take USMLE step 2 or not as a DO

[throckmorton]

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Ok, so here's my dilema. I took level one COMLEX but not USMLE last year, i know i know i don't need to hear AGAIN how I should have taken step 1. I really thought I was going into a different field and a bunch of other stupid reasons and I made the decision not to take step 1 USMLE. Now, I have decided on surgery, which shocked me because I never thought I'd being saying it, and I wish I would have taken step 1 due to the competitive nature of surgical residencies. I know that I definitely want to do surgery and have already set up audition rotations, contacted programs, etc. I'm just worried that I didn't plan well enough and that I may not get the residency I would like. My question is, should I take USMLE step 2? Would it help? I didn't realize that you could take them out of order or that it might make any difference what so ever, but evidently people have done it in the past and a close friend told me I should take step 2. I'd love to hear some input on this, as well as HONESTLY what my chances are at matching at an allopathic program without having taken step 1 USMLE (but while doing well on COMLEX).
Thanks guys

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

Ok, so here's my dilema. I took level one COMLEX but not USMLE last year, i know i know i don't need to hear AGAIN how I should have taken step 1. I really thought I was going into a different field and a bunch of other stupid reasons and I made the decision not to take step 1 USMLE. Now, I have decided on surgery, which shocked me because I never thought I'd being saying it, and I wish I would have taken step 1 due to the competitive nature of surgical residencies. I know that I definitely want to do surgery and have already set up audition rotations, contacted programs, etc. I'm just worried that I didn't plan well enough and that I may not get the residency I would like. My question is, should I take USMLE step 2? Would it help? I didn't realize that you could take them out of order or that it might make any difference what so ever, but evidently people have done it in the past and a close friend told me I should take step 2. I'd love to hear some input on this, as well as HONESTLY what my chances are at matching at an allopathic program without having taken step 1 USMLE (but while doing well on COMLEX).
Thanks guys

You have 2 options at this point:

1) Take USMLE Step 1 asap- if you choose to do this, take at least 2 of the NBME practice exams to see where you stand. If you score ~220, take the USMLE Step 1 as you'll mostly likely score around that on the real deal. If your practice tests score are < 220, then go to plan B:

2) Take USMLE Step 2 - study your a$$ off for it. Go through UW with a fine toothed comb and hit up either FA or Secrets or both. Make sure you bust out a 230+ on USMLE Step 2. Especially if you're not taking Step 1.

I highly doubt your COMLEX scores will even mean much to most allopathic surgery programs.

Obviously strategically planning your elective rotations and doing well will help improve your chances of matching. Research is also a huge plus.

G'luck bro!

 

[kristing]

You have to take USMLE I and pass in order to take USMLE II.

And for the record, I did crappy on USMLE I and wish I WOULDN'T have taken it. I can't undo it now. You can still do it.

 

[allendo]

You have to take USMLE I and pass in order to take USMLE II.

And for the record, I did crappy on USMLE I and wish I WOULDN'T have taken it. I can't undo it now. You can still do it.

You can take step two without step one, that's what I'm doing.

 

[kristing]

You can take step two without step one, that's what I'm doing.

Is this new? I had no idea. It wasn't allowed when I took it (4 years ago).

 

[Taus]

Is this new? I had no idea. It wasn't allowed when I took it (4 years ago).

as long as you are not a US-MD student you can take them in whatever order you'd like

 

[DreamJob]

You have 2 options at this point:

1) Take USMLE Step 1 asap- if you choose to do this, take at least 2 of the NBME practice exams to see where you stand. If you score ~220, take the USMLE Step 1 as you'll mostly likely score around that on the real deal. If your practice tests score are < 220, then go to plan B:

2) Take USMLE Step 2 - study your a$$ off for it. Go through UW with a fine toothed comb and hit up either FA or Secrets or both. Make sure you bust out a 230+ on USMLE Step 2. Especially if you're not taking Step 1.

I highly doubt your COMLEX scores will even mean much to most allopathic surgery programs.

Obviously strategically planning your elective rotations and doing well will help improve your chances of matching. Research is also a huge plus.

G'luck bro!

Best advice- Follow it!