step 2cs results required before applying?

[Dr McSteamy]

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Do most residency programs require step 2cs results before they consider your application?
someone told me that some programs do this. I know that it would be nice to have all step scores in by september, but if it's only a few programs, i don't really care.

I'm planning to take it this fall, which means the score won't be back till xmas.

does that hurt my match chances?

 

[XoQo]

If you are an American med school applicant, CS is typically not required. CK is typically also not required (but useful).

If you are a foreign medical school applicant to a US residency, then CS and CK are both required -- as programs (from what i read on this forum) want you to be ECFMG certified before even reading your application. There have been a number of posters who have not been certified and have found very low # of interviews for a given number of programs applied to.

Read more about ECFMG certification here:

http://www.ecfmg.org/cert/certfact.html

 

[Faebinder]

CS for foreign grads is required before finalizing the ranking in February. CS will get you more interviews as well, so don't kid yourself about its importance. In this age, everyone is looking for an excuse to reject any applicant. CS can be used for that... just like all exams... it's only a big deal if you fail it.... otherwise it's a minute bonus. Some programs require it (like 5-10%) before they look over the application of an FMG. All programs will certainly favor the one that passed when comparing two equal applicants (when there are 700+ applicants, the chances of equal applicants is pretty decent.)

 

[buckley]

Yup. ECFMG certification is required by ROL deadline. Technically (and yes, it has been done), you can apply without being ecfmg certified but it will definitely boost your application to have it all done. There's also the point that should you be unfortunate enough to fail that very subjective exam, taking it early on means you actually can retake it in the same match season. A friend of mine was offered two out-of-match contracts but unfortunately failed his CS ( after rocking 1 and CK). He couldn't get a sched to retake the exam by ROL deadline and had to inform the PD that he is ineligible to accept the contract. Tough eh?