Failed CS

[Ernny]

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Hi all....
I found out this morning that I did not pass my CS....
I am totally lost right now. I did not release my score to the programs I applied to, but if the interviewer brings it up, I will be totally honest and say I had a bad day and it didn't go as I expected. But if it's not brought up, should I just reveal it myself. I was afraid that if they later found out they will be more angry...
Another issue is, the dates are all filled up until January, so most likely my retake result won't be back in time for the programs to rank me.
Is there still a chance to match?

A few notes about my stats: AMG, Step 1 246, CK - taking in Nov, honored 3/6 clerkship

Any advice is appreciated

 

[David Hasselhof]

Sorry to hear that. I'm about to take it and haven't done much preparation.

Why do you think you failed?

I would probably not mention it in interviews, but that's just me.

 

[Ernny]

I failed the ICE part.
I have not studied for CK when I took the exam, so I missed like 2 or 3 diagnoses, but to the point of failing the exam, I honestly have no clue.

 

[David Hasselhof]

Hmm. Are you a native English speaker? Do you go to a US medical school?

 

[Ernny]

No, and Yes.
I passed SEP with high margin

 

[David Hasselhof]

No, and Yes.
I passed SEP with high margin

Interesting. I've known 3 people that have failed CS and none of them were native English speakers, but if you passed SEP I don't really know what to make of it.

 

[Ernny]

Well I only failed the ICE part, so either I missed a lot on physical exams or patient notes

 

[elektroshok]

I dunno, its a tough call. That sucks, im sorry

I think the one thing is, if asked about it in an interview outright - don't lie about it.

On that note tho, I doubt anyone will bring up "so when do you plan on taking step 2 CS?" Just reschedule and take it again and read first aid for CS

 

[Ernny]

Yea, i think nobody would ask about CS, that's why I am wondering if I should be the person to bring it up. Because what would they think if everything went well and all of a sudden they see a failing CS on my app, and I won't be able to explain in person because I had already done my interview...

 

[elektroshok]

Yea, i think nobody would ask about CS, that's why I am wondering if I should be the person to bring it up. Because what would they think if everything went well and all of a sudden they see a failing CS on my app, and I won't be able to explain in person because I had already done my interview...

I honestly don't know. It is a difficult situation to be in.

I still think that if it were me, I would not bring it up, but not lie if someone asks. Then release scores after match.

Anyone else?

 

[Ernny]

But I would have to release my CK before they rank me, so they would see my CS

 

[Trastuz]

But I would have to release my CK before they rank me, so they would see my CS

Why would you have to release your CK score before they rank you?

 

[Ernny]

Why would you have to release your CK score before they rank you?

If it's good, it could help

 

[NeuroRay]

If it's good, it could help

if it's good it can definitely help, but the fail in CS definitely will erase whatever help the step 2 CK score boost will provide and make your app worse imo, so I would definitely advise against releasing your score. 240+ which you got is good enough.

 

[Trastuz]

If it's good, it could help

Agree with above poster. Even if you would have passed CS first try and destroyed step 2, with your step 1, any additional benefit would be marginal. In your scenario, I can't imagine a situation where releasing would help.

Sorry you're in a crappy situation. The silver lining is that you have a good step 1. People match at great places without ever releasing step 2. I would make that your new plan.

 

[shark2000]

You may match somewhere, but in a place that is much lower than expected for step 1 of 246.

CS is not all what programs look, but failing it is a BIG RED FLAG in your application.

 

[elektroshok]

You may match somewhere, but in a place that is much lower than expected for step 1 of 246.

CS is not all what programs look, but failing it is a BIG RED FLAG in your application.

the reason NOT to release until after match

 

[TheTwits]

the reason NOT to release until after match

This.

 

[Step2Report]

Agree with above poster. Even if you would have passed CS first try and destroyed step 2, with your step 1, any additional benefit would be marginal. In your scenario, I can't imagine a situation where releasing would help.

Sorry you're in a crappy situation. The silver lining is that you have a good step 1. People match at great places without ever releasing step 2. I would make that your new plan.

Do the big-name Rads places require you to release Step 2 scores before they make their rank order lists? Will it be a red flag if an applicant to a top-ten program does not release Step 2 Scores by the time rank order lists are due?

