Usmle score

[Dr Dazzle]

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at what minimum score range does it stop being worth it to take step 1 if the goal is academic IM or ER? For example if you are in danger of a <220, would you still take it in addition to COMLEX?

 

[Petypet]

Depending how far below 220, you are 1 std deviation below the average. For IM you may be ok with that, but for EM you need closer to average USMLE for academic EM. I would still take USMLE but I would reevaluate my study habits to get at least average.

 

[Dr Dazzle]

Depending how far below 220, you are 1 std deviation below the average. For IM you may be ok with that, but for EM you need closer to average USMLE for academic EM. I would still take USMLE but I would reevaluate my study habits to get at least average.

What's the minimum score someone would be okay with for IM at a university program?

 

[kenjixshadow]

What's the minimum score someone would be okay with for IM at a university program?

230+, the higher the better. Take a look at #36 post.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/official-2016-im-match-results.1188438/

 

[Petypet]

What's the minimum score someone would be okay with for IM at a university program?

Around 220. Not all academic programs are Johns Hopkins, and if you apply broadly with around that you would be fine. That said, you should focus on step 1 and choosing a speciality next year. IM and EM are worlds apart and you shouldn't make your decision based on your assumption that you will score poorly.

 

[AlteredScale]

at what minimum score range does it stop being worth it to take step 1 if the goal is academic IM or ER? For example if you are in danger of a <220, would you still take it in addition to COMLEX?

Academic university IM is becoming a lot more competitive. I would def shoot for 230+ if you want a shot at the low tier and mid tier IM progrms. There will be many mid tier and high tier IM programs that will not take a DO. IcahnSOM University Hospital, BWH, Tufts, MGH, NYU Langone, BMC, UCSF, UCLA Ronald Reagan MC, UCSD, Scripps Green, UW, UNC, UVA, Duke, Yale, Stanford, UPenn, Montefiore, Cornell/Columbia NYP, BIDMC, WUSL, Northwestern Mcgaw, UChicago, Vandy, JHU are a few I cn think of.


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[Dr Dazzle]

Academic university IM is becoming a lot more competitive. I would def shoot for 230+ if you want a shot at the low tier and mid tier IM progrms. There will be many mid tier and high tier IM programs that will not take a DO. IcahnSOM University Hospital, BWH, Tufts, MGH, NYU Langone, BMC, UCSF, UCLA Ronald Reagan MC, UCSD, Scripps Green, UW, UNC, UVA, Duke, Yale, Stanford, UPenn, Montefiore, Cornell/Columbia NYP, BIDMC, WUSL, Northwestern Mcgaw, UChicago, Vandy, JHU are a few I cn think of.


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Are there any mid tier IM programs that take a COMLEX only? Or, is a USMLE needed to be considered?

 

[Mad Jack]

Are there any mid tier IM programs that take a COMLEX only? Or, is a USMLE needed to be considered?

While it isn't perfect, FRIEDA is helpful for looking into things like this. Some (but not all) programs will list whether they accept COMLEX or not, so just look at where you're interested in and see if they have any info. Again, the data isn't perfect, but it's better than nothing.

220+ should be your minimum goal for IM, with 230 being the ideal for having a fairly good shot at matching. If you're below that, you can still match IM, but you'll probably end up at a community program- not the end of the world, as not all community programs are created equal, but they certainly aren't going to open up the opportunities of a university program. But depending on your career goals, matching a community program might not be a career killer, so think about what you want out of your career, what you can get (as some programs are closed to DOs), and what you're capable of in regard to scores. Use those three factors to determine whether the USMLE is worthwhile.

 

[Petypet]

Are there any mid tier IM programs that take a COMLEX only? Or, is a USMLE needed to be considered?

Assume it's needed for academics, especially if you want fellowship


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[woahipo]

EM are worlds apart and you shouldn't make your decision based on your assumption that you will score poorly.

 

[SnowDoggy44]

Are there any mid tier IM programs that take a COMLEX only? Or, is a USMLE needed to be considered?

Going into IM this year, I only took COMLEX. I received 6 interview invites from the 14 university programs programs I applied to. These were almost all in the Midwest or South Central US.

 

[Catfish-Cupcake]

While it isn't perfect, FRIEDA is helpful for looking into things like this. Some (but not all) programs will list whether they accept COMLEX or not, so just look at where you're interested in and see if they have any info. Again, the data isn't perfect, but it's better than nothing.

