Poor comlex I scores and IM residencies, needs help

[DOer]

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I received my comlex I scores (433/77) and was very disappointed in myself. I had done significantly better on practice exams, but bombed it when it mattered the most. I always knew i wanted to go into IM, but am wondering if i blew my chances or if there are still residencies that I will still be competitive for (particularly west coast)? I have done well in my first 2 years (~87%) and have been very involved with research. I did not take the USMLE and don't plan on taking it. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sylvanthus]

IM is not competitive, you will be fine.

 

[Rollo]

I'm by no means an expert but I heard california residencies are competitive simply because it's california and everybody and their mother wants to be in cali.

BUT with that being said, IM is definitely not competitive and you can definitely match into it so long as you're willing to go anywhere besides west coast. Not saying that you can't match into west coast IM programs but I think you'll increase your chances dramatically if you branch out.

 

[Booster]

Would poor comlex step 1 scores prevent fellowships after an IM residency? Say for instance, if you wanted to go into Nephrology or Cardiology...and then go on to specialize within those?

 

[thepoopologist]

Would poor comlex step 1 scores prevent fellowships after an IM residency? Say for instance, if you wanted to go into Nephrology or Cardiology...and then go on to specialize within those?

I imagine that is where taking the USMLE will come into play.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Would poor comlex step 1 scores prevent fellowships after an IM residency? Say for instance, if you wanted to go into Nephrology or Cardiology...and then go on to specialize within those?

It could in so much as how you do on the boards will help determine how you match. The better the boards --> the better the residency program --> the better the ability to match into a subspecialty.

Nephrology is easy to match into. Cards on the other hand is quite competitive. Last year there were 28 osteopathic grads that matched into cardiology