Need help choosing residency with Comlex of 475

[overallsk]

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Hello everyone! Just some background, I am at the bottom of my class. I've only taken comlex level and scored a 475. I was to burnt out to take USMLE. Ideally I want to stay in the midwest. What are some residency programs I should consider. I am leaning towards IM maybe even FM, Surgery and Anesthesiology. Psych is something I am not interested in. Do I have a shot at IM, Surg, or Anesthesiology. I'm half way done with third year and I still have no idea. Please help!

 

[Black Coffee 24/7]

Hello everyone! Just some background, I am at the bottom of my class. I've only taken comlex level and scored a 475. I was to burnt out to take USMLE. Ideally I want to stay in the midwest. What are some residency programs I should consider. I am leaning towards IM maybe even FM, Surgery and Anesthesiology. Psych is something I am not interested in. Do I have a shot at IM, Surg, or Anesthesiology. I'm half way done with third year and I still have no idea. Please help!

Zero chances for Anesthesiology without USMLE. I know people with 600+ Comlex with Anesthesiology who are hurting badly right now. Those people have 4-6 IIs only from low community or IMG sweatshops.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Zero chances for Anesthesiology without USMLE. I know people with 600+ Comlex with Anesthesiology who are hurting badly right now. Those people have 4-6 IIs only from low community or IMG sweatshops.

Agreed, Anesthesia has seen an uptick this year. I know someone with a lowish Step 1 (teens) and average step II who has only received 4-5 invites. I don't think gas is going crazy, but a 475 is not competitive.

I think OP needs to decide between community IM and FM or maybe path. See which one of those you can make work. And I wouldn't count on any great fellowship for IM either (yes Nephrology, maybe endo, no to most others).

 

[Black Coffee 24/7]

Agreed, Anesthesia has seen an uptick this year. I know someone with a lowish Step 1 (teens) and average step II who has only received 4-5 invites. I don't think gas is going crazy, but a 475 is not competitive.

I think OP needs to decide between community IM and FM or maybe path. See which one of those you can make work. And I wouldn't count on any great fellowship for IM either (yes Nephrology, maybe endo, no to most others).

He got those 4-5 IIs because of his Step 1 and aways. Outside of community IM, FM, and Peds, it seems that ACGME PDs from other specialties don't give a damn about the Comlex.

I'm not trying to burst people dreams here. But, you need to hit min 215 Step 1, with a min preference of 220+ USMLE Step 1 to even shoot for ACGME non-primary specialties nowadays. Even with USMLE Step 1 215-220s, you need to bust your behind by doing 2-3 aways in order to erase the DO stigma created by dumb board failing DO leadership for these specialties.

Reality hurts. The stress and pain don't get better until Match Day.

 

[libertyyne]

Anasthesia, and Gen surg have had a very small number of applicants match over the past few years, who know what their connections were like or if they were only going to dual aoa programs. The odds of matching are basically a coin toss. IM has higher chance of matching.

'

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Pretty much focus on FM, community IM, Peds or Pathology. Even specialties like neuro and psych that weren't competitive a few years ago are out of reach for you now

 

[docbsb2015]

Biggest dealbreaker isn’t your score but your lack of one. Best chance to leave PC is to have steps.

 

[Lexdiamondz]

Hello everyone! Just some background, I am at the bottom of my class. I've only taken comlex level and scored a 475. I was to burnt out to take USMLE. Ideally I want to stay in the midwest. What are some residency programs I should consider. I am leaning towards IM maybe even FM, Surgery and Anesthesiology. Psych is something I am not interested in. Do I have a shot at IM, Surg, or Anesthesiology. I'm half way done with third year and I still have no idea. Please help!

You don't have much of a chance for surgery or anaesthesia with those grades, even if you want to stay in the midwest. IM and FM are still on the table, but without a USMLE score and a poor COMLEX performance you really aren't competitive for a whole lot else.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Pretty much focus on FM, community IM, Peds or Pathology. Even specialties like neuro and psych that weren't competitive a few years ago are out of reach for you now

Idk about Neuro. Psych is pretty much gonna be an uphill battle that probably won't happen.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Biggest dealbreaker isn’t your score but your lack of one. Best chance to leave PC is to have steps.

Given the information he gave us, the lack of a failing score for Step 1 is a far better deal maker.

 

[docbsb2015]

Given the information he gave us, the lack of a failing score for Step 1 is a far better deal maker.

Sure. But based on their interests they will not match anesthesia or surgery with a 475 COMLEX and no USMLE.... simply due to their lack of USMLE.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Sure. But based on their interests they will not match anesthesia or surgery with a 475 COMLEX and no USMLE.... simply due to their lack of USMLE.

I think we should be realistic about who we encourage to take an exam that may lead to limiting their residency prospects even further.

Sent from my SM-G950U using SDN mobile

 

[docbsb2015]

I think we should be realistic about who we encourage to take an exam that may lead to limiting their residency prospects even further.

Sent from my SM-G950U using SDN mobile

I was misunderstanding you. I'm not advocating this person take USMLE. Basically all I was stating is that without steps this person won't match anything but primary care.

 

[DrGoon]

Hello everyone! Just some background, I am at the bottom of my class. I've only taken comlex level and scored a 475. I was to burnt out to take USMLE. Ideally I want to stay in the midwest. What are some residency programs I should consider. I am leaning towards IM maybe even FM, Surgery and Anesthesiology. Psych is something I am not interested in. Do I have a shot at IM, Surg, or Anesthesiology. I'm half way done with third year and I still have no idea. Please help!

