Report the USMLE also, or COMLEX only for ACGME programs???

[sassy24673]

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Hi everyone,

This has probably been answered in the past already, but I couldn't find much for the 2013 match considering the new changes on ERAS.

As an osteopathic student, I took both the COMLEX and USMLE. However, due to how I performed on the USMLE, I preferably would like to use only my COMLEX scores for applications to residency.

I have heard conflicting thoughts about whether we need to report the USMLE or not as DOs. ERAS does state that osteopathic students need to report the USMLE if they are applying to MD programs... but does anyone have to know whether or not we need to RELEASE it to the programs? Is anyone out there NOT going to report that they took the USMLE??

As a side note, I am applying for family medicine residencies. Most of them are COMLEX-friendly... which makes me wonder how they would feel about whether or not the USMLE is reported and/or released.

Any comments will help! Thanks in advance!! 🙂

 

[Throwsheat313]

Hi everyone,

This has probably been answered in the past already, but I couldn't find much for the 2013 match considering the new changes on ERAS.

As an osteopathic student, I took both the COMLEX and USMLE. However, due to how I performed on the USMLE, I preferably would like to use only my COMLEX scores for applications to residency.

I have heard conflicting thoughts about whether we need to report the USMLE or not as DOs. ERAS does state that osteopathic students need to report the USMLE if they are applying to MD programs... but does anyone have to know whether or not we need to RELEASE it to the programs? Is anyone out there NOT going to report that they took the USMLE??

As a side note, I am applying for family medicine residencies. Most of them are COMLEX-friendly... which makes me wonder how they would feel about whether or not the USMLE is reported and/or released.

Any comments will help! Thanks in advance!! 🙂

I believe the consensus on here is that you MUST report your USMLE scores if you apply to MD residencies. If you apply to DO residencies, you do not have to officially release your USMLE scores, but they'll still know you took the USMLE.

 

[ShyRem]

If you look, the wording states you have to report you took the exam. It does NOT state you must release your scores. However, if you report them you should be prepared to tell them what you got. If I were a PD and someone said 'yeah, I took 'em, but I won't tell you what I got' that's a big red flag and would probably get you kicked out of an interview spot.

To not report you took the exam is a match violation and could get you kicked out of the match, or your residency position.

This has been specifically discussed in the ERAS/match forum down in residency for the past several years.

 

[swlabr1980]

As a side note, I am applying for family medicine residencies. Most of them are COMLEX-friendly... which makes me wonder how they would feel about whether or not the USMLE is reported and/or released.

If you're doing family med, COMLEX should be good enough for most programs.

However, USMLE is the great equalizer for DO students. It may be best for you to report both, because you may change your mind later about what specialty you want. Most other fields really want to see a USMLE score on your app.

But, as stated before, if you take USMLE, you must report it, no matter how good or bad your score is.

 

[sassy24673]

Thanks to everyone's replies.

So, just to clarify, since I took the USMLE I have to report it... So does this mean that I have to RELEASE the scores to the different MD family medicine programs as well (ie, so they will see the score that I got)?

Also, for family medicine, does anyone know how important board scores are relative to the entire application?

Thanks!!

 

[Dissected]

Thanks to everyone's replies.

So, just to clarify, since I took the USMLE I have to report it... So does this mean that I have to RELEASE the scores to the different MD family medicine programs as well (ie, so they will see the score that I got)?

Also, for family medicine, does anyone know how important board scores are relative to the entire application?

Thanks!!

Yes. There is no option to release without reporting your scores...at least to my knowledge. The terms "report" and "release" refer to transmitting your usmle transcript to programs. So your scores will be on there.

Low scores won't break you in FM but high scores may give you more options. I think.

 

[Mass Effect]

However, USMLE is the great equalizer for DO students. It may be best for you to take both, because you may change your mind later about what specialty you want. Most other fields really want to see a USMLE score on your app.

Did you read the OP? The poster already took the USMLE.

 

[swlabr1980]

Did you read the OP? The poster already took the USMLE.

Edited. Thanks.

 

[LeftoverFx26]

Thanks to everyone's replies.

So, just to clarify, since I took the USMLE I have to report it... So does this mean that I have to RELEASE the scores to the different MD family medicine programs as well (ie, so they will see the score that I got)?

Also, for family medicine, does anyone know how important board scores are relative to the entire application?

Thanks!!

I have heard that you don't have to enter your USMLE ID number in your ERAS profile. But not 100% sure on that one. Anyone can confirm?

 

[aqua2004]

I have heard that you don't have to enter your USMLE ID number in your ERAS profile. But not 100% sure on that one. Anyone can confirm?

I have same question. Does one have to enter the USMLE ID in ERAS profile if one plans NOT to release USMLE score. How else would you report that you actually took the exam but planning not to release the score for whatever reason.

 

[Dissected]

I have same question. Does one have to enter the USMLE ID in ERAS profile if one plans NOT to release USMLE score. How else would you report that you actually took the exam but planning not to release the score for whatever reason.

