What Programs don't shun the COMLEX

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

ryanpj

Senior Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
20+ Year Member
Joined
Oct 30, 1999
Messages
250
Reaction score
0
I have been suprised to find out the number of programs that either "prefer" as they say, or only accept the USMLE. Can anyone give any insight as to waht programs gladly accept the COMLEX.
 
The director of the program at maricopa ( an excellent allopathic program) is a D.O.
they have no problem with D.O. applicants or the comlex
 
Well I figured that, and honestly Maricopa and New Mexico are my top two picks. That being said without actually rotating through there; however I am so interested in Maricopa that I actually took a trip to Phoenix/Scottsdale two weeks ago just to tour the Hosp. there. I swear I thought the Psych Institute next to it was a jail with all of the razor barbed wire they had around it. I just would like to have plenty of back up in case Maricopa would not want me.
 
While they may have "no problem", any program would say they honestly prefer the USMLE...as being the only one posting here that actually went through the process, PD's would like to compare apples with apples. Though the PD of maricopa is a DO, he did NOT take the COMLEX as it was only introduced in 98 or so...interpretation of the COMLEX vs USMLE is difficult...our chair of the Dept yesterday made a joke and stated "yeah, he got a 98 on his COMLEX!...whatever that means?" it was quite funny, and further illustrates the problem of interpretation of test scores.

Phoenix is a wonderful place, and Maricopa is high profile...but the ED is TINY and hectic. I interviewed there, the residents are very happy, but that place is hard to work at.
 
Having applied successfully via ERAS last year, I was offered over 20+ interviews without taking the USMLE.

I wouldn't limit yourself to applying only to the places that you "believe" will accept yoru application without a USMLE score. You may not even know the truth. I was pleasantly surprised by some institutions that offered me interviews without the USMLE (Univ of FL, Univ of MD, MetroHealth, Ohio State, etc).

Obviously if geography is most important to you, apply to every single residency in the states you want to go. In the end, $25 bucks for each residency (if you are applying to over 20 programs) doesn't amoun to much.

Q
 
Top