Taking USMLE Step 1 toward the end of 3rd year...

[deezballas]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am hoping to get some feedback from fellow student doc members regarding my current situation..... I am a 3rd year DO student, about to start my 4th clinical rotation. I am registered to take the USMLE in a week. I already took the COMLEX and scored about 1/2 SD above the mean. I am content with the score I received, but I really want to go to an allopathic residency, probably in either Anesthesia or perhaps another middle tier residency like PM&R. I have a friend who recently matched quite easily in anesthesia through the allopathic match and his score for comlex 1 and 2 was within a few points of mine (no usmle score).

However, despite my friend's success I am still nervous that I may not be competitive enough for the allopathic match without at least an average USMLE score and ultimately be forced to settle for the DO match. Even though I know many of the DO anesthesia programs provide great clinical training, I want as little to do with the AOA as possible. I am tired of being forced to use OMT. I wasted countless hours doing OMT during my first 2 years and I am just fed up with the pea brains running this organization.

My question is whether you think it is a good idea to postpone USMLE step 1 until after all of my 3rd year rotations. I have an elective and vacation time at the end of my 3rd year and would likely use a few weeks of that time to finalize my preparation. I am amazed at how many medical concepts and drugs have been solidified in my memory in just 2 1/2 months through clinical experience and repetition.

BTW- I am doing well on rotations. I only rotate at teaching hospitals with attendings and residents and honored my first 2 rotations. I don't say this to boast, but for those who will reply that my score is fine and that I just need to shine on rotations to do well in the match. There is much truth to that, however this will be the only chance I have to take the USMLE and doing well on it would be a definite boost of confidence going into the match.

Please all you MD haters, don't reply with the same ol rhetoric about me being a DO who is a traitor for not buying into the OMM mumbo jumbo. I turned down a spot at a MD school because I truly believe in osteopathic principles, unfortunately I didn't do my homework and before I knew it I was a student at a school that taught some wacky OMM, namely cranial which has got to be the biggest load of bull I have ever learned.

 

[FutureInternist]

There are many, many things that you have to learn just for the Boards & will never be asked about till the day you die. Who really wants to keep memorizing the non-enveloped viruses & what chromosome is messed up in CF??
I took my USMLE step 1 @ the end of 3rd year & while I ended up doing pretty well the re-learning of old material was a b****.
I suggest taking the NBME assessment exams to try & gauge your score & decide accordingly. If the results are not good, my take would be to take a vacation month to study or choose an easy FP/Psych rotation where there is no call & 8-5 hours leaving you plenty of time to study).

Also keep in mind that DO students have to reveal their USMLE scores if applying to allopathic residencies so if you do not pass, you won't be able to get away w/ using just your COMLEX scores like in times past.

 

[FutureInternist]

Please all you MD haters, don't reply with the same ol rhetoric about me being a DO who is a traitor for not buying into the OMM mumbo jumbo. I turned down a spot at a MD school because I truly believe in osteopathic principles, unfortunately I didn't do my homework and before I knew it I was a student at a school that taught some wacky OMM, namely cranial which has got to be the biggest load of bull I have ever learned.

This seemed kind of uncalled for 😀

 

[Pinkertinkle]

This seemed kind of uncalled for 😀

Someone has a chip on their shoulder?

Stuff you learn during clinical rotations won't be of much help to step 1. But having a few weeks off to review would be nice. I would take it later.

 

[deezballas]

There are many, many things that you have to learn just for the Boards & will never be asked about till the day you die. Who really wants to keep memorizing the non-enveloped viruses & what chromosome is messed up in CF??
I took my USMLE step 1 @ the end of 3rd year & while I ended up doing pretty well the re-learning of old material was a b****.
I suggest taking the NBME assessment exams to try & gauge your score & decide accordingly. If the results are not good, my take would be to take a vacation month to study or choose an easy FP/Psych rotation where there is no call & 8-5 hours leaving you plenty of time to study).

