Step 2

[orgoking]

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How important is it to take step 2 early for ortho? I did decent on step 1 (252) but I have heard that more programs are requesting step 2 before rank. As of right now I was planning on taking step 2 in January because of my aways and sub I early in the year. Any thoughts on which specific programs require step 2 and if I should take it earlier?

 

[lrkoehle]

While I don't know how many or which ortho programs are are putting a priority on step 2, I am pretty sure they're in the minority. As such, taking step 2 early should not be important. I was even told to make sure to take step 2 late, since similar to you I did well on step 1 and step 2 could only hurt me. The basic explanation was that if step 2 isn't there, most places won't care. If step 2 is there and you do well (I.e. as good or better than your step 1 score), then they also don't care. However, if you bomb or only do ok on step 2, that could be a red flag. Matching ortho is kind of a game we have to play, and a big part of that is minimizing possible red flags or deficiencies and then applying broadly.

 

[LIMed2007]

I agree. In fact, I applied to a program that "required" Step 2 for your application to be complete, yet I applied to and was interviewed by that program before I had even taken the exam. I was also told to take Step 2 late because I had done well on Step 1. As Irkoehle states, a missing Step 2 is fine but a bad Step 2 can only hurt you.

 

[ddmo]

With that score, you do not need to worry about taking Step 2 early.