latest step II ck date for ranklist/match

[bulldog]

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What's the latest date you can take step 2 ck and have enough time for schools to get your score? when are ranklists submitted? what's turnaround time for ck scores? thanks.

 

[motoo]

bump. anyone know the answer to the first part of his question i.e. latest date to take step 2 enough for your scores to be considered when ranking? (not to get interviews but actually to be ranked)

 

[NotAProgDirector]

The USMLE does not publish a specific date on which if you take the exam, your scores will return on time. The usual turnaround time is 3-4 weeks, but they claim you should leave 8 weeks to be sure. Step 2 CK just had a scoring change that delayed release of scores by a few weeks.

However, even if your scores are reported just before the deadline, you are not necessarily OK. Some programs may require Step 2 scores to rank, and hence may not rank you at all. Programs can (and do) build their rank lists well in advance of the ROL deadline. We (PD's) have all seen the student insanity on the NRMP website at the last minute, and don't want to get caught up in that. Hence, if your score is not back by early Feb, you risk not being ranked.

 

[Frugal Traveler]

The NBME does give an estimated time frame for Step 2CS (which is becoming more important to some programs).

For Step 2CK, it is usually 3-4 weeks after you take the test on Wednesday at 11 AM Central time.

It's better to take it early because you never know what changes they may make to the test and how that will delay scores.

 

[gstrub]

How many programs won't rank you unless you have step II done? I was planning on taking it in February and am applying for ENT...the reason I was waiting is that I have 2 aways, a FM rotation to make up, and then interviews. Advice needed post-haste on whether I need to squeeze CK in there somewhere!

 

[Jukebox]

How many programs won't rank you unless you have step II done? I was planning on taking it in February and am applying for ENT...the reason I was waiting is that I have 2 aways, a FM rotation to make up, and then interviews. Advice needed post-haste on whether I need to squeeze CK in there somewhere!

Would like to know this as well. I was planning on taking it some time in January or February. I always thought step 2 CK wasn't required for matching but required for graduation.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

How many programs won't rank you unless you have step II done? I was planning on taking it in February and am applying for ENT...the reason I was waiting is that I have 2 aways, a FM rotation to make up, and then interviews. Advice needed post-haste on whether I need to squeeze CK in there somewhere!

As far as I can tell, there's no good data on this, but I'm pretty sure there aren't many programs that require it before ranking. I'd at least check the websites of the programs you're applying at. The programs I know that do require it all state it on their websites. Since it's not a universal requirement, I'd assume programs would really want to tell you up front about it.

On another note, I'm 2 for 2 on being asked about when I'm taking Step 2 on my interviews. I thought it wouldn't matter (and maybe it really doesn't) because I did well on Step 1 and am applying in a relatively non-competitive field.

 

[cookymonster]

On my school's advice, I took Step II CK last month. They also told me Step 2 CS wasn't required to match, but there are a handful of programs that specifically require it when ROL's are due. I thus decided to move it up, because even though most programs don't state it as a requirement to rank, I figure it could influence the position I get ranked at some programs - if it comes down to me and a similar applicant, they would probably feel safer with an applicant who has already passed CS and is thus guaranteed to start on time.

Bottom line: I'd take Step II CK and CS before the end of December if at all possible. It may not be an explicit requirement at all programs, but a passing score is still likely an asset to your application.

 

[JPeds]

So I have taken Step 1 and Step 2 CK. Unfortunately, by the time I registered for CS, the earliest date available was February 11th...I am stalking the website to try to reschedule for an earlier date, but should I be concerned if I can't reschedule for November/December?
I am applying for Pediatrics and have a competitive application. Are there programs out there that won't rank me if I haven't gotten my CS results in time for rankings? The only program I am applying to that addresses taking Step 2 in time for rankings on the website is CHOP, and they don't specifically state CK v. CS.

 

[Pewl]

So I have taken Step 1 and Step 2 CK. Unfortunately, by the time I registered for CS, the earliest date available was February 11th...I am stalking the website to try to reschedule for an earlier date, but should I be concerned if I can't reschedule for November/December?
I am applying for Pediatrics and have a competitive application. Are there programs out there that won't rank me if I haven't gotten my CS results in time for rankings? The only program I am applying to that addresses taking Step 2 in time for rankings on the website is CHOP, and they don't specifically state CK v. CS.

UCSF pediatrics requires a Step 2 CS score for ranking.

 

[gstrub]

I spoke to UCSF Otolaryngology this afternoon, and indeed, you will need to have Step II CK and CS passed by the time they rank in February for you to be ranked. This applies for the 2011 match...they said this year that they will make some exceptions but she wouldn't elaborate. I asked if this is a UC policy or if it's just UCSF and she seemed to think it was all UC schools, but when I talked to UCSD they said they were not doing this.

Just FYI...

 

[hanjoko]

I spoke to UCSF Otolaryngology this afternoon, and indeed, you will need to have Step II CK and CS passed by the time they rank in February for you to be ranked. This applies for the 2011 match...they said this year that they will make some exceptions but she wouldn't elaborate. I asked if this is a UC policy or if it's just UCSF and she seemed to think it was all UC schools, but when I talked to UCSD they said they were not doing this.

Just FYI...

Does anyone know if this is new for this year (i.e. 2010 match) or did UCSF/CHOP/etc implement this last year?

