Reporting USMLE as a D.O.

[AZDOC]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Many have advised to take the USMLE as a D.O. student if you are interested in a competitive residency. What happens if one were to do poorly on the USMLE and do well on the COMLEX? Can you withhold your USMLE scores from the Programs that you apply? Is it better to report both scores even if you were to do below average on the USMLE and above average on the COMLEX? Thanks.

 

[DrQuinn]

I think you can. On ERAS I would just pretend you didn't take the USMLE.

Q, DO

 

[anesres]

AZDoc,

It's really simple. If you did worse on the usmle, you never took the usmle. They will never know unless you report it. If they don't recognize your comlex, they probably don't want do's. Ask Dr. Lovecchio. I actually did a little bit better on the usmle (I have no idea why). Also, remember that as a do you are not bound to the match and can actually sign outside the match if you really like the program. Do a rotation there first, to see if you like the program because you're there if you sign a contract. Yes, you can ask "Is there anyway to sign outside the match?" during an interview. If they say yes, you're in. If they say no, they know that you're really interested in the program. It worked for me at UF and I may or may not have gotten the spot if I had to do the match. Some of my classmates did worse on the usmle than the comlex and didn't report their usmle scores and matched allopathic ER residencies. Hope this helps!

 

[AZDOC]

ANESRES,

Thanks. Were you able to sign outside the match or by saying that you would sign outside of the match you let the program know that you were interested enough that they selected you in the match? Did you classmates that didn't report the USMLE have to answer questions on the applications asking them if they took the USMLE or not? I am trying to not report the USMLE and still tell the complete truth.

 

[drvlad2004]

This is something you need to be aware of:

I was told by my school as well as NYCOM students who signed outside of the match, that this was the last year that DOs could sign outside the match. Therefore, for 2003-2004 academic year, none of us can sign outside of the match. It's good and bad depending on your viewpoint. Personally, it helps us in getting the right program that fits us. For certain residency programs, I guess it is bad because there may be a greater likelihood of not filling their spots.

 

[DrWBD]

DrVlad2004 is mostly correct. DOs and IMGs have not been officially forbidden to sign out of the match yet. I suspect that there will be an official decision made before the next interview cycle.

To answer the OP's question, you can withhold your USMLE scores from a program as a DO. However, if you get a phenomenal score on one Step and a lousy score on another, you cannot pick and choose which one you send to programs. It's "all or none".

-wanna_be_DO
NYCOM Class of 2003

 

[Teufelhunden]

Originally posted by wanna_be_do
However, if you get a phenomenal score on one Step and a lousy score on another, you cannot pick and choose which one you send to programs. It's "all or none".

Does taking USMLE Step 1, then, obligate me to take Steps 2 & 3 as well?

 

[DrWBD]

Originally posted by Teufelhunden
Does taking USMLE Step 1, then, obligate me to take Steps 2 & 3 as well?

No. DOs are not obligated to take the USMLE to begin with. In fact, many DOs simply choose to only take USMLE Step 1 for interviewing purposes and forgo the other Steps, simply completing COMLEX Levels 1-3 as required for licensure.

 

[anesres]

AZDOC

I signed outside the match. Some other people in my class did as well. Another classmate asked to sign outside the match at a MD ER program (UF in jax) and was told that they did not sign people outside the match in Emergency Med. The program director wasn't offended, but knew that's where he wanted to train. So, he went through the match and matched there anyway. Great guy, good student but nothing phenomenal on the boards or grades. I'm just saying that you can try to go through the front door with great board scores and grades like everybody else. Or, you figure out a way to get your dream program by checking the back door. It may be unlocked and you'll never know unless you ask. Here's how I did it. 1) Arranged a rotation. 2) I told them from day 1 that this is where I want to be and that I am interested in signing outside the match. 3) Worked hard and stayed late just like you should. 4) Asked lots of (informed) questions to let them know that I was reading. 5) Interviewed the last day I was there. 6) In the interview, the program director already knew from the other attendings and residents that I wanted to go there AND that I wanted to sign outside the match. 7) Checked the mail about a week or so later and they had mailed me a contract. 8) Signed the contract in Sept. and watched other people stress over where they would match. Just make sure it is where you want to go. I honestly don't see how it could hurt you. If nothing else, you would stick out during the selection process as the guy/girl that was interested in signing up for that program. I would do a rotation there to make sure you would be happy there first. They even told me that by doing a rotation there you have an advantage because they know how you work and how well you get along with the other residents/attendings. Much more so than someone who shows up for an interview for one day. Sorry for the belated reply but internship sux. Thank God it's overrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 

[Careofme]

http://www.nrmp.org/newruledelay.pdf