Step 2 CK Score Required to Apply for Residency Programs

[greentealeaves]

Is there any reliable source where it lists whether a Step 2 CK score is required for applying to a given program. I'm an M3 and debating whether to take it earlier or later (I had a good Step 1, but my shelf scores have been very mediocre). I've looked on web sites for some programs and it seems relatively hit or miss whether they include this info or not.

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[Crayola227]

In general it is not needed to apply or even to interview. Almost universally it should be in, in time for ranking and the Match. Many programs will not rank without it.

No one really cares about your shelf scores.

 

[greentealeaves]

In general it is not needed to apply or even to interview. Almost universally it should be in, in time for ranking and the Match. Many programs will not rank without it.

No one really cares about your shelf scores.

I know that this has historically been the case, but is it possible that this will change for the class of 2023 given that some will have a scored Step 1 while others will be P/F. Then, even if you have a scored Step 1 might it be the case that you will have to take Step 2 anyways?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

No one knows what will happen. That said, I think once S1 is P/F, having a S2 score during early application season would be a huge plus.

 

[collegestud2013]

Is there any reliable source where it lists whether a Step 2 CK score is required for applying to a given program. I'm an M3 and debating whether to take it earlier or later (I had a good Step 1, but my shelf scores have been very mediocre). I've looked on web sites for some programs and it seems relatively hit or miss whether they include this info or not.

Probably going to be required pretty soon to even get interviews once Step 1 moves to pass/fail. Programs still want a standardized metric to screen applicants and many are using Step 2 to do this instead of Step 1.

 

[7331poas]

In general it is not needed to apply or even to interview. Almost universally it should be in, in time for ranking and the Match. Many programs will not rank without it.

No one really cares about your shelf scores.

The validity of this advice in the current cycle is dubious.

 

[Dral]

I'm not sure you'll find a great source for this. Unfortunately, you folks applying in these few years here are a bit in the dark. It's unclear whether Step 2 will be needed to screen apps. The obvious points are that certainly a good score will only help, but it's possible that a poor score could hurt more if Step 2 wasn't actually needed for the program.

I asked our PD about it and his response was something to the effect of "Well, we'll do what we can for now and we'll probably do what other programs decide".

As you can imagine, there are meetings and other resources for PDs to communicate. I think it will just take one of those meetings to happen where PDs of a given specialty decide what to do. By my approximation it's a bit too early to know what will happen (as least for my specialty).

 

[GoSpursGo]

You just need to look at individual program websites. But even if they don’t say anything, like @NotAProgDirector said having a good score will definitely be a plus