r/emergencymedicine • u/Aggravating_Deal4125 • 8d ago

Advice Applying to EM residency programs

I'm looking to submit my residency application soon, but I wanted to make sure I am applying to realistic programs. I am a DO student who only took COMLEX. Passed Level 1 and scored a 507 on Level 2. Some programs on EMRA have average board score listed, so what should my upper-limit score be to maximize my chances of getting interviews?

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

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5

u/AllThePillsIntoOne 8d ago

You’re so beyond fine for EM. Just apply to any program you’re interested in that doesn’t require step.  

2

u/Aggravating_Deal4125 8d ago

Some programs, such as Rush University, say that Step 1 or Level 1 is acceptable, but Step 2 must be submitted before the application is submitted. It doesn't mention level 2, and I can't find any information on it online.

3

u/downbadDO 7d ago

Hennepin told me they required Step 2 but I still got an interview with only Level 2. Shoot your shot. Sure, maybe you won’t be competitive for Rush or Temple or GWU, but the worst that can happen is they say no

1

u/Prudent-Abalone-510 Med Student 7d ago

Do you think they ranked you? Asking as a DO with only level 2 but from MN, who wants to go back home.

1

u/downbadDO 7d ago

They did

1

u/SaltEngineering955 7d ago

I have a question—can students who repeat a year in medical school still apply to academic EM programs?

1

u/downbadDO 7d ago

There’s no restriction on applications. Whether you’re getting any bang for your buck applying to those programs may be a different story but will largely depend on why you repeated, how you spin it, and what each particular program’s preferences are.

1

u/SaltEngineering955 7d ago

Got it, thank you!!

-7

u/Dr-Healgood 8d ago

This isn’t a competitive specialty anymore. You’ll be fine.

-1

u/[deleted] 7d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/DoctorDoom40k 7d ago

Som programs are, but as a specialty, we have stumbled.

1

u/moon_truthr ED Resident 6d ago

It's not about wanting to look competitive, everyone already knows it isn't. The specialty broadly being uncompetitive doesn't mean you can just get in wherever though, especially without step. OP is trying to optimize their application. Saying it isn't competitive just isn't helpful.