ERAS and USMLE transcript release

[Clair de Lune]

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I am hoping someone out there can help me since I do not feel like going to the registrar's office yet again today. I'm working on the ERAS stuff and the part about release of USMLE transcripts has me confused. It says mark yes if you want the info to automatically go to the programs, but then it also says you will have to mail in the transcript yourself...huh???

Then there is a question that says do you wish to release transcripts of USMLE tests you have not taken yet, and if you do you might not be able to see the scores yourself before the programs do. Am I supposed to put yes for this? Normally I would just go ahead and put yes, but it says in bold letters that you cannot change anything about that part of the ERAS once you submit it...

Thanks in advance for your input 🙂

 

[TigerPath05]

As I recall, the answer to the 2nd part of your question about selecting "yes" & then not being able to change it means... for example, if you select "yes" & take Step 2 in December, then your scores automatically go to the programs you have selected on ERAS. If you select "no," then you have to remember to manually send them after the scores are released.

 

[Aubrey]

As I recall, the answer to the 2nd part of your question about selecting "yes" & then not being able to change it means... for example, if you select "yes" & take Step 2 in December, then your scores automatically go to the programs you have selected on ERAS. If you select "no," then you have to remember to manually send them after the scores are released.

I went ahead and said yes to both questions; there's really no reason not to, unless you think your Step 2 score might turn programs off, and you want to retake it. Of course, even postulating such a situation, the programs will eventually see both scores.. it's strategery, as AndyMilonakis would have it.

 

[deschutes]

TigerPath05 is right.

I opted for "No automatic transmission of transcript" (I wouldn't have had it in time anyway).

You just have to remember to upload it later. And as yaah said, that gives you a nice excuse to drop the program an email to say later on "I really liked visiting your program and by the way here are my (blindingly high) scores..."

Some programs just never bug you for Step 2 scores, even when the whole Match thing is over. I can attest to this, and I believe Doctor B said the same.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I went ahead and said yes to both questions; there's really no reason not to, unless you think your Step 2 score might turn programs off, and you want to retake it. Of course, even postulating such a situation, the programs will eventually see both scores.. it's strategery, as AndyMilonakis would have it.

Yes Aubrey, I see your point. However, it's not a question of IF the programs see the scores...it's a matter of WHEN the programs see your scores. Do you want programs to see your score BEFORE final ranking decisions are made? Or do you want them to see your scores when it's too late for a bad score to change your position on their rank list?

As for retaking Step 2, if you pass step 2, no matter how crappy your score is, you can't retake it. Once you pass, you pass. Hence, if you have a suspicion that your step 2 score will suck ass, don't say "Yes" to that question on ERAS. You're probably smart and won't bomb step 2...BUT what if you don't want to study for it and want to have the option of barely passing it? Then answering "Yes" to this question locks you into having to study for this stupid test and can potentially F you in the A.

I said "No" to that question, initially scheduled Step 2 for November, then pushed it off until December, then in a stroke of genius, decided to pay $50 so that I could put it off even further. Ended up taking Step 2 at the very end of January...that way the residency programs would never ever ever EVER see my Step 2 score even if I did really really REALLY sh*tty. This is because it takes 3 weeks, at least, for Step 2 scores to come out. The deadline for rank order list entry on behalf of applicants and programs was Feb. 23rd. And I wasn't planning on manually sending jack **** cuz I knew my Step 2 score would be lower than my Step 1 score...who the f*ck needs to see that, right? Anyways, when I realized and concocted this brilliant strategery (give credit to ******* Dubya for that term, not me), I realized that I had the option of hardly studying for Step 2 and taking it without feeling guilty. And then I could race through the test so that I could get out by 5 pm so I could go happy hour!

But anyway, if you plan to take Step 2 earlier than January (i.e., the residency programs may wonder about your score before rank order list entry deadline) and think you'll do reasonably well on it, it doesn't hurt you to answer "Yes" to that question.

BTW, I never manually sent my scores to programs...they probably forgot about it, and I certainly didn't even think to send them scores. Eventually my program knew I passed when I was filling out the application for licensure in Massachusetts and filled out the hospital paperwork!

