Step 2?

[Toughbrake]

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Hello, would like some advice. Should I take the USMLE step 2?
I am a DO student with a 229/95 step 1 and a 600/89 level 1.
If I took step 2 I would probably do about the same.
I think I will do about the same maybe a little better on level 2 of the comlex. I have scheduled 4th year rotations at some nice allopathic academic centers in anesthesiology. Should I risk getting a lower step 2?
Would a step 2 help that much?
Thanks,
Toughbrake

 

[fakin' the funk]

I think the going advice on this board would be, you'll do fine in the match if you have 230/230 on your Steps. However, I think most people who have less than astronomical Step 1, or who have extenuating circumstances (like being a DO), take Step 2 in time to get it to residencies.

You can always take Step 2 in September or whatever see what the score is, then choose to send it or not to residencies. You choose automatic vs. optional USMLE transcript updating in ERAS.

Don't most people do better on Step 2 than Step 1 anyway?

 

[Toughbrake]

Thanks fakin' the funk for the reply. Guess I could take it some time after Sep., don't know how much time I will have to study for it. Im taking the comlex in a week followed by the PE.
Toughbrake

 

[Toughbrake]

Anybody else? Anyone with decent step 1 regret taking step 2 early. Anyone regret not taking step 2?

Toughbrake

 

[RussianJoo]

don't you need to take step2 to apply to allopathic programs? that's what I always thought. and then later on you'll need to take step3.

 

[lord_jeebus]

don't you need to take step2 to apply to allopathic programs? that's what I always thought. and then later on you'll need to take step3.

You don't need Step 2 to apply.

You can't take Step 3 until after graduation.

 

[RussianJoo]

You don't need Step 2 to apply.

You can't take Step 3 until after graduation.

ok thanks for the clarification.

 

[Toughbrake]

OK, back to the question. I think I will be fine with out taking step 2. Anyone besides fakin the funk think this assumption is incorrect?
Class rank is top 15%. USMLE step 1 229/95

Toughbrake

 

[neuroride]

I would say that you are ok. I am a DO that matched this year with only a Step 2 right around your score on Step 1.

 

[Toughbrake]

Thanks fakin the funk and neuroride for answering the post. I know similar threads have been started in the past. Anyway, I think that If I decide to take it, I will take it after September. Don't want to live up to my user name.

Toughbrake

 

[Arch Guillotti]

Dude thats a pretty good score, I think I might be inclined to stick w/it. You might miss a program here or there that require step 2 to rank. Taking it might not be a bad idea if you don't have to release the scores.

 

[Toughbrake]

Thanks Arch G, I know your advice is solid. It makes the most sense to me. Definitely don't want to hurt myself. I think I would probably do fine, but don't really feel like rolling the dice. Don't know how much an equal step 2 would really help, probably like you said maybe at a few programs, but I feel like I will get in somewhere with my step 1. I have had no problems setting up 4th year rotations.

Toughbrake

 

[RickKane]

One more option... Take USMLE step 2 late. I mean March/April etc. Your score on Step 1 is solid so you should get plenty of interviews, but inevitably a handfull of interviewers will ask if you are taking Step 2. To them the answer is yes. This way you have nothing to lose and you might actually learn something that will help you keep your head above water as an intern.

 

[RickKane]

One more thing...I had heard about programs that require Step 2 to be ranked so I made a point to ask at every interview. Most of the time people said you do not need it to be ranked, but if they did require Step 2 they said that meant USMLE for MDs and COMLEX for DOs. The COMLEX is still our licensing exam, the USMLE is just an evaluation tool. They just want to know you have completed all requirements for graduation so they don't end up getting burned by some bonehead who matches but can't start in June because failed Step 2.

 

[Toughbrake]

Thanks RickKane, yeah that's what I thought about needing step 2 to be ranked. Programs want to know you are going to graduate. I should have 2 solid comlex scores not that they will be able to interpret them but if they ask, and a solid step 1 USMLE score. I may still take step 2 late.
Good to hear from people who have been though the process.

Toughbrake

 

[BobBarker]

Good question, I was wondering the same thing. I feel like I peaked with my 237/99 step 1 (Comlex not released yet), and didn't want to backslide on taking step 2.

 

[Colba55o]

One thing I can't decide on is WHEN to take step 2. I know that I don't want to take it in August, which is considered "taking it early" at my school. If I postpone taking step 2 until October would it help me at all? How late in the year can you wait to take it and still have it available for residencies to see?

To the OP I got a 226 on step 1 and was told by the residency director at my school that Id be better off doing a SICU month in August and getting another good letter out of it, than taking step 2 early.