Step II CS required for military intern year?

[ayj]

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hey ,

do you guys know if passing step II CS is required before starting intern year in the military? I'm most interested in what Army policy is. The Army HPSP handbook I have is somewhat vague. Thanks dudes,

ayj

 

[BigNavyPedsGuy]

I think you do for the Navy. Don't you have to pass it to graduate from medical school?

 

[USAF MD '05]

Yep- Gotta take it and pass.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

On a related note, is it preferred to go ahead and take one or both parts of Step II prior to interviews?

 

[ayj]

my med school (Jefferson in Philadelphia) does not require passing Step 2 CS to graduate, it does require sitting for the exam however. The exam is pretty new, so I think a lot of med schools do not yet require it to graduate.

ayj

 

[USAF MD '05]

On a related note, is it preferred to go ahead and take one or both parts of Step II prior to interviews?

You should try and have step II CK done, especially if you need a score boost. I would take it as soon after third year as you are able, because all those cram sessions for the shelf exams is still fresh, and you are arguably book smarter at that point in your career in a broad sense than you will ever be again. Nobody gives a crap about the CS unless you fail. Steve

 

[RugbyJC]

On a related note, is it preferred to go ahead and take one or both parts of Step II prior to interviews?

I received a Navy Fast Facts stating that step II is required and needs to be taken before the selection committee and we have no excuse for not doing this, blah, blah, blah...

My classmate in the AF said it's required for him too...however, neither of us will probably be able to take the CS part until after due to testing site availibility. I am also contemplating not automatically releasing my score for step II and seeing how I do first, but im not sure.

 

[Jet915]

My school didn't require passing Step II CS. They just required that you take it and post a score before graduation.

 

[RugbyJC]

Is that what they told you?

I went through the match this year. The deal was that Step II was not required before the selection committee met, but they suggested that we consider the quality of our Step 1 score, and whether or not we needed Step II to pull us up. Plenty of people didn't have either part of Step II done before the board met.

Here's the email:

This is a friendly reminder. Paragraph 10 of your contract specifies that you must complete all parts of the licensing exam at the earliest possible date.

Most of your contracts read like this:

For Medical HPSP students (1975X) I must take and pass parts I and II of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) prior to entering GME. Part I of the examination must be completed before the beginning of the third-year academic curriculum and results provided to the AFHPSP Program Director Office by 15 September of the third-year academic curriculum. Failure to take the examination or provide the score to the AFHPSP Program Director will result in an immediate leave without pay (LWOP) status and cessation of all payments. Part II of the examination must be taken and passed after completing the third-year academic curriculum but before 15 September of the fourth-year academic curriculum and results must be provided to the AFHPSP Director by 15 October of the fourth-year. Program participants will have their entitlements suspended for first time failure to pass part I or II of the USMLE or COMLEX and be placed in an academic LWOP status. A second time failure of the examination or clinical skills examination may result in loss of scholarship eligibility. If I am withdrawn from the program I may be processed for separation from the United States Navy or be called to extended active duty according to the terms and provisions of the service agreement and applicable Navy Regulations. Six months prior to graduation I will apply for a superseding appointment in the Navy Medical Corps and accept a commission if tendered. I further understand that I must complete all requirements for medical licensure at the first available date.

I have highlighted the portion relating to Part II. There are ample opportunities to take Step 2 CK/CE prior to 15 September. While many schools will allow taking Step 2 later in the academic year, for the purposes of this program, this is not acceptable. Students are expected to have Step 2 taken and scores reported by 15 October. Failure to comply will result in the stoppage of stipend until the scores are reported.

 

[46&2]

I took Step I and II CK according to protocol, but I took CS a month ago (i.e. March). I remember reading their scary deadline message.

Nobody so far has cared. At least in the AF. It would be interesting to see what would happen if I did fail it, though.

 

[Jet915]

I think that is BS. A classmate of mine had great step I scores and didn't take step II ck until like February. I didn't take step II cs till February.

 

[delicatefade]

Jet - what branch are you?

 

[kwiggo]

I am planning to take CK in July, but the earliest available slots in Philly at this point that I can take CS is in late October. has anybody actually had their stipend cut off because they took the CS portion a couple weeks after October 15th?

 

[RugbyJC]

I have a feeling that email that they sent us is a bluff. Two of my Navy classmates didn't submit their scores and have yet to have their stipends cut off.

I know I am preaching to the choir, but in reality, it is very difficult to take both exams before the dates for many reasons. For instance, I won't finish my required clerkships until the end of the summer. Some schools have little leeway as far as when you schedule these and they often run into fourth year. Yes, you can take it before, but studying for the shelf exams helps with the boards, or so I am told. Also, taking time off to take these exams is not always that easy. Some clerkship directors are not very forgiving about missing multiple days--even for residency interviews and exams like this. It would make sense that a lot of us have ATs and AIs scheduled during the most ideal time to take the exam and its not in our best interest to miss that, nor would we get too much study time in during an AT/AI where we're trying to make a good impression. Taking the CS is a huge production in itself and the dates and locations are so limited and require travel time...and money...

With all these catches (and many more that I am not thinking of) it would seem that the majority of us would be missing one exam or another. In am definitely going to try to get the CK in, but if the CS can't get scheduled its tough s***.

 

[Jet915]

Jet - what branch are you?

I'm Navy, going to NMCSD in June. Kwiggo, I didn't take Step II CS until February! No one even batted an eye about it, they can really care less about Step II CS.