 

[Aubrey]

Yes Aubrey, I see your point. However, it's not a question of IF the programs see the scores...it's a matter of WHEN the programs see your scores. Do you want programs to see your score BEFORE final ranking decisions are made? Or do you want them to see your scores when it's too late for a bad score to change your position on their rank list?

As for retaking Step 2, if you pass step 2, no matter how crappy your score is, you can't retake it. Once you pass, you pass. Hence, if you have a suspicion that your step 2 score will suck ass, don't say "Yes" to that question on ERAS. You're probably smart and won't bomb step 2...BUT what if you don't want to study for it and want to have the option of barely passing it? Then answering "Yes" to this question locks you into having to study for this stupid test and can potentially F you in the A.

I said "No" to that question, initially scheduled Step 2 for November, then pushed it off until December, then in a stroke of genius, decided to pay $50 so that I could put it off even further. Ended up taking Step 2 at the very end of January...that way the residency programs would never ever ever EVER see my Step 2 score even if I did really really REALLY sh*tty. This is because it takes 3 weeks, at least, for Step 2 scores to come out. The deadline for rank order list entry on behalf of applicants and programs was Feb. 23rd. And I wasn't planning on manually sending jack **** cuz I knew my Step 2 score would be lower than my Step 1 score...who the f*ck needs to see that, right? Anyways, when I realized and concocted this brilliant strategery (give credit to ******* Dubya for that term, not me), I realized that I had the option of hardly studying for Step 2 and taking it without feeling guilty. And then I could race through the test so that I could get out by 5 pm so I could go happy hour!

But anyway, if you plan to take Step 2 earlier than January (i.e., the residency programs may wonder about your score before rank order list entry deadline) and think you'll do reasonably well on it, it doesn't hurt you to answer "Yes" to that question.

BTW, I never manually sent my scores to programs...they probably forgot about it, and I certainly didn't even think to send them scores. Eventually my program knew I passed when I was filling out the application for licensure in Massachusetts and filled out the hospital paperwork!

Damn, that is some next level strategery, dude! 🙂

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Damn, that is some next level strategery, dude! 🙂

Word. There were quite a few of us who did well on Step 1 and didn't want to study worth jack **** for Step 2. So there was much discussion about the strategery.

One guy in our class claimed to score approx. 40 points lower on Step 2...he matched into neurosurg and didn't give a rat's ass about performing well on Step 2.

 

[deschutes]

One guy in our class claimed to score approx. 40 points lower on Step 2...he matched into neurosurg and didn't give a rat's ass about performing well on Step 2.

I assume you are talking about the 3-digit score!

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I assume you are talking about the 3-digit score!

Yeah, I was talking about the 3 digit score. He went down from like 250-something to like 200-something. I respect people who do this. They serve as great role models.

 

[deschutes]

Yeah, I was talking about the 3 digit score. He went down from like 250-something to like 200-something. I respect people who do this. They serve as great role models.

Meh. The same drop in the two-digit score would have been much more impressive 😛

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Meh. The same drop in the two-digit score would have been much more impressive 😛

I understand that. However, a score of 59 would cause him to fail. And then he wouldn't have graduated.

 

[beary]

I understand that. However, a score of 59 would cause him to fail. And then he wouldn't have graduated.

I would like to get one point above the passing line. However, given my med school performance this far, I will have to work hard to reach this level. 😳

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I would like to get one point above the passing line. However, given my med school performance this far, I will have to work hard to reach this level. 😳

No no...I thought step 2 was much easier than the shelf exams. And you're looking at one dumb motherf*cker during clinical rotations here. I think you'll do better than just passing.

 

[deschutes]

Everyone's dumb on clinical rotations. However, some dumbf***s still manage to do better than other dumbf***s 🙄

 

[Luvula]

TigerPath05 is right.

I opted for "No automatic transmission of transcript" ...

You just have to remember to upload it later. And as yaah said, that gives you a nice excuse to drop the program an email to say later on "I really liked visiting your program and by the way here are my (blindingly high) scores..." ...

Another thought on this topic... our dean warned that if you submit Step 2 scores automatically, the schools may see them before you do. You can potentially find an interviewer asking you about a score you have never seen.