Some will say it does matter, especially if the fellowship directors/committees are choosing between two very similar candidates.
My personal experience is that for the most part fellowships want to make sure you have taken and passed the test prior to the application/interview process. I know some programs have refused to interview people until they get that passing score.
My recommendation for any of the PGY3s who haven't taken it yet, do it very soon to have the best shot at getting into fellowships. For those in PGY1 and PGY2 years, go ahead and get this test out of the way otherwise it will become a noose around your neck that only gets tighter as the years go on...
I never found any fellowship program specifically ask for my step 3 score. However, it is imperative to take and pass Step 3 early so that there is no delay in applying for the state license and DEA. Not to mention, you will need to get credentialed at the hospitals, which I am nearly done with after 2-3 months. Therefore, pass Step 3 early.
I never found any fellowship program specifically ask for my step 3 score. However, it is imperative to take and pass Step 3 early so that there is no delay in applying for the state license and DEA. Not to mention, you will need to get credentialed at the hospitals, which I am nearly done with after 2-3 months. Therefore, pass Step 3 early.
A very good friend of mine told me specifically about 5-6 ACGME accredited pain fellowship programs (PM&R and Anesthesia ones) told him that since his Step 3 scores were not in that they could not even send his application to the review committee for interview selection. They told him once he got those scores in that they would be able to review his file then (in fact a few mentioned they would interview him, but for the mere fact he didn't have it in they couldn't). He had taken Step 3 early in July, but scores were not in until September which for all intensive purposes was too late for those programs since they had already filled all of the interview dates by then.
I have also spoken to many fellowship directors that stated during this past year were the most amount of applications they have ever seen for pain fellowships. They said sometimes they have to use something to weed out people so that they don't have to look at all 200-300 applications for the 2-5 fellowship spots. I believe that something they will use is Step 3.
As drvlad2004 stated, applying for state license, DEA and credentialing at hospitals (and for California taking a flouroscopy license exam) can take at least 4-6 months, maybe longer and so any delay in taking Step 3 until PGY4 will delay this process. Wouldn't it suck if you got into the fellowship of your dreams and then weren't able to start ontime or lose your spot because you couldn't get licensed?
