Step I need advice

Started by DOindahouse
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
D

DOindahouse

Senior Member
20+ Year Member
heres my situation
i passed the comlex 1 with a high 500 score (not realy sure if thats any good)
i failed usmle part 1 pretty bad.
so can u still get a MD spot with just a comlex?
do they have to know i took the usmle?
should i take teh usmle again cuz i already took it once and if the find out then would that be worse than not have taking it in th e beginning???
how much say does comlex 2 have in getin a spot, do or md
right now my main choices are Sx and cardio
thanks
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
I scored well on the COMLEX Step 1, didnt' take the USMLE. When you apply for ERAS, you don't have to tell them your USMLE score. SO go for it and just give them your COMLEX Step 1 score. Obviously you won't be applying for Cards, because you need to get IM first...

Q, DO
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
so i can apply to MD without usmle? ok cool. what do i do is i get to an interview and they ask me if i took the usmle. Do i just say no even tho i did take it.. is there any way of them to find out??
Q did u get a MD spot with just the comlex
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I feel your pain, dude.

I can't say for sure if they'll find out about your Step1 results, but you could probably get into some serious trouble later on if you get accepted into a program based-at least in part-on a lie. Be very wary. It could lead to expulsion, reprimand, blacklist.....or you could get away cleanly. But be aware of the potential ramifications.

If I were in your situation-and that is only if the subject of the USMLE is broached by someone during an interview- I would admit to have taken it, but explain that you did not choose to report the score because you didn't do quite as well as you intended. Obviously, if they ask you for the score-you'd probably have to say it, or alternatively, allude to a vague memory of not doing so well. If they ask you if you P/F-then it's probably best to admit the truth (but it doesn't hurt to attach a sob story explanation of the turmoils in your life at the time of your exam)

All that said, hopefully, no one will ask you about whether you have a USMLE score or not.

This begs the question-for those out there that applied to allopathic programs with comlex scores exclusively-did programs ask if you had USMLE scores? (Quinn, you seem to be in that population-what was your experience?)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
to hell with it... i just signed up for that mother trucking test again, and this time i gotta kick ass...i think last time i just fell apart, got 2 exhausted after comlex

in regards to step 2, i hear comlex 2 is given in aug and jan of 4th yr, is it unadvisable to take it in january, so late in 4th yr, or does it not matter....how much do the step 2's really have say on getting a spot, md or do
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
The whole thing is a timeline issue

In regard to USMLE Step1:

If you take it now-I mean within the next couple of weeks, MAX- the score should arrive in time (~mid-late Oct) to affect whether or not you get an interview. Keep in mind though, when you transmit your USMLE transcript BOTH the failed Step1 and your new score will be transmitted. Whether or not that will enhance your application is difficult to say.

-Will programs overlook a failed attempt? -dunno

-Will you pass the exam this time? -more than likely, this is a minimal competency exam and the first attempt was probably a fluke-as evident by your COMLEX score.

-Will you "kick ass" (>240)? -probably not! Look DOindahouse, I am in no way trying to insult you here, but you have to be realistic. There is so much material (from 1st and 2nd year) that have floated out of your preconciousness over the past year. Questions you would have easily gotten correct last year, you will get wrong this time around, no matter how smart you are.

Alternatively, you can take Step 1 and only report it if you are satisfied with the score, but I personally would conentrate my efforts elsewhere (i.e.Step2 preparation, rotations, prepare for interview, applications...)

As far as Step2 goes taking Comlexin Jan is definitely too late for interviews?!?! I just realized, are you a third or fourth year? If your a third year everything aI just wrote STILL applies except the first thing I said regarding having to take Step1 within a couple of weeks.

Lastly, this is just my opinion, I am obviously unbiased but certainly not infallible or too bright at that! This is obviously a big decision not to be made at a whim. Consider your options carefully!

PS- Hi 500's on the COMLEX( ~hi 80's- low90's) is nothing to sneeze at. More and more programs are learning to interpret the COMLEX, and I really think you can get a decent general sx spot/definitely an IM spot with that kind od a score.

Good luck in any case
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
when i said i want to kick ass on it, im just saying that as motivation, i am a third yr, only done with a few rotations, and oh my gosh, i have forgotten so much stuff, im giving myself untill january to take the usmle again. so that should still gimme some time to still prepare for an august C2.

so why would one take a january C2 in 4th yr if its 2 late for interivews???

my issue with the aug test is i want to get married in july, some how i gotta get it all to work out, cuz thats the only month i can take off for vacation to do that, but i dont want to jepordize anything else, oh what fun.

and in terms of residency, where do i start researching different programs, honestly i have no idea, what shold i look for, and where, thanks
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I would just chalk it up and move on. I took USMLE Step I as well as the COMLEX. I passed USMLE Step I without a problem but scored a good bit below the mean. I did great on the COMLEX part I. Two people that took the USMLE with me that day failed outright (neither of them elected to take it again, they are simply not releasing their scores). USMLE I is a pretty hard test. I would rather be beat within an inch of my life than take that thing again. I can't imagine studying for that thing again while on rotations. To master a test you really need to study intensely or for a long period of time. Not easy on rotations. Your COMLEX score is pretty good. I would just stick with that and you will likely land a deceny IM or surgery spot somewhere.

Arch

oh the other thing is - I would find out what score is reported if you fail step I and then pass it. There was a thread a while back where there was some discussion of whether your second score was reported or if you automatically got a low pass (182) or what. I would suggest doing a search. This topic has been discussed before.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I know of others who said they took the USMLE and when they did not do well just didn't mention it. If I were you, I would also check my MSPE before it is submitted and make sure that it doesn't mention your USMLE score. And Jingo Jango is right, don't lie about it.

It probably also depends on the part of the country where you are applying. If you apply in an area where there are lots of DO students, the program directors are generally more familiar with COMLEX and don't require the USMLE. In other parts of the country, that isn't always true. Big name programs generally like you to take the USMLE.

Maire
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
thanks for all the advice

i signed up for the test the other day, so im gonna take it again, cuz they have a no refund policy, or its a crappy one where u get only 50 back. i have some pretty chill rotatiosn for the next 3 months, except my first Sx rotation, but i guess i just gotta study hard and hopefully ill do alright

what i do need advice is on how to start looking for residency programs, where i s a good place to start, what should i look for and all that stuff....cuz i have no idea
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.