Need for USMLE for FM 2020?

[Philotic]

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Hey everyone! Need some help deciding what to do, since my school has been unhelpful lol. Most likely going for FM in the 2020 match.

Only have a mediocre COMLEX 1 (500-510).
Highest NBME practice test was 200 (at the time of studying for comlex, 2-3 months ago). I would obviously not take Step 1 if I couldn't score above a 210 on practice tests!

Want to match somewhere near Philly. Not interested in academics or research.

Do the risks outweigh the benefits? I've looked at some charting outcomes for comlex only (I realize I am on the lower end). Would 2 mediocre scores (assuming 210-215 ish) be more helpful than 1 mediocre score? Thoughts appreciated!

 

[sab3156]

Hey everyone! Need some help deciding what to do, since my school has been unhelpful lol.

Classic osteopathic school.

I think you will find most people agree that you always take Step 1 if you will pass it comfortably.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Hey everyone! Need some help deciding what to do, since my school has been unhelpful lol. Most likely going for FM in the 2020 match.

Only have a mediocre COMLEX 1 (500-510).
Highest NBME practice test was 200 (at the time of studying for comlex, 2-3 months ago). I would obviously not take Step 1 if I couldn't score above a 210 on practice tests!

Want to match somewhere near Philly. Not interested in academics or research.

Do the risks outweigh the benefits? I've looked at some charting outcomes for comlex only (I realize I am on the lower end). Would 2 mediocre scores (assuming 210-215 ish) be more helpful than 1 mediocre score? Thoughts appreciated!

Something like 97% of FM take COMLEX, I am not sure USMLE would be on my radar if that was all I was interested in. As echoed above, anything above 210 will be helpful to you even in FM tho.

FYI a 510 will probably be near the average score this year, so I wouldn't call that mediocre. If you look at the previous adjustment year (2015) a 510 would be about a 47 percentile. Thats probably just fine for FM if you passed everything first go around.

The only reason I would consider USMLE is your geographic restrictions, but even then, Philly had a lot of DO residency's. An audition rotation would probably do more for you than step. But thats my 2 cents, take it for what its worth.

 

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Something like 97% of FM take COMLEX, I am not sure USMLE would be on my radar if that was all I was interested in. As echoed above, anything above 210 will be helpful to you even in FM tho.

FYI a 510 will probably be near the average score this year, so I wouldn't call that mediocre. If you look at the previous adjustment year (2015) a 510 would be about a 47 percentile. Thats probably just fine for FM if you passed everything first go around.

The only reason I would consider USMLE is your geographic restrictions, but even then, Philly had a lot of DO residency's. An audition rotation would probably do more for you than step. But thats my 2 cents, take it for what its worth.

Not only that, but how sure is OP that he wants to do FM? Even if youre 99% sure, it would suck to get through rotations and find out you like other specialties better and look back and wish you had just taken Step 1.

I say take it to keep all your options open

 

[mdh2]

Hey everyone! Need some help deciding what to do, since my school has been unhelpful lol. Most likely going for FM in the 2020 match.

Only have a mediocre COMLEX 1 (500-510).
Highest NBME practice test was 200 (at the time of studying for comlex, 2-3 months ago). I would obviously not take Step 1 if I couldn't score above a 210 on practice tests!

Want to match somewhere near Philly. Not interested in academics or research.

Do the risks outweigh the benefits? I've looked at some charting outcomes for comlex only (I realize I am on the lower end). Would 2 mediocre scores (assuming 210-215 ish) be more helpful than 1 mediocre score? Thoughts appreciated!

I would advise you to take it if you think you can pass--you will certainly not NEED it, but should you become more aggressive later you can look at other specialties or even look for a top tier FM program.

 

[Lexdiamondz]

You definitely don't need Step 1 for FM. However, having a Step 1 score frees you up to explore more competitive geographic areas that may as a result be somewhat less DO-friendly (West Coast, NE, etc), as well as leaves doors open for you should you change your mind and want to do a different specialty. Deciding not to take the USMLE before you've even had any clinical rotations is hamstringing yourself before the race has even started.

 

[Philotic]

Thanks for all the responses, everyone! I definitely understand that in 2020 and moving forward having a USMLE will be important.

I just don't know if I could get more than a 205-210 based on my previous NBME practice tests, and I don't know what a 205-210 would add to my application. If they didn't want to take a DO with COMLEX only, they would probably look at a poor Step score and probably not want to take me either haha!

Still mulling over it though!

 

[sab3156]

Thanks for all the responses, everyone! I definitely understand that in 2020 and moving forward having a USMLE will be important.

I just don't know if I could get more than a 205-210 based on my previous NBME practice tests, and I don't know what a 205-210 would add to my application. If they didn't want to take a DO with COMLEX only, they would probably look at a poor Step score and probably not want to take me either haha!

Still mulling over it though!

A 210 is better than not having it.

 

[Philotic]

A 210 is better than not having it.

Would the same be true for a 205? Or is 210 the "worth it" cutoff? Just trying to see if I will have time to study for Step 1 and COMATs and still do well on rotations, studying for COMLEX were the most miserable months of med school (for a pretty meh score) haha

 

[sab3156]

Would the same be true for a 205? Or is 210 the "worth it" cutoff? Just trying to see if I will have time to study for Step 1 and COMATs and still do well on rotations, studying for COMLEX were the most miserable months of med school (for a pretty meh score) haha

If you were a program director, would you rather have someone who you knew passed the Step 1, or someone who may not be able to pass the Step 1? To me the choice would be obvious. However, you don't NEED Step 1 to match FM - but if you decide to be a bit pickier later on about where you want to go, a passing Step 1 score will become more valuable to you.

 

[Philotic]

If you were a program director, would you rather have someone who you knew passed the Step 1, or someone who may not be able to pass the Step 1? To me the choice would be obvious. However, you don't NEED Step 1 to match FM - but if you decide to be a bit pickier later on about where you want to go, a passing Step 1 score will become more valuable to you.

I didn't think about it that way before, but that totally makes sense! Thanks for the input!

 

[Black Coffee 24/7]

I didn't think about it that way before, but that totally makes sense! Thanks for the input!

Try to get your FM and IM rotations in ASAP, so you can decide if primary care is for you.

If you feel awesome about primary care, don’t bother w/ USMLE.

Also, the USMLE is becoming more clinical and less than biochem, so your clinical exp might do wonders for your baseline Step 1

 

[ankiii]

Any reason for a DO student wanting FM to take step 2? Have already taken step 1 with >230

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Any reason for a DO student wanting FM to take step 2? Have already taken step 1 with >230

Thats a negative. You will go basically anywhere you want with a 230+ step 1 anyway. I was talking to a 4th year last year who had a 229 or 228 who applied FM. Had 15 interviews and got his number 1 choice. He also told me only 1 residency even asked him about why he didn't take step 2. He was being picky about the areas too, was only doing bigger city's with costcos (lol I love it) in the ACGME match only. I can't remember what residency he went to, but I do recall him telling me they ranked it number one due to a 600 a month living stipend.

So I feel fairly confident in saying roll with what you got.