Urgent Question about USMLE Step 2 CK Release

[sweetlenovo88]

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Website says scores released Oct. 6th for exams through mid September? What is mid-September, I have my exam on the 16th and it imperative for my ERAS that I get my scores on Oct. 6th because I am waiting to submit. I am electively taking step II to compensate for a Comlex II step failure last year that I passed.

I want to get the score back before I submit to allo programs. When I called USMLE services, they 'don't know' was anyone told anything different?

Thanks!

 

[rahulb]

there is a very high chance you won't get your score until oct 13

 

[sweetlenovo88]

there is a very high chance you won't get your score until oct 13

Based on what information?

 

[SeminoleFan3]

Based on what information?

Isn't Wednesday the usual cut off day for scores? If so, your test is on Thursday, and maybe that's why.

 

[sweetlenovo88]

Isn't Wednesday the usual cut off day for scores? If so, your test is on Thursday, and maybe that's why.

Should I move it back by one day? I thought score were released on Wed while the eligibility period went through the end of the week

Could members please comment?

 

[UserNameNeeded]

I remember it was Thursday through Wednesday test dates that the score release cycle works in sync for.

 

[sweetlenovo88]

I remember it was Thursday through Wednesday test dates that the score release cycle works in sync for.

can anyone else confirm this?????

 

[notdeadyet]

can anyone else confirm this?????

Yes, we were told it's the fourth Wednesday after your test.

Why is it critical that you get your Step 2 on the 6th instead of the 13th?

 

[sweetlenovo88]

Yes, we were told it's the fourth Wednesday after your test.

Why is it critical that you get your Step 2 on the 6th instead of the 13th?

By whom? The site says right now through mid September, for an October 6th release which is a wed. I wish they listed a cutoff, my question though is what was the history of the cutoffs for release. I assume it goes through Friday, ie mon-fri for a release on a particular Wed?

 

[rahulb]

dude the weekly cycle ends on tuesday bc scores are released every wed

if you take it sep 16 you'll have to wait 4 wednesdays or until oct 13

if you take it sep 14 you have a better chance of getting it on oct 6

i took it aug 9 and had to wait until sep 1 (4 wednesdays).

 

[notdeadyet]

By whom? The site says right now through mid September, for an October 6th release which is a wed. I wish they listed a cutoff, my question though is what was the history of the cutoffs for release. I assume it goes through Friday, ie mon-fri for a release on a particular Wed?

I don't know where you go the Friday cut-off from. The scores typically come back the fourth Wednesday after taking it. See rahulb's post for details if you're still confused.

Why the rush?

 

[kdburton]

if you take it sep 16 you'll have to wait 4 wednesdays or until oct 13

if you take it sep 14 you have a better chance of getting it on oct 6

And what happens if you take it on sep 15? 😱

 

[humabot]

i think rahulb is causing an unnecessary stir. I believe the cut off day is friday so to get your score on oct 6 you would have to take your test 9/17 or before.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=10052112&postcount=1872


However, with the delay how knows? Also with with the new 99 229=99 it is not clear how residency directors are even going to consider a step 2 for interviews. You are better off submitting your app as soon as you take your test. This is what my girlfriend is doing.

 

[rahulb]

obviously there are going to be exceptions but i think that's the best way to approximate. if your prometric center reports 'suspicious behavior' nbme may decide to review the tapes and delay your report even more.

my experience with step1/step2 has been 4 weeks but the only way to be 100% certain is to take the exam earlier.

 

[calespine]

i think rahulb is causing an unnecessary stir. I believe the cut off day is friday so to get your score on oct 6 you would have to take your test 9/17 or before.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=10052112&postcount=1872


However, with the delay how knows? Also with with the new 99 229=99 it is not clear how residency directors are even going to consider a step 2 for interviews. You are better off submitting your app as soon as you take your test. This is what my girlfriend is doing.

Is the 229/99 new? I thought that's been the norm?

 

[sweetlenovo88]

i think rahulb is causing an unnecessary stir. I believe the cut off day is friday so to get your score on oct 6 you would have to take your test 9/17 or before.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=10052112&postcount=1872


However, with the delay how knows? Also with with the new 99 229=99 it is not clear how residency directors are even going to consider a step 2 for interviews. You are better off submitting your app as soon as you take your test. This is what my girlfriend is doing.

thanks that's what I've been looking for. And I have a unique situation hence the reason for all this timing. I rescheduled to the 21st and will get my scores on the 13th.

 

[sweetlenovo88]

and to those asking, this is my situation, you are welcome to comment if you like on my plan.

I graduated DO school this July but did not match into EM. I chose not to do an internship and switching specialties is not an option. I am pursuing a Master's during this year.

The problem stems that last year after the match, I found out I failed Comlex Step II Knowledge and Skills. I attribute this to my wife leaving me and the emotional pain I had to deal with. I took both exams one day apart and failed both.

I retook both Comlex exams one month later and passed both getting an average Comlex Step II knowledge score. I also have an average Comlex I score. I never took USMLE Step One. I decided to take USMLE step II to further distance myself from the Comlex failure and to show allopathic residency programs I can do well on the USMLE despite that Comlex failure.

I have already applied to every DO EM program in the nation including combined specialties and will do the same with allopathic (minus Harvard, etc). Yes, that is right, I will be applying to more 200 programs and spending about $4000 in ERAS fees.

I wanted the scores October 6th since I am waiting to submit my allopathic applications because I wanted the schools to see the USMLE score and not just judge me on the Comlex. However, I do not want to wait too long since I am risking being late in the application cycle and interview slots are filling up.

I have been doing well on USMLEWorld and hope to at least get an average score. I can then submit my application in early October (don't want to wait until October 13th score release) and hopefully with a positive USMLE score result, will email all the program directors and let them know about the additional USMLE score on my ERAS.

