USMLE Question

[The Tolf]

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Hey everyone, I have a quick question. I am a 3rd year DO student planning on going into EM, and I am trying to figure out Step 2 stuff. I took Step 1 COMLEX (but not USMLE) and got between 1 and 2 SDs from the mean, will have a Pedes EM paper out of Children's in Boston published soon. I am planning on taking USMLE Step II CK, but was hoping to avoid CS because it is $1000 and I already have to take COMLEX CS and CK. Do you think it will matter if I apply with only a USMLE CK score?
Thanks

 

[that dr. jack]

Hey everyone, I have a quick question. I am a 3rd year DO student planning on going into EM, and I am trying to figure out Step 2 stuff. I took Step 1 COMLEX (but not USMLE) and got between 1 and 2 SDs from the mean, will have a Pedes EM paper out of Children's in Boston published soon. I am planning on taking USMLE Step II CK, but was hoping to avoid CS because it is $1000 and I already have to take COMLEX CS and CK. Do you think it will matter if I apply with only a USMLE CK score?
Thanks

no need to take USMLE CS at all because it isn't required for your license and is not used to distinguish between applicants. but i would advise taking COMLEX PE early, like in may or june, just to get it over with and to avoid the hassle of getting a slot scheduled when everybody is trying to schedule it.

 

[allendo]

contact the programs you are interested in and ask what they would like. I sent out emails to the programs I was interested in and they were very honest about what they wanted to see.

 

[2008EMorbust]

i agree- you should check with places to see what individual requirements are.

honestly though, don't worry as much about all the residency planning now. (i wish i didn't focus as much on 4th year during third year...there will be PLENTY of time for that....ahh 4th year goodness how i love thee 🙂

focus on your 3rd year, learning, and doing well/enjoying clerkships.
those other factors you mentioned (boards/publications are great but most important are 3rd year clerkships and EM rotation evals).

 

[Future Doc B]

Is it essential for a DO student to take USMLE Step 2 CK if they've taken Step 1? For DOs, I've heard before that if your USMLE Step 1 score was good you don't need to take Step 2. Any comments/suggestions? I can think of so many other things that I would rather spend $400+ on...

 

[corpsmanUP]

I recommend taking Steps I and II of the USMLE if you are a DO. But forget about the physical exam USMLE test because it is not needed. We take out own and no program is going to care since we all know the test is pointless!

I took USMLE I and II because I wanted to proove that my good COMLEX scores were not a fluke and could be compared across the board to the USMLE. I was glad I did it because I got lots of good comments on the trail about how much it helped them to evaluate me. Well worth it!

Is it essential for a DO student to take USMLE Step 2 CK if they've taken Step 1? For DOs, I've heard before that if your USMLE Step 1 score was good you don't need to take Step 2. Any comments/suggestions? I can think of so many other things that I would rather spend $400+ on...