DO applicant - When to take Step 2

jmarkant · Aug 22, 2016

postbacpremed87 said:
Hello I am a DO applicant interested in Diagnostic Radiology.

My stats:
USMLE Step 1: 239
COMLEX Level 1: 601
Pre-Clinicals: Top 5-10%
Clinicals: Not enough info yet

1. Will I match at a university program like Ohio State , University of Cincinnati, or Wake Forest if I apply broadly (60 ish programs?
2. Would you take USMLE Step 2 CK early so it is ready for ERAS -OR- would you wait until after invites start rolling out? I would like to take it in June and get that Step 2 bump to 249...so hypothetically a Step 1 of 239 and a Step 2 of 249.

Your thoughts and/or advice?

I took mine in June just so I had more ammo for interviews.

preDoGuy24 · Aug 24, 2016

Research? I had a higher step 1 and took my step 2 in October-interviewed at mainly university programs and matched in my top 2.

Would say you should have it to send out during interview season but don't kill yourself to take it early, the avg is quite a bit higher you should be shooting for the 250s which is definitely doable-you should be able to interview at most of the program's you mentioned though I think Wake is in a different tier then the others.

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DiscretePete · Aug 25, 2016

Agree with others. I'm not so sure about Wake. But definitely apply broadly. As a DO you will be feeling a need to set your sights on the "best and biggest". Trust your instincts during interview season.

DOFOSHO · Aug 25, 2016

DOFOSHO · Sep 8, 2016

preDoGuy24 · Sep 8, 2016

DOFOSHO said:
did you receive your october step 2 scores back early enough for it to make a difference in receiving interviews?

Yeah they came back in like mid October and I think I added two interviews by the end of the month after sending them out.

I wouldn't count on a step 2 being an interview deal breaker though-if you need a improved score (did poorly on step 1) better to take it early.

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peaceloveandradiology · Sep 9, 2016

I'm a PGY1 right now, I matched into radiology last year. I didn't submit my step 2 score at all, not even for ranking, because it wasn't as good as my step 1 score. Neither did a lot of my radiology friends, and we all matched pretty well. Don't stress it. Step 2 effort fluctuates, some people spend 2 months studying for it, and some spend 2 weeks. One solid advice is if you have a good step 1 score, register to take it after you submit ERAS. That way if you do worse then you don't have to release the score. If you didn't do well on Step 1, then study your ass off and take Step 2 early, and if you get it back, email the programs with the updated score. Don't be shy about reaching out with updates.

For more information, see the AMSER Guide to Applying to Radiology. This was my bible last year. Search "When should I take USMLE Step 2". Hope it helps. Good luck everyone!
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/radiology/residency/files/AMSER-Guide-to-Applying-for-Radiology-Residency.pdf

DOFOSHO · Sep 10, 2016

DOFOSHO · Sep 11, 2016

Rads312 · Sep 11, 2016

No, When i applied two years ago I didn't have to. A few programs asked about my scores on the interview trail and I was honest and said I had average comlex scores. Not Surprisingly, most programs didn't really care about the comlex.

However, post match you'll probably have to submit your comlex 1, 2, 3 scores to your program.

peaceloveandradiology · Sep 11, 2016

DOFOSHO said:
ok. what about all the programs on FREIDA who say you must have taken step 2 to be considered for an interview?

I'd email the programs individually and ask, to be safe. FREIDA has alot of outdated info. I personally didn't come across any programs that required Step 2 for interview. For example, I know that MGH stated on their website last year that Step 2 is required for consideration for interview, but that simply isn't true. Only program I know of is UCSF requires Step 2 for ranking, but not for interview.

DOFOSHO · Sep 11, 2016

DragonDO · Sep 11, 2016

DOFOSHO said:
when is the latest you'd recommend taking usmle step 2 CS or comlex 2 CE?

I would get the COMLEX 2 PE/CE out of the way before the interview cycle starts. Ideally before ERAS opens. Report the score if your scores are decent. You will have to submit them anyway after the interview season is over.

Cubsfan10 · Sep 12, 2016

OP should be fine to match Ohio State. Cincy would be a reach with that app and Wake is < 1% chance. Wake is top 25-30 program that has only taken 1 DO ever in my recollection.

Having a higher Step 2 score can help you. Not having a Step 2 score is a wash.

jorts42 · Sep 15, 2016

I believe that 220-240 generally applies to US MDs since that's the majority of their residents. Probably need a bit higher for a DO to make Cincinnati a "target". That's why cubsfan10 called it a "reach"

Cubsfan10 · Sep 15, 2016

jorts42 said:
I believe that 220-240 generally applies to US MDs since that's the majority of their residents. Probably need a bit higher for a DO to make Cincinnati a "target". That's why cubsfan10 called it a "reach"

Agreed and program websites never tell the truth. Cincy is a solid program and I'd be surprised if their MDs weren't mostly all 235+ and DOs 245+ with some exceptions.

DO applicant - When to take Step 2

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