I do not think it is a good idea to submit ERAS now without my USMLE as I do not want preliminary decisions on my application (I had no choice with DO submissions since their dates are earlier). Again, I feel uncomfortable waiting on the 13th so I will submit ERAS a week before and then followup with a nice email to the program directors.

 

[kdburton]

Just so you know... if you didn't set your application to "automatically release" your Step II scores once they are back, the scores might end up getting to programs a few days later anyways when you re-submit your USMLE transcript. ERAS already implied that it may take 2-3 days after a USMLE score is released that it would be updated and considering a billion people took the exam during the block for which scores will be released on October 6 I wouldn't be surprised if that delay is actually realized.

 

[notdeadyet]

thanks that's what I've been looking for. And I have a unique situation hence the reason for all this timing. I rescheduled to the 21st and will get my scores on the 13th.

Good call. That's the fourth Wednesday after you take it. You should be fine.

Though I'm going to be keeping my fingers crossed until I it hits the mailbox. Anytime they announce big batch process like this, I get a little nervous. Who likes being beta?

 

[notdeadyet]

and to those asking, this is my situation, you are welcome to comment if you like on my plan.

Well, I wish you the best of luck. Going after a competitive specialty uphill is always scary, but it sounds like you're stacking the decks in your favor as best you can by applying to lots of programs.

I wanted the scores October 6th since I am waiting to submit my allopathic applications because I wanted the schools to see the USMLE score and not just judge me on the Comlex. However, I do not want to wait too long since I am risking being late in the application cycle and interview slots are filling up.

I'm not sure I'd be too worried about interview slots filling between October 6th and October 13th.

From speaking to program directors, it sounds like most residency programs are divided between two camps: those who start sorting through apps and making invites right away and those who wait for the Deans Letter date of November 1st to really decide things.

For the first camp, if you're worried about being viewed as late, you might be better off applying now without your Step 2 scores. If a program would toss out your application without waiting a few weeks for your Step 2 scores on the basis of your failing past boards, I question if they'd be the sort of programs that would invite you even if you brought a killer Step 2 to the table. If you're worried about a "late app" being a big factor, applying five vs. six weeks after applications started arriving probably doesn't mean much, whereas applying now might. Make sense?

For the second camp, when you take your Step 2 shouldn't make much of a difference anyway, so waiting the extra few days, if it makes you feel better prepared, is probably money in the bank.

 

[notdeadyet]

I can then submit my application in early October (don't want to wait until October 13th score release) and hopefully with a positive USMLE score result, will email all the program directors and let them know about the additional USMLE score on my ERAS.

I'd check with some of the program directors about this. Don't they automatically get new USMLE results when they hit ERAS? Some of the PDs have mentioned that unnecessary email traffic from applicants not yet inteviewed is sometimes met with irritation.

Best of luck with your application cycle. It's hard not to root for someone whose willing to apply to so many programs. I hope you hear great things...

 

[sweetlenovo88]

Well, I wish you the best of luck. Going after a competitive specialty uphill is always scary, but it sounds like you're stacking the decks in your favor as best you can by applying to lots of programs.

I'm not sure I'd be too worried about interview slots filling between October 6th and October 13th.

From speaking to program directors, it sounds like most residency programs are divided between two camps: those who start sorting through apps and making invites right away and those who wait for the Deans Letter date of November 1st to really decide things.

For the first camp, if you're worried about being viewed as late, you might be better off applying now without your Step 2 scores. If a program would toss out your application without waiting a few weeks for your Step 2 scores on the basis of your failing past boards, I question if they'd be the sort of programs that would invite you even if you brought a killer Step 2 to the table. If you're worried about a "late app" being a big factor, applying five vs. six weeks after applications started arriving probably doesn't mean much, whereas applying now might. Make sense?

For the second camp, when you take your Step 2 shouldn't make much of a difference anyway, so waiting the extra few days, if it makes you feel better prepared, is probably money in the bank.

Thanks for the advice. I actually think I will wait till the 13th then to submit ERAS. The question is with the programs in the first camp, we do not know for sure what program falls into where and I do not want to guess and make mistakes. I also did not put in a USMLE number into my ERAS and will only release my USMLE once I get the score. So the programs in group A, will never even know I plan to take the USMLE and will not be waiting for it.

 

[sweetlenovo88]

I'd check with some of the program directors about this. Don't they automatically get new USMLE results when they hit ERAS? Some of the PDs have mentioned that unnecessary email traffic from applicants not yet inteviewed is sometimes met with irritation.

Best of luck with your application cycle. It's hard not to root for someone whose willing to apply to so many programs. I hope you hear great things...

thanks for the warm wishes

 

[kdburton]

Thanks for the advice. I actually think I will wait till the 13th then to submit ERAS. The question is with the programs in the first camp, we do not know for sure what program falls into where and I do not want to guess and make mistakes. I also did not put in a USMLE number into my ERAS and will only release my USMLE once I get the score. So the programs in group A, will never even know I plan to take the USMLE and will not be waiting for it.

What specialty are you applying to?

 

[slowlybutshelly]

(don't want to wait until October 13th score release)
Can you tell me what you mean by a OCT 13 score release?

I am in a similar situation to you. I have had to take time off with 3 immediate family being hospitalized in the last 6 months with lifethreatening conditions; 1.broken leg,afib,chf,dm2 and complications 2.pneumonia with thoracentesis 3. cavernous sinus thrombosis on aggressive abx and steroids. It was one hit after the other; just after my school gave me a deadline to take the test by Sept 30.

Needless to say, there is no way I will be making the sept 30th deadline. So I will be a late applicant; if an applicant at all this year.