Hi everyone,
I a 3rd year medical student who originally intended on taking both the USMLE 1 and COMLEX 1 last year. However, due to several circumstances, I decided it would be best to take COMLEX 1 and see how I did before taking USMLE 1. I did fine on the COMLEX level 1 but I think taking the USMLE 1 will be a bit more advantageous for me at this point after talking to several of my preceptors and rotating at a DO residency-affiliated hospital.
I am not going to be going into something particularly competitive but I want to keep my options open. I have 2 months of light rotations ahead of me followed by a winter vacation. I was contemplating re-freshing my mind with the material and taking the test (early January).
However, the dilemma, I face is the re-applying (I am out of my eligibility period and extension period will not cover me that far out). I was wondering, if I were to re-apply to take the exam, would I need the approval of my school? I am afraid they may deny me as they may say that I need to focus on shelf exams and COMLEX level 2 PE/CE. My shelf scores have been very good so far (90's) and I did quite well with 2nd year material. I have heard of people taking it late 3rd year too so I am not sure how they went about it. I know I will be liable for the cost, but I think with a couple more NBME practice tests and some more review, I think I can tackle the exam well. Plus, I feel like I have been exposed to some great preceptors who have changed the complicated way I approached the basic sciences to a more holistic and straightforward way.
Thanks in advance.
I a 3rd year medical student who originally intended on taking both the USMLE 1 and COMLEX 1 last year. However, due to several circumstances, I decided it would be best to take COMLEX 1 and see how I did before taking USMLE 1. I did fine on the COMLEX level 1 but I think taking the USMLE 1 will be a bit more advantageous for me at this point after talking to several of my preceptors and rotating at a DO residency-affiliated hospital.
I am not going to be going into something particularly competitive but I want to keep my options open. I have 2 months of light rotations ahead of me followed by a winter vacation. I was contemplating re-freshing my mind with the material and taking the test (early January).
However, the dilemma, I face is the re-applying (I am out of my eligibility period and extension period will not cover me that far out). I was wondering, if I were to re-apply to take the exam, would I need the approval of my school? I am afraid they may deny me as they may say that I need to focus on shelf exams and COMLEX level 2 PE/CE. My shelf scores have been very good so far (90's) and I did quite well with 2nd year material. I have heard of people taking it late 3rd year too so I am not sure how they went about it. I know I will be liable for the cost, but I think with a couple more NBME practice tests and some more review, I think I can tackle the exam well. Plus, I feel like I have been exposed to some great preceptors who have changed the complicated way I approached the basic sciences to a more holistic and straightforward way.
Thanks in advance.