Rocked Step I, applying for competitive residency, when to take step II?

[Ruban]

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So I rocked step I (260+), but am skeptical that I will do as well on step II, if only because my step I was very high. I am thinking about applying to fairly competitive residency programs (probably anesthesia).

Should I delay step II until after ERAS goes in so that only my step I is available? Basically, my concern is that if I get 260/235 (for example), the adcoms will say "He sucks at clinicals even though he did well on step I."

OTOH, I don't want adcoms saying "I wonder what this guy is scared of that he won't take step II."

Also: even if I take step II in, say, November, I will still get results back before some of the interviews. Will they ask me what I got on my step II at that time?

Thanks!!

 

[bigfrank]

With a 260, plan on taking Step II in January or later. Your Step II can have no impact (at best) on your application. I was in the same boat as you and am very happy I took the exam later. Even though my score didn't change too much, it did alleviate stress in the long run.

 

[drmota]

So I rocked step I (260+), but am skeptical that I will do as well on step II, if only because my step I was very high. I am thinking about applying to fairly competitive residency programs (probably anesthesia).

Should I delay step II until after ERAS goes in so that only my step I is available? Basically, my concern is that if I get 260/235 (for example), the adcoms will say "He sucks at clinicals even though he did well on step I."

OTOH, I don't want adcoms saying "I wonder what this guy is scared of that he won't take step II."

Also: even if I take step II in, say, November, I will still get results back before some of the interviews. Will they ask me what I got on my step II at that time?

Thanks!!

what would it take to get you over in the "how to ROCK your boards thread" to tell us your strategy that worked so well?
-mota

 

[njbmd]

So I rocked step I (260+), but am skeptical that I will do as well on step II, if only because my step I was very high. I am thinking about applying to fairly competitive residency programs (probably anesthesia).

Should I delay step II until after ERAS goes in so that only my step I is available? Basically, my concern is that if I get 260/235 (for example), the adcoms will say "He sucks at clinicals even though he did well on step I."

OTOH, I don't want adcoms saying "I wonder what this guy is scared of that he won't take step II."

Also: even if I take step II in, say, November, I will still get results back before some of the interviews. Will they ask me what I got on my step II at that time?

Thanks!!

Hi there,
No "adcoms" are going to see your Step II scores. You stand a better chance of doing well on Step II the earlier you take it following third year unless you front-loaded your fourth year with clincal-heavy rotations. Some of the more competitive residency programs (like Hopkins) wanted my Step II scores early during fourth year and they were there (I took Step II in September). I also had a very nice period after the Match where I only had to show up and get the diploma.

Besides, if you aced Step II, you should not drop significantly on Step II unless your Step I was a fluke. My Step I was great and my Step II was even higher.

njbmd 🙂

 

[Radiohead]

I made a similar score on step I as you. Took step II in October and made 11 points higher. The moral of the story is you are a good test taker, and with minimal preparation, you will score high regardless. For Anesthesia, I wouldn't worry at all. It's not like Derm, where someone w/ a 260 + board score should be at least minimally concerned about not matching at their # 1. As long as you aren't a major tool, and I don't think that even matters for Anesthesia 😉 , you will go wherever you want. I would advise taking step II earlier than later, because in my case, even with a 260+ on step I, everyone one of my interviewers commented on my step II score. I think by this time next year, or January for that matter, the last thing you want to be worried about is taking the boards. Get them over with, do well, and you'll thank me come next year.
Peace

 

[jojo14]

I have heard that more and more programs (for EM at least) are starting to require Step II. I don't know if that's true of anesthesia. I didn't score as high as you, but well enough to originally plan on putting off Step II. I think I am going to take it in Oct/Nov now.

 

[tigershark]

If you're aiming for the elite programs take step2 in time to have the results in your app by october/november. Everyone they seriously consider will have great step1 scores, a similarly high step2 will give you a bit of an advantage.

Many interviewers commented on my step2 score.

 

[Back34]

I have heard that more and more programs (for EM at least) are starting to require Step II. I don't know if that's true of anesthesia. I didn't score as high as you, but well enough to originally plan on putting off Step II. I think I am going to take it in Oct/Nov now.

I'm not sure about that E.M. comment. I wound up with a 224 on step I and I had the same question. My E.M. advisors said it wouldn't be a problem if I held off on step II (I still haven't taken it) because a great score wouldn't make a difference and a lower one would just hurt me and I'd probably match just fine without it.

