Step 2 with applications

[artificialtears]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

What is the latest time that you can take step 2 for it to be considered as part of your application? If I take CK in mid to end of November, would the scores be out in time for the programs to get a hold of before programs make their rank lists?

 

[alleyesonme]

What is the latest time that you can take step 2 for it to be considered as part of your application? If I take CK in mid to end of November, would the scores be out in time for the programs to get a hold of before programs make their rank lists?

The answer to your question depends on why you want step 2 on your application. If your step 1 is not as high as you would like it, then I would consider taking step 2 earlier than November. Otherwise, as long as you take it before December (it takes 2-3 weeks to get scores back), you could email it to programs of interest. However, the coordinator most likely puts the score in your file, and it may never be seen. Also, taking step 2 in mid to end November would mean that you do not get scores back until mid to late December. By this time, interviews have concluded and most programs have constructed their rank lists. I doubt the step 2 score at this time would change your placement.

If you would like your step 2 on your application, I would recommend taking it September or October. This would allow you to send your scores earlier (and it shows up in the Dean's letter) and they will have your scores during the interview. However, I am not sure how much they really care about step 2 as a supplement to your application once you already have an interview. You need to look at your application as a whole and decide whether the score would boost your application in any way. I heard one interviewer on the interview trail remark that they could care less about the step 2 score.

I took step 2 in early October, and emailed it to programs by the end of October, and I had several comments on the score. It was sent after most interview offers, so I doubt it helped get additional interviews. Who knows if it played into rank lists.

Let me know if you have additional questions!

 

[cme2c]

I would agree that you need to take it earlier than November. You really need to think about taking it so that it is with your application in Aug/Sep. When I used to review applications, if it wasn't in the initial application it might not get seen. There are so much stuff and we had a hundred applications for every spot. We met immediately after each set of interviews and ranked the applicants, so if it's not there during your interview forget about it being included.

 

[War10882]

The actual answer to your question would be to take earlier than mid July, so your score will be ready by early to mid August when you will submit your application; that way everyone who needs to see it will definitely see it, and your score won't get lost in the shuffle of paperwork if you were to take it later and manually send it to each and every program of interest.

Of course this is all assuming you want/need your score to boost your application. If you're indifferent about Step 2, take it anytime after mid-July.

 

[MAVSMANIAC]

If you're indifferent about Step 2, take it anytime after mid-July.

Does step 2 have to be passed by the time programs put together their match list? Im happy with step 1 and dont want to take step 2 till Dec, 09.

 

[MAYOphtho]

Does step 2 have to be passed by the time programs put together their match list? Im happy with step 1 and dont want to take step 2 till Dec, 09.

without a question "no." I took mine December of my match year. Not asked even once about it