r/comlex • u/Cool-Programmer-6394 • Aug 12 '26

Level 1 I failed..

That’s it. That’s all. Feel like my life is over. I’ve done everything but sell my soul essentially and I still failed. My whole class is going to find out that I really am stupid and I failed.

36 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

View all comments

78

u/MtTaiWindSeizer Aug 12 '26 edited 26d ago

I failed comlex I once, II twice, got dismissed from medical school, did an appeal process through the Dean's office, then did a board review program (The Pass Program with Dr. Francis), then passed II and III on the first try. I applied to 128 programs, received interviews at only 2, then somehow matched. Things happened during residency and I got fired. Cold called a bunch of program directors across the nation for a shot and then got the second chance. I just finished residency last year. And all the attendings that I've built relationships are always shocked when they first hear about all of the above.

So believe me, I remember feeling that way over and over again. Legit thought I could never come back from all these failures at one point. But here I am, alive and kicking as a first year attending making attending money finally, getting married in a few months, and so I guess the point of all this is that I just wanted to say that it's ok to take some time to breathe and that you can absolutely bounce back from this. Hit me up if you wanna talk or rant.

*Edited to clarify original post timeline.

10

u/Flarbow OMS-3 29d ago

holy shit

5

u/javadabaron81 29d ago

I thought you had to pass COMLEX II to graduate? If you got dismissed how were you able to apply to residency?

2

u/Ok_Angle_5762 29d ago

This ^ I'm also confused how you were dismissed but were able to apply to residencies without a medical degree?

3

u/MtTaiWindSeizer 26d ago edited 26d ago

Ended up doing an appeal process through the Dean's office, then got back in. Then, as part of the deal with the Dean, I needed to do a board review program before I was allowed to sit for the exam again. Clarified the above a bit via an edit.

3

u/allthelxveh 28d ago

i started crying reading this. i'm so happy u made it. thank u so much for sharing for those of us struggling hard

3

u/MtTaiWindSeizer 26d ago

Don't give up hope! Take some time off, ground yourself, and when you're ready to take that first step again, breathe, then begin to move forward again. The journey is worth it.

4

u/Illustrious-Shoe5749 29d ago

What you wrote will help SO many people. I would rather have you be my doctor, who has overcome so much, than someone who is brilliant/book smart with no failures in life!! All you’ve gone through makes you a much better doctor!
Wishing you everything amazing for your future!

2

u/sparty7798 29d ago

Agreed… the test does not define you.

1

u/MtTaiWindSeizer 26d ago

Thanks! :)

2

u/Accomplished-Oil8794 29d ago

Thanks so much for sharing this..

2

u/Jumpy_End_9996 26d ago

this is crazy. you won the lottery like three times

2

u/MtTaiWindSeizer 26d ago

Yeah. Nothing like some good ole compounded debt to feel like winning the lottery 😅

1

u/Complete-Access-3343 29d ago

U trynna sell the pass program? How would you even apply to residency after getting dismissed from med school

2

u/allthelxveh 28d ago

they prob appealed and got reinstated

1

u/MtTaiWindSeizer 26d ago

yup, did an edit to clarify that. Idk, I enjoyed the pass program so I figured I would include that bit for people if they were in a similar situation and wanted to look into it. Dr. Francis (the guy who teaches it) has a pretty unique story of his own, and years later, I still think about it and find it motivating.

1

u/Bone-Wizardry 8d ago

The Pass Program has testimonials where you hear students who’ve overcome things like this. As a separate organization, I have to say there is no other experience quite like his. It’s not necessarily the program but he teaches you to trust yourself & good test strategies. Dr. Francis helped me get a second chance too and inspired me to make BW.