For those who got interview invites from these schools, did they specifically mention anything about the requirement for CS during interview (or if they will make some exceptions)??

 

[InternationlDoc]

wait...so Step2CS is necessary for ranking? I thought it was only step II CK and step 1?

 

[temmie]

As a current UCSF student, it is a new policy starting this year. You will need your step 2 score to match here. As it is the first year and not yet universally known fact, i have been told that they might make some exceptions this year. To what extent? I dont know. How they will make these exceptions? i am not sure


So basically, it's only ucsf (at least that i know) but most likely other ucs will probably follow suit in the years to come.

So,if u can, take the test but if you totally cant, talk to the department and hear what they have to say about your specific case.


Hope that helps some

 

[NotAProgDirector]

wait...so Step2CS is necessary for ranking? I thought it was only step II CK and step 1?

Remember the rules are different for IMG's and AMG's. Hard to know from your username which you are. IMG's need Step 1, 2CK and 2CS all completed and passed by the ROL deadline to participate in the match. AMG's need none of these to participate in the match. Individual programs can set whatever rules they want about their program.

 

[gstrub]

Individual programs can set whatever rules they want about their program.

This is what I was referring to. I know at least one big program I am interested in (UCSF) that explicitly told me I would not be ranked unless I had taken and passed both step IICK and CS by the time they ranked everyone in February. They said that this was a UC decision and that other UC schools would likely follow suit. However when I called UCSD, they had never heard of that change, at least that's what the secretary in charge of residency applications said.

Either way, I was going to put CK off until Feb, but now I am taking it in November. Probably for the best anyway. I don't know what other programs will do this and I don't feel like calling all 60+ places to find out.

 

[kocker]

I got my ck score back today and don't really know what do, bury it till after the match or send it on through. My step 1 is a bit above the national average and my ck is right on it at 228 (2 stupid points 😡). Everyone seems to crush ck and I really thought that I would do better... While I improved, from step 1, is it enough to be helpful or would this score hurt me because I didn't knock it out of the park? (applying to gs btw). I have a few mid level interviews and a few big fish.... I don't want to frighten the big fish.

i don't think any of my top picks require it before the match but its a good point, i should look into it.

 

[IDforMe]

I got my ck score back today and don't really know what do, bury it till after the match or send it on through. My step 1 is a bit above the national average and my ck is right on it at 228 (2 stupid points 😡). Everyone seems to crush ck and I really thought that I would do better... While I improved, from step 1, is it enough to be helpful or would this score hurt me because I didn't knock it out of the park? (applying to gs btw). I have a few mid level interviews and a few big fish.... I don't want to frighten the big fish.

i don't think any of my top picks require it before the match but its a good point, i should look into it.

I'm wondering the same thing as kocker. Just above average for Step 1, just above average for Step 2 (mid 230's). I don't want to release it and hurt my chances for ranking, but feel like since I said when I was taking CK it would hurt me not to release, because then the assumption would be that I'd done worse than I actually did... Any advice?

 

[gutonc]

I'm wondering the same thing as kocker. Just above average for Step 1, just above average for Step 2 (mid 230's). I don't want to release it and hurt my chances for ranking, but feel like since I said when I was taking CK it would hurt me not to release, because then the assumption would be that I'd done worse than I actually did... Any advice?

If, somewhere on your app it says that you were going to take Step 2 in time to have a score b/4 the ROL deadline, somebody (maybe everybody) will want to see the score before the put you in a spot on their rank list. You maintained your above average performance, proving you're a solid applicant. Just release it and be done with it.

All this talk about everybody doing better on Step 2 than Step 1 is just that, talk. Some do better, some do worse, some do the same.

 

[IDforMe]

If, somewhere on your app it says that you were going to take Step 2 in time to have a score b/4 the ROL deadline, somebody (maybe everybody) will want to see the score before the put you in a spot on their rank list. You maintained your above average performance, proving you're a solid applicant. Just release it and be done with it.

All this talk about everybody doing better on Step 2 than Step 1 is just that, talk. Some do better, some do worse, some do the same.

Thanks for the response gutonc.

I know I wouldn't have received interview invites from programs that weren't seriously considering me, but I feel like because I ended up with invites to a good number at places I thought would be "reach" programs for me, I'm letting them down with just an average score and will no longer have a chance of matching there. Time to release, move on and hope they like me as a whole rather than define me by my step scores.

Thanks again!

 

[GmailQueen]

Can you release your scores to only certain programs (ie, just the ones that require it)? Or do you have to release them to every program you applied to?

 

[ShyRem]

I believe it's an all-or-nothing when it comes to releasing scores. I didn't see any way to choose who gets an update and who doesn't when I re-released my scores.

 

[brychann]

I am an FMG i have passed step 2 cs and recently passed step 1 ( 234/98) i plan to take step 2 k in late dec / early january.
I have everthing in for my application - LORS MPSE etc.
does any one know or think i will get interviews if i send out application with inly my step 1 score and step 2 cs and a pending step 2 ck.

 

[Rogue Synapse]

As a current UCSF student, it is a new policy starting this year. You will need your step 2 score to match here.

Hmm, maybe that's why they didn't offer me an interview. That, and not my mundane personality or middling academic performance. Yeah, that's the ticket.