Hi,

I am considering ENT and my Step 1 scores are low 230s and I don't think I will make AOA. From what I have heard my step 1 scores are not competitive???? Would anyone recommend taking STep 2 early (eg. in July) and try crossing 240 on it. Would application committee care to look at my step 2 scores. How else can I strengthen my application.

What time of the Year are most of the ENT interview? From what I heard it is usually Nov and Dec.

Thanks

low 230s isnt "not competitive"... the average for matched applicants is mid 230s

Talk to people in your school's department frankly about your complete application and make a decision. Most early match applicants (atleast for neurosurgery) don't take Step II, unless their Step I score is subpar. I don't know if doing well on Step II will change your application significantly, since it's common knowledge that most people don't study as hard for Step II as for Step I.

jr264,
I have much the same score profile as you and am struggling with the same questions. I am planning on doing aways in July and August, but wonder if Step II early would help my application. Overall, I think strong LOR from prominent faculty and good performance on my aways (since I am strongly considering these schools for residency) will be the most helpful and am thinking about just saving Step II for late Oct/ early Nov. I have also heard that the interview season is Nov-Dec, over by Jan. Any future ENT PGY's care to comment?

With step I in the 230s, I don't think that taking step 2 early will be worthwhile. You would be better off putting your efforts towards a research project (they love to ask about research at interviews) or trying to get good letters from aways etc. As Crusher pointed out, average step I for people that matched is in the mid 230s, so that is a fine score and I'm sure you both will get plenty of interviews. Just make sure you apply realistically, i.e. apply to enough programs (40 or so) and don't apply to only the most competative programs. Once you get to the interview stage I don't think your step I score matters at all.

As far as interview dates, I had some as early as mid-october. No programs hold interviews after christmas, and most are done by mid december.