STEP 3 scores

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Miss Nevada

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hi

do step 3 scores matter for anything or do I just need to pass?

I'm a 4th year going into internal medicine, don't want to hurt myself (and fellowship chances) with a marginally passing score....thinking about taking the exam at the end of this year before internship

thanks
 
Medicine residents should correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Step 3 matters more for IM fellowships than for Surgery ones (where the ABSITE counts).
 
I held off on taking step 3 until I finished the application process for hem/onc. I really don't know if it would have affected the process but it might have if I scored much below Step 1/2. If you are applying for the ultra-competitive subspecialties in Medicine such as Cards or GI, it may affect the application if you don't score as well as step 1/2. If you already know if and what subspecialty and it is not cards/gi/hem-onc, it probably won't matter what score you get.

Having said that, the most important pieces of medicine fellowship apps are where you trained, your letters of recs, and any research done.

Those are my 2 cents.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe ABSITE are the surgery residencies' in-training exams.

You're correct. ABSITE stands for the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination, the annual test (every January) given to all surgery residents. Its scores are often used when applying for fellowships.
 
So, they matter for IM specialities, but not so much for surgery. How about Neurology (which do have RITE exams)? Thank you.
 
No one in pathology cares about Step III, reckon thats a foregone conclusion, but they just want you to pass the silly hurdle and move on. Not sure if that helps anyone, I passed, but didn't do too hot, didn't really affect me in getting a fellowship in my field. :luck:
 
So, they matter for IM specialities, but not so much for surgery. How about Neurology (which do have RITE exams)? Thank you.

I am a second year resident and my seniors have applied for many fellowship programs. I have never seen any program asking for Step 3 scores or even looking at it. All they look for is research experience and a very good recommendation letter from your program director. If your program director can push for you very hard, that is the best way to go. Other wise, you will need research experience or publications in your pocket since subspecialties are very competitive. Fortunately, our PD is very helpful and most of my seniors could secure fellowships elsewhere just because of him.
 
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