Should I Release a Lower Step 2 CK Score?

[RenshawCell]

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I also posted this on the pediatric board so please forgive me, but the peds board tends to be slower than a turtle sprinting through a field of molasses.

I took my CK early and suffered for it. I have a 240 step I but only managed a 226 step II. I have released my step I score but have chosen to manually release CK because I had a feeling that I should have probably studied more for stepII.

My question is, as a Carib IMG, am I better served by releasing a passing CK score or should I release it later in the interview season?

I just took my CS so that is not going to come back till Nov/Dec.

Just for clarity:

IMG, Top 3 Carib-whatever that means- (no visa needed)
Step I: 240/99
Step II: 226/99
Clinical: All honors
4 LoR (3 in, awaiting one from sub-I)
Applied to 100 peds programs, no invites/no rejections
Applying to PEDS

Thanks for any insight.

 

[gutonc]

I also posted this on the pediatric board so please forgive me, but the peds board tends to be slower than a turtle sprinting through a field of molasses.

I took my CK early and suffered for it. I have a 240 step I but only managed a 226 step II. I have released my step I score but have chosen to manually release CK because I had a feeling that I should have probably studied more for stepII.

My question is, as a Carib IMG, am I better served by releasing a passing CK score or should I release it later in the interview season?

I just took my CS so that is not going to come back till Nov/Dec.

Just for clarity:

IMG, Top 3 Carib-whatever that means- (no visa needed)
Step I: 240/99
Step II: 226/99
Clinical: All honors
4 LoR (3 in, awaiting one from sub-I)
Applied to 100 peds programs, no invites/no rejections
Applying to PEDS

Thanks for any insight.

As an IMG you're going to need to prove ECFMG eligibility to get many interviews in the first place. Since that means passing all 3 steps (and proving it to programs), I'm not sure how you're going to avoid releasing your scores.

Incidentally, for Peds, nobody's going to care about that drop.

 

[CocoaMD]

One of the requirments for IMG students are to show that you have passed Step 1, 2, and 3 before they invite you for an interview (unlike AMG who just have to show proof before being ranked.) So you have no choice but to show them your Step 2 scores.

Personally, I dont think it matters much, b/c you passed.

I also posted this on the pediatric board so please forgive me, but the peds board tends to be slower than a turtle sprinting through a field of molasses.

I took my CK early and suffered for it. I have a 240 step I but only managed a 226 step II. I have released my step I score but have chosen to manually release CK because I had a feeling that I should have probably studied more for stepII.

My question is, as a Carib IMG, am I better served by releasing a passing CK score or should I release it later in the interview season?

I just took my CS so that is not going to come back till Nov/Dec.

Just for clarity:

IMG, Top 3 Carib-whatever that means- (no visa needed)
Step I: 240/99
Step II: 226/99
Clinical: All honors
4 LoR (3 in, awaiting one from sub-I)
Applied to 100 peds programs, no invites/no rejections
Applying to PEDS

Thanks for any insight.

 

[RenshawCell]

It would be difficult for most US-IMGs to show all three steps since we all graduate in the spring like American grads.

I went ahead and released the scores anyway. Here's to nothin'!

 

[gutonc]

One of the requirments for IMG students are to show that you have passed Step 1, 2, and 3 before they invite you for an interview (unlike AMG who just have to show proof before being ranked.)

Incorrect. IMGs need to pass Steps 1, 2CK and 2CS in order to be ECFMG eligible (which most programs require before they'll even offer an interview). AMGs only need to have passed whatever exams individual programs require. A very few (depending on specialty) require AMGs to have both Step 1 and 2 but most only require a Step 1 score for invite/ranking.

 

[RenshawCell]

Incorrect. IMGs need to pass Steps 1, 2CK and 2CS in order to be ECFMG eligible (which most programs require before they'll even offer an interview). AMGs only need to have passed whatever exams individual programs require. A very few (depending on specialty) require AMGs to have both Step 1 and 2 but most only require a Step 1 score for invite/ranking.

I already have an interview and so do a large number of my classmates. My LoRs just cleared so that was probably holding them back last week.

 

[CocoaMD]

Incorrect. IMGs need to pass Steps 1, 2CK and 2CS in order to be ECFMG eligible (which most programs require before they'll even offer an interview). AMGs only need to have passed whatever exams individual programs require. A very few (depending on specialty) require AMGs to have both Step 1 and 2 but most only require a Step 1 score for invite/ranking.

I guess it depends on what specialty you're applying to b/c I got my information from a number of websites in my specialty...I assumed it was the same for everyone. No big deal....

 

[BornToCut]

How can you do worse on step 2? I thought it was nearly impossible unless you had a TIA during 3rd year? Anyway, to answer your question. I wouldn't release it because 1) its embarrassing and 2) it may screw you depending on your specialty. Just bite the bullet and hope they don't ask on interview trail.

 

[gutonc]

How can you do worse on step 2? I thought it was nearly impossible unless you had a TIA during 3rd year? Anyway, to answer your question. I wouldn't release it because 1) its embarrassing and 2) it may screw you depending on your specialty. Just bite the bullet and hope they don't ask on interview trail.

1. Don't be a douche.
2. You haven't been paying attention to the rest of the thread, have you? The OP has to release it b/c s/he is an IMG.

 

[RenshawCell]

How can you do worse on step 2? I thought it was nearly impossible unless you had a TIA during 3rd year? Anyway, to answer your question. I wouldn't release it because 1) its embarrassing and 2) it may screw you depending on your specialty. Just bite the bullet and hope they don't ask on interview trail.

I suppose studying 2 weeks while doing 12-14h per day rotations might have been a factor. It has already been released and I have interviews already. Like gutonc said, two passing scores trump a decent step 1 for an IMG.

 

[CocoaMD]

Also depends on the visa status. H1B Visas need to show proof of all 3.

Incorrect. IMGs need to pass Steps 1, 2CK and 2CS in order to be ECFMG eligible (which most programs require before they'll even offer an interview). AMGs only need to have passed whatever exams individual programs require. A very few (depending on specialty) require AMGs to have both Step 1 and 2 but most only require a Step 1 score for invite/ranking.