step II needed or not?

[docpetey]

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Hey everyone,

On FREIDA, if it says that a program requires you to have passed USMLE Step II on there. Does that mean you had to have taken and passed Step II before they will match you, or just that you have to pass it before you start internship?

Thanks.

 

[gutonc]

Hey everyone,

On FREIDA, if it says that a program requires you to have passed USMLE Step II on there. Does that mean you had to have taken and passed Step II before they will match you, or just that you have to pass it before you start internship?

Thanks.

The latter, not the former. Although depending on the specialty, some may expect you to have take it (and kicked it's butt) before you apply.

The general rule is that if you already look great on paper (research, AOA, excellent grades and letters, great Step 1 score) then put Step 2 off until after interview season. If your file could use a little polishing (in particular, your Step 1 score wasn't fantastic), take Step 2 early and rock it. Also, if you're an IMG/FMG, programs may require you to have taken and passed it.

BE (Now PE)

 

[EM Junkie]

The latter, not the former. Although depending on the specialty, some may expect you to have take it (and kicked it's butt) before you apply.

The general rule is that if you already look great on paper (research, AOA, excellent grades and letters, great Step 1 score) then put Step 2 off until after interview season. If your file could use a little polishing (in particular, your Step 1 score wasn't fantastic), take Step 2 early and rock it. Also, if you're an IMG/FMG, programs may require you to have taken and passed it.

BE (Now PE)

Not entirely true. At least 2 Emergency Medicine programs I applied to (Shreveport and Texas Tech) required you to have passing scores on Step 2 CK and CS before they would rank you near the end of February. You have to check with each individual program. Typically their websites will list their exact requirements, and it will be more up to date than FREIDA.

Good luck!

 

[hapahaole123]

Not entirely true. At least 2 Emergency Medicine programs I applied to (Shreveport and Texas Tech) required you to have passing scores on Step 2 CK and CS before they would rank you near the end of February. You have to check with each individual program. Typically their websites will list their exact requirements, and it will be more up to date than FREIDA.

Good luck!

Many students go to schools that typically do not take step 2 until after match day. UCSF and Duke come to mind. Some programs require step 2 but many do not. I matched without taking step 2 prior to match day, and matched pretty gosh darn well.

 

[EM Junkie]

Many students go to schools that typically do not take step 2 until after match day. UCSF and Duke come to mind. Some programs require step 2 but many do not. I matched without taking step 2 prior to match day, and matched pretty gosh darn well.

Agreed, but the OP needs to be aware that this is changing slowly. I was advised not to take Step 2 until after Match Day, and had to scramble to reschedule both exams so that the results would be in by rank time for the 2 EM programs I mentioned above. It has nothing to do with the medical school you go to, but with the residency program to which you are applying.

 

[docpetey]

gotcha, thanks for the quick replies!