Take USMLE Step 2 or not?

[valkener]

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Do student here, I've taken USMLE Step 1 (average score) and COMLEX (1 STD above average).

Not sure if I should take USMLE Step 2 because I'm leaning heavily towards IM and eyeing mostly AOA places. The few ACGME places that I have an eye on all accept COMLEX.

Not sure what I should do in light of changes to fellowship requirements (ACGME), I heard somewhere that I should be taking all USMLE steps to not close any doors even post residency (especially for IM).

 

[pattr]

Take Step 2, especially for IM. Even if you are applying to both with emphasis on AOA, you will be more competitive for ACGME programs with a solid step 2 score in hand.

If you want to do fellowship you should be applying mostly for ACGME programs or AOA programs with the fellowship of interest in house.

 

[SLC]

I was also advised to take USMLE step 2 for IM, if for no other reason, to ensure that a lack of USMLE scores doesn't prevent me from getting into fellowship.

 

[HarryPlopper]

Take Step 2. It's worth it.

 

[DrUKDO]

If you want a fellowship, take it. If you don't want a fellowship and are looking at AOA IM places only, they won't care about it.

 

[stemp07]

I am a DO student hoping for a more competitive allopathic FM residency. COMLEX Step 1 score was 543 and USMLE Step 1 score was 220. How competitive am I for programs like Duke and Wake Forest? Also, should I take USMLE Step 2 for FM?

 

[jkmph]

Take Step 2, especially for IM. Even if you are applying to both with emphasis on AOA, you will be more competitive for ACGME programs with a solid step 2 score in hand.

If you want to do fellowship you should be applying mostly for ACGME programs or AOA programs with the fellowship of interest in house.

When interviewing, I had a PD tell me that if you wanted to go from an AOA residency to an ACGME fellowship then you need step 1, 2 and 3. She also said it was new within the last 12 months. Even though it was an EM interview, I'm sure it applies to IM.

 

[Trogghunter]

Probably a good idea for IM if going to fellowship. I looked at a few programs in the east/Midwest and most (2/3 across the board but not looking at the huge names), but not all, require usmle for cards/pulm while the remainder listed comlex as acceptable (whatever that really means). I wonder what bearing comlex has on ranking, post interview?