Does having Step 2 CS result affect where programs rank you?

[cookymonster]

My medical school told us earlier that we really only needed to worry about taking Step 2 CS before graduation. However, I've read on a few program websites that not having a score in by the time ROLs are submitted may affect the outcome of the match.

My question: how true do you think this is? Is it something programs take that seriously, or might it just be something programs want to see from IMGs in particular?

I'm in a very good US Allopathic medical school, and English is my native language. The kicker is that our school required us to take an exam consisting of simulated patient encounters earlier in the year that was modeled after Step 2 CS. A substantial portion of my class failed it, but I managed to pass. Hence, I should be extremely likely to pass Step 2 CS. However, I'd much rather take is in the spring than in the fall or winter. By now, it's probably too late to schedule anything before the end of 2009 anyway.

What say you guys? Should I scramble to get it done sooner? I know it would help to call the residency programs I'm applying to and discuss it individually, but I thought I'd mention it here before I make 20-30 phone calls.

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[Doctor Bagel]

I don't think most programs require that you pass it before ranking, but a few do. All the programs at my school require that you pass all the Step 2 exams before ranking (even though there's apparently a little flexibility with CS). I've also heard UCSF at least requires that you pass CK before ranking, but I don't know about CS. So it probably won't stop you from matching, but I'd check with the programs you're especially in love with just to make sure.

Personally I would try to sign up for it somewhat sooner just because scheduling it is such a pain, and you have to wait so long for your scores. Putting it off until the last moment would make me a little tense, even though you're right that you'll probably pass without difficulty.

 

[cookymonster]

About how long is the wait for scores? IOW, how early do you think I'd need to take it for scores to be available by ROL time?

My school advised us to take Step 2 CK by 10/15, or we'd be in jeopardy of not matching. I'm taking that next week.

 

[smq123]

About how long is the wait for scores? IOW, how early do you think I'd need to take it for scores to be available by ROL time?

I took mine in May-June of MS3, and got my scores in July or August. It takes about 4-6 weeks, I believe.

I agree that you are probably going to pass Step 2 CS with no problem, and I gathered that most programs that really asked to have Step 2 CS scores by ranking time were ones that have a lot of IMGs.

You could call and ask, but keep in mind that, most likely, the person answering your call with be a secretary/receptionist who will almost certainly have no idea of what the answer is, and will merely parrot back the statement that is already on their website.

My personal bias was to have Step 2 CS over and done with as soon as possible. One less thing to worry about later. Plus, it's a pain to have to review ALL that stuff again in the middle of MS4 - unless you're going into FM or EM, it's very likely that you will forget a good portion of that stuff, especially if you're doing a lot of specialty-specific electives. Sometimes it's easier to just do it earlier, when you've just finished doing those types of "office visits" on a daily basis.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

About how long is the wait for scores? IOW, how early do you think I'd need to take it for scores to be available by ROL time?

My school advised us to take Step 2 CK by 10/15, or we'd be in jeopardy of not matching. I'm taking that next week.

Up to 3 months. I took it July 20 and won't get my score until Oct. 14. Now if I took is July 18, I would have gotten my score in August. They have a calendar on their website that tells you when scores will be released.

It's so funny how schools tell you all sorts of different things, none of which are probably true. We had a lot of top students at my school applying in competitive programs who intentionally put off step 2 until later since they did well on step 1, and it seemed to work out for them. Based on that and on reading the forums here for ages, I'm pretty sure what your school is telling you about Step 2 is wrong, or only applicable to certain applicants.

 

[smq123]

It's so funny how schools tell you all sorts of different things, none of which are probably true. We had a lot of top students at my school applying in competitive programs who intentionally put off step 2 until later since they did well on step 1, and it seemed to work out for them. Based on that and on reading the forums here for ages, I'm pretty sure what your school is telling you about Step 2 is wrong, or only applicable to certain applicants.

Well, it depends, on the specialty and on the program.

Some specialties are starting to ask for Step 2 "sooner rather than later." It's one more thing to help them make up their minds, etc.

Some programs also REALLY REALLY like it when applicants come in with all their ducks lined up in a row. And I can understand why - if they've been burned in the past by a newly matched intern calling 5 weeks before orientation in a panic because they didn't pass CS/CK....it makes life very difficult for the PD, to put it mildly.

There is probably also a fair amount of "fear factor" in what the OP's school is saying. By the time February of MS4 rolls around, all you want to do is lay around watching TV, not studying for Step 2. So if you put it off and end up not passing because you're so burned out and unmotivated....

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Well, it depends, on the specialty and on the program.

Some specialties are starting to ask for Step 2 "sooner rather than later." It's one more thing to help them make up their minds, etc.

Some programs also REALLY REALLY like it when applicants come in with all their ducks lined up in a row. And I can understand why - if they've been burned in the past by a newly matched intern calling 5 weeks before orientation in a panic because they didn't pass CS/CK....it makes life very difficult for the PD, to put it mildly.

There is probably also a fair amount of "fear factor" in what the OP's school is saying. By the time February of MS4 rolls around, all you want to do is lay around watching TV, not studying for Step 2. So if you put it off and end up not passing because you're so burned out and unmotivated....

That makes sense to me. Just Oct. 15 sounds a little arbitrary, even though it might be true for certain random specialties. I can definitely see programs wanting it by the time they make up their rank order list, even though I know that's not usually the norm.

And I guess I felt like I had much more of a chance of failing CS versus CK, which is probably why I took it earlier to get it over with. But my school is full of horror CS stories, so my feelings are probably different than most US applicants.

 

[cookymonster]

I wasn't even planning on studying for Step 2 CS at all, but it sounds like I ought to plan on at least cracking a book. Regardless, after looking at the calendar Bagel mentioned, I'd have to take it by Dec 31st for it to be available in February anyway. Currently, there aren't any spots, but I guess I'll keep my eyes peeled. I really don't want to miss more time on rotations during interview season or pay for a plane ticket across the country, but if it puts my mind to rest, it might be worth it.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

One of the students at my school fit CS in with his interview traveling, so he didn't have to spend extra money. That seems a little complicated to me, though, since you have to schedule CS so early.

I'm a little paranoid about CS just because of my school, but CS really is an easy test, so you don't have to study much. Just read the First Aid book. The advice in it really differed from stuff I had gotten on my OSCEs, so I'm glad I looked at it. But again, my school sucks at CS, and the people giving us advice don't know how CS works.