Need some advice

[bravotwozero]

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Hello there,

I'm a MS-3 at a DO school interested in EM, and I am trying to decide between applying to DO and MD programs, or skipping the DO match entirely and going allopathic. There are two DO EM programs that I actually interest me, but the rest don't seem as attractive. I sorta need to decide this now, because I get five electives in my fourth year, starting September, and I need to decide on where I am going to schedule them.

My USMLE step I score is 217/90, and I don't have a COMLEX score as of yet. What would you suggest?

Also, there are no EM physicians that are on my med school's faculty. I could really use an advisor, so how would you suggest I go about finding one?

 

[DrJosephKim]

Sounds like you need to do an away rotation where you can really get to know some attendings who may be willing to mentor you.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

SAEM has a virtual advisor program that you should look into (saem.org). You've got some pretty important questions that should be ran by a good faculty member at a residency program.

 

[DrQuinn]

Hello there,

I'm a MS-3 at a DO school interested in EM, and I am trying to decide between applying to DO and MD programs, or skipping the DO match entirely and going allopathic. There are two DO EM programs that I actually interest me, but the rest don't seem as attractive. I sorta need to decide this now, because I get five electives in my fourth year, starting September, and I need to decide on where I am going to schedule them.

My USMLE step I score is 217/90, and I don't have a COMLEX score as of yet. What would you suggest?

Also, there are no EM physicians that are on my med school's faculty. I could really use an advisor, so how would you suggest I go about finding one?

I can't interpret USMLE scores, never could, never will. I only took COMLEX. But let's say if someone told you "hey bud, you need atleast a 218/90.1 to apply to allopathic residencies," would you not apply then?

Just apply.

Apply to allopathic and those two osteopathic programs. See what happens. No one can see the future or give you absolute correct advise. Just kick butt on your M3 rotations, get decent letters of Rec, then become a kick***** Emergency Physician.

Don't let the numbers game fool you. You will match somewhere, statistically speaking.

Plus NSU pumps out great grads.

🙂 Class of 2003....
Q

 

[DoctorMedic]

i would say take COMLEX as it can't hurt right. Not sure if you have to report COMLEX grades on allopathic rotations no matter what or not, but generally you should do slightly better on COMLEX than USMLE as you studied osteopathic medicine. This way you can apply to either MD or DO residencies.

 

[Phledge]

i would say take COMLEX as it can't hurt right. Not sure if you have to report COMLEX grades on allopathic rotations no matter what or not, but generally you should do slightly better on COMLEX than USMLE as you studied osteopathic medicine. This way you can apply to either MD or DO residencies.

A couple of points to make about this advice:

1) I was under the impression that all osteopathic med students are required to take the COMLEX series to graduate. USMLE is optional.

2) I know many osteopathic students who actually did better on their USMLE than on COMLEX. The tests assess much of the same information but do so differently and to the best of my knowledge there is no consistent evidence that can relate the two scores. (Though there have been attempts!) That's why DO students end up taking USMLE--the ACGME programs to which they apply are not familiar enough with what the COMLEX "means" (and I generalize here, as obviously some PDs will be acutely aware of the score's relevance). Which leads to...

3) COMLEX is not at all uniformly accepted in MD residencies, and I'm not sure if that's what you're saying but that should be clarified. I have found myself in the position of being interested in a number of programs that do not accept COMLEX at all (and thus had to take USMLE a year later, far from the madding pre-clinical days--oof).

OP, I'm in almost exactly the same place as you: no home EM program, geographically not interested in AOA programs, exact same USMLE score, and strongly contemplating skipping the DO match altogether. I will say that I've scheduled two away rotations at ACGME programs in which I'm interested, and I would suggest the same if you can find a spot. That will (hopefully) get your SLOR in order and perhaps a leg up into an interview. PDs, call me on this if I'm mistaken!

 

[bravotwozero]

I'm sorry I wasn't clear in my earlier posts. I meant to say that I had taken the COMLEX, but my scores hadn't come back yet - they have now, and it's 548. And I was going to apply to allo programs no matter what, the question was whether or not to skip the DO match.

 

[DoctorMedic]

thought i heard someone say just apply to at least 1 DO this way you can still scramble DO if needed, if you aren't in the match at all and rank at least 1 program you can't scramble DO. something like that.

 

[nancy0903]

SAEM has a virtual advisor program that you should look into (saem.org). You've got some pretty important questions that should be ran by a good faculty member at a residency program.

that's the one i want to say.

 

[Dr. Ditka]

I'm sorry I wasn't clear in my earlier posts. I meant to say that I had taken the COMLEX, but my scores hadn't come back yet - they have now, and it's 548. And I was going to apply to allo programs no matter what, the question was whether or not to skip the DO match.

Skipping the DO match is your call. I skipped it completely and got plenty of interviews to allopathic programs and matched at my number 1. Your USMLE step 1 will get you plenty of interviews. If you like an osteopathic program a lot and are thinking of possibly liking it better than any allopathic program then you should apply DO too. The DO match is before the allopathic so if you match DO then you are out of allopathic match. Almost half of my allopathic interviews asked me if I was applying to the osteopathic match and I don't know if saying yes would have hurt my chances or not. I felt good saying no. I think it showed them that I would be around for sure after the DO match. Also, ALL DO programs are 4 years and I like the idea of 3 better.
Having a lot of away rotations is huge. I would set up rotations very soon at programs you are interested in. I would say that the away rotation is the most important thing in the application. If you work your tail off and everyone likes you then it will be hard for them to turn you down.

 

[iceman20202]

Hi folks, I have a quick question to post to the group. I'm currently working on apps for EM programs across the country, but my question is: How many programs did all of you apply to? How many interviews did you garner from said apps? Match? I'm looking for some general numbers here...I'm a fairly strong candidate--good grades, decent boards, great evals--with a lot of experience in the field. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance