Step 1 necessary, or is COMLEX only still feasible?

[HopefulSpartan]

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Last post on this issue I can find in this forum without other qualifiers (failed COMLEX, low scores, etc) is this (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/applying-to-psych-with-just-comlex.842460/) from 2011. When I apply to residencies for the 2018 cycle, it'll be a lot different than 2011. I'm ranked low in my class and don't think that I'd do well enough on the USMLE to warrant the risk of doing outright terrible on it.

With psychiatry getting more competitive every year, will COMLEX alone be sufficient for applying to "solid" programs on the east coast/midwest? Not looking to end up at the highest ranked program ever, just somewhere where I'll get a good education and have fellowship (interested in addiction medicine) opportunities.

 

[DrMeowMeow]

Every program in Michigan is COMLEX-friendly. UM will be a reach but all others are very DO friendly

 

[Dharma]

Last post on this issue I can find in this forum without other qualifiers (failed COMLEX, low scores, etc) is this (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/applying-to-psych-with-just-comlex.842460/) from 2011. When I apply to residencies for the 2018 cycle, it'll be a lot different than 2011. I'm ranked low in my class and don't think that I'd do well enough on the USMLE to warrant the risk of doing outright terrible on it.

With psychiatry getting more competitive every year, will COMLEX alone be sufficient for applying to "solid" programs on the east coast/midwest? Not looking to end up at the highest ranked program ever, just somewhere where I'll get a good education and have fellowship (interested in addiction medicine) opportunities.

East coast, I say take the USMLE. You'll be competing against DO students with an USMLE score. If not, it still gives your app a bit more juice. I had a few PDs mention the fact that I took the USMLE as a strong positive, and where you're 1 or 2 DO's out of a group of 10 being interviewed that day, you can't help but think the USMLE played some part in the invite.

So, prepare as if you were going to take the USMLE. Read the experience threads here on SDN to really nail down an attack plan. (FA, Pathoma, UWorld... that trifecta should do the trick for most). Take a few NBME's to not only prepare but also to see where you stand as you approach your test date. (My USMLE score was an exact average of the 4 I took, unlike the COMSAE which under predicted my score by 100+). Only bail if you're not hitting average, but stay the course if you're doing well.

My vote is to take it... if you're ready as indicated by your practice exams. Speaking of preparedness/ability to succeed, you're class ranking means nothing. I've known more than a few who were not ranked very high, prepared efficiently for the USMLE, and did well. Don't count yourself out, until you're truly out. Rank means jack squat.

Good luck.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

East coast, I say take the USMLE. You'll be competing against DO students with an USMLE score. If not, it still gives your app a bit more juice. I had a few PDs mention the fact that I took the USMLE as a strong positive, and where you're 1 or 2 DO's out of a group of 10 being interviewed that day, you can't help but think the USMLE played some part in the invite.

So, prepare as if you were going to take the USMLE. Read the experience threads here on SDN to really nail down an attack plan. (FA, Pathoma, UWorld... that trifecta should do the trick for most). Take a few NBME's to not only prepare but also to see where you stand as you approach your test date. (My USMLE score was an exact average of the 4 I took, unlike the COMSAE which under predicted my score by 100+). Only bail if you're not hitting average, but stay the course if you're doing well.

My vote is to take it... if you're ready as indicated by your practice exams. Speaking of preparedness/ability to succeed, you're class ranking means nothing. I've known more than a few who were not ranked very high, prepared efficiently for the USMLE, and did well. Don't count yourself out, until you're truly out. Rank means jack squat.

Good luck.

How competitive do you see Psych being in the coming years? Like a few of my friends are constantly debating about how hard it will be to match when we are applying in 4 years.

 

[Dharma]

How competitive do you see Psych being in the coming years? Like a few of my friends are constantly debating about how hard it will be to match when we are applying in 4 years.

I'm not sure. My guess, is that relatively speaking it will be about the same, in that it will still likely be one of the least competitive specialties. Overall, competition is tighter across the board due to the increase in medical school seats in the U.S. without much increase in GME slots. Regardless, all of such factors are out of one's control. Focus on the factors within reach and try to maximize potential there.

