Is releasing the USMLE Transcript required? ECFMG says no.

[colbertstewart]

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I'm sorry to ask.

I do not want to be screened out before programs even look at the rest of my application, based solely on USMLE scores.

If I don't release the USMLE transcripts, programs will still know that I passed the steps right? They just won't know the scores/number of attempts?

ECFMG says that releasing the USMLE transcript with myeras application is not required. It says in myeras2011...

"USMLE Transcript Request
- You have not requested that a USMLE transcript be released(not required)"

I passed my Step 1, 2 CK and CS but I had to make multiple attempts before I passed my Step 1 and I don't have very high scores on my steps. The rest of my application is strong.

So I fear programs will rule me out without consideration if I release my USMLE transcript to them.

I assume that programs would know that I passed these exams even if I do not release the transcript. They simply wouldn't know my score or failed attempts.

Would it be okay if I were to not release the transcript unless a program contacts me requesting my USMLE transcript?

I will be ecfmg certified in a few weeks. Should I just wait for certification to apply, without releasing the transcript.

That way, programs will know for certain that I passed my steps, since I would be ecfmg certified, but they wouldn't know my scores.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[calespine]

I'm sorry to ask.

I do not want to be screened out before programs even look at the rest of my application, based solely on USMLE scores.

If I don't release the USMLE transcripts, programs will still know that I passed the steps right? They just won't know the scores/number of attempts?

ECFMG says that releasing the USMLE transcript with myeras application is not required. It says in myeras2011...

"USMLE Transcript Request
- You have not requested that a USMLE transcript be released(not required)"

I passed my Step 1, 2 CK and CS but I had to make multiple attempts before I passed my Step 1 and I don't have very high scores on my steps. The rest of my application is strong.

So I fear programs will rule me out without consideration if I release my USMLE transcript to them.

I assume that programs would know that I passed these exams even if I do not release the transcript. They simply wouldn't know my score or failed attempts.

Would it be okay if I were to not release the transcript unless a program contacts me requesting my USMLE transcript?

I will be ecfmg certified in a few weeks. Should I just wait for certification to apply, without releasing the transcript.

That way, programs will know for certain that I passed my steps, since I would be ecfmg certified, but they wouldn't know my scores.

Thanks in advance for your help.

It may depend on specialty, but many programs won't consider your application complete until your usmle transcript has been received. If your application isn't complete, you won't be considered. It's a fact that step scores are used to screen applications- if you don't have scores on file you won't be screened, but you probably won't be reviewed either.

 

[colbertstewart]

It may depend on specialty, but many programs won't consider your application complete until your usmle transcript has been received. If your application isn't complete, you won't be considered. It's a fact that step scores are used to screen applications- if you don't have scores on file you won't be screened, but you probably won't be reviewed either.

Can anyone confirm this? Will programs not know that you passed the step exams just because you didn't release the transcript?

If programs won't consider you without it, why does eras list it as not required.

 

[ShyRem]

Ok. Perhaps not "required". But without them, don't be surprised if your application falls to the bottom never to be reviewed not going to interview ever because we can't see how they stand next to all the other applicants that have passed their boards too pile.

 

[notdeadyet]

Can anyone confirm this? Will programs not know that you passed the step exams just because you didn't release the transcript?

Our school's advisor indicated that on the two Step questions on ERAS, you can select "no" to the second question (so that future tests will not be sent until you release scores) but that you really must select "yes" to the first question.

If you refuse to release any USMLE scores, some programs won't look at your application.

For programs that don't screen based on Step 1, you're shooting yourself in the foot. They already know you did very poorly/failed your Step 1 (otherwise, who wouldn't release their scores?). But you passed your Step 2, which is a great thing, but they have no way of knowing that. You're sabotaging your application.

For programs that do screen based on Step 1, you're not matching there regardless of when you release scores. So why hurt your application with programs that might otherwise give you the benefit of the doubt and give you a shot?

 

[Doctor Bob]

If programs won't consider you without it, why does eras list it as not required.

No idea. We don't just care if you've passed or not. Your score on the exam is a determinant to us. If we don't have an actual number score, you'll get screened out automatically. This must be a specialty/program specific question.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Can anyone confirm this? Will programs not know that you passed the step exams just because you didn't release the transcript?

If programs won't consider you without it, why does eras list it as not required.

A transcript, LOR's, PS's are also "not required", meaning that ERAS doesn't force you to send them. Presumably, each program can decide what is required and what is not. However, as mentioned by everyone else on this thread, virtually all programs will require a USMLE transcript for interview decisions.

Programs may screen you out based upon your Step 1 failures. That's life. If you hide them and then go on interviews (which honestly seems really unlikely), and then programs find out you failed multiple times, they may decline to rank you. Then, you simply wasted your money and everyone's time.

So, bottom line, you need to release your USMLE transcript.