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Is step 2 needed when applying to radiology? Can we just stay with step 1 if we are happy with it?
Step 2
- Thread starter MAVSMANIAC
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Mostly. Some programs will prefer an applicant with a Step 2 score, and there are problem some out there that won't rank without a Step 2 score. But the majority seem to be okay with the high step 1. In fact, a had a high step 1 and many programs were surprised to see I had already taken Step 2 early in the season.
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It's not the radiology programs so much as the internships that you should be worried about.
Lots (but by no means all) of programs want to know you've passed CS prior to ROLs being due.
Even if they don't require it, though, it can separate you from other potentially less qualified applicants when it's time to put together their list.
Lots (but by no means all) of programs want to know you've passed CS prior to ROLs being due.
Even if they don't require it, though, it can separate you from other potentially less qualified applicants when it's time to put together their list.
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95% of programs do not care about Step 2.
If you make above a 230 on Step 1, there is absolutely NO reason at all to take Step 2 prior to applying.
Step 1 is the only statistically relevant application entity which has a positive correlation to Radiology board pass rates. That is why it is relied on so heavily by programs in the interview process. Grades/class rank has a weak correlation. Step 2, research, and everything else has NONE.
If you have a solid Step 1 score, don't take Step 2. If you are in the 230's on Step 1, chances are you won't make a high enough score (ie, above 250) to turn any heads. You have a much higher probability of making a 225, which will have a negative impact on you.
Very few programs will ask if you've taken step 2...because very few care. Even if asked, there are many reasons you can give as to why you have not. I think one or two may have asked me. I told them "The way my fourth year schedule worked out I had some hard rotations early as well as some radiology electives I wanted to focus on. I didn't want to take Step 2 until I felt like I had enough time to properly study for it, which wouldn't be until Jan/Feb."
In most cases, Step 2 will not help you or hurt you. However, in the minority of cases where it has an impact, it tends to hurt much more than it ends up helping. There is absolutely no reason to take it unless you Step 1 is terrible!
If you make above a 230 on Step 1, there is absolutely NO reason at all to take Step 2 prior to applying.
Step 1 is the only statistically relevant application entity which has a positive correlation to Radiology board pass rates. That is why it is relied on so heavily by programs in the interview process. Grades/class rank has a weak correlation. Step 2, research, and everything else has NONE.
If you have a solid Step 1 score, don't take Step 2. If you are in the 230's on Step 1, chances are you won't make a high enough score (ie, above 250) to turn any heads. You have a much higher probability of making a 225, which will have a negative impact on you.
Very few programs will ask if you've taken step 2...because very few care. Even if asked, there are many reasons you can give as to why you have not. I think one or two may have asked me. I told them "The way my fourth year schedule worked out I had some hard rotations early as well as some radiology electives I wanted to focus on. I didn't want to take Step 2 until I felt like I had enough time to properly study for it, which wouldn't be until Jan/Feb."
In most cases, Step 2 will not help you or hurt you. However, in the minority of cases where it has an impact, it tends to hurt much more than it ends up helping. There is absolutely no reason to take it unless you Step 1 is terrible!