If you don't release it you run the risk of violating the rules. BAD idea. I think they can disqualify you from the match if they find out.

Maybe I'm missing something, but with the way eras is set up how would you report that you took it without releasing the scores? The act of submitting your usmle transcript to programs automatically sends all your finalized scores...Do you just state that you took it in your actual application?

This is very unclear and isn't really explained in the eras documents.

 

[Dissected]

I just re-read the 2013 document
https://www.aamc.org/download/269176/data/myeras_print.pdf

"Consider whether you will apply to ACGME and/or AOA accredited programs. If you apply to ACGMEaccredited programs and you have taken the USMLE, you must request your USMLE transcript. If you only apply to AOA-accredited programs, you only need to request your COMLEX transcript."

This makes it seem like you only have to upload your transcript to eras but don't have to release it to any programs. Each program will have their own requirements, but this quote makes it sound like you aren't required to report your scores/send your transcript to any programs if you don't want to. This will probably avoid any penalties, but it does not speak to how programs will view you not releasing your transcript.

 

[aqua2004]

I just re-read the 2013 document
https://www.aamc.org/download/269176/data/myeras_print.pdf

"Consider whether you will apply to ACGME and/or AOA accredited programs. If you apply to ACGMEaccredited programs and you have taken the USMLE, you must request your USMLE transcript. If you only apply to AOA-accredited programs, you only need to request your COMLEX transcript."

This makes it seem like you only have to upload your transcript to eras but don't have to release it to any programs. Each program will have their own requirements, but this quote makes it sound like you aren't required to report your scores/send your transcript to any programs if you don't want to. This will probably avoid any penalties, but it does not speak to how programs will view you not releasing your transcript.

Thank you so much for the response. So that means if i only plan to apply for AOA programs, on the ERAS I do not need to put in my USMLE ID, rt? I am sorry i did go over the aamc and eras website but am still little confused. Is reporting that you took the the exam but not releasing the exact score two different thing or its just that once you report that you took the exam, scores are already released to the program.

 

[supergumbo]

Thank you so much for the response. So that means if i only plan to apply for AOA programs, on the ERAS I do not need to put in my USMLE ID, rt? I am sorry i did go over the aamc and eras website but am still little confused. Is reporting that you took the the exam but not releasing the exact score two different thing or its just that once you report that you took the exam, scores are already released to the program.

I'm planning to only apply AOA so originally I wasn't going put my USMLE ID. I'd like to know this too.

 

[FutureDO2016]

I'm planning to only apply AOA so originally I wasn't going put my USMLE ID. I'd like to know this too.

I was just wondering if the rules have changed??

If I apply to both ACGME programs and AOA programs....obviously, I will report my COMLEX scores to AOA programs, but is it required I release my scores to ACGME programs? **I'm talking about COMLEX scores**

I will report USMLE scores to ACGME and AOA programs.

 

[hallowmann]

I was just wondering if the rules have changed??

If I apply to both ACGME programs and AOA programs....obviously, I will report my COMLEX scores to AOA programs, but is it required I release my scores to ACGME programs? **I'm talking about COMLEX scores**

I will report USMLE scores to ACGME and AOA programs.

You need to release your COMLEX scores to all programs so they know you passed and in turn can get a license. Not releasing them will also look suspicious, because it's known that you have to take them. I wouldn't worry about it though, because most people on here have said that it generally doesn't matter what you get on the COMLEX to ACGME programs, provided you passed and have USMLE scores.

 

[Dr. Zombie]

Apparently, the trend is now to perform well on the USMLE and just pass the COMLEX

 

[j4pac]

I am hoping that the merger will encourage the USMLE and COMLEX to just standardize a test. Essentially it would be a USMLE with an extra OMT section.

 

[NurWollen]

I am hoping that the merger will encourage the USMLE and COMLEX to just standardize a test. Essentially it would be a USMLE with an extra OMT section.

Oh, but imagine the tragedy, that would be just another step in losing our unique and distinctive uniqueness.

 

[costales]

obviously, I will report my COMLEX scores to AOA programs, but is it required I release my scores to ACGME programs? **I'm talking about COMLEX scores**

Many programs are aware that COMLEX is a graduation requirement for DOs. They may not understand or care about your score - most don't - but they want to make sure that you can graduate and show up.

 

[SLC]

Apparently, the trend is now to perform well on the USMLE and just pass the COMLEX

This is for people (such as I) not planning to apply to AOA residency programs. If applying to both, it's in your best interested to do as well as possible on both.

 

[Dr. Zombie]

This is for people (such as I) not planning to apply to AOA residency programs. If applying to both, it's in your best interested to do as well as possible on both.

You and I are in the same boat then haha

 

[SLC]

You and I are in the same boat then haha

Yep. I didn't apply to any AOA programs.

In reality though, the most likely scenario is that you'll do similarly well on both exams.

Study for the USMLE, it will bring your COMLEX score up too.