Question about timing of Step 2

[Rony]

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Hey everyone. This is my first post and hopefully won't be the last. I have been a regular visitor to your forum and have learnt a tremendous amount of good info in a short period of time...so thanks to all of you for being the diligent, OCD types that you are.. 😉

I was wondering whether General Surgery programs out there prefer to have step II scores before interviews (take it in August/September versus the end of the year). Our program director here says that we will be asked for them if they haven't been sent and interviewers will inquire about the scheduled test date if not yet taken. I guess the strategy is to delay if there is little chance of improving from Step 1 otherwise you can only hurt yourself whereas Step II should be taken fairly early if Step 1 was mediocre. I'm not quite sure where I stand with a 96/232. Or does it depend on the competitiveness of the specific programs I'm applying to. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Winged Scapula]

You are correct regarding the conventional wisdom of Step 2. Most programs do not require it for application but if it bolsters your application, it can only help.

Your Step 1 score is excellent and shouldn't create any problems when applying for Gen Surg residencies. If you have any reason to believe that you will do poorly on Step 2, it might be best to delay it until you have sufficient time to study for it (a reasonable excuse) in part because a poor score will not reflect well on your application. OTOH, I would imagine that you would do well on Step 2 and it would be nice to have on your application.

You could always opt to hold your score release and then when you receive it, if the score is good, send it out to the programs you've applied to.

 

[shag]

My Step I board scores were almost identical to yours. I had planned to take step 2 in october, but when I changed career plans at the last minute, I had to rearrange my 4th yr schedule. I ended up taking step 2 in the last week of February, which was well after my last interview.

I received invites from several prominent places, and matched at my first choice program. I was asked about my step 2 plans at 3 of my interviews, and gave the answer above. At one place, and interviewer smiled after I answered the question and said "yea right". Nevertheless, he told me they would rank me highly afterward.

One thing to think about is that if you take Step 2 and withhold your score, you might still be asked about it in an interview. If your score is poor (likely, since you withheld it), then giving an honest answer (and your score) could hurt you. If you are worried about not doing as well on step 2, then risk vs. benefit analysis favors the former rather than the latter, and you might be better served taking it later in the year.

 

[Rony]

Thanks for replying Kimberli and shag..I'll take what you said into account..

I am getting ready to embark on initiating my application for next year for Gen Surg. Since you pointed about our scores were similar, I am encouraged about my propects after you said you got the opportunity to go to several upper tier programs. Still some degree of apprehension on where to apply..

My stats in a nutshell: upper third in class (around 30th) at Louisville, Step I: 232, some clinical research in surgery-1 presentation but NO publication, good extracurric. activites and good LORs from 3 surgeons. I'm thinking about regional academic schools, the best of which may be Vandy, Emory, Cincinatti, Cleveland Clinic, UVA..also thinking about Kentucky, Florida, MUSC...what's your advice about my chances?? Any other schools worth considering?
Thanks you all!!





Now that I have to worry about Step 2 CS as well and how that plays into everything..

 

[shag]

First things First: Add UAB to your list!!!! 🙂

Again, our profiles are similer. I did 3 months of path research, had 4 good rol's (only need 3), no publications other than a poster presentation, pretty high in the class, but not AOA.

I would add Mayo Rochester, U of L, UT Memphis, UTSW, and U of Miami to the list. I felt welcome when I interviewed at these places. I enjoyed my day at UF as well, but was unable to fit UK and MUSC into my schedule.

By the way, is Dr. Polk planning on staying pretty involved in his "retirement"? When I interviewed there, we rounded with him in an ICU where he was pretty tough on someone who wasn't wearing a tie...

Vandy only interviewed AOA folks last year, according to the sweetest "you're not good enough to interview here" letter that I received.

After my visit to UVA, I feel that they have an excellent program and the residents were exceptional. I'm not sure of their match stats this year, but in the past they've been fairly inbred (75% of residents from UVA last year, 100% the year before). If they are high on your list, I would strongly suggest doing an away rotation there so they can get to know you, and hopefully stack the odds in your favor.

FWIW, my top five were UAB, Mayo Rochester, UVA, UTSW, and UF

Good luck!

 

[Rony]

That was a tentative list...UAB was a consideration, I know it's a pretty strong program but to be perfectly honest I was reluctant since I heard it's really malignant...but that's what they say about U of L too..and that has not been entirely true. I know of a few interns and fellows at Kentucky who either went to school or did residency there and they are all top-notch.
I believe Dr. McMaster, a prominent surg. oncologist who actually trained here is going to be the next Chair and Dr. Polk is going to be around...very unlikely that much will change about the program. I might drop Vandy based on what you said. Thanks for your help and good luck!