Step 2

[CastroViejo]

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Hey guys, I'm curious about how you guys feel about step 2. I'm trying to decide how important it is to take before interviews.

Would you guys mind writing whether or not you took it yet or when you plan on taking it? Thanks a lot

 

[VikingFavre]

Hey guys, I'm curious about how you guys feel about step 2. I'm trying to decide how important it is to take before interviews.

Would you guys mind writing whether or not you took it yet or when you plan on taking it? Thanks a lot

I took it in late August and just got my score back.

 

[DKofLV]

Hey guys, I'm curious about how you guys feel about step 2. I'm trying to decide how important it is to take before interviews.

Would you guys mind writing whether or not you took it yet or when you plan on taking it? Thanks a lot

Depends on your score (step 1), if you're below (or way below) the matching average definitely consider taking it if you think you can improve on your Step 1 score.

If your step 1 is good, but you're SURE you can improve it then consider taking it.

If your score is outstanding on step 1, then I dont know a benefit to Step 2 in the immediate future. My score was certainly good (but not insanely high) and I didnt get asked ONCE about my Step 2...and I am at a "top program"

 

[CastroViejo]

If I'm very happy with my step1 score, but I take step2 now to get it over with, and I don't do very well. Is there anyway programs will find out that second score if I don't want them to?

Thanks for your help guys!

 

[iguy]

I'm not sure but I think that you need to request a USMLE trasncript be sent to the schools if you want to do so. Also, if you didn't indicate on your CAS that you took the test, the schools have no way of expecting you to send the transcript.

 

[ElephantEye]

If I'm very happy with my step1 score, but I take step2 now to get it over with, and I don't do very well. Is there anyway programs will find out that second score if I don't want them to?

Thanks for your help guys!

So I just talked to my adviser and the program director at my school about this specific issue. I did well on the Step 1 and I put on my CAS application that I am scheduled to take the Step 2 at the end of November. I felt pressured to take it early (before the end of Nov) because my school STRONGLY encourages all of its students to do that for whatever reason. Now, I have interviews that keep conflicting with my Nov test date (I had to reschedule the test twice) and with all the traveling we'll all be doing I don't feel focused enough to study so I'm going to postpone it until Feb when I have some time. I don't think taking it so late is an issue for the early match (based on what the program director and adviser said) but if you have other insight please let me know. Everyone says the step 2 doesn't matter if you do well on step 1 but I still want to study a little and not do a lot worse than my step 1 score. The point is I can't focus or spend time on it now (busy school schedule) so I moved it to after we already match. Any thoughts?

 

[4ophtho]

i am in a similar situation. are programs going to frown on the fact that you planned to take step 2 in a certain month but postponed it for whatever reason? ie, you are not responsible enough to plan ahead and follow through with your commitment?

 

[ElephantEye]

i am in a similar situation. are programs going to frown on the fact that you planned to take step 2 in a certain month but postponed it for whatever reason? ie, you are not responsible enough to plan ahead and follow through with your commitment?

its hard to know but i've heard no one asks about it. multiple students from last year i've talked to said they were not asked once about when to take the step 2 or what their score was. i put on my CAS "end of Nov" so I actually did not have a date set....

 

[JayZBlue]

So I just talked to my adviser and the program director at my school about this specific issue. I did well on the Step 1 and I put on my CAS application that I am scheduled to take the Step 2 at the end of November. I felt pressured to take it early (before the end of Nov) because my school STRONGLY encourages all of its students to do that for whatever reason. Now, I have interviews that keep conflicting with my Nov test date (I had to reschedule the test twice) and with all the traveling we'll all be doing I don't feel focused enough to study so I'm going to postpone it until Feb when I have some time. I don't think taking it so late is an issue for the early match (based on what the program director and adviser said) but if you have other insight please let me know. Everyone says the step 2 doesn't matter if you do well on step 1 but I still want to study a little and not do a lot worse than my step 1 score. The point is I can't focus or spend time on it now (busy school schedule) so I moved it to after we already match. Any thoughts?

I think you made the perfect decision 👍 This way you can concentrate on interviews (to match), as well as being able to concentrate on step 2 and classes (to graduate). Every attending and fellow I've asked have indicated that step 2 doesn't really matter for fellowships either.