One PD specifically asked me if I had taken it yet. I said something like "no, is that going to be a problem if you decide to rank me" and was told that my step I was strong, had good clinical grades, good L.O.R.'s, "loved" my personal statement, and interviewed well. Not a bad sign, but we'll see come Monday.

Also, I wasn't applying to ultra-competitive programs. I stuck with the N.E. mid-Atlantic area community programs.

 

[velo]

hey here's a related question, how much do standarized test scores post-Step I matter? At what point can I stop stressing about these thing?

 

[trouta]

Unfortunately Step 1 scores seem to matter a lot in the more competitive specialties. Although the exam wasnt designed as a screening instrument that is the way it is used. The programs have to cut down the applicant pool somehow.

As for the original question, take it after your application is in so that it cant change anything. People keep saying that programs are going to require the exam but no one has come out and said that for sure yet. Why risk it?

 

[Ruban]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone! But then here's the problem: my school requires that I take step 2 before December 31. So let's say I take it December 30. The scores will be back by around Feb 15 2007, so the schools will still see the score (or that I withheld it).

By what date do the SCHOOLS have to submit their rank order list? Basically, I'm hoping that I can have the score come in AFTER their rank order list is in, so that my score doesn't have any effect. Is that possible?

Thanks!

Unfortunately Step 1 scores seem to matter a lot in the more competitive specialties. Although the exam wasnt designed as a screening instrument that is the way it is used. The programs have to cut down the applicant pool somehow.

As for the original question, take it after your application is in so that it cant change anything. People keep saying that programs are going to require the exam but no one has come out and said that for sure yet. Why risk it?

 

[Back34]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone! But then here's the problem: my school requires that I take step 2 before December 31. So let's say I take it December 30. The scores will be back by around Feb 15 2007, so the schools will still see the score (or that I withheld it).

By what date do the SCHOOLS have to submit their rank order list? Basically, I'm hoping that I can have the score come in AFTER their rank order list is in, so that my score doesn't have any effect. Is that possible?

Thanks!

For '06, the programs submitted their lists on Feb 22. I think Jan 15 was the cutoff for step II scores to be available for the programs.

Seriously, if you don't want your step II scores available, just take it later in January without notifying your school. I'm 99.99% sure that med schools have no knowlege as to when you've registered for the beast; they just get your results. What's the worst that'll happen -- an email stating they haven't gotten your score yet and you were required to take it by 12/31 Trust me, it's not grounds for expulsion.

Take it when you're good and ready. Heck, I still haven't taken it and match day is this Thursday. Good luck.

 

[PhillyGuy]

Definitely don't take it. It can only hurt you. With your score, I think even a very good step 2 performance will add little to your application. You will get an interview at just about every place you apply.

 

[radioh3ad]

I made a similar score on step I as you. Took step II in October and made 11 points higher. The moral of the story is you are a good test taker, and with minimal preparation, you will score high regardless. For Anesthesia, I wouldn't worry at all. It's not like Derm, where someone w/ a 260 + board score should be at least minimally concerned about not matching at their # 1. As long as you aren't a major tool, and I don't think that even matters for Anesthesia 😉 , you will go wherever you want. I would advise taking step II earlier than later, because in my case, even with a 260+ on step I, everyone one of my interviewers commented on my step II score. I think by this time next year, or January for that matter, the last thing you want to be worried about is taking the boards. Get them over with, do well, and you'll thank me come next year.
Peace

you need to be my mentor

 

[burntcrispy]

I'm an MS4 going into gas (waiting to see where on Thurs). I had a high Step 1 also and took Step 2 in July. I agree that you will get interviews everywhere with only your step one but all of the top programs commented on me having my Step 2 done already. You will never be more prepared to take it than right after 3rd year. It's a joke compared to Step 1 and with and going into interviews with Step 2 already taken just makes you that much stronger. I made the exact same score on my step 2 as I did on Step 1.

I'm at a school now with a competitive Anes. residency. The program director here says that he'll take someone with pretty good Step 1 and Step 2 already taken over someone with AWSOME Step 1 and no Step 2 taken. Reason being is that every now and then someone with a very high Step 1 will blow off Step 2, fail it and not be able to start residency on time. On the Anes forum I've read that some residencies will not rank a student if their Step 2 is not taken by the time the rank list goes in. Not sure how true that is.

Good luck with your decision.