BTW is that a Steven Universe avatar there? If so, kudos!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I'm not sure. My guess, is that relatively speaking it will be about the same, in that it will still likely be one of the least competitive specialties. Overall, competition is tighter across the board due to the increase in medical school seats in the U.S. without much increase in GME slots. Regardless, all of such factors are out of one's control. Focus on the factors within reach and try to maximize potential there.

BTW is that a Steven Universe avatar there? If so, kudos!

Yup.

I'm just hoping that I can honestly do well on the usmle and that my prep for it is reasonable and not like what happened on the mcat where I didn't really get the hang of it until too late.

 

[HopefulSpartan]

Every program in Michigan is COMLEX-friendly. UM will be a reach but all others are very DO friendly

Psh, who wants to be a Wolverine anyways! I'm coming from an out of state school, unfortunately couldn't do 4 more years at my alma mater.

East coast, I say take the USMLE. You'll be competing against DO students with an USMLE score. If not, it still gives your app a bit more juice. I had a few PDs mention the fact that I took the USMLE as a strong positive, and where you're 1 or 2 DO's out of a group of 10 being interviewed that day, you can't help but think the USMLE played some part in the invite.

So, prepare as if you were going to take the USMLE. Read the experience threads here on SDN to really nail down an attack plan. (FA, Pathoma, UWorld... that trifecta should do the trick for most). Take a few NBME's to not only prepare but also to see where you stand as you approach your test date. (My USMLE score was an exact average of the 4 I took, unlike the COMSAE which under predicted my score by 100+). Only bail if you're not hitting average, but stay the course if you're doing well.

My vote is to take it... if you're ready as indicated by your practice exams. Speaking of preparedness/ability to succeed, you're class ranking means nothing. I've known more than a few who were not ranked very high, prepared efficiently for the USMLE, and did well. Don't count yourself out, until you're truly out. Rank means jack squat.

Good luck.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm UFAPing for sure. Do you think even getting a below average USMLE score would be beneficial as a DO applicant versus not taking it at all? Seems a little counterproductive to add something that says "hey I'm below average according to this well written standardized test" to an application.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Psh, who wants to be a Wolverine anyways! I'm coming from an out of state school, unfortunately couldn't do 4 more years at my alma mater.



Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm UFAPing for sure. Do you think even getting a below average USMLE score would be beneficial as a DO applicant versus not taking it at all? Seems a little counterproductive to add something that says "hey I'm below average according to this well written standardized test" to an application.

I was in your shoes. Did really well on Step 1 USMLE didn't take Step 2 because I didn't want to do worse. In hindsight I think I was just lazy and used that as an excuse. At one pint Iwish I would have taken it mostly because I did everything else really well and that one thing left me wondering "what if". (Disclaimer: I'm pretty stoked about my residency and this is a thought that I no longer endorse)

You've already shown you can score decent on Comlex the only way you score below average on USMLE is if you don't study. USMLE is a better written test than our trash. Usually the only people that do worse are those that are barely scraping by on the Comlex.

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[Dharma]

Psh, who wants to be a Wolverine anyways! I'm coming from an out of state school, unfortunately couldn't do 4 more years at my alma mater.



Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm UFAPing for sure. Do you think even getting a below average USMLE score would be beneficial as a DO applicant versus not taking it at all? Seems a little counterproductive to add something that says "hey I'm below average according to this well written standardized test" to an application.

UFAPing! Hahaha! Nice.

I would only take it if you're hitting close to average (for psych), even if a bit below.

 

[J ROD]

I would take Step 1. I think it will open more doors.

 

[WalterDonnie]

I might be wrong here, but i think you can take the USMLE and just not release it if you bomb it.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I might be wrong here, but i think you can take the USMLE and just not release it if you bomb it.

You still technically can but a few years back it was changed that USMLE scores are supposed to be released.

Much like you can technically not list a felony.

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