Failed Step 2CS AMG - Please Help, Especially aPD

[Medstudent9]

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Hi, I created a new username (some know my old) to protect my privacy.

Here's the story - I just found out I failed Step 2 CS (on the interpersonal portion). I am an AMG who had until now been doing really well on interviews. I have decent board scores otherwise and HPs/honors in clinical rotations (middle of my class, top 5 school, applying to anesthesia).

Not to make excuses for myself, I DID NOT take the exam seriously and my interviews of the SPs were probably way too short. I also had to scramble to get an exam slot so as luck would have it the day of my test I had a bad (and obvious) head cold, nothing serious but may have annoyed the SPs (I *did* wash my hands rigorously, etc).

Unfortunately, (I can't believe I did this, really thought I had not), I have my transcripts automatically released and I am done with interviews at this point.

So should I:

** email all the PDs of where I am applying and explain what happened and that I am retaking it? (scheduled for later this month, will be done before residency)

** ignore it knowing they WILL see it?

** how likely am I to not match after this? previously I had gotten calls and positive contacts from all my programs and thought I had a shot at getting one of my top choices. Now I am so depressed that one bad day and bad decision-making mean I may not match.

Please help! I have been crying all morning... I don't know what to do. I had been trying so hard to match where my husband is located (although I applied broadly) and now I think I let him down (he doesn't know yet).

Sigh.

Particularly if aPD has any insights on the best approach to take to salvage this situation.

 

[ResidentMD]

Hi, I created a new username (some know my old) to protect my privacy.

Here's the story - I just found out I failed Step 2 CS (on the interpersonal portion). I am an AMG who had until now been doing really well on interviews. I have decent board scores otherwise and HPs/honors in clinical rotations (middle of my class, top 5 school, applying to anesthesia).

Not to make excuses for myself, I DID NOT take the exam seriously and my interviews of the SPs were probably way too short. I also had to scramble to get an exam slot so as luck would have it the day of my test I had a bad (and obvious) head cold, nothing serious but may have annoyed the SPs (I *did* wash my hands rigorously, etc).

Unfortunately, (I can't believe I did this, really thought I had not), I have my transcripts automatically released and I am done with interviews at this point.

So should I:

** email all the PDs of where I am applying and explain what happened and that I am retaking it? (scheduled for later this month, will be done before residency)

** ignore it knowing they WILL see it?

** how likely am I to not match after this? previously I had gotten calls and positive contacts from all my programs and thought I had a shot at getting one of my top choices. Now I am so depressed that one bad day and bad decision-making mean I may not match.

Please help! I have been crying all morning... I don't know what to do. I had been trying so hard to match where my husband is located (although I applied broadly) and now I think I let him down (he doesn't know yet).

Sigh.

Particularly if aPD has any insights on the best approach to take to salvage this situation.

I am really sorry to hear this.

I am a current applicant, but if I were in your position, I would be really honest with all the PDs.

The Step 2 CS has thrown up unexpected results. I have read about a few people failing the CS, and then NBME contacts them 6 months later with a letter of apology, saying that they actually had passed the exam, and it was a mistake on their end.

The PDs may have seen a few applicants to whom this has happened.

I cannot address how it will affect where you will match, though if you had really good interviews and good followups, if the PDs know your situation, I hope (in a good way) you would match somewhere (good).

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

Hi, I created a new username (some know my old) to protect my privacy.

Here's the story - I just found out I failed Step 2 CS (on the interpersonal portion). I am an AMG who had until now been doing really well on interviews. I have decent board scores otherwise and HPs/honors in clinical rotations (middle of my class, top 5 school, applying to anesthesia).

Not to make excuses for myself, I DID NOT take the exam seriously and my interviews of the SPs were probably way too short. I also had to scramble to get an exam slot so as luck would have it the day of my test I had a bad (and obvious) head cold, nothing serious but may have annoyed the SPs (I *did* wash my hands rigorously, etc).

Unfortunately, (I can't believe I did this, really thought I had not), I have my transcripts automatically released and I am done with interviews at this point.

So should I:

** email all the PDs of where I am applying and explain what happened and that I am retaking it? (scheduled for later this month, will be done before residency)

** ignore it knowing they WILL see it?

** how likely am I to not match after this? previously I had gotten calls and positive contacts from all my programs and thought I had a shot at getting one of my top choices. Now I am so depressed that one bad day and bad decision-making mean I may not match.

Please help! I have been crying all morning... I don't know what to do. I had been trying so hard to match where my husband is located (although I applied broadly) and now I think I let him down (he doesn't know yet).

Sigh.

Particularly if aPD has any insights on the best approach to take to salvage this situation.

Ugh, that sucks. I don't know that I'd bank on it being a mistake on the test, but I also don't think it's quite as bad as it seems right now.

For one, you have 2 years of clinical evaluations plus LORs plus your actual interviews to show what kind of interpersonal skills you have. I think if I were a PD, I would put more weight behind that and just assume you had a bad test day.

Also, I know of 2 people who failed CS (but after the match, so slightly different). One retook it and passed and had no problem starting residency, I think the other actually had to delay residency because they couldn't get the results back before July 1. I think you're in a not terrible position of being able to retake it and get your score report back in time (though obviously it's going to be expensive 🙁 ).

As for emailing PDs, I don't really know. I think maybe I would send them an email explaining what happened and what you're doing about it, and maybe asking if they have any advice/suggestions/thoughts? You're right, I don't think ignoring it is going to accomplish anything, and could maybe hurt you.

 

[Medforthewin]

I sent you a message. Hope it helps.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Given that you've released the result, it's probably best to contact programs. You could hope that they won't notice, and you could check via MyERAS whether they've donwloaded it or not -- if not, keep quiet. If so, I'd probably contact them and tell them your story.

One other piece of advice: Tell your hubby. Now. Your marriage is more important than this exam. Hiding things is not good for a marriage.

 

[tarlovcyst]

I sympathize with your situation. Been having med students swing by my office as early as December with a failed board exam.. CK and CS.

Listen, cheer up. It's not the end of the world. Go ahead and reschedule your CS for as early as you can. Right now, March or April may be the earliest bet.

In the notoriously urology match this year, I knew an applicant who didn't even release his Step 2 CK or CS scores. He matched #1 with only a solid step 1 score. True story.

In your case, it's not the end of the world. The scores are automatically released, but I've known people to only pay attention to step 1 and didn't even bother to look at step 2, even though it was there! You can pray for this.

But likely, you need to shoot an email over to the PD of the programs you are considering. Make it short and concise saying that you unexpectedly did not pass (don't use the world fail) step 2 CS. you don't need to say why or anything like that. Finish it off with saying that you are planning to re-take it at the earliest date possible on xxxxx and that you hope this aspect does not negatively impact your application because you really liked their program. The key is to keep it concise and do not sound desperate. I get emails all the time from applicants who ramble on and on, and it reflects how much of a mess the applicant is because of a score.

Don't let a number or a score define you. The application (that documents your entire life) and interview (that defines who you are) weigh so much more than a $1000 test that only 4% of AMGs fail each year. And this 4% aren't even the same pool that fails step 1 and/or 2. It's a different bunch for whatever reason. Trust me, program directors know this.

If you failed Step 2 CK, it would be another story.