FM, IM, peds at low tier programs are definitely within reach. Gas, surgery, and psych probably not happening for you unless you know somebody.

 

[drturk1]

I'm seeing a lot of posts saying psych is out of reach. For someone without step 1, what would be considered a good enough score for psych? I got a 505 and just talking to PDs there seems to be an arbitrary 500 cutoff. Is this true?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I'm seeing a lot of posts saying psych is out of reach. For someone without step 1, what would be considered a good enough score for psych? I got a 505 and just talking to PDs there seems to be an arbitrary 500 cutoff. Is this true?

Psychiatry is a very hot field and the amount of positions make it very much a commodity. On my interview trail even many MD applicants were struggling to break 5 or 6 interviews. If you're a DO with a underwhelming COMLEX score and you're very set on Psychiatry you need to strengthen your application as best you can and do better on step 2/ level 2. And to also be ready to apply like an IMG.

 

[sabsaf123]

Psychiatry is a very hot field and the amount of positions make it very much a commodity. On my interview trail even many MD applicants were struggling to break 5 or 6 interviews. If you're a DO with a underwhelming COMLEX score and you're very set on Psychiatry you need to strengthen your application as best you can and do better on step 2/ level 2. And to also be ready to apply like an IMG.

Do you know if these were MDs with a history of board failures? Do you know what their approximate board score range was (for those with 6 interviews)?

 

[DrGoon]

Do you know if these were MDs with a history of board failures? Do you know what their approximate board score range was (for those with 6 interviews)?

I’m MD applying psych right now with steps 22x/24x no failures or red flags. Psych specific research with pubs. Applied to 48 programs and only got 11 invites. I know people with similar stats that only got 7-8.

There are also people in my class with step 1 240s and 250s that have 20+ invites.

 

[libertyyne]

Do you know if these were MDs with a history of board failures? Do you know what their approximate board score range was (for those with 6 interviews)?

 

[DokterMom]

Last year for Psych was insanely competitive with many strong applicants (above average scores, no red flags) falling waaaaay down their rank lists and/or having to SOAP.

 

[shaosoldier]

I'm seeing a lot of posts saying psych is out of reach. For someone without step 1, what would be considered a good enough score for psych? I got a 505 and just talking to PDs there seems to be an arbitrary 500 cutoff. Is this true?

Cut off is specific to each program. I think for the most part, cut off tends to be more "fails" versus specific score. Psych is one of those specialties, like PM&R in which they understand that it isn't all about test scores. Most of your attending probably did "okay" when they took their boards back in their day, and the majority of your attendings are great psychiatrist, so they get it. In these specialties, you'll have to avoid red flags but stand out in a unique way too. Also, you're gonna have to be personable during your interview. Being weird is fine but, there is a definite line you don't want to cross.

 

[shaosoldier]

Hello everyone! Just some background, I am at the bottom of my class. I've only taken comlex level and scored a 475. I was to burnt out to take USMLE. Ideally I want to stay in the midwest. What are some residency programs I should consider. I am leaning towards IM maybe even FM, Surgery and Anesthesiology. Psych is something I am not interested in. Do I have a shot at IM, Surg, or Anesthesiology. I'm half way done with third year and I still have no idea. Please help!

IM and FM should have openings. General medicine is great, you'll be essentially the first-line of defense towards pathology and probably the most overall useful physician/provider. Best of luck man. Remember, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

 

[drturk1]

Cut off is specific to each program. I think for the most part, cut off tends to be more "fails" versus specific score. Psych is one of those specialties, like PM&R in which they understand that it isn't all about test scores. Most of your attending probably did "okay" when they took their boards back in their day, and the majority of your attendings are great psychiatrist, so they get it. In these specialties, you'll have to avoid red flags but stand out in a unique way too. Also, you're gonna have to be personable during your interview. Being weird is fine but, there is a definite line you don't want to cross.

Would it be okay if I PM'd you? I noticed you're a current Psych resident. I know if I'm to get serious about it, I need to start improving my CV. I know that luckily I'm not geography bound so I'll probably try to apply to as many as financially possible

 

[shaosoldier]

Would it be okay if I PM'd you? I noticed you're a current Psych resident. I know if I'm to get serious about it, I need to start improving my CV. I know that luckily I'm not geography bound so I'll probably try to apply to as many as financially possible

Of course

 

[_dreamcatcher9]

Hi everyone, I am starting medical school in July of this year and I wanted to know just out curiosity what is a good comlex level 1 and step 1 score to aim for when I get to stage where I have to study for those exams. Thanks!

 

[DrGoon]

Hi everyone, I am starting medical school in July of this year and I wanted to know just out curiosity what is a good comlex level 1 and step 1 score to aim for when I get to stage where I have to study for those exams. Thanks!

quit and drop out now before it is too late

 

[_dreamcatcher9]

quit and drop out now before it is too late

lolol

 

[docbsb2015]

Hi everyone, I am starting medical school in July of this year and I wanted to know just out curiosity what is a good comlex level 1 and step 1 score to aim for when I get to stage where I have to study for those exams. Thanks!

Average USMLE is a shade below 230. Try to be above average (230+). If you don't get that score, don't beat yourself up. You're taking that test with a lot of smart folks. As far as COMLEX goes....who cares lol.