Step 2 and ERAS

[Gfunk6]

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I'm taking Step 2 CK in about a week. Before I submit my score to residency programs automatically, I would like to see them. I have already taken and passed Step 1.

Should I check "no" on both ERAS options for submitting USMLE scores? Note that I will be getting my Step 2 CK scores BEFORE I submit my ERAS application.

This way, I understand that I will have to (at the least) manually submit my Step 1 score and (if they are good) Step 2 scores. Is this simply a matter of checking a few boxes on-line?

Any help from veterans of this process would be appreciated.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I'm taking Step 2 CK in about a week. Before I submit my score to residency programs automatically, I would like to see them. I have already taken and passed Step 1.

Should I check "no" on both ERAS options for submitting USMLE scores? Note that I will be getting my Step 2 CK scores BEFORE I submit my ERAS application.

This way, I understand that I will have to (at the least) manually submit my Step 1 score and (if they are good) Step 2 scores. Is this simply a matter of checking a few boxes on-line?

Any help from veterans of this process would be appreciated.

there should be a box that enables you to automatically send your already existing USMLE scores (in your case, just your step 1) but to NOT automatically send any subsequent USMLE scores (i think it's the 2nd box down from the top; the top box i think indicates "automatically send.")

unfortunately, since you're taking Step 2 early, you will eventually need to manually transmit your step 2 score when you get them in anywhere from 3-6 weeks. let's say you don't do well and you decide not to submit them ever...some residency programs may pick up on this since they will know you took them on a certain date (cuz you will have indicated that on your ERAS) and will eventually inquire about your scores well before they finalize their rank lists. so in your case, the question becomes, "is it really worth it to hide your scores?" that's a tricky issue. but it is always the safe choice to NOT automatically have the scores sent and then to manually send your scores later.

plus, you're mstp. you're a smart guy and i'm sure you'll do well anyway 🙂

 

[Gfunk6]

Andy, thanks a lot for the response.

A couple of follow-up questions:

1. The 1st box is send all existing scores (which will be Step 1 and Step 2CK when I submit ERAS). The 2nd box is send all new scores (which will be, eventually, Step 2CS). Should I not check both boxes? If so, do I have to manually transmit my Step 1 scores? Is it easy?

2. Re: residencies -- I already indicated that I took Step 1 and passed but I didn't indicate a date for Step 2CK. This should, at least, give me some leeway. Of course, if they ask I plan on being honest. Hopefully, I'll do well thereby obviating the need for this chicanery.

Thanks for your well wishes!

 

[b&ierstiefel]

You know, Gfunk, I misread your original post. My bad. No matter what happens your step 2 CK will have to be reported whether you like it or not because you're taking it so soon and your scores will be transmitted once you submit your final certified ERAS application. The leeway you speak of in your second point is virtually nonexistent because of this.

So, I guess the only score in question is your step 2 CS. That exam is pass/fail and the far majority of the folks pass.

Anyways, the safest option is to check off the first box only...the one that says transmit existing scores (step 1 and step 2 CK). that way you don't have to manually send anything regarding those two exams. Hold off on checking off that second box though. Checking it off will mean that the NBME will automatically transmit your step 2 CS score. I'm not saying that you'll fail but let's say you have a TIA during the exam, you talk like a ******, and you fail the interpersonal communication (or whatever that dumb component is) section. In that case, since you didn't pass all three components of the exam, you'll automatically fail the overall exam.

Now, considering how stupid and trivial this exam REALLY is, should you fail the exam, residencies really don't need to know about that. Furthermore, residencies probably won't care as much about step 2 cs. They'll probably assume you'll pass it. Step 2 is only, in essence, an additional obstacle (a very monetarily expensive obstacle and money making scheme on the part of the NBME) for you. The actual score, for residency purposes, is virtually meaningless. In essence, you only need to pass it prior to graduation (if it is required by your medical school) and you'll definitely need to pass it in order to sign up for Step 3.


PS - I deleted my above previous post since it doesn't provide any information that would be useful to you 🙂