step 2 score effects ranking?

[watermelonseed]

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Does anyone know how much weight step 2 scores will effect a residency program's ranking of you?

if you passed, but just barely passed would you still put the program you really liked but was a "reach" as #1?

Thanks

 

[DrHeartMD]

you should always rank your programs how you want them...as to how much step 2 affects you, it depends on the rest of your app...if you had a great step 1, good grades and your step 2 dropped, PDs may just take it as an anomaly...if both scores on the border, it probably wont really affect it much, if your whole app is on the rocks then it may just reinforce the rank you would have gotten anyway...with that said, many PDs say it is helpful to see a passing step 2 before rank time, and some even say they wont rank candidates without a passing step 2, so for those programs you are at an advantage since you still passed step 2...regardless...make sure you rank your number 1 choice as the place you WANT to go most whether a reach or not...if they dont rank you, then at least you know you tried...

good luck and post back if you have more questions

JB

 

[Fermi]

I'm going to piggyback on this thread, as this question just came up for me. Got my Step 2 score in the mail and it's a couple points lower than Step 1, with both scores in the 230's. I'm wondering whether I should transmit my Step 2 score through ERAS or just leave it be. Will it "hurt" my application if it's a couple points lower? Judging from this site, almost everyone applying for IM seems to report getting >240 on Step 2, so maybe I should just sit on the score since it doesn't provide programs any new information (good or bad). Of course I'll ask my adviser next week, but I'd like some applicant feedback in the meantime.

 

[DrNick2006]

TRANSMIT!!! Your scores are great for IM. In reality, astronomical board scores are not important to IM applications, this coming from several different PD's at prestigous institutions, 230's are well above the mean and indicate a solid knowledge base. People who are posting scores above 240 are just bragging, because they all know that anything in this level is 90-95th percentile and above, and absolutely do not represent the average scores in ANY specialty let alone medicine, where the average for even the top programs is prob. around 230. For example, the average optho resident last year who matched had a step I of 224, not really much higher than the mean. It is much more important just to have posted a passing score to PD's so go ahead and feel good about yourself and confident and transmit.

 

[pdintheusa]

To address both issues:

1. The match is set up so that you should try for the brass ring, so to speak. ALWAYS put the place you'd like to be most as your #1, regardless of whether or not you think you have a realistic chance. Not doing so cheats you out of the best chance of getting it.

2. Definitely transmit your Step 2 score. As a PD, it shows a nice degree of consistency to see both scores, especially when they are as good as yours. I agree with previous posters that scores above 240 are not the mean [particularly in IM] - outside of Dermatology, they're not the mean for any field. We MUCH prefer to see a solid Step 2 score if we have to pick. [obviously solid on both is better]

I wish you all the best!

 

[stat!!]

To address both issues:

1. The match is set up so that you should try for the brass ring, so to speak. ALWAYS put the place you'd like to be most as your #1, regardless of whether or not you think you have a realistic chance. Not doing so cheats you out of the best chance of getting it.

2. Definitely transmit your Step 2 score. As a PD, it shows a nice degree of consistency to see both scores, especially when they are as good as yours. I agree with previous posters that scores above 240 are not the mean [particularly in IM] - outside of Dermatology, they're not the mean for any field. We MUCH prefer to see a solid Step 2 score if we have to pick. [obviously solid on both is better]

I wish you all the best!

A follow up question:
I recently received my step 2 scores. I will transmit, but I was wondering if I should also make the programs aware, ie, email the PD to let them know. ThE score is good, but its not 250s good, so maybe I should just let them find it if they check. Do program directors automatically receive the grade when I submit through ERAS, or must they check back at the "postoffice," and thus I run the risk of the PD ranking me without seeing this new grade? Thanks everybody...

 

[Fermi]

Yes, this was a secondary question of mine, too--if I release the score, should I write/email all the PDs to alert them to this fact, or assume they'll download it? A 232 Step 2 from a 235 Step 1 are statistically about the same, so would this just be assurance that I've maintained a decent level of performance? I just don't want to shoot myself in the foot, particularly at the more competetive programs.

 

[DrNick2006]

they will definently see it if you transmit it, and I think that it is more likely to hurt you if you don't transmit. I wouldn't bother emailing the PD, its not like they are going to go and check it after you email them or something, they are too busy.