Step 2 CK too late for ROL

[spinspin]

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I'm an MS4 applying this year (for Neurology). Long story short, I pushed back prepping for Step 2CK (did too many subis when trying to decide on my specialty, away rotation, interviews took up more time than I anticipated) and at this point I'm not sure I'll be ready to have my score in time for rank list submission. I'm wondering how much this would hurt my chances of matching? I know a lot of programs really want or require a passing Step 2 CK before ranking you, but don't explicitly say so on their website. Will I get dropped by programs if my Step 2 CK score isn't back by Feb 25 (rank list due date)? My Step 1 score was in the 210-215 range, and I'm by no means a strong candidate at all, but I was able to get 11 categorical/advanced interviews at some strong programs too, I think mainly due to very strong LoRs and coming from a 'good' school.

Because I did a few sub's over the summer, I only have one rotation left this year, so I'd have plenty of time to study and pass with a comfortable margin, but just not in time for rank lists. I'm not sure if I should otherwise attempt taking it in the next couple of weeks and risk failing (I still have several more interviews to go on this month). I searched this forum extensively but wasn't able to find anything conclusive. I'm really in need of some help/advice!

(Sorry for the double post - I initially posted in Neurology but got no responses, and I think my question might be better posed here.)

 

[Siggy]

It's possible. My hospital (no neurology residency, but a good mix of ACGME and AOA residencies) has a institutional wide rule that Step 1 and Step 2 CK and CS must be done prior to the match list due to the fact that they've been burned before in the past.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It's highly variable. Some programs may care, some may not. There probably isn't much you can do about it now.

 

[organdonor]

" Will I get dropped by programs if my Step 2 CK score isn't back by Feb 25 (rank list due date)? "

Yes, you will. There is no shortage of applicants who will have passing ck scores on the books by ROL deadline. Is there no way for you to take the exam and get scores back in time?

 

[spinspin]

" Will I get dropped by programs if my Step 2 CK score isn't back by Feb 25 (rank list due date)? "

Yes, you will. There is no shortage of applicants who will have passing ck scores on the books by ROL deadline. Is there no way for you to take the exam and get scores back in time?

Hi organdoner,

I mean, I doubt it. Even if I did wing it (relatively speaking) in the next week or so, I don't see any test dates open. Do you think I'll get dropped by most of these places? (Also, what specialty are you in?) Does anyone have any Neuro specific advice?

 

[Raryn]

" Will I get dropped by programs if my Step 2 CK score isn't back by Feb 25 (rank list due date)? "

Yes, you will. There is no shortage of applicants who will have passing ck scores on the books by ROL deadline. Is there no way for you to take the exam and get scores back in time?

It varies from program to program.

For example, someone once posted that UCSF has a institution-wide policy of requiring CK to be ranked. I believe it.

 

[organdonor]

I'm in family medicine.

You mentioned that you are "not a strong candidate" and the problem is that candidates who are not strong are at risk of not passing step exams. Ranking/matching residents who can't pass step exams is a problem. Some programs can't afford to take that chance. By passing as many steps as you can you eliminate the risk.

Some programs will have an official written policy that you will not be ranked without a passing step 2 score but there are many more where this is more of an unspoken thing. Especially CK. With CS there is some degree of assumption that American students without academic shortcomings will pass.