Not releasing USMLE Step 2 scores to programs

[mudfud123]

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Dear All:

I am graduating in Dec 2012 and will be applying for residency in September of 2012. My school requires that I take USMLE Step II before I graduate, which I can, to my understanding, do as late as December 2012. I did well on Step I and would prefer not to have my step II scores go to residencies at all. Is this possible and do programs care that I have taken it but not released the scores?

Thank you
mudfud123

p.s. If I took my Step II CK and CS in late December, when would my CK scores be available and what is the source of this information? Thank you.

 

[the alchemist]

Dear All:

I am graduating in Dec 2012 and will be applying for residency in September of 2012. My school requires that I take USMLE Step II before I graduate, which I can, to my understanding, do as late as December 2012. I did well on Step I and would prefer not to have my step II scores go to residencies at all. Is this possible and do programs care that I have taken it but not released the scores?

Thank you
mudfud123

p.s. If I took my Step II CK and CS in late December, when would my CK scores be available and what is the source of this information? Thank you.

just keep in mind that some programs (esp the super-competitive ones, ucsf and umich come to mind) won't rank u w/o having all your scores in. better check those websites of the programs u want and c if that they're not one of those kind. ucsf states on their website that they want u to take CS no later than nov so that your scores will be in in time to rank.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Just release it. Most programs now require a passing Step 2 score before they'll rank you. I mean I guess you could wait until after your interviews, but I don't see it making much of a difference.

 

[mudfud123]

Thank you all for your valuable feedback. I talked to our Dean of Students today, who is new in her position. She told me that she believes it is perfectly acceptable not to release the scores. However, she did mention that I might be asked my USMLE Step 2 score anyway. She suggested that I reply that my Step 2 score is "not representative" given the significant time that I have been in graduate school. I am not 100% clear whether or not she meant that I disclose the score at the time - but my understanding is that she suggests that I tell the interviewer the score if asked, with the caveat that there has been a long gap between my basic science education and my Step 2 exam.

mudfud123

 

[Hassler]

Take Step 2 after you submit your ERAS (like after September). Make sure you do NOT choose the automatically release option. Then you take the test. If your score is decent, release it through ERAS. If not, don't.