Question about Step II

[Megalomaniac]

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Hello, I am currently an MS3 with a question about Step II. I am interested in possibly doing a residency in General Surgery, but have a question. My Step I score was not very competitive according to the Residency Match data from 2006. However, I am currently enrolled in an upper echelon medical school, have done very well in classes, and have gotten good evaluations on my clinical clerkships up to this point. I also did a year of research that I think will help my application.

My question is this: if I do really well on Step 2, will that help erase some of the damage that my Step I score is potentially doing to my application? I guess I'm just more curious to know if residencies look at Step 2 just as importantly as Step 1 or if one is more important than another.

Thanks.

 

[guy_incognito]

I can't speak specifically for surgery...but I suspect the answer is twofold. First, yes a better Step 2 score can definitely help. Some people consider Step 2 to be a more important exam, because it is more clinically based. The problem is that not everyone has taken Step 2 by the time applications are sent. Programs need some way to evaluate students on an equal playing field, and unfortunately, the best way to do this is by Step 1 scores. I think a good Step 2 score will help, so long as your application is looked at. Not uncommonly programs will filter their applications based on Step 1 scores. This means that the rest of your acheivements (class rank, honors, research, LoRs, etc.) may never even be seen by the program.

So yes, of course try to do your best on Step 2. I suggest taking it as early as possible, so that everything is fresh in your mind. Those NBME shelf exams you take throughout the year are a good predictor, as are the NBME online tests you pay for.

Improve on Step 2, and apply away. For those programs you are especially interested in, a message to the program coordinator may help get the rest of your application seen, in case it was screened purely on Step 1 scores.

 

[jojo14]

Hello, I am currently an MS3 with a question about Step II. I am interested in possibly doing a residency in General Surgery, but have a question. My Step I score was not very competitive according to the Residency Match data from 2006. However, I am currently enrolled in an upper echelon medical school, have done very well in classes, and have gotten good evaluations on my clinical clerkships up to this point. I also did a year of research that I think will help my application.

My question is this: if I do really well on Step 2, will that help erase some of the damage that my Step I score is potentially doing to my application? I guess I'm just more curious to know if residencies look at Step 2 just as importantly as Step 1 or if one is more important than another.

Thanks.

At our med school and also at residency informational meetings for my chosen specialty (EM), they always said to take Step 2 early so you have a chance to improve. I have been told that Step 2 is a better predictor of how you'll do as a resident than Step 1. That said, some programs (but not all!) just screen applicants based on their Step 1 score.

I would take it and send it in with your initial application (i.e. before Sept) so programs can see your Step 2 before they decide to offer you an intervew or not. A good Step 2 isn't going to help you as much later if everyone's gone off of your Step 1 and decided not to interview you based on that.

If you have done well in your clerkships, as you say you have, and done well on shelf exams, your Step 2 will probably go up a lot. The best way to well is to rock your third year. I am a prime example of this- my score improved almost 40 points.