What residencies available with a 550ish COMLEX? Also do I need USMLE as a OMS?

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monarchyyyyy

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Hey all, just wondering, if one gets a 550, what are the chances of matching residencies like IM, Psych, and PMR. I read the charting outcomes and the average accepted students' COMLEX Level 1s are 550, 515, and 530 respectively. Just wondering if I'm at the average should I do anything else to improve my chances.
Also I plan to graduate in 2021, should I also take the USMLE to have a better chance to match those residencies?
 
If you average 30 miles (average of all same model cars) on your car with unleaded gasoline but can average 60 miles by using Plus gasoline for a few bucks more, would you not?

Want more analogies?
 
monarchyyyyy said:
Hey all, just wondering, if one gets a 550, what are the chances of matching residencies like IM, Psych, and PMR. I read the charting outcomes and the average accepted students' COMLEX Level 1s are 550, 515, and 530 respectively. Just wondering if I'm at the average should I do anything else to improve my chances.
Also I plan to graduate in 2021, should I also take the USMLE to have a better chance to match those residencies?
Click to expand...
If you were a student with a preclinical GPA of 85% or higher, I suggest taking USMLE.
 
You can interview a lot of non competitive specialties ( e.g non surgery) with a 550. But when match lists are made and when your rank list is made, not having a USMLE score will impact things.
 
The question of this tread smacks of someone who did literally zero research before they asked. There are excellent nrmp charts from multiple years with data on average board scores and other important factors as well. Not only that there are thousands, literally thousands if not tens of thousands discussing the “shoutI USMLE” conundrum.
 
Here's a question somewhat related, so I guess it's not a complete hijack.

COMLEX = 550s
USMLE = <210

I only ask this because all the data only shows the test scores separate from each other. Though I am interested in FM and have an extensive history to indicate that, I also like Psych and IM. Hate anything surgery.

Live in Midwest and will be staying there for residency (thank god not the coasts).
 
This question keeps getting repeated. Yes, you will benefit by having a USMLE score. 2021 means you will no longer have AOA and there will probably be some 500 extra DOs graduating from new institutions. The COMLEX simply will not cut it anymore unless you want to match at some place that's not ideal. Psych has become increasingly competitive due to the lifestyle, so I can't recommend anyone apply with just a COMLEX and hope they will match
 
Sardonix said:
Here's a question somewhat related, so I guess it's not a complete hijack.

COMLEX = 550s
USMLE = <210

I only ask this because all the data only shows the test scores separate from each other. Though I am interested in FM and have an extensive history to indicate that, I also like Psych and IM. Hate anything surgery.

Live in Midwest and will be staying there for residency (thank god not the coasts).
Click to expand...

I think that if you apply very liberally in the Midwest you'll be able to interview at a decent number of programs in any of those fields. I don't know FM or IM, but for Psychiatry you'll probably be interviewing at majority community programs with some sprinkles of university programs mainly at places you have connections to and or do Sub-Is in. Though I would also say that applying broadly including to university programs is worth while too.

I think that the most important thing for Psych and especially in the Midwest is that you pass your Level 2 and PE on your first attempt. Failing either will tank your application significantly. In either case apply to 60+ programs.
 
Drrrrrr. Celty said:
I think that if you apply very liberally in the Midwest you'll be able to interview at a decent number of programs in any of those fields. I don't know FM or IM, but for Psychiatry you'll probably be interviewing at majority community programs with some sprinkles of university programs mainly at places you have connections to and or do Sub-Is in. Though I would also say that applying broadly including to university programs is worth while too.

I think that the most important thing for Psych and especially in the Midwest is that you pass your Level 2 and PE on your first attempt. Failing either will tank your application significantly. In either case apply to 60+ programs.
Click to expand...

Appreciate the input. That's along the lines I was thinking. I figure even if I stick with FM, there's a decent amount of psych involved so crossing my fingers I don't absolutely fall in love with psych so that I can go with the less stressful application path, ha.
 
Drrrrrr. Celty said:
I think that if you apply very liberally in the Midwest you'll be able to interview at a decent number of programs in any of those fields. I don't know FM or IM, but for Psychiatry you'll probably be interviewing at majority community programs with some sprinkles of university programs mainly at places you have connections to and or do Sub-Is in. Though I would also say that applying broadly including to university programs is worth while too.

I think that the most important thing for Psych and especially in the Midwest is that you pass your Level 2 and PE on your first attempt. Failing either will tank your application significantly. In either case apply to 60+ programs.
Click to expand...
Like 8 people went unmatched at my school last year for psych. It's not as easy as it was just 5 years ago.
 
AlbinoHawk DO said:
Like 8 people went unmatched at my school last year for psych. It's not as easy as it was just 5 years ago.
Click to expand...

Currently applying psych this year. It's honestly a **** show even with good step scores. But plenty of people I know are interviewing 10+ programs with lower step scores, albeit mainly at community programs.
 
Sardonix said:
Here's a question somewhat related, so I guess it's not a complete hijack.

COMLEX = 550s
USMLE = <210

I only ask this because all the data only shows the test scores separate from each other. Though I am interested in FM and have an extensive history to indicate that, I also like Psych and IM. Hate anything surgery.

Live in Midwest and will be staying there for residency (thank god not the coasts).
Click to expand...

True but false.

https://mk0nrmpcikgb8jxyd19h.kinsta...Charting-Outcomes-in-the-Match-2018-Osteo.pdf

They report both in the same document, specific to DO students. Since you’ve taken both with variability, you can assume your data set would be more in the 210 data set.
 
You should take USMLE step 1 and step 2 CK. No ACGME program will give two licks about any score on COMLEX if you've performed even slightly below average on USMLE.
 
MightBeACylon439 said:
This is not that urgent. Analyze the data and come back with more questions. This is a good exercise in personal triage friend.
Click to expand...

Apologies, I suppose I should better explain I was wondering how you came to the 210 range. Just averaged the percentiles of the two scores?
 
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