Step I, D.O. vs M.D. statistics

[phikapdoctor]

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Does anyone know the average Step I, and Step II score for DO, and the average score for MD. Everyone says it is harder to match into a specialized residency coming from a DO medical school, and I was seeing if there are any stats to support this?

 

[Hemorrage]

It's harder to match because your a DO not your step 1 score. Additionally these stats are completely useless because do students that take the step 1 are typically self selecting

 

[MedPR]

It's harder to match because your a DO not your step 1 score. Additionally these stats are completely useless because do students that take the step 1 are typically self selecting

The usmle pass rate is also significantly lower for DO. at least that's what the data DMU gave us shows.

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[Lanolin]

Step scores are a reflection of individual effort and knowledge base and not so much of what school or program you go to. I know DO's with 260's on both step 1 and step 2 and I know MD's who failed both tests the first time. Also, DO's try for ACGME residencies (MD), which adds the difficulty for them to get into hard specialties. There are DO residencies for derm, etc. but they aren't "as good."

 

[Barcu]

The pass rates for MDs are around 94% and for DOs around 80%. Not a perfect marker, but there is probably some general correlation with scores.

But I want to emphasize that scores are not everything. Even a high-scoring DO may have some problems matching, and this is where your school does come into play. If residencies choose residents from a certain med school, and they find out they are trained well, they frequently go back to that some med school because of a good track record. In that case, slightly lower scores from a known program is desireable to higher scores from a program they may not know as well. Scores don't necessarily correlate to clinical skills, so taking a chance on a high-scoring DO may be a risk compared to a safer choice. This does not mean that the DO is less qualified. However, there are only so many factors that the PD has to choose from, and they know that scores don't always correlate. And the result is that high-scoring DOs may be left out (it may happen to certain MD programs too, but less likely so since the LCME standards are more stringent than AOA- that's just how it is).

I still contend that individual effort does matter more than school choice. However, don't discount the extra little edge a school can give you. You have to take in many factors when deciding on a school (cost, location, curriculum, etc) and you should at least consider what effect the school prestige may have on your residency application.

 

[Cambino]

The pass rates for MDs are around 94% and for DOs around 80%. Not a perfect marker, but there is probably some general correlation with scores.

But I want to emphasize that scores are not everything. Even a high-scoring DO may have some problems matching, and this is where your school does come into play. If residencies choose residents from a certain med school, and they find out they are trained well, they frequently go back to that some med school because of a good track record. In that case, slightly lower scores from a known program is desireable to higher scores from a program they may not know as well. Scores don't necessarily correlate to clinical skills, so taking a chance on a high-scoring DO may be a risk compared to a safer choice. This does not mean that the DO is less qualified. However, there are only so many factors that the PD has to choose from, and they know that scores don't always correlate. And the result is that high-scoring DOs may be left out (it may happen to certain MD programs too, but less likely so since the LCME standards are more stringent than AOA- that's just how it is).

I still contend that individual effort does matter more than school choice. However, don't discount the extra little edge a school can give you. You have to take in many factors when deciding on a school (cost, location, curriculum, etc) and you should at least consider what effect the school prestige may have on your residency application.

says who lol?
pics or it didn't happen (source)

 

[Emerald84]

I agree with you. I am an Osteopathic student, took the USMLE and did really well. I can't say yet how much it will help me. When it comes down to it, it is really stressful to take both exams. The biggest factor in doing well is the time your school gives you to study for boards. At LECOM-B, there is plenty of time, the curriculum is challenging and the students are really motivated. Not all of your classmates will take the USMLE, but among those who did, the average was higher. I think there are a few factors that go into it. I am not sure what to tell you. Apply to both MD and DO. If you only get into DO, then pick a school that doesn't get into the way of your taking the step I. Good luck.

 

[Barcu]

says who lol?
pics or it didn't happen (source)

Says a few PDs at my school. It also came up at a couple of schools that I interviewed at (and they weren't top tier schools either), so it's not a unique observation.

 

[ClemsonFirst]

In a class about healthcare and becoming a physician, I believe I heard the statistic that 95% of MDs pass first time while only 70% DOs pass. This may be because of the discrepency between entrance requirements - less apt students enter DO than MD. They do not do as well on tests; therefore fail Step I more often.

 

[kpcrew]

I agree with you. I am an Osteopathic student, took the USMLE and did really well. I can't say yet how much it will help me. When it comes down to it, it is really stressful to take both exams. The biggest factor in doing well is the time your school gives you to study for boards. At LECOM-B, there is plenty of time, the curriculum is challenging and the students are really motivated. Not all of your classmates will take the USMLE, but among those who did, the average was higher. I think there are a few factors that go into it. I am not sure what to tell you. Apply to both MD and DO. If you only get into DO, then pick a school that doesn't get into the way of your taking the step I. Good luck.

How different are the two exams?