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I know that path is DO friendly specialty but how friendly? Will COMLEX alone suffice?
Should I take the USMLE or is COMLEX alone ok?
- Thread starter DOhopeful08
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Not sure how friendly it is, but I'm at UNTHSC-TCOM and UT Southwestern has a pretty good track record of taking our DO graduates. But seeing as how there are no DO pathology residencies in existence, I'd say you'd better take the USMLE.
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I'd take it.
I'm sure there are programs that take COMLEX, but why risk it.
Taking 2 board exams for step 1 and 2 really sucks, but you only need COMLEX for step 3, which is a relief because it's like the first 2, whereas the USMLE step 3 is a 2 day'er.
Anyway, I know from experience that some programs have no idea how to interpret the COMLEX, so may as well suck it up...better to be an apple than an orange.
I'm sure there are programs that take COMLEX, but why risk it.
Taking 2 board exams for step 1 and 2 really sucks, but you only need COMLEX for step 3, which is a relief because it's like the first 2, whereas the USMLE step 3 is a 2 day'er.
Anyway, I know from experience that some programs have no idea how to interpret the COMLEX, so may as well suck it up...better to be an apple than an orange.
I will be a ATSU-KCOM graduate in a few months, applying for Path residency. I would agree with those who say that if you take both at least the programs will compare you as an apple to an apple. I also just showed my USMLE scores, and not COMLEX. Telling the truth I have interviewed at some really high end places like UCSF, U of Washington in Seattle, Cornell in NYC, and their did not even bring up my scores or that I was a D.O. My decision not to show COMLEX scores was made after an informal interview at the Univ. of Chicago, when I had a lengthy conversation with one of residency program directors about the similarities & differences of these two tests. I realized that I may encounter some ppl that have never heard of COMLEX in their lives! So, why confuse them now, when you are trying to get into their program. right? ANy other q's IM me.
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You really should do a search before posting because I've answered this question a couple times.
As a DO, you can't get around the COMLEX. Some DO schools may even require you to pass Steps 1 & 2 in order to graduate.
Your profile states that you're pre-med, so it's a little early to be worried about taking the COMLEX or USMLE. I had the same question, so I called all of the programs I was interested in. None of them required the USMLE.
Personally, I think taking the USMLE has more chances of hurting you. It only benefits you if you can score as well as or better than the COMLEX. I know you can choose which scores to submit, but isn't it better when your have good scores to show?
Any way, I graduated from NSUCOM in 2003. If you have any questions regarding DOs & pathology, feel free to ask.
----- Antony
As a DO, you can't get around the COMLEX. Some DO schools may even require you to pass Steps 1 & 2 in order to graduate.
Your profile states that you're pre-med, so it's a little early to be worried about taking the COMLEX or USMLE. I had the same question, so I called all of the programs I was interested in. None of them required the USMLE.
Personally, I think taking the USMLE has more chances of hurting you. It only benefits you if you can score as well as or better than the COMLEX. I know you can choose which scores to submit, but isn't it better when your have good scores to show?
Any way, I graduated from NSUCOM in 2003. If you have any questions regarding DOs & pathology, feel free to ask.
----- Antony
