USMLE and COMLEX Reporting

[Combatdoc88]

I am an osteopathic student who made the mistake of signing up for both exams. My question is about the residency application. Do you have to report both the USMLE and COMLEX? I am in the Army and some of the residencies only show average USMLE scores of students that matched (urology). I am going to decide next week whether I should cancel the USMLE. Your help is much appreciated.

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[DoctaJMa]

I am an osteopathic student who made the mistake of signing up for both exams. My question is about the residency application. Do you have to report both the USMLE and COMLEX? I am in the Army and some of the residencies only show average USMLE scores of students that matched (urology). I am going to decide next week whether I should cancel the USMLE. Your help is much appreciated.

Call the programs and ask if they accept COMLEX or if they still prefer to have USMLE scores.

 

[Slevin]

I would cancel the USMLE. There are plenty of DO students who only take the COMLEX, so unless you are applying for a ROAD residency then don't worry about it

 

[Combatdoc88]

Do I still have a shot at doing ER or General Surgery in the Army?

 

[Roberie]

From my perspective it almost seems like taking the USMLE helped your application. I realize you scored slightly below average on both exams, but having a 220 USMLE seems to mitigate (in my mind) the COMLEX score. Maybe I'm biased because I thought COMLEX was ridiculous. Anyhow, just look at the GME slide shows on MODS to gauge your relative competitiveness.

 

[Hotspur]

Is it mandatory to report both Step 1 scores?

I got a 244 USMLE and a 671 COMLEX.

 

[NavyFP]

Is it mandatory to report both Step 1 scores?

I got a 244 USMLE and a 671 COMLEX.

No, but those are both good scores.

 

[brucecanbeatyou]

combatdoc, I would report that USMLE for sure, but if you don't want to, I would find out whether your school includes them on your transcript. Some schools do, and if you don't report it on your app, but it is right there on your transcript, people are going to wonder.

 

[sonofva]

No, but those are both good scores.

someone told me that PDs know what a "good COMLEX" is. what is considered the cutoff for a "good" comlex for ARMY residencies? thx.

 

[bustbones26]

someone told me that PDs know what a "good COMLEX" is. what is considered the cutoff for a "good" comlex for ARMY residencies? thx.

Whenever I was in residency, my program director and other staff asked me every single year what a good COMLEX score was whenever they were reviewing applicants. So, don't count on them knowing.

That being said, I do think that they are smart enough to ask somebody.