Should I take Step 2 before interviews?

[Forven]

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Hi everyone!

I saw a few threads on this topic but they were a few years old.

I have 235 on Step 1 and my grades are as follows:
Honors (>25%): Family Medicine, Neurology
Near Honors (50%-25%): Pediatrics, Psychiatry
Pass: Internal Medicine, OB-GYN, Surgery

I was wondering when and if I should take Step 2 before pediatrics interviews. I was thinking of taking it in the middle of November. That way I can say I took it when I go on interviews mid-November till mid-December, and my scores should be back before they rank.

Do you think it is better to actually take it earlier? Do schools NOT grant interviews if you do not have a Step 2 score already?

Thanks for your help/advice.

 

[CardioPlus]

I am curious about this as well. Is it common to get interviews with just a step 1 score?

 

[GoSpursGo]

Is it common to get interviews with just a step 1 score?

Yep. The vast, vast majority of my interviews came before I got my step 2 score back. A good step 2 score is obviously a nice feather in your cap that may give you a slightly better chance of scoring an interview if it's a significant improvement from step 1, but if there are any programs that require your Step 2 before granting you an interview, they are definitely in the minority.

I'd probably get my score in before rank lists are due, but even that probably doesn't matter to every program.

 

[CardioPlus]

Yep. The vast, vast majority of my interviews came before I got my step 2 score back. A good step 2 score is obviously a nice feather in your cap that may give you a slightly better chance of scoring an interview if it's a significant improvement from step 1, but if there are any programs that require your Step 2 before granting you an interview, they are definitely in the minority.

I'd probably get my score in before rank lists are due, but even that probably doesn't matter to every program.

Good to know, thanks!