Still feasible to match with COMLEX only?

[drturk1]

Hey guys, sorry for a post that seems to be repeated multiple times on this forum; however, I wanted to see some fresh opinions.

As a DO in the class of 2020, I know the merger is happening, and it's highly recommended to take Step 1. Unfortunately, some unforeseen life issues arose during my dedicated period that left me not too confident on taking Step 1 given my low NBMEs. Unfortunately, I've started rotations, and given my schedule and after talking to my advisor, there's not much flexibility in allowing enough time to sit/study for Step 1. So my overall question is, will DOs still be able to match into ACGME programs in PM&R, FM, and IM?

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[AnatomyGrey12]

Hey guys, sorry for a post that seems to be repeated multiple times on this forum; however, I wanted to see some fresh opinions.

As a DO in the class of 2020, I know the merger is happening, and it's highly recommended to take Step 1. Unfortunately, some unforeseen life issues arose during my dedicated period that left me not too confident on taking Step 1 given my low NBMEs. Unfortunately, I've started rotations, and given my schedule and after talking to my advisor, there's not much flexibility in allowing enough time to sit/study for Step 1. So my overall question is, will DOs still be able to match into ACGME programs in PM&R, FM, and IM?

For those fields yes only COMLEX is ok. Not ideal, but you still have really good odds of at least matching.

Edit: read my signature

 

[UnoMas]

Hey guys, sorry for a post that seems to be repeated multiple times on this forum; however, I wanted to see some fresh opinions.

As a DO in the class of 2020, I know the merger is happening, and it's highly recommended to take Step 1. Unfortunately, some unforeseen life issues arose during my dedicated period that left me not too confident on taking Step 1 given my low NBMEs. Unfortunately, I've started rotations, and given my schedule and after talking to my advisor, there's not much flexibility in allowing enough time to sit/study for Step 1. So my overall question is, will DOs still be able to match into ACGME programs in PM&R, FM, and IM?

Take it at the end of 3rd year, use your vacation

 

[Goro]

Hey guys, sorry for a post that seems to be repeated multiple times on this forum; however, I wanted to see some fresh opinions.

As a DO in the class of 2020, I know the merger is happening, and it's highly recommended to take Step 1. Unfortunately, some unforeseen life issues arose during my dedicated period that left me not too confident on taking Step 1 given my low NBMEs. Unfortunately, I've started rotations, and given my schedule and after talking to my advisor, there's not much flexibility in allowing enough time to sit/study for Step 1. So my overall question is, will DOs still be able to match into ACGME programs in PM&R, FM, and IM?

http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/NRMP-2018-Program-Director-Survey-for-WWW.pdf
This lets you know if PDs are cool with COMLEX only. The more competitive the specialty, the less they are.

 

[drturk1]

This lets you know if PDs are cool with COMLEX only. The more competitive the specialty, the less they are.

Thank you very much; apologies if this is a dumb question, but should I be looking at % of PD's that say "no" to using COMLEX, as in they don't even consider it, or the % of PD's that responded "yes" using USMLE. Just confused, cause the graphs ask "exam required"? And the percentages are drastically different, making it seem like only in the single digit% will consider COMLEX only

 

[ortnakas]

I have several friends who matched with COMLEX only. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking at a competitive specialty or place, but COMLEX only isn’t the death nail to your application SDN can make it out to be.

 

[Goro]

Thank you very much; apologies if this is a dumb question, but should I be looking at % of PD's that say "no" to using COMLEX, as in they don't even consider it, or the % of PD's that responded "yes" using USMLE. Just confused, cause the graphs ask "exam required"? And the percentages are drastically different, making it seem like only in the single digit% will consider COMLEX only

This is for "All specialties".
Capeesh?

 

[MedicineZ0Z]

Primary care yes, others not really.

 

[moy505]

@hallowmann @Mad Jack @Ibn Alnafis MD

Can you guys shed some light on the need for Step for FM? If someone is an average student, aiming for fm, should they take it?

 

[Postictal Raiden]

No you don't need it. Many of my classmates matched FM with only comlex. ACGME matches in CA too.

Now things may get hairier in 2020 but I don't see things change dramatically to a point where I'd say you "need" step1 to match FM.

 

[Mad Jack]

@hallowmann @Mad Jack @Ibn Alnafis MD

Can you guys shed some light on the need for Step for FM? If someone is an average student, aiming for fm, should they take it?.

FM, IM, and PM&R are all pretty COMLEX friendly

 

[hallowmann]

@hallowmann @Mad Jack @Ibn Alnafis MD

Can you guys shed some light on the need for Step for FM? If someone is an average student, aiming for fm, should they take it?.

I would agree that you don't need it, but if you think you can do decent on it, I would plan to take it. You might be sold on FM right now, but that may change, and in that case, you might regret not taking it. A lot of people regret not talking it during 3rd year and application season. There were very few (maybe a handful) of FM programs that I found that required USMLE scores. I didn't apply to those places for a number of reasons, but if programs you're interested in require it, that would also be a reason to try.

As for other specialties, you certainly can still match into a number of specialties with COMLEX only, but you increase the strength of the programs you apply to and the breadth of specialties by talking the USMLE.