Step 2 necessary for what programs?

[FTLtoMIA]

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Thanks in advance. This forum has been an excellent resource. I wanted to know if there was some sort of list of the schools that look into step 2.

 

[seper]

Do you mean using Step 2 scores for interview selection? IMHO, not having step 2 CK by November would put you at a disadvantage in more programs than not.

 

[randalgraves]

Do you mean using Step 2 scores for interview selection? IMHO, not having step 2 CK by November would put you at a disadvantage in more programs than not.

Really? I feel like the vast majority of applicants don't have a CK score by November. The only program I've ever heard of that requires it is UCSF, and even they only need it by the rank order deadline IIRC.

 

[stankem]

I havent' released my step 2 scores yet. I can't think of a single program that even mentioned step 2 during interviews.

 

[Paxinos]

I havent' released my step 2 scores yet. I can't think of a single program that even mentioned step 2 during interviews.

Agree. If you're Step 1 is good, don't worry about Step 2.

 

[medstud2012]

is 250 considered good, in those terms

 

[rad doc wannabe]

I also agree with the others that Step 2 score is probably not important, I was also not asked about it in a single interview. It's probably only useful if you do significantly better than Step 1, especially if your Step 1 was not ideal. Overall, Step 2 score national average is about 10 points higher and if you look at the NRMP statistics on program director survey, the score cutoff most rad onc program directors almost always grant interview is also 10 points higher for Step 2. So, IMHO, if you want to take Step 2 early and send in scores, you should be confident you can do at least 10 points better.

So, if you got 235 on Step 1, a 250 on Step 2 is probably good, but if your Step 1 is already 250, a 250 on Step 2 probably won't help you and may even hurt you.

 

[Pewl]

I wasn't asked about Step 2 on any of my interviews. I agree that you should only release step 2 scores if you are trying to "make up" for a step 1 score.

 

[fiji128]

I know for a fact from friends who are already doing residency some programs will not rank applicants if the applicant has not at least passed step 2 by the time they do their ranking. Although, none of these programs were radiation oncology programs.

 

[DukeNukem]

I don't think programs care much about step 2 score now. But, here's my proposal.

If we want to be really sadistic towards people starting med school now, let's all post about how much programs really want to see step 2 scores. Since every rad onc applicant reads this forum and this field is so small, applicants will buy into it quickly. Any other faculty reading this forum will think "Oh really? There's programs out there using step 2 scores to evaluate applicants? Maybe I should... Hmmm..."

So next year just about everyone will have a step 2 score with their application. The PDs will then start using them to separate applicants. The programs will expect to see them since just about everyone will have one. The applicants then will talk about how necessary the scores are without any ambiguity. In just one year we can change the world!!!

The system will perpetuate itself so quickly that in 2 years we will have set ourself a new de facto standard. Then no longer will we need to discuss this in threads! Muhahahahahaha!

Yours,
A mad scientist

 

[Radonc11]

I actually applied with my released step 2 score and I wasn't trying to make up for anything.

I scored >255 on step 1 and >270 on step 2. I took step 2 in august because i was on an easy rotation that ended at noon each day. So i just prepped for about 6 hrs each day.

Honestly, I had no real fears about not doing well or scoring less...but if i did i likely wouldn't have released it.

Did it help? In my case probably for a few places but I don;t think there is an overwhelming advantage in general.

 

[drowsy12]

.

 

[Gfunk6]

can you really not release it? then what's the harm in taking it? even if you have a 250 step 1 and get a 245 step 2 for example, if you wanted to you could choose to not release it right

This is true. However, a PD will occasionally ask you if you've taken Step 2. If you answer yes, then they will wonder why you haven't released the score. Of course, you could lie about it but this is not recommended.

 

[deleted4401]

What kind of a world do we live in that we have to consider not releasing a 245??

Maybe also want to withhold paltry Green Journal publications, until after you match?

-S

 

[drowsy12]

I didnt mean not releasing a 245 in particular it could have been any score I meant to say not releasing a step 2 score in general if you didn't want to. GFunk answered the question perfectly.

 

[Radonc11]

haha. +1 to what simul says.

Also, 6 hours a day for step 2? after scoring that high on step 1? that kind of behavior makes me question your sanity. In some states that's enough for a 302! 🙂

LOL....6hrs a day, 4 days a week for 2.5 weeks. Does this seem excessive? Plus i'm very very sane, well groomed most of the time and have never been on psychotropics. I needed to get this out the way, there was no chance on earth I was cracking a book post december 2010. It just needed to happen.

SimulD, I know at least 3 people who withheld step 2 scores above 245 because it was lower than their step 1.

Its a brave new world.

 

[Aphtalyfe]

Sorry for reviving an old post... but are there any updates on this?

Any schools besides UCSF want step 2 before rank order lists are submitted?

 

[Seldon1985]

Hmm, of the places I had checked out, UCSF was the only one requiring Step 2. Even then, there was a rumor that this wasn't set in stone... Not sure what the caveats were.