Unexpected love for pathology during 3rd yr. COMLEX ok?

[Regiment]

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I am a third year DO student. I am currently on rotations and during my surgery rotations I spent a lot of time in the pathology lab. I developed a very fond interest in surgical pathology and even forensic pathology.

That being said. I had planned to only apply to DO residencies for my application/ had never thought I would be interested in path. I am now conflicted because pathology is an allopathic residency. I took COMLEX Step I. I did ok, not stellar. I called some programs that stated they would accept my USMLE step II score even if I did not take Step 1 as step 1 is not required for Step 2. 😕

Since I am on rotations I want to focus my energy on studying for Step II COMLEX and Step II USMLE. I feel like it would hurt me to take USMLE Step I and just get a mediocre score. Do you think I have no chance if I just apply with my dismal Step I COMLEX Score and great Step II scores?

I appreciate any input. Thank you!

 

[tspath84]

Don't worry about taking Usmle I if you haven't already taken it. I am a DO student going through the application process now, and I knew I wanted to do path from the beginning of med. school so I planned and did take both comlex and usmle I & II.

It all depends on where you are looking to apply as some programs really want to see those usmle scores, and others as long as you pass decently with comlex they will accept just comlex. I say start a list of places you'd like to apply to next year, and just send an email asking if comlex is acceptable without usmle. I met a few other DO students on rotations going into path who just did comlex and have gotten several interviews all over. Just be sure to apply to a good number of programs, study hard for level 2, and do your research of programs.
Good luck!!

 

[Regiment]

Don't worry about taking Usmle I if you haven't already taken it. I am a DO student going through the application process now, and I knew I wanted to do path from the beginning of med. school so I planned and did take both comlex and usmle I & II.

It all depends on where you are looking to apply as some programs really want to see those usmle scores, and others as long as you pass decently with comlex they will accept just comlex. I say start a list of places you'd like to apply to next year, and just send an email asking if comlex is acceptable without usmle. I met a few other DO students on rotations going into path who just did comlex and have gotten several interviews all over. Just be sure to apply to a good number of programs, study hard for level 2, and do your research of programs.
Good luck!!

Thanks a lot! Ya, I did call some programs and that is the same thing that I heard. Good luck on your interviews!

 

[IgnisDU]

I'm a 4th year DO applying for pathology programs. I've found that all PG prefer to have USMLE scores, and it may hurt you qualitatively to not have them. That being said, out of the western programs only Harbor-UCLA has given me a hard time about it.