MD Step 2 CK score and Anesthesia residency for 17-18

[xianxTxx]

Hello,

I am a current MS4, planning on applying for anesthesia this cycle. I took my Step 1 score and got a 234 but havent taken Step 2. My dilemma is that I decided on Anesthesia pretty late (end of May) then did an elective in June (which I honored, got 3 associate level letters). However, I then had a mandatory core rotation in July-August during which I thought Ill be able to study for Step 2, but that did not happen as I just did not get enough time between preparing personal statements, getting letters off my one Anes elective, studying for shelf, going to clinicals and the like. Now I am worried whether Anesthesia combined programs require Step 2 to interview or not. I know they require it to match you but I am confident I will be prepared to take it Sep end or Oct beginning so I will have the scores in by match time. I just dont know that with my Step 1 score, do I need a backup for Step 2 for majority of combined programs in Anesthesia. And if having taken Step 2 is a requirement for them to offer interview. Anyone who applied recently with any insights?

Thank you so much for getting through the text above and for your time! Appreciate any responses!

Sincerely,

Concerned MS4

P.S. I go to a top-tier school and I would say I am an average student in my class who just happened to be a really bad test-taker. I am planning on staying in the South and looking for primarily in Texas, Georgia, Florida, or Arizona and up north in Michigan, NY, Mass., or NJ.

P.S.S. Oh, and I did take a diagnsotic practice Step 2 CK test in June and scored a 220 ahvent taken one since then but still have over 1200 questiosn left on uworld.

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[bashwell]

Hello,

I am a current MS4, planning on applying for anesthesia resdiencies this cycle. I took my Step 1 score and got a 234 but havent taken Step 2. My dilemma is that I decided on Anesthesia pretty late (end of May) then did an elective in June (which I honored, got 3 associate level letters). However, I then had a mandatory core rotation in July-August during which I thought Ill be able to study for Step 2, but that did not happen as I just did not get enough time between preparing personal statements, getting letters off my one Anes elective, studying for shelf, going to clinicals and the like. Now I am worried whether Anesthesia combined programs require Step 2 to interview or not. I know they require it to match you but I am confident I will be prepared to take it Sep end or Oct beginning so I will have the scores in by match time. I just dont know that with my Step 1 score, do I need a backup for Step 2 for majority of combined programs in Anesthesia. And if having taken Step 2 is a requirement for them to offer interview. Anyone who applied recently with any insights?

Thank you so much for getting through the text above and for your time! Appreciate any responses!

Sincerely,

Concerned MS4

P.S. I go to a top-tier school and I would say I am an average student in my class who just happened to be a really bad test-taker. I am planning on staying in the South and looking for primarily in Texas, Georgia, Florida, or Arizona and up north in Michigan, NY, Mass., or NJ.

P.S.S. Oh, and I did take a diagnsotic practice Step 2 CK test in June and scored a 220 ahvent taken one since then but still have over 1200 questiosn left on uworld.

1) If you're happy with any anesthesiology program in any of the states you mention, then I think you'll be fine. You should match somewhere. Most of the non-big name programs won't likely care that you don't have Step 2 (e.g., n=1 but that's what a PD in one of those states you mentioned once told me). See NRMP for some data as well.

2) If you want one of the big name anesthesiology program (e.g., MGH, Columbia), then it might be worth doing Step 2, but as you pointed out the risk is you don't do as well.

3) You should try asking the anesthesiology forum this question, because there are attendings there who have sat on admissions committees for anesthesiology, as well as a PD or two sometimes, who could better answer your question.

Good luck!

 

[xianxTxx]

1) If you're happy with any anesthesiology program in any of the states you mention, then I think you'll be fine. You should match somewhere. Most of the non-big name programs won't likely care that you don't have Step 2 (e.g., n=1 but that's what a PD in one of those states you mentioned once told me). See NRMP for some data as well.

2) If you want one of the big name anesthesiology program (e.g., MGH, Columbia), then it might be worth doing Step 2, but as you pointed out the risk is you don't do as well.

3) You should try asking the anesthesiology forum this question, because there are attendings there who have sat on admissions committees for anesthesiology, as well as a PD or two sometimes, who could better answer your question.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your response! I guess applying broad would be key. Like you suggested, I posted on the Anesthesia thread. Thanks for your input!

 

[Entadus]

i'm applying obgyn but i think you will only have a problem if you fail it