 

[Ernny]

Do the big-name Rads places require you to release Step 2 scores before they make their rank order lists? Will it be a red flag if an applicant to a top-ten program does not release Step 2 Scores by the time rank order lists are due?

I don't know the answer to your question.
But I am not coming from a big name school, so CK is somewhat important...
My plan right now is to just take it in Dec, get my score back in late Jan, and release CK and CS at the same time.
I am assuming a CK+CS(2 attempts with a pass) is better than CK+fail CS with no 2nd attempt pass.
Does that sound reasonable?

 

[elektroshok]

I don't know the answer to your question.
But I am not coming from a big name school, so CK is somewhat important...
My plan right now is to just take it in Dec, get my score back in late Jan, and release CK and CS at the same time.
I am assuming a CK+CS(2 attempts with a pass) is better than CK+fail CS with no 2nd attempt pass.
Does that sound reasonable?

Dude, I think a 300 on CK would not over shadow a fail on CS.

I guess I don't know why you would want to release so bad. Honestly, I think by releasing you are shooting yourself in the foot. I'm sure you're a stellar applicant overall, and it sucks, but programs are going to have their picks of people who haven't failed CS.

I think like one program in cali requires step 2 stuff for ranking, but I'm not sure.

I think you're chances are better by not releasing till after match, potentially having like one program care you don't have scores in and ranking you lower. As opposed to releasing, having all the programs that loved you and you interviewed well at dropping you down the rank list when they see the fail.

Again, this is just my opinion. But I say again, a baller CK score isn't going to make programs shrug a CS fail and not care

 

[NeuroRay]

Dude, I think a 300 on CK would not over shadow a fail on CS.

I guess I don't know why you would want to release so bad. Honestly, I think by releasing you are shooting yourself in the foot. I'm sure you're a stellar applicant overall, and it sucks, but programs are going to have their picks of people who haven't failed CS.

I think like one program in cali requires step 2 stuff for ranking, but I'm not sure.

I think you're chances are better by not releasing till after match, potentially having like one program care you don't have scores in and ranking you lower. As opposed to releasing, having all the programs that loved you and you interviewed well at dropping you down the rank list when they see the fail.

Again, this is just my opinion. But I say again, a baller CK score isn't going to make programs shrug a CS fail and not care

agree, what i said earlier w/ more details

 

[Ernny]

Thank you all for the valuable suggestions. I think I am left with no other choice but to keep quiet.
Gosh if you knew me personally, you would know that I am the worst person on earth to hide secret...

 

[Trastuz]

Do the big-name Rads places require you to release Step 2 scores before they make their rank order lists? Will it be a red flag if an applicant to a top-ten program does not release Step 2 Scores by the time rank order lists are due?

From what I understand, most places have a rough running rank list or scoring system. If they waited until everyone had interviewed to start ranking, they would never be able to remember the details necessary to make such a list. Interview committees meet regularly to discuss the latest set of applicants and add them to the list. After interviews are over, the PD, with or without the committee, tweaks the list based on whatever they feel like, including newly released CK scores. After all that effort in interviewing applicants I highly doubt most programs would simply drop all applicants without a CK score.

But this is mostly hearsay. Each program is different and will obviously vary. The short of it is that if you're CK is more than 10 points lower than step 1, I'd think long and hard about releasing it as it's benefit is suspect. FWIW I know several people who matched at solid university programs without releasing CK (but not so called "top" places).

 

[Step2Report]

From what I understand, most places have a rough running rank list or scoring system. If they waited until everyone had interviewed to start ranking, they would never be able to remember the details necessary to make such a list. Interview committees meet regularly to discuss the latest set of applicants and add them to the list. After interviews are over, the PD, with or without the committee, tweaks the list based on whatever they feel like, including newly released CK scores. After all that effort in interviewing applicants I highly doubt most programs would simply drop all applicants without a CK score.

But this is mostly hearsay. Each program is different and will obviously vary. The short of it is that if you're CK is more than 10 points lower than step 1, I'd think long and hard about releasing it as it's benefit is suspect. FWIW I know several people who matched at solid university programs without releasing CK (but not so called "top" places).

Thanks for the info.