Step 2CK before or after residency apps?

[Kimka83]

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Hi all,
I am applying for a competitive specialty this fall and am planning my 4th year. I have a step 1 >250 and am wondering if I should try to take step 2 early this summer so programs can see it vs. delaying until after I submit. My friends recommend waiting, but they certainly aren't experts.

 

[Frugal Traveler]

Hi all,
I am applying for a competitive specialty this fall and am planning my 4th year. I have a step 1 >250 and am wondering if I should try to take step 2 early this summer so programs can see it vs. delaying until after I submit. My friends recommend waiting, but they certainly aren't experts.

I had a high Step 1 score as well and delayed taking it during MS4. I regret putting off both Step 2CK and CS:
1. You lose the information from OBGYN, peds, psych, and other clerkships as the months go on
2. Most programs will probably give you an interview with the Step 1 score BUT try to do well on Step 2 because it is used in the ranking process (I don't know how)
3. You just get it over with because once you start getting interviews, your zest for studying goes down alot!

Either way and whenever you take Step 2, you need to do well on it. I have known people that had high Step 1 scores, got confident, and Step 2 went down (which does not look good to a program anytime it is submitted).

I would also consider taking Step 2CS early as well. Some programs (not most) are requiring it for ranking.

Bottom line: With a great Step 1 score, you can take Step 2CK usually anytime you want... just realize as time goes by that you forget things from MS3 and your desire to study goes down as interviews come in.

 

[4shure]

Take an easy elective to study for the exam and get it out of the way. I have never met anyone who regret taking it early. Many have told me they shouldve taken it earlier. I also did well on step 1 and I took step 2 in July. I can't imagine studying for any exam this late in 4th year. I think a high step 2 can really help distinguish yourself from other stellar applicants who haven't taken the test.

 

[QofQuimica]

OP, I agree with the other posters. I took both parts of Step 2 early, and I do not regret it at all. The downside is that you have to study for CK if you did well on Step 1, but so what? There is way less rote memorization of stupid minutiae required for CK compared to Step 1, IMO. No matter what specialty you're going into (assuming it's clinical), it's a good review of relevant information that you should know anyway.

I certainly didn't enjoy taking any of the USMLE tests; I don't think anyone does. Even so, I have to admit that the process of studying for them (even CS to some extent) did force me to go back and spend some time synthesizing the hodgepodge of things I had learned in bits and pieces together into one big picture. It also made me look like a hotshot on my AI, which in and of itself was as good of a reason as any. 🙂