Should I take USMLE?

[fozzy40]

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I scored well on COMLEX Step 1 (the DO boards) and in the average for USMLE Step 1. I contacted my top choice and asked them if I should take USMLE Step 2. They said that "it's not required but it is suggested." Should I take USMLE Step 2? I am looking for some feedback. Thank you.

Fozzy40

 

[CasaElGato]

I scored well on COMLEX Step 1 (the DO boards) and in the average for USMLE Step 1. I contacted my top choice and asked them if I should take USMLE Step 2. They said that "it's not required but it is suggested." Should I take USMLE Step 2? I am looking for some feedback. Thank you.

Fozzy40

I would only take if you think you can do fairly well, otherwise I am not sure it would be helpful. You could take it and then based on your score decide whether to use it for your application. You could spend the effort on something else to spruce up your application like research.

This post I made shows where students from different medical schools ended up matching. It may or may not give you a rough caliber of the competition at various programs. For example, the "publicly known" RIC matches were from these schools:

Northwestern
1. MD/UMDNJ-NJMS
2. MD/Penn State
3. MD/Pitt
4. MD/Duke
5. MD/UChicago
6. MD/Northwestern
7. MD/Upstate
8. MD/Rush
9. DO/CCOM

Good luck in your decision!

 

[drusso]

I would take it. It sounds like you're going to do just fine. Having USMLE I and II eliminates one more variable in the process. It's the "apples to apples" argument. No one will ever care which step III you take so finishing the COMLEX series only will be fine in the long run.

 

[fozzy40]

Do I have to report my USMLE Step 2 scores if I'm not happy with it? Any suggestions about taking it sooner vs. later? More than likely, I am going to take it but I'd like to minimize my stress level as much as possible.

 

[drusso]

Do I have to report my USMLE Step 2 scores if I'm not happy with it? Any suggestions about taking it sooner vs. later? More than likely, I am going to take it but I'd like to minimize my stress level as much as possible.

You don't have to report it, but believe me you'll do fine. The content of the COMLEX and USMLE are overlapping but the style and format of the questions differ. I'd take the "U-smelly" sooner than later while the content is still fresh in your head.

 

[axm397]

I would only take if you think you can do fairly well, otherwise I am not sure it would be helpful. You could take it and then based on your score decide whether to use it for your application. You could spend the effort on something else to spruce up your application like research.

This post I made shows where students from different medical schools ended up matching. It may or may not give you a rough caliber of the competition at various programs. For example, the "publicly known" RIC matches were from these schools:

Northwestern
1. MD/UMDNJ-NJMS
2. MD/Penn State
3. MD/Pitt
4. MD/Duke
5. MD/UChicago
6. MD/Northwestern
7. MD/Upstate
8. MD/Rush
9. DO/CCOM

Good luck in your decision!

Here's the list of all 12 incoming RIC residents from this year's match:

MD Pitt
MD SUNY Upstate
DO CCOM
MD Duke
MD Univ of Chicago
MD Rush
DO AZCOM
MD Loma Linda
MD Northwestern
MD Virginia Commonwealth
MD UMDNJ NJMS
MD Penn State (go Penn State!)

I don't think the med school you went to really matters - we have excellent candidates from lesser known schools and mediocre candidates from very well known schools. I would say about half of them did rotations at RIC. I personally did not rotate at RIC and still matched but obviously, if you have honored many of your 3rd year rotations, and are confident about your presentation, it can only help you to do a rotation at your top choices.

 

[fozzy40]

Yeah, I already talked with the student from my school (AZCOM) that was accepted and she did a rotation there. Statistically, I think we are pretty comparable and except she did not take USMLE. I have a rotation set up for this coming August so hopefully this will differentiate me from the pack.

 

[OMMFellow06]

As far as not reporting whether or not you took the USMLE, I heard rumors that you can no longer NOT report it. Also, if you took USMLE Step 1 and want to report it, then you can't only report the USMLE Step 1 and not Step 2, you can only choose to report USMLE grades, you can't choose which one. That is how it was this year's Match, but again, I heard rumors about them not allowing you to NOT report USMLE scores. I would try to find out more about that.

Good Luck. If you have a definite #1, make sure to rotate there, it really helps you that much.