Questions about applying

[pathologygirl]

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I am a current M3 planning on applying for a pathology residency this fall.

My Step 1 score was 230. With my score is it ok to wait to take Step 2 CK in the fall(Oct/Nov), or should I be taking it earlier? Or later? Will programs offer me an interview without my Step 2 CK score?

Most people at my school interview in Dec/Jan, but after looking on FRIEDA I noticed that the interview season for many programs is between the beginning of Oct and the end of Jan. I am trying to plan my 4th year schedule and am having a hard time deciding which months to schedule time off for interviews. Does anyone know when the majority of interviews take place during that time?

Thanks!🙂

 

[gschl1234]

I am a current M3 planning on applying for a pathology residency this fall.

My Step 1 score was 230. With my score is it ok to wait to take Step 2 CK in the fall(Oct/Nov), or should I be taking it earlier? Or later? Will programs offer me an interview without my Step 2 CK score?

Most people at my school interview in Dec/Jan, but after looking on FRIEDA I noticed that the interview season for many programs is between the beginning of Oct and the end of Jan. I am trying to plan my 4th year schedule and am having a hard time deciding which months to schedule time off for interviews. Does anyone know when the majority of interviews take place during that time?

Thanks!🙂

I am planning on taking step 2 ck this Saturday. Not having it earlier did not hurt me in the interview season (which was from October-December).

 

[Ale]

Does anyone know when the majority of interviews take place during that time?

Thanks!🙂

Changes by program. Most will start by October end by December. Late interviews 'till January and rarely Feb.

You can tell them that you are taking the step in whatever month and have not received your scores yet.

The important thing is you get your steps before starting residency, otherwise you wont start.

 

[docbiohazard]

I am trying to plan my 4th year schedule and am having a hard time deciding which months to schedule time off for interviews. Does anyone know when the majority of interviews take place during that time?

I'd say aim for Nov / Early Dec. Seems like few places interview in October, and everything will shut down between xmas and new years, pretty much... and you don't want to push into Jan really. Get your apps in early so you get interview invites early (hopefully) and you should be good to go.

Check out the 2008 applicants thread for lots of good info. Too tired to post the link...

BH

 

[pathgrrl]

My Step 1 score was 230. With my score is it ok to wait to take Step 2 CK in the fall(Oct/Nov), or should I be taking it earlier? Or later? Will programs offer me an interview without my Step 2 CK score?

That's a decent Step 1 score, and there is no reason you need to take Step 2 CK before you interview. I took it during the interview season. Definitely schedule Step CS and take it ASAP after a clinical clerkship.

Does anyone know when the majority of interviews take place during that time?

Yes, I had the same situation, and it is true that Interviews in Path are Late Oct-Early Dec, with a few loose ends getting tied up in January. I ended up taking off November and December, and interviewed at "home" in October. If I could do it again, I would have scheduled Jan off too, for "second-looks". Basically, your interview invites will start rolling in 3-4 weeks after you submit your application, so plan accordingly. Interviewing earlier is always better than later, and try to schedule your top choices early, both for your shot at getting a slot, and your performance (you will burn out by th 5th interview, for sure!)

 

[jux]

Depends where you are applying:

http://www.dhmc.org/webpage.cfm?site_id=2&org_id=789&morg_id=0&sec_id=0&gsec_id=40475&item_id=40475

Also I think UVA used to "require" it, but if you are an American grad I don't think it matters.

I took CK in Feb 4th year and did not have any issues getting ints.

If I could do it again I would take CK and CS at the end of 3rd year.

 

[HRantz]

Your Step 1 score is strong enough to make you competitive for Path, so take Step 2 CK whenever you are most comfortable. Yes programs will offer you an interview without your Step 2 CK score. I would say the bulk of interviewing at our program is October through mid-December but we still have some in January.

 

[pathologygirl]

Thanks everyone!😀