Very depressed, important advice needed

[BullsDoctor]

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Hello everyone, good news is that today I found out that I passed my COMLEX Level 2. But last week I found out that I failed the comlex PE, which was definitely a bitter pill to swallow to say the least. Although I may sound bitter, I feel the PE is a bogus exam. It's very subjective and evidently I failed biomechanical/biomedical portion of it (specifically the OMM section!). I passed the humanistic portion, which is why most people fail. What's most aggravating is the complete lack of feedback for such an expensive test-$1295!! The next available date for the PE is in December, which means the result will come out in the 1st week of February, right before the ROL is due! I'm extremely worried that I will not match.

I applied with only the level 1 back and so far received only 7 interviews. I don't have any red flags other than this failed PE. I was waiting for my results all this time and planned on sending all the programs an update email. Now I'm very discouraged. I know that I'm not in a good position, but is it more probable that I will have to scramble now given that my retake PE results will come back early February and ROL is due mid Feb? Should I still send my level 2 and failed PE results to all the programs now and inform them that I signed up retake PE? Is there anything else that I can do improve this situation and perhaps get more interviews at this point? I know there are a lot of knowledgeable posters here and even some program directors, I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

 

[OldPsychDoc]

You have 7 interviews already on the strength of what you have--that's not bad, all things considered. I doubt that any will call and cancel you b/c of the PE--so send that passed CK and drop them an email about the retake date (or wait and tell them at the interviews). You're fortunate to have a definite date for the PE retake--it's not always easy to get. And now you'll have a reason to email all your programs in the first week of February to "update" them with your passing score (or let them know that you're withdrawing this year...but let's not go there.)

 

[BullsDoctor]

You have 7 interviews already on the strength of what you have--that's not bad, all things considered. I doubt that any will call and cancel you b/c of the PE--so send that passed CK and drop them an email about the retake date (or wait and tell them at the interviews). You're fortunate to have a definite date for the PE retake--it's not always easy to get. And now you'll have a reason to email all your programs in the first week of February to "update" them with your passing score (or let them know that you're withdrawing this year...but let's not go there.)

Thank you for the feedback. When do program directors like yourself finalize their rank order list? Assuming I pass the retake, would it be considered too late during the first week of February to let PDs know of my retake PE results in terms of still being ranked? Thanks again.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Thank you for the feedback. When do program directors like yourself finalize their rank order list? Assuming I pass the retake, would it be considered too late during the first week of February to let PDs know of my retake PE results in terms of still being ranked? Thanks again.

Usually the first couple of weeks of February. Our rankings are due the same time yours are.

 

[BullsDoctor]

Usually the first couple of weeks of February. Our rankings are due the same time yours are.

Thanks for the reply. Definitely feel a little bit better know that I may not be completely out even with the PE results coming out in early Feb.

 

[downwithDTB]

Just an applicant... but if you're going to tell PDs, perhaps you should show them the score report if you did well in everything but OMM. Given that every MD would probably fail that test (honestly, I have no clue what OMM really is) and that I doubt it's particularly relevant to psychiatry... perhaps a "Hey, I'm actually a really pleasant person, I just forgot a little OMM but I'm studying it now" along with proof that you did fine on the rest might make the PDs rest easier. If I were a PD in this situation, and everything else about your application said "Interview this person" part of me might want to give you an extra point or two in my mind for the OMM failure (and of course a small part would be worried...) I'd probably put down this fear by asking what you're doing to fix it at interview. But I have no idea how the brains of PDs really work...

 

[OldPsychDoc]

...But I have no idea how the brains of PDs really work...

Neither do I...

 

[BullsDoctor]

Neither do I...

Speaking of PDs. I just had my 1st interview and no one brought up the COMLEX PE failure. I'm guessing that they didn't know it yet since I resent my scores only several days prior to the interview. I didn't bring it up because I found it awkward to just say "Oh btw I failed the PE..." Should I email the coordinator and update her regarding the situation now after the interview? And for future interview (have one Monday), should I bring up the topic despite the embarrassment even if the PD/interviewers do not mention it?

 

[splik]

No you should absolutely not draw attention to your deficiencies but be prepared to explain them if asked. You should be selling yourself in the interviews focusing on their strengths. You'd be amazed how people shoot themselves in the foot by doing with what you are suggesting. just NO don't do it! I wish schools would prepare their students better

 

[BullsDoctor]

No you should absolutely not draw attention to your deficiencies but be prepared to explain them if asked. You should be selling yourself in the interviews focusing on their strengths. You'd be amazed how people shoot themselves in the foot by doing with what you are suggesting. just NO don't do it! I wish schools would prepare their students better

Thanks for the advice. However, would you recommend that I email them after the interview and let them know of the COMLEX PE failure (of course assuming that they don't bring it up during the interview) and that I will update them once the results of the retake comes back in early February?

 

[splik]

why draw attention to it? Presumably your transcript will update on ERAS. If they ask explain you were surprised to have failed it was apparently because of OMM and you are scheduled to retake and the result will be available in feb. Conversely you absolutely want to contact programs once your passing PE score is reported in Feb.

 

[splik]

Also do not assume that because they don't mention it thry do not know. They most likely will know. They may not mention it because they want to spend the day selling the program to you and aren't overly concerned about it. Not going to lie to you though - the PE/CS exams are the worst to fail because the overwhelming majority pass it will reflect badly on you. If you otherwise did well and your letters and clerkship grades are good then that will go a long way to assuage any anxiety about your clinical or interpersonal skills. However if other deficiencies (poor clerkship grades, lukewarm or short letters of recommendation, barely passing the other parts of the board exam, DO school no one has ever heard of etc)are present then you're in trouble and want to be selling your strengths (without overcompensating or seeming excessively neurotic) rather than drawing more attention to this red flag.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Why will programs even know? Did eras change to automatically update with all knew scores? Releasing new scores used to be optional.

 

[notdeadyet]

However if other deficiencies (poor clerkship grades, lukewarm or short letters of recommendation, barely passing the other parts of the board exam, DO school no one has ever heard of etc)are present then you're in trouble and want to be selling your strengths (without overcompensating or seeming excessively neurotic) rather than drawing more attention to this red flag.

This.

Interviews are an opportunity for you to highlight your strengths and for programs to get a chance to know you. They are also opportunities for explanations for things that require explanation. If there is a two year gap in the middle of medical school, you should explain rather than folks fear the worst.

But a low or failed test? We know what it means and why it happened. Taking time and focus away from your song this to talk about how you had the flu or your mom was sick or whatever is not helpful. Stick with the interview and what it can do for you. Don't waste precious time talking about why you failed and letting that be the impression you cut.

 

[whodunit030]

Also do not assume that because they don't mention it thry do not know. They most likely will know. They may not mention it because they want to spend the day selling the program to you and aren't overly concerned about it. Not going to lie to you though - the PE/CS exams are the worst to fail because the overwhelming majority pass it will reflect badly on you. If you otherwise did well and your letters and clerkship grades are good then that will go a long way to assuage any anxiety about your clinical or interpersonal skills. However if other deficiencies (poor clerkship grades, lukewarm or short letters of recommendation, barely passing the other parts of the board exam, DO school no one has ever heard of etc)are present then you're in trouble and want to be selling your strengths (without overcompensating or seeming excessively neurotic) rather than drawing more attention to this red flag.

How do you make the best of the bolded above? It's obviously something you cannot control so it is what it is, but what are some things you can do to get programs to look past this and consider you?