Reporting USMLE 1 score for 2019-2020 ERAS cycle

[Misery to Okay]

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Other than ethical dilemmas are there any legal barriers that would disallow me to not release my USMLE 1 score?

I took USMLE 1 (10-15 percentile), COMLEX 1 (25-30 percentile), COMLEX 2 (25-35 percentile), and Passed my PE.

I am applying peds this cycle and feel like as my USMLE score is not that great it would drag down my already poor scores. Or is it better to show that I at least passed?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

What is that like a 205-210? Honestly for peds I personally think it will help you...

 

[Misery to Okay]

What is that like a 205-210? Honestly for peds I personally think it will help you...

204. I mean I suppose it shows at least I was able pass it...

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

204. I mean I suppose it shows at least I was able pass it...

For peds I still think it will help you honestly.

 

[hallowmann]

For peds I still think it will help you honestly.

Depends on the program, but it honestly will probably help at more places than it hurts. The vast majority of DO applicants to Peds in the 201-210 range matched. Isn't there someone that always posts that interactive charting outcomes table. I think it will either show that including it will help or have little effect on your chances of matching.

 

[Misery to Okay]

Depends on the program, but it honestly will probably help at more places than it hurts. The vast majority of DO applicants to Peds in the 201-210 range matched. Isn't there someone that always posts that interactive charting outcomes table. I think it will either show that including it will help or have little effect on your chances of matching.

Okay, thank you for your explanation. I think I will report it then. Personally, if they asked me during an interview I would probably tell them the truth.

 

[Sardonix]

Depends on the program, but it honestly will probably help at more places than it hurts. The vast majority of DO applicants to Peds in the 201-210 range matched. Isn't there someone that always posts that interactive charting outcomes table. I think it will either show that including it will help or have little effect on your chances of matching.

I got you fam. Here I come--jumping over the table, knocking over the attending's coffee, and pissing off the nurses in order to fulfill my destiny (and minor responsibilities as a medical student) to accommodate the resident's request.

Tableau Public

public.tableau.com

 

[Misery to Okay]

I got you fam. Here I come--jumping over the table, knocking over the attending's coffee, and pissing off the nurses in order to fulfill my destiny (and minor responsibilities as a medical student) to accommodate the resident's request.

Tableau Public

public.tableau.com

Chances look good with my scores in matching as long as I apply correctly. Making the list is the hardest part!

 

[BorntobeDO?]

204. I mean I suppose it shows at least I was able pass it...

For some programs thats all you need. I would report. Its not like you got a 600 on the comlex either. Prob not even 500, so your already looking at places that basically only require passing. That USMLE will open some extra doors.

 

[DNC127]

I have said it once and I will say it again. If applying to non competitive fields I would rather have a low 200's usmle and 400-525 comlex than a 550+ comlex alone.

You will be gravy OP. Just apply broadly if you are worried.

 

[Sardonix]

This is a random question, but somewhat related.

On FRIEDA when a program says Step 2 CK is not required at time of application, but under Level 2 it says "USMLE only" are they essentially saying to DOs take Step 2 or pound sand?

Thanks.

 

[Misery to Okay]

I have said it once and I will say it again. If applying to non competitive fields I would rather have a low 200's usmle and 400-525 comlex than a 550+ comlex alone.

You will be gravy OP. Just apply broadly if you are worried.

thanks for the confidence in me! 🙂

 

[Misery to Okay]

This is a random question, but somewhat related.

On FRIEDA when a program says Step 2 CK is not required at time of application, but under Level 2 it says "USMLE only" are they essentially saying to DOs take Step 2 or pound sand?

Thanks.

My Dean has told us that programs are no longer allowed to say that as it is a reportable offence or something? So I would assume that its just something that hasn't been updated in a while. But just because they cannot "say" it doesn't mean they can't practice discrimination.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

My Dean has told us that programs are no longer allowed to say that as it is a reportable offence or something? So I would assume that its just something that hasn't been updated in a while. But just because they cannot "say" it doesn't mean they can't practice discrimination.

You're dean is clueless at best or outright lying at worst. They absolutely can say that they require DO's to have taken USMLE. I have seen this on multiple residency websites and at least 75% of the programs I'm interested in on Freida. And all of these programs currently have DOs on their rosters.

but under Level 2 it says "USMLE only" are they essentially saying to DOs take Step 2 or pound sand?

Probably.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

I think these programs are telling you to pound sand if they say that on Frieda. I did email one about it and they have not answered directly if they require DOs to take both steps, so I do wonder if they are trying to 'say it without saying it' kind of thing.

I would advise future DOs to take both Step 1 and 2 if possible.

 

[hallowmann]

On FRIEDA when a program says Step 2 CK is not required at time of application, but under Level 2 it says "USMLE only" are they essentially saying to DOs take Step 2 or pound sand?

It hard to say for sure, but its probably saying to take Step 2 CK, its just not required "at the time of application". It will be prior to ranking though. The best way to find out is the call the program. Some program directors/coordinators don't know how to fill out stuff of FREIDA sometimes, and some programs don't really think about DOs. The only way to know for sure is to email the PC and ask them directly.

