"Step 2 Required to Match" and Voodoo

[fakin' the funk]

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In investigating the question, "Is a Step 2 score required for a program to rank a U.S. senior?" on SDN, I've found mostly voodoo.

That is, hand-waving, guessing, contradictory anecdotes, and semantics.

The only mentions of Step 2 and ranking I have seen on actual residency websites are FEW and FAR BETWEEN, and go like this: "U.S. seniors do not need to have taken Step 2 by the time rank-order lists are due," or "Step 2 must be have been scheduled by the time of the interview," or "Step 2 is not required for application." Most sites do not mention Step 2 at all.

So, does anyone have any helpful facts for people planning to Step 2 as late as possible?

 

[Law2Doc]

In investigating the question, "Is a Step 2 score required for a program to rank a U.S. senior?" on SDN, I've found mostly voodoo.

That is, hand-waving, guessing, contradictory anecdotes, and semantics.

The only mentions of Step 2 and ranking I have seen on actual residency websites are FEW and FAR BETWEEN, and go like this: "U.S. seniors do not need to have taken Step 2 by the time rank-order lists are due," or "Step 2 must be have been scheduled by the time of the interview," or "Step 2 is not required for application." Most sites do not mention Step 2 at all.

So, does anyone have any helpful facts for people planning to Step 2 as late as possible?

Not sure what you are looking for. The general rule is that most residencies don't require Step 2 scores before the match. A few specialties reportedly like to see Step 2 scores, and those folks who did poorly on Step 1 are often benefitted to have Step 2 scores. So the answer is likely going to depend on how you've done and what specialties you are looking at.

 

[CanIMakeIt]

Plus not to forget that some schools require students to take at least CK by a certain date (for us we need to have results in by Dec 31 of 4th year..way before the match day)

again, it is requirement for some schools and not residencies.

 

[mashnuts]

Not sure what you are looking for. The general rule is that most residencies don't require Step 2 scores before the match. A few specialties reportedly like to see Step 2 scores, and those folks who did poorly on Step 1 are often benefitted to have Step 2 scores. So the answer is likely going to depend on how you've done and what specialties you are looking at.

Which specialties are these?

 

[Ashers]

Which specialties are these?

My friend who went into rad onc told me he had to take his early because they required him to.