Release step 2?

[MountainEM]

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So 4th yr D.O. student here...applying allo EM this year. Plenty of interviews, did awesome on USMLE 1 and COMLEX 1 but...

I got my step 2 comlex back today and it was hum-hum. About 1 SD above the mean but way lower than my first Comlex score. Do I update my eras so they know I have passed and am ready to go start residency or do I sit on the step 2 comlex score and let em ask me as they like?

I predicted a lower step 2 comlex score as
1. they recalibrated last year and people have been getting much lower scores and less people are passing
2. I studied at an allopathic hospital 3rd (and most of 4th) year and some of the stuff I got tested on this step 2 exam was way out there....legal stuff, crazy public health, and lots of osteopathic stuff...

SO...my concern is that EM is relying on step 2 more now and most allo students go up as Step 2 is easier (most say) than step 1. So, do I release the comlex score or not?

I did not take USMLE step 2 as it would of been a waste of money and time. I had already got my foot in the door with the USMLE step 1 exam

what to do EM folks?

 

[pinipig523]

No need to update unless a program personally asks you and you should divulge the information.

What I would do is print out a few copies of your score report - then bring it to you during your interview session. If it comes up and they want to know if you took your step 2, then give them a copy - if not, then don't.

No need to update.

 

[MountainEM]

thanks pinipig!

I will hold off...
that is a good idea to print it.
cheers

 

[BADMD]

If you interview at our place, you will be asked about it. We know why medical students don't release their Step II scores. We also greatly prefer USMLE Step II over COMLEX Step II.

 

[pinipig523]

I interviewed at 17 programs in the midwest (because I could not decide which not to go to and I had 4 months off in my 4th year... lol!) and ZERO asked me about my Step 2.

I did make print outs though as my Step 2 score was great and I felt that it was too late to update ERAS for the program directors to see it. I gave printouts to the PD interviewing me at each program.

If I had not given it to the PD, none would've asked me about it.

 

[MountainEM]

Thanks for the info BADMD. I appreciate the insight.


I must say that I think it is a bit ridiculous if programs expect us to take twice the tests and pay twice for every step. I did not mind taking step 1 USMLE but to keep doing it twice for every step is redundant. I would seriously argue that USMLE step 2 is easier than Comlex step 2 given the random nature of the questioning on our step 2. I did USMLE world to prepare for it and was scoring in the 70-80% on it and still only did OK on COMLEX 2. I am not scared to release my step 2, I just don't feel it would add to my application.

And...I agree with the fact that no one as asked about my STep 2 score...yet.

thanks

 

[BKN]

Thanks for the info BADMD. I appreciate the insight.


I must say that I think it is a bit ridiculous if programs expect us to take twice the tests and pay twice for every step. I did not mind taking step 1 USMLE but to keep doing it twice for every step is redundant. I would seriously argue that USMLE step 2 is easier than Comlex step 2 given the random nature of the questioning on our step 2. I did USMLE world to prepare for it and was scoring in the 70-80% on it and still only did OK on COMLEX 2. I am not scared to release my step 2, I just don't feel it would add to my application.

And...I agree with the fact that no one as asked about my STep 2 score...yet.

thanks

We would not rank a allopathic student without mle step 2 nor an osteopathic student without nbome step 2.