Application submission delimma

[cbtk18]

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I have an average step 1 score and I know step 2 will be better, the score of which should be back by the end of October.

Should I go ahead and submit my application on Sept 1 then add the step 2 later? Or wait to submit until my step 2 score is available? Which would get me more interviews?

I don't want some programs to see my step 1 score and throw my app out without seeing my step 2, but people keep telling me that submitting on day one is crucial.

 

[T99]

ERAS submission date is actually September 15 this year. Does that help your case?

 

[MossPoh]

Not trying to gank the thread, but it kind of goes along with this question.

Do radiology programs pay much attention to Step 2?

I had an ok score before (met 240 cutoffs of many programs) and then had >20 point increase with step 2. I don't think it changes much, but just wondering if it would give me a better chance at some places.

 

[onyx667]

Not trying to gank the thread, but it kind of goes along with this question.

Do radiology programs pay much attention to Step 2?

I had an ok score before (met 240 cutoffs of many programs) and then had >20 point increase with step 2. I don't think it changes much, but just wondering if it would give me a better chance at some places.

As much as everyone says step 2 isn't important, I think it definitely can provide another means to distinguish you from other applicants, especially if you have a stellar score. My step 1 was in the 250s so I took step 2 after submitting my eras but before a lot of my interviews. I got a 268 on step 2, and once I released my score to eras, I received a couple "2nd wave" interview invites a couple days later. A few interviewers at top programs even complimented me on my score during the interview. FYI, UCSF requires you to release your step 2 before the ranking deadline, although I don't know how important it is to the radiology dept itself since this is a UCSF GME requirement as a whole. Bottom line, I wouldn't take step 2 lightly (although it is a much easier test than step 1 so don't worry too much about it)

 

[MossPoh]

Yea, my step 2 is in the same range as yours but step 1 is <250. It is one of those conundrums for the programs with the alleged 250 cutoffs and whether that is a hard cutoff or not. I wasn't banking on anywhere like UCSF, but that would be a pretty sweet interview.