Which OMFS programs require NBME if you have a numerical NBDE score?

[JefftheCowboy]

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Are there any programs out there that require NBME for the coming cycle regardless of whether you have a good NBDE score?

Please do state your sources. Thank you all.

 

[alxspider]

Are there any programs out there that require NBME for the coming cycle regardless of whether you have a good NBDE score?

Please do state your sources. Thank you all.

From what I understand, if you have a NBDE score, it is not required of you to take the NBME. However, there are some programs that require a NBME score. Just call the programs that you are interested in and ask.

 

[Jake8]

Just call the programs that you are interested in and ask.

Best advice you are going to receive.

As I understand it most programs are going to start using it as another way to compare students and if you don't take it be prepared to explain during interviews why you didn't take it when most others in the application pool did. With some 6 year residents not passing step one of the USMLE many 6 year programs are going to make it necessary to take it since it has pretty good representation of how well you are prepared for step one.

 

[JefftheCowboy]

Best advice you are going to receive.

As I understand it most programs are going to start using it as another way to compare students and if you don't take it be prepared to explain during interviews why you didn't take it when most others in the application pool did. With some 6 year residents not passing step one of the USMLE many 6 year programs are going to make it necessary to take it since it has pretty good representation of how well you are prepared for step one.

Program directors are very busy and in my experience, they rarely respond to emails so contacting them or their secretaries hasn't worked.

I appreciate your advice, however, I was hoping for some responses quoting program directors or attendings rather than opinions from dental students. With that said, I do somewhat agree that Program directors will be worried about someone applying to their 6yr spot with a high 80 on the NBDE, however, I am asking about someone applying with a high 90.

 

[Spaceman Spif]

Program directors are very busy and in my experience, they rarely respond to emails so contacting them or their secretaries hasn't worked.

I appreciate your advice, however, I was hoping for some responses quoting program directors or attendings rather than opinions from dental students. With that said, I do somewhat agree that Program directors will be worried about someone applying to their 6yr spot with a high 80 on the NBDE, however, I am asking about someone applying with a high 90.

Just a dental student here.

If you have a strong NBDE score, then don't take the test. But know that there will be others who have just as good of a score who WILL take the exam. So there's that.

As someone stated earlier, the vast majority of applicants this upcoming year will have NBME scores. If your app does not, it will stand out for the wrong reasons. However, it won't matter because you have a strong NBDE, which is the test most PDs are familiar with.

If I were you, I would take it. It is a practice run for the Step I that you'll take later anyway, plus you already have a NBDE cushion to land on if you don't do well.

 

[alxspider]

Just a dental student here.

If you have a strong NBDE score, then don't take the test. But know that there will be others who have just as good of a score who WILL take the exam. So there's that.

As someone stated earlier, the vast majority of applicants this upcoming year will have NBME scores. If your app does not, it will stand out for the wrong reasons. However, it won't matter because you have a strong NBDE, which is the test most PDs are familiar with.

If I were you, I would take it. It is a practice run for the Step I that you'll take later anyway, plus you already have a NBDE cushion to land on if you don't do well.

Also, if you F up on the test, you can just not send in the scores. However, know that you life will suck big hairy balls while you study for it.

 

[Toronto77]

I do somewhat agree that Program directors will be worried about someone applying to their 6yr spot with a high 80 on the NBDE, however, I am asking about someone applying with a high 90.

Cowboy,

- As an intelligent guy you already know the answer to the question, a program of course would desire a NBME score if available.
- Why, they want to "invest" in the best horse they can, more information higher probability of success on their bet.

- To pontificate, individual "X" has a NBDE of 95 (stellar). Candidate "Y" has a NBDE of 87, NBME equivalent to 195 (passing Step I).
- Hmmm, as a PD (especially 6yr) that would be a tough decision as high NBDE scores have had a strong positive predictive value on USMLE success. However, a passing score on the NBME would have a higher specificity would it not?
- I tried to throw in some biostatistics for fun as it is a subject I find far less then enjoyable but am trying.

- Some more food for thought and opinion.
- 6 yr programs I suspect will all go to requiring the NBME sooner then later, again they look bad when their folks aren't passing the USMLE exams.
- Lastly, programs understand the commitment the NBME vs the NBDE.

- This pass MATCH was interesting with all the unmatched program being strong 6 yr programs.
- What this year an enigma with less candidates applying for the 6 yr programs?
- I suspect some people are applying to 4 yr programs simply because of the already incurred substantial debt without wanting the burden of another 2-3 yrs of med school debt?

So that completes my random thoughts as I dream of meeting the mean on a block of UWorld questions....

 

[JefftheCowboy]

I'm not really asking whether it would be optimal for me to take the NBME anyway. I am only trying to find out if any program directors have rejected the AAOMS recommendation and stated that NBME will be mandatory for the coming cycle.
I appreciate your analysis and do agree with most of it.

 

[The Anhedonia]

I'm not really asking whether it would be optimal for me to take the NBME anyway. I am only trying to find out if any program directors have rejected the AAOMS recommendation and stated that NBME will be mandatory for the coming cycle.
I appreciate your analysis and do agree with most of it.

no one has rejected this. it's official and universal.

 

[EJsDad]

I'm not really asking whether it would be optimal for me to take the NBME anyway. I am only trying to find out if any program directors have rejected the AAOMS recommendation and stated that NBME will be mandatory for the coming cycle.
I appreciate your analysis and do agree with most of it.

He didn't say he would reject people for not having it, and I got an interview without it, but the University of Cincinnati PD requested that I take it even though I have an NBDE in the 90s. My thought is that for this up-coming cycle it is better to have it than to skip out.