Quick question-Timeline of Step 2, ERAS, residency applications?

[nope80]

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I had a quick question about taking step 2, score process time and when the first date is that PD see applications. I need to take step 2 early but I'm wondering when the latest date would be to take it so that when my application was seen BOTH step 1 and step 2 would be included...? If it takes 4 weeks to process the score, when is the date that PD see applications? Also when are most interviews granted? Is it september 1st that is the first date one can submit? If i'm not mistaken that means I should have step 2 done before the end of july? Any advice!? I'm trying to put together my 4th yr sched now!

 

[nope80]

Also I know that it is important to get 4th year letters - our school sends the last update to residencies on November 1st. Have most interviews been granted by them? What I am trying to figure out is how many months I really have to accumulate 4th year letters since it seems as though there isn't much time. Especially since I have to take step 2 early. Any insight?

 

[ShyRem]

You don't have to have step 2 before you submit. You can update your scores and have them resent to ERAS where programs will download them (note YOU do this, not your school). It may be important to have step 2 done before rank lists, but preferably before major interview season is upon you for residencies that want step 2 scores. Since many interviews aren't until November or later, I would say as long as your scores are back by mid-late October you'll be fine.

As for when interviews are granted, it depends on what you're applying for.

 

[nope80]

Well I've been told that since I need to compensate for Step 1 I need to take Step 2 early. I guess that means I have to have the score submitted before the Sept 1st date? When does one submit their rank list? Sorry I'm confused about this timeline.

 

[smq123]

When does one submit their rank list?

The answer to that question depends on a few things. Are you applying to the DO match? Or are you MD only? Are you military or applying for ophtho or urology?

 

[nope80]

MD. Not applying to ophtho or urology or in military.

 

[WildcatMDPhD]

I have used these forums for some very helpful advice regarding ERAS applications, so I want to share my experiences. FYI, I am a senior AMG currently interviewing for Med/Peds in predominantly the midwest.

Yes, Sept 1 is the day the NRMP starts accepting applications, but it is uncommon that applicants have all of their application materials together by then. Some programs will not offer interviews until there is a minimum amount of application materials that have been received by ERAS. All of my interview invites came in late September/early October, and this was with 2 LORS, CAF, and step1/2 scores available to the programs. So it would behoove you to have your application complete ASAP regardless of specialty.

You can also get on the NRMP website that has a publication called the Program Director Survey. This gives specialty-specific information about criteria that PDs use for offering interviews/selecting candidates. It also reveals the percentage of interviews offered before/after the Nov 1 MSPE release.

Step 2 scores are almost always reported 3 weeks after your test date, so you could conceivably take it in August and have them available for ERAS on Sept. 1.

For LORs, one of my letter writers took 2 months and thus I missed the deadline for one of my programs, so no interview. If I could do it over again, I would have started getting letters in May/June instead of August. Also, make sure you look up deadlines for each program you intend on applying to as these will vary.

In the end, your circumstances will determine your own timeline, so just relax and enjoy the ride. You will end up where you were meant to be.

Good luck.

 

[howelljolly]

I had a quick question about taking step 2, score process time and when the first date is that PD see applications. I need to take step 2 early but I'm wondering when the latest date would be to take it so that when my application was seen BOTH step 1 and step 2 would be included...? If it takes 4 weeks to process the score, when is the date that PD see applications? Also when are most interviews granted? Is it september 1st that is the first date one can submit? If i'm not mistaken that means I should have step 2 done before the end of july? Any advice!? I'm trying to put together my 4th yr sched now!

Keep it simple.

The first day that programs can download your application is September 1st. Assume that this is the day/printout that the PD will see.

If you are and IMG or did poorly on Step1, you should have your Step2 score on the application.

You need to take the scores take 3-6 weeks to be reported. I would take the exam no later than August 1st.

 

[howelljolly]

This is the ERAS timeline.

http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/timeline/start.htm

Submit your complete application on September 1st, and forget about which programs wait for a few weeks, or wait for the MSPE.... Just submit your complete application and let the programs do whatever they want.

Have your Step2 done by....say... august 1st.

Have your LORs SUBMITTED to ERAS by August 1st.

Fill out the application, and just click "submit" on Sept1st.

 

[nope80]

This is the ERAS timeline.

http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/timeline/start.htm

Submit your complete application on September 1st, and forget about which programs wait for a few weeks, or wait for the MSPE.... Just submit your complete application and let the programs do whatever they want.

Have your Step2 done by....say... august 1st.

Have your LORs SUBMITTED to ERAS by August 1st.

Fill out the application, and just click "submit" on Sept1st.

How important is it to have fourth year letters?? Vs third year? I am going to take my first fourth year rotation starting september so I will definitely not be able to submit 4th yr letters by sept 1st - how big of a problem will this be? What is the absolute latest I should submit these letters as updates? Also is there a typical time which programs really start looking at applications or is it literally september 1st? I can get step 2 done by then but fourth year letters will be a problem. I'm wondering how big of an issue this will be.

 

[howelljolly]

How important is it to have fourth year letters?? Vs third year? I am going to take my first fourth year rotation starting september so I will definitely not be able to submit 4th yr letters by sept 1st - how big of a problem will this be? What is the absolute latest I should submit these letters as updates? Also is there a typical time which programs really start looking at applications or is it literally september 1st? I can get step 2 done by then but fourth year letters will be a problem. I'm wondering how big of an issue this will be.

Get whatever letters you can. Whats the point in worrying about letters you can't get in time?

Its hard to tell. Depending on what specialty youre applying to, and whether the program is university or community based. Some programs download apps within a few days of Sept.1 Some wait for them to accumulate for about 3 weeks, and then download. Some wait until Nov1 - when your MSPE becomes available, and the complete application can be downloaded all at once. Its been said that university programs wait until the MSPE is available.

But this year, with a record number of applications, it seemed like most programs didnt bother to wait for the MSPE to come out... apps were downloaded early, and interviews were offered. It was probably pretty chaotic.

Anyway, all this "how big a problem... how much of an issue" business is going to get you nowhere. Nobody is going to be able to predict what will happen. Moreover, why bother stressing over things you cant control? It will get you nowhere.

It sounds like you are an IMG with very little guidance from your school. All you can do is make your application as complete as possible by Sept1. Anything else you need to add, get it in as soon as you possibly can. If its too late, its too late... what can you do?

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

How important is it to have fourth year letters?? Vs third year? I am going to take my first fourth year rotation starting september so I will definitely not be able to submit 4th yr letters by sept 1st - how big of a problem will this be? What is the absolute latest I should submit these letters as updates? Also is there a typical time which programs really start looking at applications or is it literally september 1st? I can get step 2 done by then but fourth year letters will be a problem. I'm wondering how big of an issue this will be.

You are getting some helpful answers here, but it's all kind of bits and pieces and based on your posts it seems like you don't have an understanding of "the big picture." I'd suggest doing two things:

1) Use the search function and read up on some of the (many) threads in the past that have gone over the basics and the timeline of applying, letters, rotations, etc.

2) Talk to real live people at your school, such as the fourth years who are going into the specialty (or specialties) you are looking at