Poor COMLEX II score concern

[TheoryOfEverything]

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Hey all just got Level II back and did way worse than I thought got a 414. Practice scores were in the 550-600 range. I realize there's really nothing I can do about it now though.
My level 1 was a 510. I didn't take the USMLE. I'm planning on applying to pediatrics. Are my chances still ok? I realize a drop in level 2 is not good. I'm really not sure what happened, this was really disappointing.

 

[Wjldenver]

Well, you now need to be a very strategic applicant. Many programs (including Peds) auto-screen at the 425-450-500 COMLEX levels. If you fall below that for Level 1 or Level 2 you will not be offered an interview. Go to the FREIDA website and identify programs which will not auto screen your 414 Level 2 score. Apply widely and prepare well for every Peds interview you are offered.

FREIDA Residency Program Database | Medical Fellowship Database | AMA

Looking for the right medical residency? Get started by searching 11,000 medical residency and fellowship programs on the AMA's FREIDA database.

freida.ama-assn.org

 

[TheoryOfEverything]

Well, you now need to be a very strategic applicant. Many programs (including Peds) auto-screen at the 425-450-500 COMLEX levels. If you fall below that for Level 1 or Level 2 you will not be offered an interview. Go to the FREIDA website and identify programs which will not auto screen your 414 Level 2 score. Apply widely and prepare well for every Peds interview you are offered.

FREIDA Residency Program Database | Medical Fellowship Database | AMA

Looking for the right medical residency? Get started by searching 11,000 medical residency and fellowship programs on the AMA's FREIDA database.

freida.ama-assn.org

Thanks for the info, I had forgotten freida had that information. I quickly looked at 10 or so and it looks like the level 1 cut off is typically the higher one at 500 and their is often not a level 2 cutoff, which is suppose is good at least for avoiding autoscreening.

My main concern though is how unfavorably it will be viewed to have had such a big level 2 drop from level 1. Do you think high passes in all my rotations except for Honors in peds may help alleviate some concern? I will certainly be applying very broadly and smartly, as there is not much else I can do at this point.

 

[Wjldenver]

Thanks for the info, I had forgotten freida had that information. I quickly looked at 10 or so and it looks like the level 1 cut off is typically the higher one at 500 and their is often not a level 2 cutoff, which is suppose is good at least for avoiding autoscreening.

My main concern though is how unfavorably it will be viewed to have had such a big level 2 drop from level 1. Do you think high passes in all my rotations except for Honors in peds may help alleviate some concern? I will certainly be applying very broadly and smartly, as there is not much else I can do at this point.

Yeah, there is a lot of subjectiveness involved also. Prepare for all of your interviews. Do research on each program and ask intelligent questions. Definitely make your travel arrangements so you can get to the applicant dinners the night before. Also, based upon what I've seen, there is a geographic bias as well. The PD's I know tend to gravitate toward candidates in the same geographic area where your DO school is located in or for candidates who grew up in, or went to, an undergraduate school in their region.

So initially, identify your targeted programs based on auto screen COMLEX criteria, the geographic region where your DO school is in, and/or the region where you went to undergrad school in. Just be a strategic applicant and you will be fine.

 

[TheoryOfEverything]

Yeah, there is a lot of subjectiveness involved also. Prepare for all of your interviews. Do research on each program and ask intelligent questions. Definitely make your travel arrangements so you can get to the applicant dinners the night before. Also, based upon what I've seen, there is a geographic bias as well. The PD's I know tend to gravitate toward candidates in the same geographic area where your DO school is located in or for candidates who grew up in, or went to, an undergraduate school in their region.

So initially, identify your targeted programs based on auto screen COMLEX criteria, the geographic region where your DO school is in, and/or the region where you went to undergrad school in. Just be a strategic applicant and you will be fine.

Thanks, I really appreciate your help

 

[deleted610572]

make sure you audition as well