ERAS application and Steps

[OHMAN0125]

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Just had a quick question. Does anyone know if you did good on Step1 should u check Yes orf No to the automatic retransmission of Step2 in ERAS? My guess is No, but do program directors see this? Kinda like the waive and donot waive thing on LORs? Thanks.

 

[njbmd]

Just had a quick question. Does anyone know if you did good on Step1 should u check Yes orf No to the automatic retransmission of Step2 in ERAS? My guess is No, but do program directors see this? Kinda like the waive and donot waive thing on LORs? Thanks.

Doing this implies that you have something to hide. If you do get an interview and your Step II scores are not available, the PD can always ask for transmission of your Step II score before they rank you anyway. Transmit the scores and let them vote you up or down. Why spend the time and money to interview at a place (assuming you are asked to interview in the first place), only to risk not being ranked because you didn't like your Step I score (which doesn't count for very much anyway unless you fail).

 

[cgk]

Doing this implies that you have something to hide. If you do get an interview and your Step II scores are not available, the PD can always ask for transmission of your Step II score before they rank you anyway. Transmit the scores and let them vote you up or down. Why spend the time and money to interview at a place (assuming you are asked to interview in the first place), only to risk not being ranked because you didn't like your Step I score (which doesn't count for very much anyway unless you fail).

Did you mean step1 score or step 2 score doesn't count very much unless you fail. I'm confused...?

 

[sendwich]

step 2

 

[njbmd]

Did you mean step1 score or step 2 score doesn't count very much unless you fail. I'm confused...?

Point of Clarification:
Step I is most important. I don't think you would even get to interview if you didn't have a Step I score. Step II has less importance unless you fail that exam (negative). If your Step I score is excellent, your Step II score (if lower) isn't going to kill you. If your Step I score is poor, you NEED to have a strong Step II. If your Step I score is poor and you fail Step II, you may have difficulty matching into a good residency program even in a non-competitive specialty. In any event, report out your Step II scores and take the exams as early as you can (when you have completed you prep). Waiting to take Step II can be problematic as it covers things that you should have honed during third year. If you take it as soon as you can post third year, the material (especially medicine) will still be fresh in your mind as will your physical diagnostic skills.

 

[cgk]

Point of Clarification:
Step I is most important. I don't think you would even get to interview if you didn't have a Step I score. Step II has less importance unless you fail that exam (negative). If your Step I score is excellent, your Step II score (if lower) isn't going to kill you. If your Step I score is poor, you NEED to have a strong Step II. If your Step I score is poor and you fail Step II, you may have difficulty matching into a good residency program even in a non-competitive specialty. In any event, report out your Step II scores and take the exams as early as you can (when you have completed you prep). Waiting to take Step II can be problematic as it covers things that you should have honed during third year. If you take it as soon as you can post third year, the material (especially medicine) will still be fresh in your mind as will your physical diagnostic skills.

Do you think it would be a problem to take step 2 after my 3rd year as you suggest, however if I don't do real well, not release the score for ERAS purposes? Please advise.

 

[yeasterbunny]

The conventional wisdom is this:

1. If you're happy with your step 1 score, don't take step 2 until late, so programs won't have scores until interview offers are made. They won't think it's weird that you didn't release your scores, because you haven't even taken the test. I took step 2 in November and did not do the auto score release thing, and no interviewer ever asked me about my step 2 score.

2. If you're not happy with your step 1 score you probably want to rock step 2 early enough that it can potentially help your application. This, of course, severely backfires if your step 2 score is also poor.

 

[cgk]

The conventional wisdom is this:

1. If you're happy with your step 1 score, don't take step 2 until late, so programs won't have scores until interview offers are made. They won't think it's weird that you didn't release your scores, because you haven't even taken the test. I took step 2 in November and did not do the auto score release thing, and no interviewer ever asked me about my step 2 score.

2. If you're not happy with your step 1 score you probably want to rock step 2 early enough that it can potentially help your application. This, of course, severely backfires if your step 2 score is also poor.

I received a 265 on step 1, so naturally I would like to just submit this score. However, I would also like to take step 2 next August, after my 3rd year, while all the information is still fresh in my mind. If I take step 2 in August and "check" no the the auto score release thing, will that be a detriment to my overall application? I am planning on applying to Rad/Onc which these days is somewhat competitive. Please advise, thanks!

 

[yeasterbunny]

I received a 265 on step 1, so naturally I would like to just submit this score. However, I would also like to take step 2 next August, after my 3rd year, while all the information is still fresh in my mind. If I take step 2 in August and "check" no the the auto score release thing, will that be a detriment to my overall application? I am planning on applying to Rad/Onc which these days is somewhat competitive. Please advise, thanks!

I just matched in radonc. Trust me, no one cares about your step 2 or whether you checked the box.

 

[njbmd]

Do you think it would be a problem to take step 2 after my 3rd year as you suggest, however if I don't do real well, not release the score for ERAS purposes? Please advise.

If you take the test, release the scores. The program might interview you but they probably won't rank you without those scores. When placed next to a person who has scores from USMLE Step II released, guess which one they will rank? Not the person whose scores are not there. To not release the scores implies that you have something to hide.

Release the scores.
Release the scores.
Release the scores.

 

[yeasterbunny]

...
Release the scores.
Release the scores.
Release the scores.

I never released my scores and matched high on my list. Level D evidence, I know. Just sayin'.

 

[cgk]

I never released my scores and matched high on my list. Level D evidence, I know. Just sayin'.

What time frame did you take Step 2?

 

[yeasterbunny]

What time frame did you take Step 2?

Day before Thanksgiving.

 

[OHMAN0125]

Day before Thanksgiving.

So in that case, it's not really late for interviews. I guess for u they just didnt care. I decided to keep Step2 in late Feb then. Lol. This way they def wont have my CK scores until after I match.

 

[yeasterbunny]

So in that case, it's not really late for interviews. I guess for u they just didnt care. I decided to keep Step2 in late Feb then. Lol. This way they def wont have my CK scores until after I match.

I think my school required that we take it before Dec 31. Anyway, it was in time for me to have virtually all my interview offers before the test results were back but I did know my score by the time I went on the actual interview, just in case they would ask. But they didn't.