53 Applications on ERAS: Please help--I need a Psychiatrist ;)

[Bearie]

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So yes, I pretty did much apply to half the programs in the countries.

I had mostly HPs (including psych), 200-210 step 1, pretty good med school, some psych research, i think very good letters, wrote a very good statement, and have a really interest background (everyone tells me).

I am REALLY scared I won't match anyway on the east coast. What are the programs where I could realistically match knowing my very basic synopsis.

Also, I was really suprised to see everyone here talk so much a lot about Step 2. Everything the admin at my school has said is you just need to take it before graduation, only a few prgrams like UCSF want to see it when applying, and to take now is up to me but a gamble--if on the low side again, will not look good but high score could help my step 1 look better. I decided not to take the gable and wait until next year to take--BUT it seems EVERYONE here posts. Am I completely wrong?!?

Thank you.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

So yes, I pretty did much apply to half the programs in the countries.

I had mostly HPs (including psych), 200-210 step 1, pretty good med school, some psych research, i think very good letters, wrote a very good statement, and have a really interest background (everyone tells me).

I am REALLY scared I won't match anyway on the east coast. What are the programs where I could realistically match knowing my very basic synopsis.

Also, I was really suprised to see everyone here talk so much a lot about Step 2. Everything the admin at my school has said is you just need to take it before graduation, only a few prgrams like UCSF want to see it when applying, and to take now is up to me but a gamble--if on the low side again, will not look good but high score could help my step 1 look better. I decided not to take the gable and wait until next year to take--BUT it seems EVERYONE here posts. Am I completely wrong?!?

Thank you.

We'd probably interview you you without it, based on your other good stuff above, but we'd definitely want to see it before putting you on our rank list, especially if your step 1 was at all marginal. Some of these "admins" need to seriously talk with program directors and coordinators!

 

[Bearie]

We'd probably interview you you without it, based on your other good stuff above, but we'd definitely want to see it before putting you on our rank list, especially if your step 1 was at all marginal. Some of these "admins" need to seriously talk with program directors and coordinators!

Really?!?

 

[MDchouette]

You could really increase the caliber of programs that would interview you if you take Step 2CK and do well on it. Everyone does better on Step 2CK than on Step 1, and you are likely to do so if you got HPs in all your rotations. I don't think it's a gamble unless there is something you're not telling us (you have untreated ADHD / are a terrible test taker / intend on not studying at all). What's that saying--two weeks, two days, number two pencil (step 1, step 2, step 3)? I wouldn't study for two days but if you can figure out how to take it soon and find time to study for it, I think it's likely to benefit you.

Longwood won't rank without a Step 2 score, or at least wouldn't when I was applying.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

You could really increase the caliber of programs that would interview you if you take Step 2CK and do well on it. Everyone does better on Step 2CK than on Step 1, and you are likely to do so if you got HPs in all your rotations. I don't think it's a gamble unless there is something you're not telling us (you have untreated ADHD / are a terrible test taker / intend on not studying at all). What's that saying--two weeks, two days, number two pencil (step 1, step 2, step 3)? I wouldn't study for two days but if you can figure out how to take it soon and find time to study for it, I think it's likely to benefit you.

Longwood won't rank without a Step 2 score, or at least wouldn't when I was applying.

Honestly, I don't even know if you'd have to do well. Two acceptable passing scores is as much as you need almost everywhere.

IMO, unless you're applying in a super competitive field and have a really good step 1, I'd go ahead and take step II. Registration and scoring are quick, so you can do it during the application period. As I recall, I took it in early November and had my score well before rank lists were due. That way you'll be covered for those programs who just won't rank you without it.

Other than that (actually even without that), I don't think you have much need to worry. 53 applications is a little excessive for your situation. 🙂

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Really?!?

Really. There's no way we want to hear about a Step 2 failure AFTER the Match. So if we think you're likely to fall short, we're not taking the chance. So get it in the bag.

 

[NYCMS2]

Really. There's no way we want to hear about a Step 2 failure AFTER the Match. So if we think you're likely to fall short, we're not taking the chance. So get it in the bag.

OPD: does your program require CK and CS scores prior to ranking? I know a couple of programs do, but not very many on my list require it. CS scheduling, and dragged out scoring, can make it tough on some applicants.

 

[DebDynamite]

At my program a few years ago, we would not rank anyone who had not passed step two CK. Just our policy. Why on earth would you not just take it and get it out of the way? You need to show programs you have passed step two. Sign up for the clinical skills as soon as possible also because it takes some time to get the spot you want. At least it did years ago when I was a med student.

