Many competitive residency programs, especially those in highly-rewarding career fields, may prefer or even require to see USMLE scores in addition to those for an osteopathic applicant’s COMLEX-USA. This means COMLEX USMLE test prep has become more common. In fact, taking both medical board exams generally optimizes the student’s options for residency selection to competitive specialties as well as being able to complete residency and practice medicine in a particular city or preferred geographic region.
“Whether or not an osteopathic student should take both medical licensing exams has become an important pre-residency decision that is largely dependent on the student’s career goals,” says Dr. Hans Wolf founder of the WOLFPACC Physician Achievement Concept Course. “For highly competitive specialties, impressive scores on both medical licensing exams can increase a student’s residency options and supports a broader range of career goals.”
Many medical students today have long-term plans to practice medicine in a particular area of the country and being accepted to and completing a residency in a given location definitely increases a doctor’s networking opportunities. Whereas mixed opinions will always exist as to which board exam is more difficult to pass, some consider the longer COMLEX-USA to be slightly harder, so osteopathic medical students choosing this more challenging approach definitely should plan their COMLEX USMLE test prep early on.
So, does residency location really matter…
Residency program managers typically say, “Yes, the residency location does matter to many osteopathic students in differing ways.” After all, residency is a very demanding period in the process of becoming a practicing physician and having access to both activities and people can contribute to an aspiring doctor’s overall well-being, as well as the balance they achieve in both their work and personal lives. This is especially true for students who need to keep relationships with family and friends close for extra support, such as for childcare.
Geographic location is one of the most significant factors in selecting a residency program for both the applicant and program director. Location influences various aspects, such as cost of living, which can directly affect a resident’s financial stability and lifestyle during training. If you have a spouse with a career, choosing a residency that aligns with their job opportunities is an important consideration, as is access to quality schools for those who have children. Additionally, location often plays a role in shaping a resident’s professional future.
Physicians often end up practicing in the same state or region where they trained due to the connections they build during residency. But, while staying local can help you establish roots, it might limit opportunities. When choosing a residency, students must evaluate each program’s unique strengths, patient population, and training. “While convenience and location matter,” adds Dr. Wolf, “the quality of training should be a top priority, as the residency experience directly impacts a physician’s skills and the level of patient care that the DO provides throughout his or her career.”
How to Maximize DO Residency Options
The fact is that osteopathic medical students often have a harder time getting residencies when compared to their counterpart allopathic med students. So, it appears that becoming an M.D. does allow those students to be a little more picky with their residency match. The Match is a standardized process in the United States that’s managed by the National Resident Matching Program using algorithms to find the best possible match for each student.
Although passing a series of standardized tests for the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination is required to become an osteopathic physician, according to a study published in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, about sixty percent of DO med students took at least one Step of the United States Medical Licensing Examination. More often than not this helps an aspiring DO when the results of the matching process are revealed on Match Day, which rewards their efforts for COMLEX USMLE test prep.
There is less difference in the two types of medical school nowadays, except for the fact that DOs must learn OMT, which treats musculoskeletal issues. DO students can apply to take USMLE Step exams to improve his or her chances of getting into the same residencies as MDs. But, by participating in The Match, both osteopathic and allopathic medical students agree to attend the residency program they match into through a contractual agreement. Applicants who do not match may participate in the supplemental offer and acceptance program (SOAP).
Why Students Should Stack Medical Exams
For many osteopathic medical students, the rationale is straightforward. Passing the COMLEX-USA is absolutely necessary for obtaining their degree while good USMLE scores is a key metric used in the residency selection process. Fortunately, for aspiring DOs, the subject matter covered in the USMLE and COMLEX-USA are very similar. Some students say it is beneficial to take the USMLE first, as this gives a few extra days to focus on OMM specifics before taking the COMLEX exam.
While USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1 are pass/fail, performance matters for Step 2CK and Level 2 as both remain scored, and scores are definitely considered by residency program managers. So once again, stacking Step 2 and Level 2 makes sense as a strong performance on these examinations can enhance a student’s choices. Even for osteopathic students who are unsure about applying for competitive residency programs, taking both exams can give them more flexibility throughout the residency application process making planned COMLEX USMLE test prep more important.
Although the AMA recognizes absolute equivalency for licensing purposes, osteopathic students are eligible to take the USMLE Step 3 exam after passing USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK, as well as holding an osteopathic degree from a COCA-accredited medical school. The USMLE Step 3 is not required for a DO’s medical licensure. But, this can be particularly important for DOs wanting to increase their competitiveness for residency specialties and fellowship positions. Some states may, however, require students to pass the COMLEX-USA Level 3 for medical licensure as a DO.
Photo credit Yan Krukau.
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Ultimately, the decision to take both COMLEX-USA and USMLE exams is a personal one that should be based on your individual circumstances, residency goals and career strategies. Dr. Hans Wolf devoted decades to developing WOLFPACC’s “The Power 5” Methodology for helping medical students understand how to apply the basic sciences that they learned in school to the practice of medicine. If you’re ready to be the best physician you can be, contact us today to schedule your COMLEX USMLE test prep. Dr. Hans Wolf and his team of professionals look forward to working with you as our next success story.
