Step 3 for competitive fellowships

[drno31]

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I just started intern year and my program director is pressuring all of us to take Step 3 as early as possible. I asked him if a bad passing score, or if a failing score followed by a passing score would matter in securing a competitive fellowship and he told me that it was more about getting state licensure and getting it out of the way than as a tool for comparing candidates. That makes sense to me but I've heard of other subspecialty fellowships now looking at Step 3 scores to judge applicants. I'm considering applying to child or addiction. I just wanted to make sure my PD is right and I'm not shooting myself in the foot barely into my first year if I take the test sooner than I'd like and do poorly.

 

[billypilgrim37]

Your PD is right. Just pass the stupid thing.

 

[BobA]

Just pass it. Neither child nor addiction are competitive anyway.

If you want to go to one of the very few places that might be competitive, you'd be better off thinking about a research project.

 

[whopper]

Only one guy brought up my step 3 scores during interviews for fellowship and this guy was looking for anything, I mean anything, to tear me up during the interview.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Pass it. Pass it. Pass it.

 

[psychattending]

Passing it is the important issue.

 

[drno31]

Thanks all for the replies!

 

[JamesPhilly]

Once you pass this thing you will feel so wonderful. It's so odd now studying just psychiatry and aspects of medicine that I find interesting. It's pretty much the best feeling thus far of my career.

Good luck!