Programs requiring Step 2 for interviews (USMG)

[PhakeDoc]

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Ok, anyone know of programs which will NOT interview even US seniors (I meant to say that, not USMG in the title) who have not taken Step 2 before interviewing? A thread from the 2008 season stated it was only required for ECFMG certs (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=501036) . Your help is MOST appreciated.

 

[ReformNot]

As far as I know UCSF is the only one.

 

[PhakeDoc]

As far as I know UCSF is the only one.

🙁 that's too bad b/c I really was considering them, but won't be able to take the step till dec/jan.

 

[ReformNot]

Correction. I think what they actually said was they "rank only candidates who have passed USMLE Step II (CS and CK)". So if you are AOA with a Step I score of 260+, they might still interview you provided that your Step II scores will arrive before they rank you.

 

[Vader]

Correction. I think what they actually said was they "rank only candidates who have passed USMLE Step II (CS and CK)". So if you are AOA with a Step I score of 260+, they might still interview you provided that your Step II scores will arrive before they rank you.

I'm not sure about this--unless it is a new policy THIS year. Last year I did not take Step II until after the match. Of course I don't really know if they ranked me, but I suspect they may have. 🙂

By contrast, UPenn did not even give me an interview and I suspect this was due to not having taken Step 2. Can anyone verify this?

 

[ReformNot]

I'm not sure about this--unless it is a new policy THIS year. Last year I did not take Step II until after the match. Of course I don't really know if they ranked me, but I suspect they may have. 🙂

By contrast, UPenn did not even give me an interview and I suspect this was due to not having taken Step 2. Can anyone verify this?

Yes, this is new 🙁 . See here: http://www.ucsfneuroresidency.com//public_html/Applicant/Applicant_Information.html

 

[PhakeDoc]

This is really bumming me out. I've got the pubs/neuroscience/research background, etc., but unfortunately due to scheduling, just can't get the Steps done till later. And here I thought Neurology was supposed to be different from the other specialties in terms of going for overall candidates/love of the field rather than numbers.

 

[Amos]

As far as I know UCSF is the only one.

Last year UCSF "highly encouraged" applicants to have their step II score to them prior to when they finalize their rank list. They mentioned that in future years it would likely be mandatory.

I can’t speak to their reasoning behind this, but there is a growing consensus in most disciplines that Step II scores are a better predictor of clinical reasoning/ward skills than step I.

About the latest you can pull this off is to take Step II as soon as possible in January. This is usually ~Jan 15th since they don't offer the exam at the beginning of Jan. This is what I ended up doing for a variety of reasons (I wanted some other programs to have my step II score as well) but I ended up cutting things very close. Another 2 weeks and most programs would have already finalized their lists.

Your best bet is to take the exam sometime in December. It is hard to find time to study during interview season, however I wouldn't worry too much about it. Most people can do as well or better than they did on Step I with about 50% of the study time. Just start studying early and do a few hours each day.

Look at it this way, if you take the exam toward the end of the interview season and score well it's a great last minute boost for your application as programs sit down and finalize their rank lists.

 

[Amos]

This is really bumming me out. I've got the pubs/neuroscience/research background, etc., but unfortunately due to scheduling, just can't get the Steps done till later. And here I thought Neurology was supposed to be different from the other specialties in terms of going for overall candidates/love of the field rather than numbers.

Keep your spirits up my friend. First it may still be possible for you to squeeze step II in.

Second, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on any one part of the application. In fact, sometimes I think applicants overemphasize the research angle. Many programs are looking for applicants that are going to go on and do something exceptional in their careers. But there are many ways to be "exceptional" in neurology. Not everyone is going to or wants to focus their careers on research, so not all applicants need to have PhDs or high profile publications either. Their residents all do need to be able to do a good job caring for patients however.

 

[Vader]

I don't envy future generations of physicians in terms of the qualifications necessary, hoops to jump through, etc.

Boo to using multiple choice examinations to provide an unverified way to stratify applicants. 👎

 

[Amos]

I don't envy future generations of physicians in terms of the qualifications necessary, hoops to jump through, etc.

Boo to using multiple choice examinations to provide an unverified way to stratify applicants. 👎

All in all I don't think neuro is too bad in terms of using random benchmarks like USMLE scores to decide who they consider for residents. There are some fields, like derm, where programs flat out tell you not to apply on their website if you are not AOA and 250+ on I/II. Pretty messed up.

There's a lot of buzz about them combining steps I and II and making them pass/fail only. I heard that might come into effect within the next couple years.

 

[Vader]

All in all I don't think neuro is too bad in terms of using random benchmarks like USMLE scores to decide who they consider for residents. There are some fields, like derm, where programs flat out tell you not to apply on their website if you are not AOA and 250+ on I/II. Pretty messed up.

There's a lot of buzz about them combining steps I and II and making them pass/fail only. I heard that might come into effect within the next couple years.

Yes, good point. Thank goodness we're in neuro! 🙂

Hopefully the powers that be will come to their senses and stop robbing medical students of thousands of dollars. Of course a consolidated exam doesn't necessarily translate to a consolidated price. 🙂

 

[wistarrat]

Wow, I didn't even think about this before reading this post.

Regarding completing Step 2 before rank listing... are you talking about the Step2 CS portion, too? I won't be taking mine until the end of December... rumor has it that this sometimes takes months to post!

If a pass is needed on this before rank time... umm, I'm going to be ebay bidding for someone's cancellation.

Desperately,
New to the forum, and applying neuro!
😱

 

[Amos]

Wow, I didn't even think about this before reading this post.

Regarding completing Step 2 before rank listing... are you talking about the Step2 CS portion, too? I won't be taking mine until the end of December... rumor has it that this sometimes takes months to post!

If a pass is needed on this before rank time... umm, I'm going to be ebay bidding for someone's cancellation.

Desperately,
New to the forum, and applying neuro!
😱

Last year I justed need my CK score. However I glanced at that webpage from the link above and it sounds like UCSF might have a new institutional policy requiring CK and CS for all it's applicants.
Something to look into at any rate. December might be soon enough however.

 

[Neurology]

Phake Doc: A representative of the UCSF Neuro department indicated that as this is the first year the Step 2 rule is being implemented, exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.

 

[PhakeDoc]

Ok, so other than UPenn and +/- UCSF, now that interviews have started, has anyone picked up on the notion that you must have scores back from CS and CK in order to be on a program's ROL?

 

[ProReduction]

Does anyone know if these (or any programs at all) will refuse to rank you if your Step II CS score is not back before match date? My CK scores are in, but I will not be able to take CS until February.

Do they really care about the CS if your CK is in?