What you should do is take step two ASAP, that way on the majority of the interview trail you can tell programs you are waiting for your score as they are going to want to hear you have passed it later at rank time, and they are more likely than not going to just want to see you have passed. How you perform on your interviews is what matters much more at this point. You just have to pass step two and if you make a great score that's good, but no one is going to keep you off the list if your score is low but you do well in your interview. You are diminishing your odds greatly if you don't pass by rank time. And from what you have posted about yourself you are going to pass. Just study for a couple weeks and take it. You will feel a lot better. .

 

[OldPsychDoc]

OPD: does your program require CK and CS scores prior to ranking? I know a couple of programs do, but not very many on my list require it. CS scheduling, and dragged out scoring, can make it tough on some applicants.

We will be very cautious and skeptical re: an applicant who hasn't passed both.
And keep in mind, you're competing against people who have the scores in hand. If you interviewed equally well...guess who gets ranked higher?

 

[DebDynamite]

And keep in mind, you're competing against people who have the scores in hand. If you interviewed equally well...guess who gets ranked higher?

This is exactly how we operated. The score was not nearly as relevant as having just passed. No pass, no rank.

 

[JamesPhilly]

Maybe I missed something: you said you go to a good med school, so is it a US MD medical school? And you didn't fail anything (classes, steps)?

Why on Earth do you not think you'd match on the east coast?

There was an IMG I met who applied to 40+ programs who had also failed step 1 a time or two. But that's the only time I've heard of anyone applying to that many programs...imagine spending 2+ months every day of the week doing an interview...hopefully you won't do that

good luck!

 

[Doctor Bagel]

OPD: does your program require CK and CS scores prior to ranking? I know a couple of programs do, but not very many on my list require it. CS scheduling, and dragged out scoring, can make it tough on some applicants.

Which honestly is a reason to do it asap. I think I had to wait 3 months for my CS score, and those sites fill up quickly. I'd recommend most applicants look at scheduling for CS in the spring of their MS3 year.

 

[BobA]

We would not rank without Step 2 score. If you can't graduate without passing Step 2 programs don't want to take the risk that you could fail step 2, not graduate, and not start residency on time.

And agree that you will not only match on the East Coast - you'll match somewhere good.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[Bearie]

At my program a few years ago, we would not rank anyone who had not passed step two CK. Just our policy. Why on earth would you not just take it and get it out of the way? You need to show programs you have passed step two. Sign up for the clinical skills as soon as possible also because it takes some time to get the spot you want. At least it did years ago when I was a med student.

What you should do is take step two ASAP, that way on the majority of the interview trail you can tell programs you are waiting for your score as they are going to want to hear you have passed it later at rank time, and they are more likely than not going to just want to see you have passed. How you perform on your interviews is what matters much more at this point. You just have to pass step two and if you make a great score that's good, but no one is going to keep you off the list if your score is low but you do well in your interview. You are diminishing your odds greatly if you don't pass by rank time. And from what you have posted about yourself you are going to pass. Just study for a couple weeks and take it. You will feel a lot better. .

Thank you everyone for your advice.

I'm looking at dates to register and have a few options. Between Oct/Nov/Dec, I can only take off one month and Nov is a pretty flexible research month that can be done while traveling etc. So I will take off Oct or Dec. I'm debating between (A) taking off Oct to take CK on Oct 22nd, which would be back mid-Nov but in this scenario I would have to interview while doing some research and on an elective in dec or (B) taking CK in mid-Nov and (score back in early Dec) and having Dec off for interviews.

I now know that Step 2 is important for rank lists, but how important is it to have at time of interview? Do programs make a preliminary rank after your interview or just take notes and look at everything again before it comes time to submit official rank list? Should I try to interview while on Dec elective or really take CK 2-3 weeks earlier?

 

[Bearie]

Maybe I missed something: you said you go to a good med school, so is it a US MD medical school? And you didn't fail anything (classes, steps)?

Why on Earth do you not think you'd match on the east coast?

There was an IMG I met who applied to 40+ programs who had also failed step 1 a time or two. But that's the only time I've heard of anyone applying to that many programs...imagine spending 2+ months every day of the week doing an interview...hopefully you won't do that

good luck!

Yes it is a top 20 US med school. Didn't fail anything, low step 1, Honors and HPs during clerkships with HP in psych.

 

[TexasPhysician]

On the other hand, none of the programs I interviewed at required step 2 to rank. Even programs that supposedly "recommended" it told me that if they liked me well enough, step 2 wouldn't hold me back. I took it in October anyway.

 

[Psychotic]

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