Also keep in mind that DO students have to reveal their USMLE scores if applying to allopathic residencies so if you do not pass, you won't be able to get away w/ using just your COMLEX scores like in times past.

I took two NBME assessments back in May, about a month before taking COMLEX. Passed both, but scored less than 200 on both. What really was disheartening was scoring worse on the second one after putting 7 days extra effort into my weaker areas(mainly pharm, respiratory, and neuro) listed from my first assessment score.

I didn't know DO students were required to release their USMLE scores... I actually heard the opposite. I knew that if you did poor on step 1 it may not be advantageous to take step 2 mainly because by releasing your step 2 score your step 1 score was automatically released as well.

 

[deezballas]

This seemed kind of uncalled for 😀

I refrained, and was actually being nice.... Don't even get me started. I could write a novel of complaints and issues I have with the AOA, DO schools, and the Hogwarts wizardry magic they teach referred to as OMT.

 

[deezballas]

Someone has a chip on their shoulder?

Stuff you learn during clinical rotations won't be of much help to step 1. But having a few weeks off to review would be nice. I would take it later.

During my first rotations I have found that with my reading of medical textbooks I come to better understand information that was prior just memorized. I guess I am hoping that delaying the exam will allow me the time for information to really sink in. So that when exam day comes I will be less reliant on memorizing all those mnemonics in first aid and more reliant on my retained medical knowlede.

 

[wingbowlchamp3]

i'm confused...

you said you turned down an allopathic school because you buy into the d.o. principles...yet you said in the first post that you might have to "settle" for a d.o. residency...and then you called omt wizadry and whatever else in your other post? your belief in the osteopathic way of doing things sounds very weak...if it exists at all. if it's just cranial that you don't like...then it's unfortunate you'd sell out your future profession just because there's one technique you don't agree with.

there would be no usmle/comlex debate if d.o. students wouldn't be so insecure.

 

[deezballas]

i'm confused...

you said you turned down an allopathic school because you buy into the d.o. principles...yet you said in the first post that you might have to "settle" for a d.o. residency...and then you called omt wizadry and whatever else in your other post? your belief in the osteopathic way of doing things sounds very weak...if it exists at all. if it's just cranial that you don't like...then it's unfortunate you'd sell out your future profession just because there's one technique you don't agree with.

there would be no usmle/comlex debate if d.o. students wouldn't be so insecure.

What the hell are you talking about? Where in this thread has anyone debated USMLE vs COMLEX? Please don't hijack this thread. There is no debate. They are two totally different tests. The COMLEX is poorly written and somewhat of a joke. I think all DO students should be required to take the USMLE and then take a 50Q test on whatever OMT related.

You really are confused aren't you? OMT does not define the osteopathic medical degree! I do agree with osteopathic PRINCIPLES of treating the whole person and not just symptoms I just don't agree with about 80% of OMT. I love how you call me a sell out. It's laughable! I knew cookoos like you would come out after reading my posts! I don't care if you disagree with me, and I don't care if people want to use OMT. The placebo effect is a great way to heal. I just don't want to use it, and that is why I don't want to go to an osteopathic residency.

I'm not even going to start addressing your comments more than I have. It's a total waste of time. You obviously feel inferior to MDs or you wouldn't get defensive whenever anyone talks bad of the AOA or anything osteopathic.

 

[FutureInternist]

Someone has a chip on their shoulder?

Stuff you learn during clinical rotations won't be of much help to step 1. But having a few weeks off to review would be nice. I would take it later.

I was actually referring to the preemptive F-off to the "MD haters". In any case my smiley at the end should have been indication as to my feelings. 😀

 

[FutureInternist]

I didn't know DO students were required to release their USMLE scores... I actually heard the opposite. I knew that if you did poor on step 1 it may not be advantageous to take step 2 mainly because by releasing your step 2 score your step 1 score was automatically released as well.

