step 2 matters now?

[sore eye asses]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I've been hearing rumors that some programs are tossing apps if you've not taken/registered to take step 2 CK before mid november. I guess this guarantees the program that your score will be in before the rank list. anyone else heard this? i guess this would screw someone who is sitting on a strong step 1 score, and delaying step 2 in hopes of interviews.

 

[ChocolateKiss]

I'm pretty sure this is not true. From what I've been told, there is not a single program that requires Step2 CK for interview purposes, and there are only a few that require a passing score before the rank.

 

[dermhopefully]

Yes could others please comment on this?
I am sitting on a strong step one and now taking a year off for research, I don't want to take step 2 early because after a year of research i am probably going to have my score go down a bit. I had seen earlier posts of those people who reccomend taking it in December then "hiding" your score until after January? Is this possible? Can programs even tell if you are hiding it? Please comment if you can.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Cheebs09]

Applied & matched derm last year with no Step 2 score. Took it in late December and did not release the score. I got 30 derm interview offers, went on 18, and only 1 place even asked if I took Step 2 yet.
It seems to me these are rumors.

 

[dermhopefully]

😀 Thanks Cheebs, that is what I had heard from others, I also read that in the paper that someone linked on another thread (the one about how to match derm on DOJ). Anyone else with similar experience? Also, Cheeb, did the schools know you were hiding it? Was it a problem? Did it come up alot in interviews? Just wondering if a)they knew and b) if they cared at all. I mean who can blame you for playing it smart you know?

 

[dermhopefully]

Also, did anyone else take it late like Cheebs and not have a problem? Please share your experiences...

 

[dermRus]

My experience was similar to Cheebs. I did well on step 1 and did not even have Step two scheduled until after the interviews were done (this will likely depend on any deadlines that are imposed by your particular med school). I applied to 58 and received 28 interviews and went on 18. Not a single school asked me about step 2. If you have enough other stuff going on in your application, they really don't have time to dwell on step 2 (if you have a solid step 1 score) because it really takes away from interview time in getting to know you. As it is, the interviews tend to only be 15 min...by the time you introduce yourself and engage the interview, you're down to almost 10 min.

 

[dermhopefully]

ASMALLCHILD didn't you have a similar experience as well?

 

[asmallchild]

I took my Step 2 early December and because it actually came back higher than my Step 1 score, I went ahead and released it in time for my last couple of interviews.

Aside from a transitional year program, no one asked about my Step 2 score. I believe they can see that you've taken the test and are withholding the result but if you take the test late in December, it's unlikely programs will redownload your application just to see if you've taken Step 2 yet.

If you're this concerned about Step 2, my advice would be to just go ahead and take it early to get it off your mind. My experience is that it's very difficult to go backwards with your Step 2 score even with limited study time. (Although I do understand your concerns because you've had some time off) The application process is tough enough, why not buckle down for a short while, belt out a stellar Step 2 score, and save the anxiety for interview season? 😉

 

[dermRus]

I understand where asmallchild is coming from in terms of buckling down but...if you really have a high step 1, I would not bother with Step 2 until the last possible date that your school allows. Although you can study hard, there are no guarantees and the last thing you want after working so hard to put together the best application process is something that may be potential "table-talk" such as a lower step 2 score and "table-talk" matters...after all nothing is guaranteed on these steps where you take a one time exam on a given day. In my case, even transitionals did not ask for the Step 2 score.

 

[dermhopefully]

Ya, I am just nervous, I guess if I had brains AND guts I might, but I may just play it safe. I sort of see it this way:

Late: lose nothing, unlikely that they will re-download your app to see that you are withholding it (if it is good you could always release it too), essentially it becomes a non-issue

Early: could crush it, strengthen app somewhat (not a big leap though I think), or could screw up and suddenly you got something to worry about in those interviews......

It just doesn't seem like you gain that much if you crush it early, and if you score poorly it seems like you have much more to lose. Where as taking it late you lose nothing, it becomes neither a strength nor a weakness.

Do you guys see it that way? Thanks btw to CHEEBS, DERMRUS, and ASMALLCHILD

 

[Dermaholic]

Is October 15th an OK time to take Step 2???

I took this month off to take it on Sept 2nd and it got really busy and I feel like I need to get my personal statement done before my aways begin.

In October I'd have another 2 weeks to study. You guys agree?😕

 

[Cheebs09]

Dermhopefully, DermRus - that's how I saw it, and I took it late for that reason. Didn't have an issue. For Step 2, one derm program (USF) asked if I had taken it at the interview, and I said not yet, and that was it. Certainly the programs knew I hadn't taken/released it because they didn't have a score. I agree with above - interviews are short and hopefully you have much more interesting things to talk about!

Dermaholic - Get your personal statement done and applications in as early as possible. For me, I found it mattered more for the transitional/prelim interviews that actually go out early and fill fast. You will want to get the internship interviews out of the way, and not worry about squeezing them in between derm interviews in Dec/Jan. You can take Step 2 later.

 

[Turquoisey]

So what about CS?
I have been putting it off as much as possible.
Does this just need to be done before we graduate? or do schools require this before ranking?

 

[Cheebs09]

Usually your med school will have requirements about when to take CS.
As for derm programs, I took it late and no one said anything.

 

[kralwok]

i really doubt step 2 matters. that being said, i would take it in the fall so that your score can be released before the rank list is due just in case.

 

[W5D]

i heard he same rumors my year. step 2 doesn't matter if you have a good step 1 score.

 

[sweatybrain]

as you guys probably know, UCSF now requires a passing score on step 2 before the ranking list is due. I just mailed in my check for step 2 CK/CS today 🙁

 

[sore eye asses]

how long does it take to get step 2 scores back? i will probably miss the rank deadline by a few days. goodbye UCSF (as if I had a chance to match there anyway, hah!)

 

[dermhopefully]

any other programs like UCSF?