USMLE Step questions on ERAS

[kdburton]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm scheduled to take CK in mid-September. ERAS opened today and I've already stated putting in some of my info and I see there is a question that says "Do you authorize the NBME to AUTOMATICALLY transmit your updated USMLE transcript to all designated programs when a new Step result becomes available?" I'm fairly confident that I can improve on my Step 1 score which may give me an extra bump in terms of getting interviews since I'm taking it early enough, but it looks like if you choose "NO" to this question you can review your scores prior to releasing them to the programs which you're applying to. Does anyone have any experience with this in the past? I mean is it smart to just hold off the AUTOMATIC transmission of your scores (i.e. in the unfortunate event that you take CK early and your results aren't as good as you were hoping)? FWIW it says that once you answer the question you can't change your answer.

 

[Smurfette]

It is ok to check no. I checked no (this was several years back) as did most of my friends and it didn't affect any of us. (disclaimer: I took step 2 cs and ck in feb and march, so the rank lists were in before my scores came out anyhow). And programs do not know or care about your response to this question AFAIK. FYI some med schools require you to take step 2 earlier in 4th year, and some just want you to take it by the end...so programs may ask when you're taking it.

If you get your step 2 scores, you can always release the information later (or directly contact the programs you've applied to and tell them the information). If you are disappointed in your score, you don't have to disclose your scores unless you choose to.

 

[hippiedoc13]

When I was an MS-4, our student affairs office specifically told my entire class to check "NO" for this question. The reason being that they felt it was essential for all of us to have the opportunity to review our scores before programs saw them.

 

[dusselas]

If you're an FMG and have your ECFMG certificate can you still check NO?

 

[kdburton]

Can anyone else who applied more recently, particularly to a competitive field, talk about why they chose either Yes or No to this question on ERAS? I am already scheduled to take Step 2 early enough for my score to be back prior to interview decisions. The thing is that there is an earlier question that asks when you took the Step exams and I answered that one that I WILL BE TAKING in 9/2010, so even if I chose "No" and didn't release my score they would presumably know that I took the exam already.

 

[deleted272130]

Is there a question like this for COMLEX or just USMLE? I was asked something about releasing all my current scores, I said yes, which would be Step 1. I never got a pop up question that says about reviewing them first for all additional exams.

 

[kdburton]

Is there a question like this for COMLEX or just USMLE? I was asked something about releasing all my current scores, I said yes, which would be Step 1. I never got a pop up question that says about reviewing them first for all additional exams.

I'm actually not sure about that. Under the Documents > USMLE Transcript tab after you click "request a transcript" is when this question pops up. When I try to go to the COMLEX Transcript tab it won't let me go any further since I don't have an NBOME ID. Assuming the questions are the same here is what they say for the USMLE exams...

1. Do you authorize the NBME to transmit your USMLE transcript to designated programs?

2. Do you authorize the NBME to AUTOMATICALLY transmit your updated USMLE transcript to all designated programs when a new Step result becomes available?

 

[deleted272130]

Here's what I clicked yes to after I clicked request comlex transcript. Then nothing after that. So I guess it means when I get my Step 2 scores they will not automatically go? I don't know why it would vary for USMLE vs. COMLEX tho.

Do you authorize the transmission of your COMLEX transcript, by NBOME , which includes a complete history of your scores at the time your request is processed? Select yes to automatically transmit your licensing examination scores, as stated above, to the residency programs you designate in Programs. Later you will need to assign the COMLEX transcript document to each program that you want to receive your scores. If you do not assign the transcript to a program, the program will not receive your scores. (See Programs). Your transcript will include the scores available ON THE DATE YOUR REQUEST IS PROCESSED BY NBOME.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

To confirm the information above, as a PD I cannot tell how you answered this question. It is totally fine to answer no, and then manually release your Step 2 scores (or not, if you're not happy with them). Some programs / fields require release of Step 2 for ranking, but using the manual release option allows you to control the timing of the release.

If you're an FMG and have your ECFMG certificate can you still check NO?

Yes you can, the only time it would change anything is if you take Step 3. If you have your ECFMG, then you already have taken and passed Steps 1 and 2 CK/CS.

Can anyone else who applied more recently, particularly to a competitive field, talk about why they chose either Yes or No to this question on ERAS? I am already scheduled to take Step 2 early enough for my score to be back prior to interview decisions. The thing is that there is an earlier question that asks when you took the Step exams and I answered that one that I WILL BE TAKING in 9/2010, so even if I chose "No" and didn't release my score they would presumably know that I took the exam already.

Yes, they might notice this. Or they might not. Some people hope that if they do "poorly" on Step 2 that if they hold off on releasing it, programs will evaluate them for an interview based upon their Step 1 score only. "Poorly" is in quotes because it is common SDN fare that everyone's score goes up on Step 2, and you'll start to see the posts about how "I got a 257 on Step 1 but now only a 248 on Step 2, am I screwed?"

 

[deleted272130]

UGHH so confused hahaha. I thought that it was saying, if I click yes now, it will transmit ONLY what I currently have (Step 1 scores). Then when I get my Step 2 results, I will have to resubmit another request. Am I wrong? The person a few posts up says answer no from the beginning. Of course I answered yes and THEN posted this after I did it last week.

 

[zestdoc]

For now, I have selected - No. But if I get my results before September 1, can I change it to yes?

 

[kdburton]

For now, I have selected - No. But if I get my results before September 1, can I change it to yes?

Try and change it right now. I thought it said that once you enter an answer you cannot change it. I'm not sure if this means you cannot change once you "certify" or submit your application or after you actually check yes/no. If you can change it right now I assume this means you can change it anytime between now and Sept 1.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

If you choose to automatically release, any time there is a new Step score it will be sent to all programs to which you have applied. If you choose No, then only an initial score report is sent. However, you can send an updated copy, free, anytime you want via MyERAS. So, it allows you to see your score first and then decide whom (if anyone) to release it to.

 

[zestdoc]

Thanks!

I feel like I have figured out how it works.

1. USMLE Transcripts will only be requested when we apply for a program. So, you can change replies (YES/NO) any number of times before applying.

2. All the score reports available with NBME by that will appear on transcripts.

3. In my case, the second question would not make a difference as all my scores will be with me even before I can apply for a program.