step 2 and path residency application

[garden666]

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I have not taken step 2. I am still not sure if I am going to take it at the end of this year or after the match. I did well on the step I and I worry that my step 2 score may not be as good as that of the step1. Does anybody know how important step 2 is for the path residency application?

The thing I have to decide immediately is for the ERAS application. On the ERAS apllication, either you can totally ignore step 2 with only step 1 info listed; or if you chose "will take" for step 2, then you have to give a planned date to take the test. I am still not sure when I will take step 2. Can I just ignore step 2 and not list anything about step 2 on my ERAS application? Would that make the PDs doubt if I am going to take the step2 before the path residency?

 

[Doctor B.]

I won't tell you to ignore it but I didn't report mine (on accident) and still matched to my #1 choice. If you had trouble on step 1 or didn't pass step 1 the first time, I'd definately include it in your ERAS application.

 

[garden666]

BCMD:

Thanks for the info on Step 2. I have visited your website. It is very helpful.

 

[yaah]

Bumping this topic insteading of creating a new one....

I wanted to post about what I have heard about Step II and path. When I filled out ERAS I picked the option of not releasing my step II scores until I wanted to, which I think was a good idea in retrospect.

But then I did well on step II, better than I expected, so I submitted my score, and sent emails to a few programs at the top of my list telling them about it. I actually got a couple of replies about how Step II was a "better indicator of success as a pathologist" than Step I.

So, I think it does matter, but only if you do really well or really poorly (and programs know about it before you match). You don't have to release it, in the majority of cases, before the match. If you do well, it is another feather in your cap.