heard the opposite. More competitive programs care less of about step 2 because most competitive applicants did well on step 1 and delay taking step 2 until later in 4th year.
However, it's very program dependent.
I tried to take step 2 early in july but had little motivation. I'll be taking them in december. by then, it won't matter too much except that I pass. HOwever, if i do well, then I can send it to the programs by early feb. but by then it really really doesn't matter. All they care about is how you did at the interview. most programs use usmle to screen for interviews and then after the interview the score won't count as much.
my 2 cents.
