Best time for Step 2?

[CiliaryBody]

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Now that this year's match is over, it's time for the new crop of applicants to begin thinking about Step 2 and interviews. For those of us with a strong Step 1 score, when is the best time to take the Step 2 CS and CK exams? I'm having trouble deciding and really need to schedule something!

 

[Superfrost]

Now that this year's match is over, it's time for the new crop of applicants to begin thinking about Step 2 and interviews. For those of us with a strong Step 1 score, when is the best time to take the Step 2 CS and CK exams? I'm having trouble deciding and really need to schedule something!

Take it in sept so the score comes after CAS is submitted, and you can choose to update the schools if you like your score.

 

[CastroViejo]

Yes, that sounds like the most ideal time to take it. A lot of people this year saved step2 until dec-january, or still haven't taken it, but I would be wary of doing that going forward. There are quite a few people who are saying that step2 is becoming more important...and it's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. If a lot of your competitors are taking step2 early because their schools encourage it, it might look funny if you are one of the few applicants without a score. Taking it in september allows you the flexibility of not reporting it if you didnt do as well as you wanted, but you will have a score in time if you need it.

 

[eyesonme]

Everybody from my school that matched had not taken step 2. And we had a lot of people match.

Yes, that sounds like the most ideal time to take it. A lot of people this year saved step2 until dec-january, or still haven't taken it, but I would be wary of doing that going forward. There are quite a few people who are saying that step2 is becoming more important...and it's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. If a lot of your competitors are taking step2 early because their schools encourage it, it might look funny if you are one of the few applicants without a score. Taking it in september allows you the flexibility of not reporting it if you didnt do as well as you wanted, but you will have a score in time if you need it.

 

[CiliaryBody]

Thanks for the advice. I like the idea of having the option whether to reveal my score or not. However, isn't September right in the heat of interview season? Did you find it stressful studying for and taking the Step 2 while also having to worry about interviews?

 

[Superfrost]

Thanks for the advice. I like the idea of having the option whether to reveal my score or not. However, isn't September right in the heat of interview season? Did you find it stressful studying for and taking the Step 2 while also having to worry about interviews?

No interviews are mostly second week of november to second week of december. After you submit your CAS around the target date in early Sept, you have nothing to do but wait.

 

[CiliaryBody]

In the event that I decide to put off Step 2 until after the interview process, what is the latest one can take the exam? Is there a deadline?

 

[Superfrost]

In the event that I decide to put off Step 2 until after the interview process, what is the latest one can take the exam? Is there a deadline?

Then the deadline is whatever your school's specific policy is.

 

[CiliaryBody]

I looks like my school's deadline is Dec 31. I'm guessing it would be best to avoid taking the test during interviews in mid Nov-mid Dec, so Sept is probably the best bet, eh?

 

[usamsIII]

people who i know matched and did well on step 2 pushed off step 2 until october or later
this way you can take step 2 in october...get your score in november...if its good you can submit it to programs...if it is not so good then just keep it to yourself

 

[CaptainWinky]

If you have a good step 1 score, I would just take it during or after interviews. No one asked me about not taking step 2 when I was on the interview trail.

 

[CiliaryBody]

If you have a good step 1 score, I would just take it during or after interviews. No one asked me about not taking step 2 when I was on the interview trail.

I'm thinking about taking some time off during peak interview season, so I could take the test then. However, I was hoping to avoid taking the test during this time because I figured it would be very busy and stressful...

 

[CastroViejo]

you will likely not be able to study during ophtho interview time. what do you mean you will take time off? If you mean take time off from school during that period to study, then I say you should be taking that time off anyways just to interview (or at least a bs rotation like radiology). if you mean you will pick a time in that period that you will not interview, you cant really plan that way because many place only have a select few days that they interview people.

 

[beandoctor]

Are the California schools, Duke, and UPenn requiring Step 2 for application this year? The announcement was too late for last year's applicants, but will this year's applicants be held to that?

 

[CastroViejo]

i heard that step2 was required by UCSF for the group that just matched, but I havent verified that.

 

[Shake_yabooties]

Are the California schools, Duke, and UPenn requiring Step 2 for application this year? The announcement was too late for last year's applicants, but will this year's applicants be held to that?

UCSF director said that they've applied for a waiver to their school committee to waive step 2 requirement for ophtho applicants. Duke and Penn will not require it either.