Apply Now or Wait Until Score Comes

[medstu1234]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I didn't do very well on my Step 1 score and I am scheduled to take Step 2 in the first week of September. Should I apply on Sep. 1 without my step 2 score or wait until it comes and then apply?The nbme website states that that most examinees taking it in this time frame won't get their scores until Oct. 6 anyway due to test item adjustments.I know I will do much better on Step 2 and I don't want the schools to look at my application with only my Step 1 score and reject me automatically but I don't want to be late in the application process either. Would I be at a severe disadvantage if I waited to apply with my step 2 score?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It depends on your background, and what field you are interested in. If you're an AMG, then applying in early October is completely fine. If you're an IMG, it's a bit on the late side.

 

[medstu1234]

I'm an US med student interested in Internal Medicine.

 

[humabot]

I didn't do very well on my Step 1 score and I am scheduled to take Step 2 in the first week of September. Should I apply on Sep. 1 without my step 2 score or wait until it comes and then apply?The nbme website states that that most examinees taking it in this time frame won't get their scores until Oct. 6 anyway due to test item adjustments.I know I will do much better on Step 2 and I don't want the schools to look at my application with only my Step 1 score and reject me automatically but I don't want to be late in the application process either. Would I be at a severe disadvantage if I waited to apply with my step 2 score?

my girlfriend is in the exact same predicament as you are in..She is taking it 3rd week of sept and they told her to hold her app until her scores come out so they don't reject/inactivate her app--not sure what it means...I think that there is a risk of submitting her app second to last or last week of oct, but deans letters come in on nov 1st.

but, we also heard to submit in sept and programs will see she is taking step 2 soon..

it is driving me up the wall since we are couples matching

anybody else with a take on this issue?

 

[notdeadyet]

my girlfriend is in the exact same predicament as you are in..She is taking it 3rd week of sept and they told her to hold her app until her scores come out so they don't reject/inactivate her app--not sure what it means...I think that there is a risk of submitting her app second to last or last week of oct, but deans letters come in on nov 1st.

but, we also heard to submit in sept and programs will see she is taking step 2 soon..

it is driving me up the wall since we are couples matching

anybody else with a take on this issue?

If programs don't look at applications until later (October sometime, say), the point becomes moot. If you submitted without score, it's in the stack and your scores will come in before they evaluate it. If you waited a couple weeks for your scores and then submitted, it's in the stack and complete before they evaluate it. No difference.

If programs do look at applications starting in early September, I'm still missing the big difference.

If you submit early without your Step 2, they see a poor Step 1 and the fact that you're awaiting your Step 2 results. If they feel that your Step 2 results are irrelevant given your Step 1, you're done. If they feel you're borderline, they wait until the Step 2 comes in to decide.

If you submit after your Step 2 scores come in, you're in the same position as if you applied early.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the danger in applying with your Step 2 results pending. It shows on your ERAS that you're awaiting results. If a program is going to reject your application without waiting for them due to your Step 1 score, they'd have likely rejected your application with your Step 2 score anyway.

 

[calespine]

If programs don't look at applications until later (October sometime, say), the point becomes moot. If you submitted without score, it's in the stack and your scores will come in before they evaluate it. If you waited a couple weeks for your scores and then submitted, it's in the stack and complete before they evaluate it. No difference.

If programs do look at applications starting in early September, I'm still missing the big difference.

If you submit early without your Step 2, they see a poor Step 1 and the fact that you're awaiting your Step 2 results. If they feel that your Step 2 results are irrelevant given your Step 1, you're done. If they feel you're borderline, they wait until the Step 2 comes in to decide.

If you submit after your Step 2 scores come in, you're in the same position as if you applied early.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the danger in applying with your Step 2 results pending. It shows on your ERAS that you're awaiting results. If a program is going to reject your application without waiting for them due to your Step 1 score, they'd have likely rejected your application with your Step 2 score anyway.

Thanks for the thoughts- I guess the big question is whether most programs do wait for pending scores before deciding. Do they always wait, or do they decide if you're borderline first...

 

[gstrub]

I just received an email from our PD here about this issue as I was struggling with it. Here is his response:

I would def go with 9/1. The long answer is that since step 2 scores are not uniformly available for all applicants, few if any programs would look beyond the step 1 score. Thus if a program sets a criteria for step one score above yours (I suspect there may be some, but not many), they would not likely then look for a step 2 score and offer you an interview. Step 2 is mainly considered, if available, after initial screens (ie step 1 score, research, AOA status, etc) are used thru ERAS to further decide who to invite for an interview. Thus it will not negate a step 1 score. However with your step 1 score few if any doors will be shut, and your PhD and research background will be big pluses.

So again, best to have application in early, as some programs do offer interviews on a rolling basis (ie consider applications as they come in).

-So it looks like 9/1 it is for me!
-g