Passed COMLEX but failed USMLE :(

[bixby]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I got my USMLE scores back this week and I'm feeling very down. I missed passing by several points. I feel like a total idiot and need to decide what my best option is now. The residencies that I am actually interested in are towards the bottom in regards to competitiveness: psych, neuro, PM&R, and FM. I'm definitely not looking for a gunner residency. I was a good student in the first two years and was a B student.

From my understanding I need to report my USMLE on the ERAS application if I decide to apply to an allopathic program; however I don't need to release my USMLE score to osteopathic programs. Unfortunately the regional location of DO programs really makes me want to apply to allopathic programs. I guess, am I really screwed with having failed the USMLE if I plan to apply to MD programs? Is my best bet to start studying again and retake it? Or should I contact some of the PD's at programs that I am interested in to see what they say? I'm not sure I want to contact a PD as it might be a bit premature and I don't want to hassle them with my question. Any thoughts guys? I'm really freaking out and wish that I knew what to do.

 

[Disinence2]

Interesting predicament. Did you do well on COMPLEX?

Personally If i were you I would just only apply for DO residencies simply because the idea of studying again for Step 1 is so awful. If you want to go into FM then I really wouldn't worry much.

 

[bkpa2med]

Interesting predicament. Did you do well on COMPLEX?

Personally If i were you I would just only apply for DO residencies simply because the idea of studying again for Step 1 is so awful. If you want to go into FM then I really wouldn't worry much.

Dude you're an MSIII, please get it right -- it's called COMLEX. To the OP nearly all PM&R programs are allopathic only 3 osteopathic so I'm not too sure how that's going to look. You could of gotten by with COMLEX alone -- no need to take USMLE for those specialties. It's a tough situation, I'd ask your advisor at school.

 

[bixby]

Dude you're an MSIII, please get it right -- it's called COMLEX. To the OP nearly all PM&R programs are allopathic only 3 osteopathic so I'm not too sure how that's going to look. You could of gotten by with COMLEX alone -- no need to take USMLE for those specialties. It's a tough situation, I'd ask your advisor at school.

Yeah I am in a tough situation. 🙁 The reason I decided to also take the USMLE was because I didn't want to be limited later on by what specialties I could apply to (also had/have a small interest in rads and surgery) and several of the residencies in the city where my parents live require the USMLE. Not that they won't take a DO, but they want you to take the USMLE. I guess I could have just taken the COMLEX, but the upper classmen told me that I should go ahead and take the USMLE so that I wouldn't regret it later down the line when I apply for residency or fellowships. What's done is done. Hopefully I can make the best of this situation. I guess I'm going to have to pick up the sword again and try to slay the beast again. Not sure I have much choice.

 

[fergustsi]

I got my USMLE scores back this week and I'm feeling very down. I missed passing by several points. I feel like a total idiot and need to decide what my best option is now. The residencies that I am actually interested in are towards the bottom in regards to competitiveness: psych, neuro, PM&R, and FM. I'm definitely not looking for a gunner residency. I was a good student in the first two years and was a B student.

From my understanding I need to report my USMLE on the ERAS application if I decide to apply to an allopathic program; however I don't need to release my USMLE score to osteopathic programs. Unfortunately the regional location of DO programs really makes me want to apply to allopathic programs. I guess, am I really screwed with having failed the USMLE if I plan to apply to MD programs? Is my best bet to start studying again and retake it? Or should I contact some of the PD's at programs that I am interested in to see what they say? I'm not sure I want to contact a PD as it might be a bit premature and I don't want to hassle them with my question. Any thoughts guys? I'm really freaking out and wish that I knew what to do.

i would recheck with your residency director. from my understanding, if you apply to an AOA residency they are going to ask you if you took the usmle and you must tell them that you failed it, etc. Some of the people in my class were told they strongly encouraged not to take the usmle for this very reason and to just take the comlex.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

Dude you're an MSIII, please get it right -- it's called COMLEX. To the OP nearly all PM&R programs are allopathic only 3 osteopathic so I'm not too sure how that's going to look. You could of gotten by with COMLEX alone -- no need to take USMLE for those specialties. It's a tough situation, I'd ask your advisor at school.

Dude, you're an MS2. Please get it right. It's "you could HAVE gotten by."

 

[ChronicAnxiety]

Look at it from a Program Director's point of view:

A) American graduate, did fairly well in first and second year, took the Step 1 and failed. Oopsie! But, attaboy! He got right back up and aced it the second time around.

OR

B) " " .., took the Step 1 and failed. Oh, and he THREW IN THE TOWEL. Fancy that! This poor sod won't make it through residency if he quit after failing some stupid test. NEXT!

The choice is yours.