Bombed step 2 - what can I expect?

[sludging101]

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Hello,

I already have 12 radiology interviews, mostly at mid-tier programs, and am still waiting to hear back from another 12 programs. I got a 243 on Step 1 and was horrified to find I scored 227 on Step 2 😕. My grades are slightly above average, but not by much. Luckily, my step 2 score is not released.

How common is it to be asked about your Step 2 during interviews? Is there any good way to break the news if asked? How can I expect this to affect my chances of matching?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[BeamHardening]

you can expect good things. you smoked step 1 (my definition of smoked is 240+). it's hard to remember back then, but i don't think i was asked at about step 2 at all....

i wouldn't be horrified about your step 2 score, still solid. if they ask, just be honest. i think both scores will be looked upon favorably though. overall don't think it will affect your chances at all, and you already have double digit interviews so you're in good shape.

 

[ScooterBanks]

1) You did not "bomb" step 2. You beat the national average by almost 10 points. You are only 5 points under the AVERAGE radiology step 1 match score.

2) The only thing that should negatively affect your application is your own stupidity/cockiness (or both) for taking step 2 early while sitting on a step 1 score of 243.

 

[kdseat]

Hey guys,

Seems like I'm in the similar boat but worse 🙁. step 1=235 , just got back step 2= 215. I guess my questions is, do the programs know when you take step 2 or when you anticipate taking it? And do programs want us to release step 2's before they rank or can we hold it. overall.. am i totally screwed?

thanks

 

[OHMAN0125]

Hey guys,

Seems like I'm in the similar boat but worse 🙁. step 1=235 , just got back step 2= 215. I guess my questions is, do the programs know when you take step 2 or when you anticipate taking it? And do programs want us to release step 2's before they rank or can we hold it. overall.. am i totally screwed?

thanks

Whyd you guys take Step 2 early if you got good Step1 scores???

 

[kamehame]

If you have the interviews in hand, you guys need to chill out. Just ace the interview.

 

[kamehame]

Also, mid-tier Rads is better than top-tier anything else!!

 

[BeamHardening]

Hey guys,

Seems like I'm in the similar boat but worse 🙁. step 1=235 , just got back step 2= 215. I guess my questions is, do the programs know when you take step 2 or when you anticipate taking it? And do programs want us to release step 2's before they rank or can we hold it. overall.. am i totally screwed?

thanks

You need to mentally forget about your step 2 (parenthetically, it's not a bad step 2, it's just not a very strong one)-- your step 1 score is solid. SOLID.

Mentally forget about your step 2 and approach your interviews with confidence. If they specifically ask re: step 2, then tell them the score. Otherwise, the programs have no way of knowing when you took/will take step 2, and you don't need to release it unless you want to (assuming that you didn't check the 'autorelease' box when you signed up for the test)... b/c you're going into rads you're smart and you didn't, right??👍 Your step 1 puts you in a strong position regardless, trust me.

 

[kdseat]

Thanks for the input.. I was totally freaking out after I saw it. Had to take it relatively early cause our school makes us otherwise I would have taken it much much later.

 

[Osteopathology]

"Hello, I already have 12 radiology interviews"
"I got a 243 on Step 1 and was horrified to find I scored 227 on Step 2"

I'd give a finger for 12 interviews or a 243 Step I. I am pretty sure you will be ok. Are people really this paranoid? I am praying for interviews and a spot next year....

Osteo

 

[jpro]

This means that I totally bombed Step I, and I thought I did alright. All my interviews must be pitty interviews.

In all seriousness when I got my Step II score back, the score report said that the average for first time US seniors at that time was something like 225 and 224 for Canadians.

 

[jiy76]

Go into basketweaving its all over with a 227. 🙄