220+ should be your minimum goal for IM, with 230 being the ideal for having a fairly good shot at matching. If you're below that, you can still match IM, but you'll probably end up at a community program- not the end of the world, as not all community programs are created equal, but they certainly aren't going to open up the opportunities of a university program. But depending on your career goals, matching a community program might not be a career killer, so think about what you want out of your career, what you can get (as some programs are closed to DOs), and what you're capable of in regard to scores. Use those three factors to determine whether the USMLE is worthwhile.

What do you mean by a career killer? Essentially shutting out the ability to move on to an I'M sub?

Also, could an unopposed community program be beneficial for someone interested in rural medicine or is the goal to get into as good of a program as possible and go from there? Haha, sorry for the slew of questions but your comment peaked my interest.

 

[IslandStyle808]

What do you mean by a career killer? Essentially shutting out the ability to move on to an I'M sub?

Both going into an IM subspecialty and a career in academic medicine. The residency training and where you do your training are both large factors in matching into the more competitive fellowships and even working in a university program. You want to go to the best academic program possible when it comes to IM.

Also, could an unopposed community program be beneficial for someone interested in rural medicine or is the goal to get into as good of a program as possible and go from there?

There are some really good community programs in IM as well, if your goal is just to practice as a PCP. However, if you want a greater amount of doors open it would be best to train in an academic program.

Haha, sorry for the slew of questions but your comment peaked my interest.

Answered in quoted.

 

[JoeUSA]

Are there any mid tier IM programs that take a COMLEX only? Or, is a USMLE needed to be considered?

When I was applying to residency programs I was told by more than one program director that I needed to submit USMLE scores because it permits comparison between applicants. If I did not take USMLE I could not be compared to the MDs that did take the exam. COMLEX does not permit comparison because MDs do not take it. Without USMLE scores, we are at a disadvantage and might not get an interview at all because the program directors do not know where we stand relative to other MD applicants.

 

[235009]

230+, the higher the better. Take a look at #36 post.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/official-2016-im-match-results.1188438/

Going into IM this year, I only took COMLEX. I received 6 interview invites from the 14 university programs programs I applied to. These were almost all in the Midwest or South Central US.

For IM:

Good advice above.

There are tons of low tier University programs in the Midwest and South that would be happy to have you and you can probably have a good shot at with a solid comlex score or a step 1 score of 220 and an otherwise above average application. Focus on programs affiliated with state schools. A few low tier programs in the northeast may also be options if you get that step score to 230+: Georgetown, GW, stony brook, Drexel, etc. For the handful of mid tier programs (like mayo and OHSU) that consider DOs you'll need to be a rockstar with 240+ and top of your class.


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[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Academic university IM is becoming a lot more competitive. I would def shoot for 230+ if you want a shot at the low tier and mid tier IM progrms. There will be many mid tier and high tier IM programs that will not take a DO. IcahnSOM University Hospital, BWH, Tufts, MGH, NYU Langone, BMC, UCSF, UCLA Ronald Reagan MC, UCSD, Scripps Green, UW, UNC, UVA, Duke, Yale, Stanford, UPenn, Montefiore, Cornell/Columbia NYP, BIDMC, WUSL, Northwestern Mcgaw, UChicago, Vandy, JHU are a few I cn think of.


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For reference in all these talks what tier would you call KU's IM program for example? Half their residents are either DOs or international.

I'm guessing generally academic programs in the Midwest aren't going to require all that high scores? or are they just generally low tier too?

 

[AlteredScale]

For reference in all these talks what tier would you call KU's IM program for example? Half their residents are either DOs or international.

I'm guessing generally academic programs in the Midwest aren't going to require all that high scores? or are they just generally low tier too?

From what I've seen, a lot of the tier consideration is built on NIH funding, fellowship match rate, and ability to send off their grads into academic positions. I'm not really aware of where KI sits but I'm guess between low and mid tier?


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[Drrrrrr. Celty]

From what I've seen, a lot of the tier consideration is built on NIH funding, fellowship match rate, and ability to send off their grads into academic positions. I'm not really aware of where KI sits but I'm guess between low and mid tier?


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Interesting, I've got to brush up on my IM know how just encase I back out of psych XD