Importance of Step 2 For DO Students?

[deleted645092]

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So I'm in a bit of a pickle. My school has started contacting us regarding scheduling our Level 2 PE and CE exams, and I'm kind of blown away at the cost; just under $2,000 combined! And then I went ahead and looked at the registration costs for Step 2 CK and CS and boom, another $2,000! Obviously I have to take Level 2 so that's a sunk cost there, but I'm currently on the fence about the cost of Step 2, since that is money that simply doesn't exist for me, and my parents can't help, so I would have to take a loan out from somewhere.

The reason I'm posting here about it for some advice is that I did pretty well on Step 1 and Level 1; 249 and 664, respectively. So I'm wondering if Step 2 is as necessary as Step 1 for not automatically shutting myself out of any residencies. I've read over and over about a good Step 2 score making up for mediocre Step 1 scores for DO students, but what if the opposite is true and I've already shown that I can hold my own in regards to scores and knowledge, is Step 2 still a necessary opportunity cost?

In case it's relevant to the discussion, as of right now I'm pretty set on Emergency Medicine, but PM&R and Family still haven't been ruled out. If I were to feel frisky and the opportunity were to present itself, I also haven't ruled out surgery or interventional radiology.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

So I'm in a bit of a pickle. My school has started contacting us regarding scheduling our Level 2 PE and CE exams, and I'm kind of blown away at the cost; just under $2,000 combined! And then I went ahead and looked at the registration costs for Step 2 CK and CS and boom, another $2,000! Obviously I have to take Level 2 so that's a sunk cost there, but I'm currently on the fence about the cost of Step 2, since that is money that simply doesn't exist for me, and my parents can't help, so I would have to take a loan out from somewhere.

The reason I'm posting here about it for some advice is that I did pretty well on Step 1 and Level 1; 249 and 664, respectively. So I'm wondering if Step 2 is as necessary as Step 1 for not automatically shutting myself out of any residencies. I've read over and over about a good Step 2 score making up for mediocre Step 1 scores for DO students, but what if the opposite is true and I've already shown that I can hold my own in regards to scores and knowledge, is Step 2 still a necessary opportunity cost?

In case it's relevant to the discussion, as of right now I'm pretty set on Emergency Medicine, but PM&R and Family still haven't been ruled out. If I were to feel frisky and the opportunity were to present itself, I also haven't ruled out surgery or interventional radiology.

IR is probably a yes, although you don't need step 2 clinical skills for anything. Surgery it might help. For EM, PM&R and FM, I see literally no point in doing it with your step 1.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I've been wondering this too, specifically for Step 2 CS.

 

[deleted645092]

IR is probably a yes, although you don't need step 2 clinical skills for anything. Surgery it might help. For EM, PM&R and FM, I see literally no point in doing it with your step 1.

Thanks for your response, I’m glad to hear that CS probably isn’t required, especially since that’s most of the cost anyways. I could probably manage to pay for CK if I were to live off rice and beans for a bit haha.

 

[DO???]

Thanks for your response, I’m glad to hear that CS probably isn’t required, especially since that’s most of the cost anyways. I could probably manage to pay for CK if I were to live off rice and beans for a bit haha.

Do not pay for step 2 cs, totally unnecessary. Step 2ck is helpful to take. You did well on step 1, doing well on step 2 provides another data point that they can compre you to an md applicant. Most of my classmates who took step 1 did take step 2 ck.

 

[Black Coffee 24/7]

My MD advisor is telling everyone with at least 210 Step 1 to take Step 2. The reason is based on feedbacks from 4th year students who are being shut out of non-primary care dream programs for last cycle and this coming cycle.

 

[Black Coffee 24/7]

I've been wondering this too, specifically for Step 2 CS.

Step 2 CK yes. No to Step 2 CS. There are some bs NE IM fellowship programs that are shutting out DO students for not having Step 3 and Step 2 CS. One of them is probably NYU. But screw those programs. If you go to an university program or a community IM program with in house fellowships, you won’t have any trouble going into GI or Cards assuming that you’re hardworking and flexible.

 

[hallowmann]

Step 2 CS is not required for the vast majority of programs. For Step 2 CK, I'd schedule it for early Sept so that results won't be released when you apply and you could always hold off on releasing Step 2 scores until later in the cycle if they aren't as good as Step 1.

 

[Giovanotto]

Step 2 CS is not required for the vast majority of programs. For Step 2 CK, I'd schedule it for early Sept so that results won't be released when you apply and you could always hold off on releasing Step 2 scores until later in the cycle if they aren't as good as Step 1.

Does this apply for level 2 CK too? I'm scheduled for early August currently.

 

[hallowmann]

Does this apply for level 2 CK too? I'm scheduled for early August currently.

Level 2 CE. If you think its going to go well, then I wouldn't worry about it. Its mainly if you did really well on Level 1 and don't think you'll do as well on Level 2. Personally, I took it in August and it wasn't an issue, but also did better on Level 2 than Level 1. A lot of ACGME programs don't really understand how the COMLEX scoring works. I wouldn't delay it if you're not worried how you'll score, but if you are I'd weight risks and benefits. Like it you're study schedule is going to be messed up, and you'll have to take it during a busy rotation if you delay, then I would just take it as scheduled.

 

[uhmocksuhsillen]

Does this apply for level 2 CK too? I'm scheduled for early August currently.

I took mine early in fourth year; late june. I think having an extra data point really helps your app. Doing well on both steps would probably lead to more interviews.