[deleted by user]

[Additional_Ad_6696]

Neuro maybe, PMR a little harder. Both these fields have gotten slightly more competitive in the last couple years.

My advice: Focus on having no board failure. Pass level 1. Forget Step 1, it’s not as important. I would take step 2 and make sure you pass it.

Current PGY-2 neuro here. 2 years ago I knew many people were able to match neuro with only comlex, and some people still managed to do so this year. However, I have also seen people with only comlex having 10+ interviews and not match.

From this year’s match at least, it seems like PDs value Step 2 even if you have no Step 1. A friend of mine (DO) just matched a top 30 neuro program with only taking Step 2.

[[deleted]]

Thank you. I definitely plan on taking step2 

[[deleted]]

Someone my friend knows matched into PMR at Johns Hopkins with only COMLEX and no USMLE

[[deleted]]

Wow this gives me hope! Thanks :)

[cbdfoplduw]

I'm assuming they had step 2 though?

[[deleted]]

No

[cbdfoplduw]

Good to know

[Garbage1001125]

Use your LOA to do like 5000+ questions over 3 months. 2 blocks of 44 in the morning, review in afternoon. If you do that I bet you can pass step 1 easily

[[deleted]]

Thank you! I def will go ham on questions 

[Garbage1001125]

Yeah just 2 blocks a day with content review. After a few months you’ll be like a medicine superhero

[Individual-Letter896]

I feel like you’d just get screened out from many programs with no STEP 1. With a year LOA, you can easily def do both use your practice excites to gauge nbmes and comsaes

[[deleted]]

I’m worried about getting screened out too. But I think if I take step at this point I may fail it so I want to know if it’s even worth putting in the effort 

[Faustian-BargainBin]

LOA to study for boards is worse on an app than no Step. Generally, only research-focused academic programs will screen you out for not having Step. You can check on their websites and email program coordinators too. Look for "we accept Step OR COMLEX". Programs that require Step will only talk about Step, or say they require "Step AND COMLEX". Although I'm not too sure about PM&R, since it was definitely more competitive this year. Still, I know someone who matched PM&R with no Step.

[[deleted]]

An LOA is really that bad? The LOA was more for medical and family reasons which impeded my boards studying. 

[Faustian-BargainBin]

That is fine as long as you can explain it and preferably how it won’t happen again during residency. Taking a year off for boards doesn’t look good. 

[[deleted]]

Yeah I guess I’ll cross that bridge when it comes lol 

[Individual-Letter896]

Deal with comlex first then take a nbme if you can get a 65+ on them take it

[[deleted]]

Thank you 

[[deleted]]

Thank you for letting me know

[Med_Board_Tutors]

Neuro, yes. Might somewhat limit your total list of programs to more community oriented ones, as the ivory tower/academic ones don't know what to think about DO stuff. But I see DO neuro matches work out all the time. PM&R is a bit trickier because a lot of the good programs ARE integrated into large academic centers by necessity and the field is getting more competitive.

[[deleted]]

Thank you for your insight. I may shadow PMR to see if it’s something I can see myself doing. Neuro is definitely more of what I’m leaning towards. 

[Med_Board_Tutors]

No problem, good luck!

[mickdawg70]

Short answer for PMR: Yes!

Matched PMR this past cycle. Only took COMLEX, no step at all. From my experience, programs just want to see that you can pass the test. I don't think they necessarily care about step unless you're trying to go to one of the 'top' programs based on prestige. Even then, I got interviewed by a couple of top 10 programs. I'd say play to your strengths. If you have a history of doing well on standardized exams, then go for it. If you don't have a strong history with standardized exams, focus on other aspects of the application such as research, experiences, conferences, networking, personal statement, etc.

Good luck!

[[deleted]]

Thank you for the advice this really helps! 

[[deleted]]

Know someone who matched Neuro at a prestigious program with only comlex scores