If you go to ERAS & look through there information packet, there is a spot (pg 16 or thereabouts) that states that ALL DO students HAVE to release their USMLE scores (starting 2008) IF they apply to allopathic residencies. (emphasis is my own)

This applies to Step 1 since when it comes to Step 2 DO students have the same options as our MD friends i.e. withhold scores until after interviews are over.

 

[deezballas]

If you go to ERAS & look through there information packet, there is a spot (pg 16 or thereabouts) that states that ALL DO students HAVE to release their USMLE scores (starting 2008) IF they apply to allopathic residencies. (emphasis is my own)

This applies to Step 1 since when it comes to Step 2 DO students have the same options as our MD friends i.e. withhold scores until after interviews are over.

Thanks for the heads up man, I appreciate it.

 

[Terpskins99]

I know this isn't the main point of thread, but I would be very VERY careful about keeping your opinions about the AOA and OMT to yourself.

Especially while you are interviewing for an ACGME anesthesia program, it would be in extraordinarily bad form to diss the organization that oversaw your medical education.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

During my first rotations I have found that with my reading of medical textbooks I come to better understand information that was prior just memorized. I guess I am hoping that delaying the exam will allow me the time for information to really sink in. So that when exam day comes I will be less reliant on memorizing all those mnemonics in first aid and more reliant on my retained medical knowlede.

Dunno bout that, I think the mnemonics are what's necessary for step I, while more clinical knowledge is useful for step II.

 

[Lamborghini1315]

During my first rotations I have found that with my reading of medical textbooks I come to better understand information that was prior just memorized. I guess I am hoping that delaying the exam will allow me the time for information to really sink in. So that when exam day comes I will be less reliant on memorizing all those mnemonics in first aid and more reliant on my retained medical knowlede.

It is true, if you actually spend time learning the material presented in school during a system through text books everything will make more sense. However, in preclinical years you are def not in a position to read tons of texts...esp for step 1 with the volume of information you are expected to know in all systems. So by you reading more books to understand vast amount of material will be counterproductive.You are more likely to mix details by reading a gizzilion txts pertinent to step-1...most people specialize these days because we all would like to master what we arleady learned..so wait till you pick a field you want to go into then you can expand your knowledge through more reading. My 2 cents.

 

[J1515]

I do agree with osteopathic PRINCIPLES of treating the whole person and not just symptoms

I'm glad I'm not an allopath. I could never treat just the symptoms. 🙄

 

[the alchemist]

don't care if you disagree with me, and I don't care if people want to use OMT. The placebo effect is a great way to heal. I just don't want to use it, and that is why I don't want to go to an osteopathic residency.

actually going to an osteopathic residency does not mean you will ever have to use OMT again if you don't want to - depends which specialty you chose, even in family med where a lot more docs do OMT, you can find non-OMT FM DO residencies. you say that you don't want to go to a DO residency for this reason but its b/c of "other" reasons - not b/c of being forced to do OMT. i can't say everything about OMT works but i can't say that none of it does either as i've been treated for a musculoskeletal problem with total resolution of the problem and the mechanics of why it worked in my situation totally make sense from an anatomy/biomechanics point of view. you do know that harvard has a contingent of docs who believe in OMT and that they have a short course for some of their MD residents on it as well as one of their big researchers does research on tensegrity which underlies some principles of certain OMT? people just need to know what it works for and what it doesn't. like acupuncture, it works for some things but not everything - i can say its great for ankle sprains. i can't say i'm a big cranial fan either but i wouldn't disregard the value of OMT just b/c of it either.

u can say the quality of DO residencies might be lower than MD or whatever it is that you truly think but (this seems to be your reason) i'd just say it like it is, that that's your reason and not b/c you will "have" to do OMT in a DO residency b/c frankly, that's not true. there's nothing wrong about wanting to go to an MD residency but don't misrepresent your reasons why. either that or you haven't done your homework if you think all DO residencies will require you to do OMT.

i'm not trying to be mean here, just pointing out the incorrect original premise you start your argument off of.