I have a general question as to what information is required on our ERAS applications. Do we have to report our shelf scores? If we had to repeat a shelf exam is it necessary to include that information?
question on ERAS and applications
- Thread starter vman
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As a person not having to even take a shelf exam for clinicals, there is no place for it there. Shelf exams tend to be for in house use only.
the only test scores that go are USMLE exams.
the only test scores that go are USMLE exams.
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Many Dean's letters include shelf exam scores, but not all. Most will report that you had to retake the exam in the dean's letter, but there is no clear rule about this -- it depends on your Dean's office. It might also be mentioned on your transcript.
If you have a low step 1 score but an extremely good step 2 score, does that really make a difference. I have heard two sides to the story. Can a good step 2 score make up for a poor step 1 score. I have heard that programs do not care about anything but your step 1 score unless you have a "connection." Can somebody please clarify and let me know if I am being realistic. Can you match into a competitive program with a low step 1 but good step 2 score. I am interested in IM. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! 
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i stand corrected.
as for the step 1 vs step 2. I've heard it depends on the field you want to get into. Personally, I don't think a higher step 2 makes up for a lower step 1 in some of the more competitive specialities, but I could be wrong.
as for the step 1 vs step 2. I've heard it depends on the field you want to get into. Personally, I don't think a higher step 2 makes up for a lower step 1 in some of the more competitive specialities, but I could be wrong.
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As far as shelf exams go: no, they aren't listed on the ERAS. I did have a one page computer supplemental app for one program and they asked for shelf exam scores, but they had a box "my school odes not give shelf exams or does not relase scores" and I checked that. My school converts our raw exam score to a curved grade percentage, so I didn't know my scores they way they needed them.
For step 1 and step 2: the step 1 is more important than the step 2, but doing better on step 2 could help and won't hurt, so you might as well try. It won't make up for/cancel out the step 1 and isn't "worth as much" however. That said, I have a friend with below ave grades, low sep 1 and improved step 2 (I don't know the numbers) and he matched gen surg, so it seems like it helped him!
For step 1 and step 2: the step 1 is more important than the step 2, but doing better on step 2 could help and won't hurt, so you might as well try. It won't make up for/cancel out the step 1 and isn't "worth as much" however. That said, I have a friend with below ave grades, low sep 1 and improved step 2 (I don't know the numbers) and he matched gen surg, so it seems like it helped him!
