Desperate need of advice..

[ndundergrad10]

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Hey guys,

So I'm 1 week out of my Step 2 CK date and I just got a 205 on UWSA! I had a low step 1 (below the national average) and I'm applying for radiology. Should I stick with my date as planned so that my score gets in before my app goes out (my original idea was having a decent step 2 in by sept 15 would help offset the low step 1) or should I push it back into August and thus not get the score sent to schools until probably end of sept/early oct? I really have no idea what to do since I am banking on my step 2 to compensate for my lackluster step 1… I really appreciate anyone's advice!

 

[wannabie]

Have you taken NBME 4 or 6? They're supposed to be the most predictive. If those don't score in the range you want....I don't think you have much choice but to push it back..

 

[evilbooyaa]

UWSA was within 5 points of my real score. N = 1 but I know when I took CK it seemed to be similar for others. How are you doing on Step 2 CK UWorld or other NBMEs? Regardless, I think you should push it back so that 1) you have more time to study and 2) you can decide whether you want schools to see your CK score (getting a 205 and immediately showing it is worse than getting a 205 and holding off on submitting it).

IIRC Radiology programs don't necessarily care a lot about your Step 2 score, although if you were capable of doing well (better than your Step 1) it could show a trend of improvement. If you're at risk for going down on Step 2 (especially from a sub-nat'l average Step 1) then hold off on taking it.

 

[ndundergrad10]

So I haven't taken any other forms yet. From the sounds of it I probably need to push this back into mid-august and hope for a score return at the end of september so that I still have the possibility of schools seeing it before sending out interviews. This unfortunately will cut into my time to put together my ERAS app but it shouldn't mess me up too badly. I appreciate the advice guys. I do want to show an upward trend, definitely not a downward one.