West coast programs...COMLEX enough?

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DNAdude

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Im aware that PMR is a DO friendly program, but is the COMLEX enough for programs such as UCI, UCD, UCLA, LL. It seems they all accept both COMLEX and USMLE, but each year it is getting tougher to get into a PMR progream...so would it be wise to take the USMLE or do you guys think its a waste of money and time. If you end up doing equally on both tests....what does that really prove? any thoughts/suggestions?
 
from what I hear the west coast schools all accept comlex w/o having to take usmle; granted you pass the first attempt.
 
I ve heard that this is not the case with UCLA. They want DOs with USMLEs.
 
arch said:
I ve heard that this is not the case with UCLA. They want DOs with USMLEs.
UCLA has interviewed plenty of DOs who has never taken the USMLE. I know a few people who interviewed there.
 
thanks for everyone's reply
for those who care.... after my research and emails to residents and directors of programs it is better if you do take USMLE for UCLA (the director of the program told me i would be at a disadvantage otherwise), this also stands for stanford and UW. I have not met any resident who is in one of the above programs that has only taken the COMLEX! I would love to here from those residents that only took the COMLEX and are at one of the above institutions.
 
I know two DOs that matched to UW without USMLE scores. Both were PCOM OMM fellows, one is a PG-2 and the other is an intern.



QUOTE=DNAdude]thanks for everyone's reply
for those who care.... after my research and emails to residents and directors of programs it is better if you do take USMLE for UCLA (the director of the program told me i would be at a disadvantage otherwise), this also stands for stanford and UW. I have not met any resident who is in one of the above programs that has only taken the COMLEX! I would love to here from those residents that only took the COMLEX and are at one of the above institutions.[/QUOTE]
 
I know one at UCLA and one at UCI that had no USMLE scores. Both had rotated at these institutions, however, and are California natives....which I have gathered is an important factor outside of whether or not you have USMLE scores. The fact of the matter is that there are DO's at both and I have heard that UCLA took more DO's than they have ever taken last year....I don't really know what the significance of this is. UCI has some prominent staff who are quite blatantly anti-D.O. despite the fact there are several in the program, and the overall sentiment is that they want US MDs.....I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, though.
Benway
 
Can anyone add input about these California programs (strong points /weak points/ interviews etc...). I have not heard much about UCLA and UCI specifically. Thanks for any input you may add.
 
docbenway said:
UCI has some prominent staff who are quite blatantly anti-D.O. despite the fact there are several in the program, and the overall sentiment is that they want US MDs.....I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, though.
Benway

You might want to the ACGME's Residency Review Committee know about this.


http://www.physiatry.org/education/rrc.html
 
To be anti-DO in PM&R is just so very much ******ED. Other specialties, it might be a different case, but there is a lot of advantage to having OMM in the PM&R world. No, I'm not saying DOs are better than MDs in PM&R or any of that. And I DO agree that MDs should be preferred for allopathic PM&R residencies...hell, you should take care of your own med studs first! I would!
 
DNAdude said:
Im aware that PMR is a DO friendly program, but is the COMLEX enough for programs such as UCI, UCD, UCLA, LL. It seems they all accept both COMLEX and USMLE, but each year it is getting tougher to get into a PMR progream...so would it be wise to take the USMLE or do you guys think its a waste of money and time. If you end up doing equally on both tests....what does that really prove? any thoughts/suggestions?

I received invites to interview at both UCD and Stanford and I did NOT take USMLE only the COMLEX. Would you really want to be at a program that does not recognize your profession's national board exam? I would not, almost seems like a slap in the face.

Only interviewed at UCD....Very nice program for outpatient/msk training. Also you will receive probably one of the best peds training available through the Shriner's hospital...it is one of the only shriner hospitals that does orth, burn, onco, and spinal cord. I was very impressed withe PD, really laid back it was almost like we were old friends just catching up for 1/2 hour than a formal interview.
 
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