not taking step 2 cs can delay residency?

[BatmanMD]

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I went to an interview and they asked me if I signed up for step 2 cs yet. I said no, b/c my school does not require it and I had people tell me to take it during your intern year/early 2nd year. Since it is not required by my school, Financial aid will not provide funds for the test. Most students I know do not have an extra $1000 lying around for a ridiculous test.

When I told her that I did not sign up for the test yet, she got very concerned. She said that I may not be able to participate in the match and possibly delay residency if I don't sign up for it and take it as soon as possible. I told her what my school told me, so she called NRMP and spoke with several people until she got to the guy who is second in charge (I got his name on a post-it at my apt, I'll post it later if anyone wants it). We were told that if I didn't have a passing score on step 2 cs posted by med-late april, I may delay residency.

We match in march, the programs then apply for licensure for us. This takes approx 6-8 weeks. If we do not have passing step 2 cs and ck scores in then they have to wait to apply for the license. So, most of the spots are open in march, it takes 6-8 weeks for scores to come back. Puts us around May. The programs can then apply for the license. The license then comes in around mid-late june, just in time for residency to start on time.

If everyone now takes the few spots that are open, then the majority of students that have not taken Step 2 CS are screwed. We will delay residency. If we delay residency, the programs directors have every right to remove us and take someone else that can start on time. Which can leave us really screwed. Not only do we chance delaying residency, but also losing our spot. 😱

Sorry this is so long, but I couldn't make it shorter.

If anyone has heard anything different, please let me know. I hope I heard wrong....

 

[Amy]

You would think that if this were true, our schools would know about it and tell us.

I hope a bunch of people don't get screwed.

 

[fourthyearmed]

If you look at Freida it will tell you if the program requires you to pass CS to begin residency. Most of my programs do but this didn't really matter to me since my school requires it to graduate. On the other hand, I've heard they're having so much trouble with the scoring we may not have our scores until we start residency!

 

[KimR]

I think the key point is that Step 2 CS is required for licensure. Some medical schools may not require it for graduation but ultimately that is irrelevant.

 

[Jim Picotte]

In Michigan pre Step 2 CS, you needed to pass Step I and Step 2 of USMLE or COMLEX in order to be granted a temporary training license. Now that Step 2 has two parts CS and CK, you need to pass both of these in order to get the educational training license. Without this you can't work, at least in this state. I would take the test.

 

[BatmanMD]

Sorry about not responding for so long, doing my Sub-I. It sucks.

Everything I have heard is pointing to having to take it. A lot of schools dont require it (like mine), so I get no money from financial aid to pay for it. I will need it for licensure.

I have a hard time understanding how it will be required when most MS4 have not taken the thing yet. Some have it scheduled, but I bet that most have not even scheduled the thing. So all the spots will fill up FAST. This leaves a great number of MS4 having to delay residency, just because thay have to either take the thing and wait for a passing score, or try to take it in april (good luck) and pray your score comes in on time for programs to apply for your license and get it approved in time to start on July 1.

this was not well thought out.......