Asked about absence of a Step score and was honest that it was due to a fail. Am I screwed?

[LondonVibes]

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I was asked about the absence of a Step score in an interview yesterday. I answered honestly that it was because of a fail with Step 1.

The interviewer seemed to be fine with my explanation but I know that the fail will now probably be discussed with the committee and I don’t know how they’ll take as a whole. Obviously, I’m assuming it will hurt if he discusses it with the committee, but my question is are we talking auto DNR or a moderate drop on their list?

 

[wysdoc]

I was asked about the absence of a Step score in an interview yesterday. I answered honestly that it was because of a fail with Step 1.

The interviewer seemed to be fine with my explanation but I know that the fail will now probably be discussed with the committee and I don’t know how they’ll take as a whole. Obviously, I’m assuming it will hurt if he discusses it with the committee, but my question is are we talking auto DNR or a moderate drop on their list?

But did you pass COMLEX?

 

[LondonVibes]

Yes. Passed both first try but low Level 2. I think this interviewer was reading my app independently and decided to ask on his own. Surprisingly it wasn’t the PD that brought it up, which is why I’m holding some hope.

 

[DO2015CA]

What specialty? You do get brownie points for being honest (the right choice) but it will probably hurt you. Which that’s ok. You did the right thing. You took the gamble taking and failing. I’m glad you told the truth, shows integrity. You may not match there but it won’t affect your other interviews

 

[LondonVibes]

It was IM at a community program. Obviously, I was given the interview without Step so likely some people and the PD there probably knew. The program has all IMGs except for a DO from a T5 school, so I’m going to assume, especially given it wasn’t the PD who asked, that it was genuine curiosity. He liked my answer but obviously he can’t speak for how the PD will view it if it came up in the committee meetings.

 

[DO2015CA]

It was IM at a community program. Obviously, I was given the interview without Step so likely some people and the PD there probably knew. The program has all IMGs except for a DO from a T5 school, so I’m going to assume, especially given it wasn’t the PD who asked, that it was genuine curiosity. He liked my answer but obviously he can’t speak for how the PD will view it if it came up in the committee meetings.

It will come up. It’s an interesting/important point. Even if he doesn’t care, it will be a remark in the meeting because it’s relevant.

 

[ontiquicuo]

If the PD already suspected your Step 1 was missing because of a failure, you saved your chances by being honest.

Also, if they suspected a failure and still offered an interview, your chances haven't been hurt.