MD residency w/ only Comlex score

[DrPandaATL]

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Hi everyone.

So I am an OMSIII who is looking into auditions rotations. I prefer to go to an MD Internal Medicine residency but I only have a COMLEX score of 537. I am hoping for a program that has a good chance at fellowships as well, but obviously understand beggars cant be choosers. I do plan on taking Step 2 as I read on a few programs websites that it can help.

I was wondering if anybody has a list or know programs that accept comlex only. Also if anyone has advice on if I should focus simply on DO match and auditions vs MD match.

Any advice is greatly appreciated and Thank you!

 

[gutonc]

So...if you haven't already, you should probably start reading up on the AOA/ACGME merger. Because you will be subject to it.

To wit (from here):

New standards help ensure residents will complete their training in an accredited training program.

AOA-accredited programs that have not entered into the ACGME accreditation process cannot accept a resident if the resident’s expected training completion date is after the AOA ceases its accreditation functions on June 30, 2020.
For example, a 3-year program that is not applying for ACGME accreditation could not accept new residents after July 1, 2017, because the resident’s graduation date would be after the end of the transition period, when that program’s AOA accreditation would cease.

Buff your app for the ACGME Match as much as possible, because that's what you're going to have to deal with.

Definitely take Step 2CK, consider Step 1 if you're not too far from it.

 

[deleted392989]

Hi everyone.

So I am an OMSIII who is looking into auditions rotations. I prefer to go to an MD Internal Medicine residency but I only have a COMLEX score of 537. I am hoping for a program that has a good chance at fellowships as well, but obviously understand beggars cant be choosers. I do plan on taking Step 2 as I read on a few programs websites that it can help.

I was wondering if anybody has a list or know programs that accept comlex only. Also if anyone has advice on if I should focus simply on DO match and auditions vs MD match.

Any advice is greatly appreciated and Thank you!

Audition rotations do not help at mid-tier+ MD university programs unless your scores are super solid (comlex >600). No point in auditioning if your scores are not competitive. I've had several friends waste a month auditioning at programs with COMLEX scores <550 and not get a courtesy interview lol.
There's a site called FREIDA where score cutoffs are listed, including COMLEX. These are not always accurate but give you a clue if you're competitive or not. You just need to apply and see what interviews you get. Take STEP 2 for sure, take STEP 1 if you can. USMLE scores will earn you many more interviews to university programs if you score >240.
Focus on getting into the best university program and your options for fellowship will be much greater... going to a DO IM residency will limit you to their in-house fellowship, possibly other DO fellowships, and maybe weaker MD fellowship programs. But why limit yourself in the first place?

 

[Rekt]

Audition rotations do not help at mid-tier+ MD university programs unless your scores are super solid (comlex >600). No point in auditioning if your scores are not competitive. I've had several friends waste a month auditioning at programs with COMLEX scores <550 and not get a courtesy interview lol.
There's a site called FREIDA where score cutoffs are listed, including COMLEX. These are not always accurate but give you a clue if you're competitive or not. You just need to apply and see what interviews you get. Take STEP 2 for sure, take STEP 1 if you can. USMLE scores will earn you many more interviews to university programs if you score >240.
Focus on getting into the best university program and your options for fellowship will be much greater... going to a DO IM residency will limit you to their in-house fellowship, possibly other DO fellowships, and maybe weaker MD fellowship programs. But why limit yourself in the first place?

What about doing aways at mid-tier places for an LOR? Is that not helpful

 

[deleted392989]

What about doing aways at mid-tier places for an LOR? Is that not helpful

It can help but sounds easier than done. If you can get it done during 3rd year or really early 4th year, go for it. Letter from a chief/PD will mean much more vs. an attending. Most uni programs only offer subspecialty rotations to visiting students as well. Getting a great LOR from the chief/PD of that subspecialty will take smarts, hard work, and luck. And most likely you will not even rotate with the division chief lol.

Honestly, I would do aways at mid- or upper-tier university programs for the experience itself. Don't go in expecting to get a great LOR or a courtesy invite... this is all based on several of my friends' experiences. 🙂