Taking Step II early

[goremachine]

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I have an excellent Step 1 score, so I have no need to take Step 2 early. However, I was planning on doing it early just to get it out of the way so that I don't have to think about it later. Question is, if I mark off on ERAS that I don't want my Step 2 score sent to programs, which I plan on doing in case I do worse on Step 2 than I did on Step 1, and then my grades come in, do the schools see that I did not release my score? Or does it simply look to them that I haven't taken Step 2 yet?

Then, if my score does turn out to be good, can I then release it to ERAS?

 

[Law2Doc]

I have an excellent Step 1 score, so I have no need to take Step 2 early. However, I was planning on doing it early just to get it out of the way so that I don't have to think about it later. Question is, if I mark off on ERAS that I don't want my Step 2 score sent to programs, which I plan on doing in case I do worse on Step 2 than I did on Step 1, and then my grades come in, do the schools see that I did not release my score? Or does it simply look to them that I haven't taken Step 2 yet?

Then, if my score does turn out to be good, can I then release it to ERAS?

I believe if the score isn't already out by the time you authorize ERAS to receive your USMLE transcript, you have the option of deciding whether or not to later release it to them. I think if you get the score before you apply on ERAS, you are stuck with it on the transcript. So there's a timing issue at play, I think. I doubt programs can tell if you took it but didn't release it -- it's simply not listed. But some specialties expect a Step 2 score these days.

 

[95439]

I believe if the score isn't already out by the time you authorize ERAS to receive your USMLE transcript, you have the option of deciding whether or not to later release it to them. I think if you get the score before you apply on ERAS, you are stuck with it on the transcript. So there's a timing issue at play, I think. I doubt programs can tell if you took it but didn't release it -- it's simply not listed. But some specialties expect a Step 2 score these days.

In general, do most residencies require your step 2 score before you apply to their program? Besides contacting each school individually, is there a better way to find out which ones do or don't?

Thank you guys as always!

 

[Law2Doc]

In general, do most residencies require your step 2 score before you apply to their program? Besides contacting each school individually, is there a better way to find out which ones do or don't?

Thank you guys as always!

Most don't, unless you are an IMG. But if your Step 1 is low a high Step 2 might be helpful. A couple of specialties do require Step 2 these days, just because they are so competitive and need another basis for comparison, but most just require it to be passed before you start (and many med schools require you to pass before you graduate). As for programs, when you look on their websites it's usually explicitly stated what they require, you probably won't need to contact anybody.

 

[95439]

Most don't, unless you are an IMG. But if your Step 1 is low a high Step 2 might be helpful. A couple of specialties do require Step 2 these days, just because they are so competitive and need another basis for comparison, but most just require it to be passed before you start (and many med schools require you to pass before you graduate). As for programs, when you look on their websites it's usually explicitly stated what they require, you probably won't need to contact anybody.

Law2Doc, you've answered so many of my questions on here....thank you!