My Dean has told us that programs are no longer allowed to say that as it is a reportable offence or something? So I would assume that its just something that hasn't been updated in a while. But just because they cannot "say" it doesn't mean they can't practice discrimination.

Your dean is woefully misinformed.

 

[odette115]

Kind of on a related note, I am also trying to decide whether to release my USMLE with my COMLEX scores... I did pass my USMLE, albeit also barely, not by a lot at all. But I ended up failing my USMLE step 2... (passed COMLEX Level 2, improved from Level 1; sucks 'cause I feel like I should never have taken Step 2, and may have been in much better shape if I hadn't). Right now I'm deciding not to report my USMLE scores at all, since I don't want my Step 2 fail to put a red flag on my app, but wonder if not reporting a passed score would hurt me and make programs wonder if i had taken it.. my school requires us to take both Step and Level 1.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Kind of on a related note, I am also trying to decide whether to release my USMLE with my COMLEX scores... I did pass my USMLE, albeit also barely, not by a lot at all. But I ended up failing my USMLE step 2... (passed COMLEX Level 2, improved from Level 1; sucks 'cause I feel like I should never have taken Step 2, and may have been in much better shape if I hadn't). Right now I'm deciding not to report my USMLE scores at all, since I don't want my Step 2 fail to put a red flag on my app, but wonder if not reporting a passed score would hurt me and make programs wonder if i had taken it.. my school requires us to take both Step and Level 1.

Oh you are at RVU, so somebody probably knows your required to take both. And your students match well.

Well I only see 2 real options: report the score and lose interviews, or dont report/assign and only apply to places that don't have RVU grads. That probably means going outside of your geographical area. I would do the later if your comlex is above 500 and your looking at something relativly achievable (FM etc).

Sorry, thats tough, what are you going for?

 

[odette115]

Oh you are at RVU, so somebody probably knows your required to take both. And your students match well.

Well I only see 2 real options: report the score and lose interviews, or dont report/assign and only apply to places that don't have RVU grads. That probably means going outside of your geographical area. I would do the later if your comlex is above 500 and your looking at something relativly achievable (FM etc).

Sorry, thats tough, what are you going for?

Thanks! And yeah, so my comlex level 2 is above 500 (level 1 not so much), but I am applying FM. I plan on applying to a quite a lot of programs (definitely a lot more than the average), partially because of my scores (since I know that I am not very competitive for programs that are "high" on my list that I am not already doing a subi at), but also to gather reference points and hopefully find a program that I do like within the pool of "less competitive" FM programs.

So far, from just website digging into many programs (especially in CA), most programs require either USMLE or COMLEX, so I'm hoping that doesn't limit me too drastically... but hard to really tell from just their websites.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Thanks! And yeah, so my comlex level 2 is above 500 (level 1 not so much), but I am applying FM. I plan on applying to a quite a lot of programs (definitely a lot more than the average), partially because of my scores (since I know that I am not very competitive for programs that are "high" on my list that I am not already doing a subi at), but also to gather reference points and hopefully find a program that I do like within the pool of "less competitive" FM programs.

So far, from just website digging into many programs (especially in CA), most programs require either USMLE or COMLEX, so I'm hoping that doesn't limit me too drastically... but hard to really tell from just their websites.

I understand, programs don't make thier restrictions clear at all. Since you are doing FM tho I think you are in good shape. Don't assign the USMLE and apply places without RVU grads. You should still match.

 

[hallowmann]

I understand, programs don't make thier restrictions clear at all. Since you are doing FM tho I think you are in good shape. Don't assign the USMLE and apply places without RVU grads. You should still match.

I would also add to not even limit yourself to places that don't have RVU grads. A lot of PDs have no idea what school requirements are, even if they have RVU grads there, and a lot of residents aren't so actively involved in recruitment that it'll matter. I would give pause to applying to places within the RVU OPTI or with chief residents from RVU, but other than that you'll probably be fine.

 

[odette115]

Thanks for the 2 cents, @BorntobeDO? and @hallowmann ! It's always nice to hear opinions from others about these kinds of things, and I really appreciate it.

I only attached USMLE scores for like the 2 or 3 programs that explicitly asked for "all board attempts," but for others I kept to just COMLEX. And yeah, I applied pretty widely. Not too many RVU grads in California from what I've seen, so I decided to go ahead for them anyway. I have my fingers crossed that the 4 sub-is im doing will give me a foot in the door at least, beyond my scores.

 

[Misery to Okay]

I attached my USMLE scores and have gotten 4 interviews so far!

 

[BorntobeDO?]

I attached my USMLE scores and have gotten 4 interviews so far!

You made the right choice, congrats!

 

[Sardonix]

Would also add that I have a sub-210s Step 1 with decent Level 1/2 and PE first pass, doing FM in Midwest. Happy to report VERY good success with interview invites so far.