Does Step 1 Matter After Interviews?

[Harrison486]

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Hey everyone,

I was having a conversation with my roommate today about the interview/match process and the topic of Step 1 scores came up. Obviously, we acknoledge the fact that Step 1 scores play a large role in getting interviews from different programs.

Our question is: Do Step 1 scores come into play at all after interviews when programs are getting ready to make their rank list (or is everyone on the same playing field once interviews are given)?

I realize that there are many other important things that go into ranking (ie. your actual interview and interactions), but what role do Step 1/Step 2 scores play in ranking?

 

[Instatewaiter]

Hey everyone,

I was having a conversation with my roommate today about the interview/match process and the topic of Step 1 scores came up. Obviously, we acknoledge the fact that Step 1 scores play a large role in getting interviews from different programs.

Our question is: Do Step 1 scores come into play at all after interviews when programs are getting ready to make their rank list (or is everyone on the same playing field once interviews are given)?

I realize that there are many other important things that go into ranking (ie. your actual interview and interactions), but what role do Step 1/Step 2 scores play in ranking?

Step 1 definitely matters with regard to where you rank. That and grades are the objective measures they have to assess your competence.

 

[smq123]

Our question is: Do Step 1 scores come into play at all after interviews when programs are getting ready to make their rank list (or is everyone on the same playing field once interviews are given)?

It probably depends on the individual program. At our program, having sat in on rank list meetings, we did not discuss Step 1 scores, and I doubt that they came up at all as a factor in how people were ranked.

Step 2 scores also did not matter; although, if a person said that they had problems passing Step 2 after they had been interviewed, that was enough to put them in the "Do Not Rank" list.

 

[Harrison486]

It probably depends on the individual program. At our program, having sat in on rank list meetings, we did not discuss Step 1 scores, and I doubt that they came up at all as a factor in how people were ranked.

So someone with a 260+ would be on the same level as someone with mid-220s if they were both invited for an interview?

 

[El Dooderino]

So someone with a 260+ would be on the same level as someone with mid-220s if they were both invited for an interview?

Maybe not at that person's program, but that's definitely atypical. Step 1 score is still the most important thing when ranking, vast majority of people don't differentiate themselves during the interview

 

[InterviewSEASON]

Overall, I'm sure having a better board score increases your chances of being ranked higher. I think the real question, however, is how likely you are to rank at a given program based on board scores. As stated above, how programs treat board scores is variable. This is how I think of it, and I would encourage you to do the same:

1. You were chosen for an interview AFTER the program knew your board score and had reviewed your entire application.
2. Program directors and attendings have better things to do than interview people they are not seriously considering.
3. With very few exceptions, programs are not conducting "courtesy" interviews to make you feel better.

Conclusion: If you are invited to interview, the program has seen something in your application that they like. They think you might be a good fit for their program based on what you look like on paper (which includes your board scores) and they want to learn more about you.

Does a person with a 260 have a better chance at being ranked higher than somebody with a 220? Probably, but not necessarily. You are not just a board score, and there is a lot that comes into play.

Once you have an interview, your foot is in the door. Consider thr playing field leveled (at least somewhat). Prepare well for the interview and nail it.

By the same token, don't walk into the interview thinking you're in just because you have a 260.

If they were going to base everything on board scores and your ERAS, they wouldn't waste their time with interview days.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I think the easy answer to your question is "everything counts".

How much everything counts is going to depend upon the field, the program, and it's competitiveness.

Let's imagine some super competitive program out there. Man's Best Hospital (MBH) is recruiting for interns for it's residency program. They decide to interview 50 people, all of whom have Step 1 scores of 250-280. In that case, I doubt that step 1 scores will have much to do with ranking, as all of those scores really show excellent mastery of the subject (at least as measured on a multiple choice test format).

Now let's say there's a program across the street, perhaps Hollywood Upstairs Medical Center (HUMC). HUMC isn't as competitive, so it's applicants have a broader range of scores. Still, some high performers think that HUMC is totally cool, and figure they won't be working anywhere near as hard as at MBH. So, their interviewees range from 200 - 260 on Step 1. In that case, you can be certain that the person with a 260 will likely "start" with a higher ranking position than the person with a 200. Could a fantastic interview or outstanding clinical grades bring the person with the 200 up above the person with a 260? Sure, but if the person with a 260 has great clinical grades etc, it's going to be tough.

So, everything still matters. That being said, getting an interview is your foot in the door. I'm not interviewing you unless I could imagine you in my program. Do your best on your interview, and let the match work it's magic.