Do programs need CS for match list

[step2csretake]

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Do programs ask for Step 2 CS before finalizing their rank list? I failed step 2 cs and don't want to resubmit my USMLE scores(obviously). Based on other people's experience, will programs ask for step 2 CS scores in late Jan/Feb? I'm on a rotation right now, with a shelf coming up, and will be on my sub-I next month, so I really want to wait until Feb, when I can dedicate a couple of weeks to study. I failed partly because I only had a weekend to study, and don't want that to happen again. On the other hand, I've had two months on clinical rotations(ambulatory and EM) thus already feel way more prepared and want to jump in get it over with asap. Although, from my poker days I know playing on tilt is never wise.

 

[rokshana]

depends...if you are F/IMG then yes, its is required that you have a passed score by the time the ROL is due...if you are an AMG then that will be be program dependent.

 

[step2csretake]

I'm an AMG. Have decent step 1/2 for IM, in 220s and 230s. Ideally I want to forget about it until Feb., when I have time to pass it.

I checked program websites, most say they require step 1 for interviews, some mention step 2, but I haven't seen a single one that explicitly states they need step cs for ranking for AMGs, although some require it for IMGs. Does anyone have experience with this, do programs look down on applicants without step 2 cs scores by rank list time?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It will be totally program dependent. Some may ask, some may not. The best strategy is probably to keep quiet.

 

[kdhaiem]

A somewhat related question is if my passing step 2 CS score just came out, do I need to email the programs I have already interviewed at to update them or will resubmitting score on ERAS be enough?

 

[gutonc]

A somewhat related question is if my passing step 2 CS score just came out, do I need to email the programs I have already interviewed at to update them or will resubmitting score on ERAS be enough?

Just resubmit.

 

[HelpPleaseMD]

I'm an AMG. Have decent step 1/2 for IM, in 220s and 230s. Ideally I want to forget about it until Feb., when I have time to pass it.

I checked program websites, most say they require step 1 for interviews, some mention step 2, but I haven't seen a single one that explicitly states they need step cs for ranking for AMGs, although some require it for IMGs. Does anyone have experience with this, do programs look down on applicants without step 2 cs scores by rank list time?

Maryland is one of those programs that require CS before ranking.

 

[step2csretake]

Maryland is one of those programs that require CS before ranking.

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know of other programs that require CS for ranking? It is impossible to know based on the website because for example the Maryland site states "USMLE Step 2 (CK and CS). We must receive your CK scores no later than January 30. If your medical school requires Step 2-CS for graduation, make sure your results return by May 1 so that the start of internship is not delayed."

 

[Raryn]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know of other programs that require CS for ranking? It is impossible to know based on the website because for example the Maryland site states "USMLE Step 2 (CK and CS). We must receive your CK scores no later than January 30. If your medical school requires Step 2-CS for graduation, make sure your results return by May 1 so that the start of internship is not delayed."

All the UC programs did from what I recall.

 

[HelpPleaseMD]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know of other programs that require CS for ranking? It is impossible to know based on the website because for example the Maryland site states "USMLE Step 2 (CK and CS). We must receive your CK scores no later than January 30. If your medical school requires Step 2-CS for graduation, make sure your results return by May 1 so that the start of internship is not delayed."

if you read between the lines its pretty clear imo. basically saying u better graduate on time or we wont rank u

 

[Crayola227]

Just resubmit.

Do not agree. At the 20+ programs I interviewed at most made it VERY clear to me my late season CK scores needed to be emailed to them as an update not just resubmitted, so I would do that to be safe. I would think passing a step would be significant enough of an update to a program late in season for it not to be viewed as too much of a nuisance, so I would send emails to be safe.

In any case, my experience says you should email late scores.

 

[gutonc]

Do not agree. At the 20+ programs I interviewed at most made it VERY clear to me my late season CK scores needed to be emailed to them as an update not just resubmitted, so I would do that to be safe. I would think passing a step would be significant enough of an update to a program late in season for it not to be viewed as too much of a nuisance, so I would send emails to be safe.

In any case, my experience says you should email late scores.

Your reading comprehension leaves a lot to be desired. The question was about 2CS, not CK. But by all means, feel free to continue pontificating.

 

[Raryn]

Do not agree. At the 20+ programs I interviewed at most made it VERY clear to me my late season CK scores needed to be emailed to them as an update not just resubmitted, so I would do that to be safe. I would think passing a step would be significant enough of an update to a program late in season for it not to be viewed as too much of a nuisance, so I would send emails to be safe.

In any case, my experience says you should email late scores.

With regards to CK, I interviewed at 18 programs myself and absolutely zero of them mentioned that.

Program directors can see your updated transcript when it's uploaded, so there's no real need to email them an update. I would say that if you substantially improve on Step 2 CK relative to Step 1 (or if you get an excellent score on both), it would not hurt you to email the update as part of a general reminder of "btw, I love you. In other news, my step 2 score is available", but outside of those circumstances I'd say there's no need to email.

 

[Crayola227]

Your reading comprehension leaves a lot to be desired. The question was about 2CS, not CK. But by all means, feel free to continue pontificating.

Your reading comprehension leaves something to be desired.

I mentioned "a step" and email "late scores" plural indicating that while my experience was for Step 2 CK I am generalizing to express that I think passnig A step may be significant enough to email if it is getting very close to deadline that steps PLURAL are coming back.

Raryn, I don't know how long ago you interviewed and where and what difference that makes. I was told that programs have to manually hit a button to re-download any changes to apps including released scores, and that often they have a timetable of when they do that so it's possible for your score to come in late and not be downloaded and factored in to ranking, which is basically what those programs that told me to email told me. Maybe the places I interviewed just interviewed a lot of people and wanted score stragglers to email them to make their lives easier, I dunno. I would rather be on safe side knowing they had my passing scores in hand than hope they see them and then they don't.

But that's well and good you guys have different opinions. OP, obviously you should follow any specific instructions you are given by a program. Not knowing otherwise, it's up to you to decide if you should email updated scores to programs or hope the digital age will take care of it without your input. You now have different opinions and thought processes and experiences to draw from. Good luck.

 

[T-in-a-Tizzy]

Tufts requires CS by February 2016, and states it clearly on their website. I emailed the other programs I interviewed at for their CS policy, and none of the others required it before rank lists.

 

[Crayola227]

Yeah to be fair CS is the one they are most forgiving of. Which is funny because people do fail them occasionally and they are more difficult to retake as there are less dates locations people having to fly to do them and then of course score turnaround, but they are failed less often than the CK. Seriously, last I checked up to 4% of AMGs fail CS.

The reality is that having all 3 steps passed a decent amount of time before ranking is the safest and most ideal bet. Obviously life can get in the way but that would be my goal as a 4th yr.

And to email or not to email that is the question? Hm, you could send it to the PC so you're not junking up the PD's box and if it matters they'll pass it along or else they'll junk it. Hopefully "bothering" the PC with a passed step (CK or CS) when it's Jan or Feb isn't so obnoxious as to cost you any brownie points at a program. Put in the subject "Passed CS" then they don't even have to open it if they don't give a **** and no time wasted really. No harm no foul. This way you're helping yourself if it was something they wanted but maybe didn't care to track down (I've been told this at programs that you either get it to them or that while yes they like you they're just not going to bother) and I can't imagine it hurts you. Cover your bets.