Regarding importance of step 1 vs step 2ck, i think it depends on the program. Obviously BKN is a PD and has much more experience than I do, but I have heard of a few programs weighing step 1 slight more than step 2ck.
Maybe it is because scoring higher on step 2ck is easier than scoring higher on step 1. For step 1, everyone studies a great deal and puts in maximum effort. For step 2ck, some people do not put in maximum effort for a variety of reasons. (ie. they have already matched, all they need to do is pass, deans have traditionally stressed step 1 more than step 2ck in the interview process because more applicants have step 1 available than step 2ck at interview time, etc). It seems a bit easier to do well on step 2ck and my *guess* would be that if the same applicant put in equal study time and effort into step 2ck vs step 1, the step 2ck score would be higher.
I know that some academic programs look at step 1 more than step 2ck if they are using MLE numbers to decide interviews. Of course, this might be because all applicants will have a step 1 on file but a good number will not have taken the step 2ck yet.
I guess what I am saying is that I would not be surprised to hear that step 1 is considered slightly more in determining interview invites, but I cannot provide any real facts or figures to prove it.
Another thing I would mention is that for some reason the idea has gotten around that if an applicant has done well on step 1, then he/she should wait until after match to take step 2ck or to release step 2ck results. Although I am not a PD, I strongly disagree with this and I feel that the applicant hurts his/her chances at some of the most competitive programs by not having a step 2ck on file when it comes time to rank the applicants.
Simply put, if a PD is considering multiple applicants with similar credentials, the applicant who has already taken and passed step 2ck will carry the day.
I personally know one PD of a highly reputed northeast program who used to have no problem favorably ranking applicants who had great step 1 scores and a great app but not having taken the step 2ck prior to match. Two matches ago this PD had an applicant match prior to taking step 2ck and then the applicant really lost motivation and tried to "wing" the step 2ck in April of fourth year of med school. This applicant failed the step 2ck by 1 tiny point (181) and had to retake the step 2ck with the passing score being received during the week of intern orientation. Now this PD still ranks applicants who havent taken step 2ck yet, but the PD now pauses to consider more favorably ranking otherwise weaker applicants who already have a passing step 2ck score on file.
It is much better for you to have a passing step 2ck score on file prior to match if at all possible. It will make you more competitive.
