Step 2 - To take or not to take?

[wannabeDocinNYC]

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Hi all,

I recently got my step 1 scores: 234/98. Currently MS3 at a mid-tier program doing research: tons of case-write-ups, may get 1 publication this year. Probably will get a great LOR from a not so bigwig. Anyway, my question is, based on my current board score, should I consider taking step 2 early to show an improvement or is it decent enough to wait until later in the fourth year? Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks

 

[werewethere]

That's a solid score, right at the average for accepted candidates. If you want a little more leeway in terms of type of program, academics, and location, consider taking step 2 early, but make sure you're going to improve on step 1 (via doing questions and diagnostic tests). If you can either equal or markedly improve, it should help your application process at a quite a few places. Good luck.

 

[wannabeDocinNYC]

thanks a bunch for the advice!

 

[Jmcanoy1860]

If you are sure you can do well go ahead and get it out of the way. (just make sure you have already submitted your USMLE transcript through ERAS with only the STEP 1 score on it. Then make sure not to select that they (ERAS) automatically forward new scores to programs. Then the STEP 2 is out of the way and it will still be invisible to programs.