USMLE Step 1 "OR" Step 2

[jhcakilmer]

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So this may have been cover before....sorry if so.

I'm a third year DO student, looking to make myself more competitive for allopathic residencies. I didn't take USMLE Step 1........1st mistake, I know.

But my question is, can I take USMLE Step 2 only, and will it help make me a more attractive candidate? Or is USMLE Step 1, way more important?

I'm primarily interested in med-peds programs, which aren't the most competitive, but only 1 osteopathic program.

Basically, should taking Step 2 make me attractive enough, or should I just suck it up and take Step 1?

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

So this may have been cover before....sorry if so.

I'm a third year DO student, looking to make myself more competitive for allopathic residencies. I didn't take USMLE Step 1........1st mistake, I know.

But my question is, can I take USMLE Step 2 only, and will it help make me a more attractive candidate? Or is USMLE Step 1, way more important?

I'm primarily interested in med-peds programs, which aren't the most competitive, but only 1 osteopathic program.

Basically, should taking Step 2 make me attractive enough, or should I just suck it up and take Step 1?

I did the same thing. I'm hearing Step 2 is good enough, sure it might screen u out of some programs, but ultimately I've heard it's fine. Im just going to take Step 2, so I don't risk hurting that score and potentially bombing Step 1 as well by spreading myself too thin.

 

[mddo82]

I disagree with the above. I'm a fourth year osteopathic student applying to via the allopathic match for a highly competitive speciality. I took both step 1 and 2, and I think it will be to your disadvantage not to have a step 1 score. My reason for saying this is that many programs use step 1 as the screening tool to weed out candidates whose applications wont get looked at. They can screen applications through ERAS (eg. only forward applications with USMLE step 1 over 230). If you don't have a score in this category, here is a good chance you'll get passed over. As you know, step 1 and 2 are different tests and most programs want some objective criteria to compare/screen applicants with - and they use the USMLE Step 1 to do this. I highly doubt they will be willing to take your score on Step 2 and compare it to allopathic candidates scores on Step 1 when determining whether or not to offer you an interview. Best of luck.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

I disagree with the above. I'm a fourth year osteopathic student applying to via the allopathic match for a highly competitive speciality. I took both step 1 and 2, and I think it will be to your disadvantage not to have a step 1 score. My reason for saying this is that many programs use step 1 as the screening tool to weed out candidates whose applications wont get looked at. They can screen applications through ERAS (eg. only forward applications with USMLE step 1 over 230). If you don't have a score in this category, here is a good chance you'll get passed over. As you know, step 1 and 2 are different tests and most programs want some objective criteria to compare/screen applicants with - and they use the USMLE Step 1 to do this. I highly doubt they will be willing to take your score on Step 2 and compare it to allopathic candidates scores on Step 1 when determining whether or not to offer you an interview. Best of luck.

Is there time to truly go back and rehash through step 1 material and keep up with step 2 material ... and be successful in both? Sounds like a plan for disaster as you spread yourself too thin, and end up doing not too hot on either. Other people on here have said that taking just Step 2 is okay and still looked favorably upon by PDs ...

 

[MyNameIsAlex]

I disagree with the above. I'm a fourth year osteopathic student applying to via the allopathic match for a highly competitive speciality. I took both step 1 and 2, and I think it will be to your disadvantage not to have a step 1 score. My reason for saying this is that many programs use step 1 as the screening tool to weed out candidates whose applications wont get looked at. They can screen applications through ERAS (eg. only forward applications with USMLE step 1 over 230). If you don't have a score in this category, here is a good chance you'll get passed over. As you know, step 1 and 2 are different tests and most programs want some objective criteria to compare/screen applicants with - and they use the USMLE Step 1 to do this. I highly doubt they will be willing to take your score on Step 2 and compare it to allopathic candidates scores on Step 1 when determining whether or not to offer you an interview. Best of luck.

I heard the filter is actually based on the 2 digit score (e.g 99) rather than 3 digit score... any idea?