apply broadly, especially for prelim programs. Good luck!

 

[Dr.Bruh]

Worth applying. There’s a DO on the Pre-DO page who is a pgy1 pmr at Mayo Clinic. Had a 215 usmle. So the field doesn’t weight boards as much as other aspects even for DOs.

 

[IzMayonnaiseAnInstrument?]

I think you have a shot. Pm&R values personality and commitment to the field moreso than board scores from what I've heard. I am also applying this year with a higher comlex 1 score but lower comlex 2 and both step exams taken(weak passing step 1 and stronger step 2). I've met 1 or 2 people on my auditions who also haven't taken USMLE. I think the biggest thing holding you back is the lack of auditions. From what I've heard since pm&r is a small field, they really value connections and doing auditions is the best way to make connections and get your name out there. For example, at my last audition and my current audition, I've worked with two attendings who did their residency at a location where I'll be auditioning in the future so it's def something I can bring up to the PD. However, you have done two rotations and gotten a letter which is great. I think as long as you can really show you have a strong interest in PM&R and it's not just a backup field for you, I think you can match. Make sure to apply broadly, especially for prelim programs. Good luck!

The lack of auditions was also my concern. Would it help if I got one but it would be towards the end of the year. This would be too late to get a letter. Should I just do it for the experience?

 

[exodian1]

If you mean end of the year as in December then it could definitely help in terms of getting an interview at the program. If you mean end of the year like April then it's up to you if you want experience or not

 

[hallowmann]

Try to connect at go to and network at conferences too.