Registration for Step 2 CS *required* by Feb 23 in order to match?

[jonahhelix]

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Hi--

[Forgive me if you've addressed this before; it's a tough question to search for...]

Anyway, I just received an email from my school "reminding" me that registration for Step 2 CS is required by the last day of Match list rankings (i.e., Feb 23rd) in order to participate in the Match.

This email also "reminded" me that my registration could take up to *6 weeks* to "process" (meaning: to find my name on the NBME's Feb 23rd list, which is used to permit entry to the Match, somehow). Also, apparently, the NBME office is typically closed during the first 2 weeks of January!

Therefore, despite a clear lack of $1000, I must register in the next few days or risk NOT MATCHING!?!!

Is this all true? Can someone corroborate?

Why should NBME have any say in NRMP/ERAS land????

Thanks. 🙁

 

[Winged Scapula]

Hmmm...interesting, I can find no mention of this requirement on the NRMP web site EXCEPT for osteopthaic, Fifth Pathway, former US students and foreign educated students - essentially all Independent candidates (which are required to have Steps 1 and 2 completed). Unless you fit into this category, I wouldn't think you would have to have it completed.

Ask your school to provide you with the reference if you are a US allopathic current student.

 

[edfig99]

could it be your school is requiring it for graduation, as an internal policy...and if you don't do it, you can't graduate? i know some schools do this for step 1 between 2nd and 3rd year, and other schools require both step 1 and 2 before graduation.

i don't think nbme/nrmp really care when you take it. it may just be local policy.

 

[DireWolf]

Hmmm...interesting, I can find no mention of this requirement on the NRMP web site EXCEPT for osteopthaic, Fifth Pathway, former US students and foreign educated students - essentially all Independent candidates (which are required to have Steps 1 and 2 completed). Unless you fit into this category, I wouldn't think you would have to have it completed.

Ask your school to provide you with the reference if you are a US allopathic current student.

osteopathic medical students are not required to take Step 2 CS. In fact, they are not required to take any of the USMLE steps. I know a lot of people who are going to take Step 2 CK and not CS.

 

[Idiopathic]

Sounds school-specific to me, i.e. perhaps require for graduation.

 

[jonahhelix]

Thanks for the general reassurance. Yes, we must have taken Step 2 CS to graduate, but the most recent communication includes even more, which must be internal, but sounded very official. I quote here:

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This is a reminder to you that the new STEP 2 Clinical Skills (CS) exam impacts your participation in the Match and graduation.

*In order to participate in the Match, you must have registered for Step 2 CS by the time the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) list is published on Wednesday, February 23rd (the last day to rank programs).

*In order to graduate in May, you must have taken Step 2 CS by April 29th (the last day of the fourth year Spring semester).
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I guess my school is weighing in on the Match somehow, but should they even have a say in my Match proceeding forward at this point?????

P.S. The reason this is such a big issue is that 1) I spent all my fin aid on interviews and won't have $ until early Jan and 2) all the offices at my school are closed for the holidays, so I can't confirm the why-abouts of this email!

Thanks again for the help, everyone. 🙂

 

[Winged Scapula]

osteopathic medical students are not required to take Step 2 CS. In fact, they are not required to take any of the USMLE steps. I know a lot of people who are going to take Step 2 CK and not CS.

You are correct - I misread the NRMP statement during a slow night on call.

 

[edfig99]

Thanks for the general reassurance. Yes, we must have taken Step 2 CS to graduate, but the most recent communication includes even more, which must be internal, but sounded very official. I quote here:

--------------------------
This is a reminder to you that the new STEP 2 Clinical Skills (CS) exam impacts your participation in the Match and graduation.

*In order to participate in the Match, you must have registered for Step 2 CS by the time the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) list is published on Wednesday, February 23rd (the last day to rank programs).

*In order to graduate in May, you must have taken Step 2 CS by April 29th (the last day of the fourth year Spring semester).
---------------------------

I guess my school is weighing in on the Match somehow, but should they even have a say in my Match proceeding forward at this point?????

P.S. The reason this is such a big issue is that 1) I spent all my fin aid on interviews and won't have $ until early Jan and 2) all the offices at my school are closed for the holidays, so I can't confirm the why-abouts of this email!

Thanks again for the help, everyone. 🙂

when offices re-open you should see if your financial aid office can provide you a loan to cover the registration fees. they usually have some type of emergency pot of money for this situation. otherwise, time to find a sugardaddy or sugarmomma...or both even.

good luck.