Will step II outweigh step I? Should I bother with USMLE?

[anxiousnadd]

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Hello all,

I'm an osteopathic medical student who didn't do too hot on my COMLEX step 1 exam. However, I rank decently high in my class and I've been doing extremely well on my 3rd year rotations so far (all have been honors or high pass except one which I got a regular pass). In any case, I'm not sure what specialty I'd like to go into, and so I was thinking about taking USMLE step II along with the required COMLEX that we have to take in order to graduate. My question(s) is(are), should I even bother with taking the USMLE step II? Although I'm not 100% sure, I am however starting to consider Pediatric Cardiology as a potential career path. The only problem is, do I need to take USMLE step III for this (or any other fellowship in anything)? If so, does that mean I need step II?

This whole thing is giving me a headache. Any advice/suggestions will be much appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Blade28]

Wait, are you worried about residency or fellowship?

IM's competitiveness is much less of a worry than Cards'.

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

match into a Pedi residency. Then do a nice job and worry about getting the cardiology fellowship.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Hello all,

I'm an osteopathic medical student who didn't do too hot on my COMLEX step 1 exam. However, I rank decently high in my class and I've been doing extremely well on my 3rd year rotations so far (all have been honors or high pass except one which I got a regular pass). In any case, I'm not sure what specialty I'd like to go into, and so I was thinking about taking USMLE step II along with the required COMLEX that we have to take in order to graduate. My question(s) is(are), should I even bother with taking the USMLE step II? Although I'm not 100% sure, I am however starting to consider Pediatric Cardiology as a potential career path. The only problem is, do I need to take USMLE step III for this (or any other fellowship in anything)? If so, does that mean I need step II?

This whole thing is giving me a headache. Any advice/suggestions will be much appreciated.

Thank you

It doesn't sound like you've taken USMLE Step 1, just COMLEX.

AFAIK, your DO colleagues are divided on the matter, but the fact is that if you are at all considering allopathic residencies, some of them will not take your COMLEX and will require you to have taken USMLE Step 1 and possibly 2.

USMLE Step 3 is only required if you are going to be licensed using that route (rather than the COMLEX route) but some programs require that you take it to be eligible for their fellowship. In addition, you should check with the American Board of Pediatrics to make sure that you are eligible for Board Certification if you do your peds residency in an osteo program and fellowship in an allo program.

 

[Blade28]

Ah yes.

You can't take USMLE Step 2 CK before Step 1, right?

 

[Faebinder]

Ah yes.

You can't take USMLE Step 2 CK before Step 1, right?

I believe you can if you graduated.

But you can't take Step III before Step II and Step I.

 

[Blade28]

I believe you can if you graduated.

But you can't take Step III before Step II and Step I.

Ah, OK, didn't know that!

Thanks!

 

[predodoc]

how many allopathic fellowships (IM or Peds) want usmle III scores? Im considering IM and wasnt planing to take usmle II or III since I did well on usmle I and comlex I. But if Usmle III is a big part of getting fellowships I might have to consider doing all 3 even thought I really really dont want to.

 

[Winged Scapula]

how many allopathic fellowships (IM or Peds) want usmle III scores? Im considering IM and wasnt planing to take usmle II or III since I did well on usmle I and comlex I. But if Usmle III is a big part of getting fellowships I might have to consider doing all 3 even thought I really really dont want to.

Don't know...and you wouldn't know unless you looked at each program. The reason I mentioned it was because a couple that I looked at when answering your question above said ALL candidates had to take it (ie, no difference for DO or MD). But you might wish to clarify it when you get closer to fellowship applications.

BTW, some IM allopathic residencies may want you to take Step 2 so don't rule that out.

 

[whitecoat]

If you are applying for allopathic residency, I strongly suggest you to take both USMLE I and II, especially if you are thinking about obtaining fellowship. I encountered a lot of faculty interviewers who were not familiar with Comlex scores. If you can, plan to have your USMLE step II done before November. I was asked for USMLE step II on a few of my interviews and regretted that I didn't take it earlier.

 

[buckley]

I believe you can if you graduated.

But you can't take Step III before Step II and Step I.

I think so too. Just thought I'd add FYI: IMGs can take Step 2 CS or CK before Step 1 provided they are within the requred months prior to graduation (I forgot exactly what). So some take CS then CK then 1 or Ck, 1 then CS...they can rehash it. Step III needs the ECFMG certificate, which requires all Step 1 and 2 scores.

 

[predodoc]

If you are applying for allopathic residency, I strongly suggest you to take both USMLE I and II, especially if you are thinking about obtaining fellowship. I encountered a lot of faculty interviewers who were not familiar with Comlex scores. If you can, plan to have your USMLE step II done before November. I was asked for USMLE step II on a few of my interviews and regretted that I didn't take it earlier.

I wasnt planning to take step 2(COMLEX and possibly USMLE) until november or december. Should I really consider taking it earlier to have my scores in for most of my interviews?

I signed up for the Comlex PE part on Oct 6th.

 

[whitecoat]

I would take step II (comlex and USMLE) before November. You will find that it is difficult to focus on studying during the interview season. In addition, the majority of applicants have step II scores available by November. Although many programs do not require step II for matching, but I was told that they would prefer step II scores available before finalizing ROL. I feel that my application would be more completed if I have USMLE step II score. I used one of my elective month to study for Comlex, using First Aid and USMLE world and Saverere (spelling?) for OMT. Highly recommend USMLE world.