what factors determine residency interview invites?

[Cloud805]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm trying to decide whether to take my Step II next week versus waiting until August for a more likely improved score from where I am now. The only problem is taking it in August will put me away from having it ready for the ERAS submissions in September. Will a Step II score added later as an addendum be helpful in scoring me an interview from a residency that initially screened me out on account of a low Step I score? Or are all interview slots generally given away to the first wave of September 15th applications? I tried to google for these basic answers but I couldn't find details regarding this mysterious process anywhere. Thanks.

 

[BoardingDoc]

I'm trying to decide whether to take my Step II next week versus waiting until August for a more likely improved score from where I am now. The only problem is taking it in August will put me away from having it ready for the ERAS submissions in September. Will a Step II score added later as an addendum be helpful in scoring me an interview from a residency that initially screened me out on account of a low Step I score? Or are all interview slots generally given away to the first wave of September 15th applications? I tried to google for these basic answers but I couldn't find details regarding this mysterious process anywhere. Thanks.

Depends on a few things. What field are you going into? I know for EM, Step 2 has become more important, particularly if you did not do well (235+) on step 1. On the other hand, I know people in Uro and Derm who didn't take step 2 until they had matched. Either way, a substantial bump in your Step 2 can certainly help re-open doors that your Step 1 might have closed. As for whether the slots will all be gone or not, the answer is "probably no." Many places don't even give offers until they see your dean's letter and that isn't available till Oct 1st. Even if somewhere does fill up right away, it's likely to be a more competitive place which you probably wouldn't have a great shot at anyway if you're talking about getting pre-screened based on your step 1.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

There are a lot of "it depends" in this situation...

First, it depends on you. Are you a US med student? FMG? IMG? If you are FMG/IMG, it is often advantageous to have everything in your application lined up and ready to go. If you are a US grad, you're more likely to be ok with just a step I

Second, it depends on the field. As alluded to above, every field has different expectations.

Third, it depends on the program.

Fourth, it depends on the rest of your application. If you rocked step I and have good grades, you probably don't need step II, at least not right away.


*My traditional advice for a US student applying in surgery (with a solid step I and no other red flags) has always been to take Step II just late enough that you DON'T have the score back when you submit your initial ERAS application. The rationale for this is that if the score is back before you submit your application, it is going out to programs - no ifs, ands, or buts about it. If you get your score back after you've submitted (and you didn't select the auto-update option) - then YOU control when and if it gets release to programs.

**I've been debating changing this advice due to the increasing numbers of programs that want the score before selecting you for an interview.

 

[anonperson]

Very program and specialty dependent.

If you did below average on step 1 than definitely take step 2 early and do well. I actually scored sub 200 on Step 1 and then took Step 2 early at the end of July and score 240+. I got interviews at some excellent academic places because of the improvement on Step 2.

Regarding interviews, depends on the specialty and even among specialties, depends on the program itself. My residency was decent but in the middle of nowhere and offered interviews pretty early on to get people to come see them. Other more academic/competitive places did not do this.

But regarding step 2, it seems like the trend is a lot of programs in various specialties want that score, if not for interview purposes, at least prior to entering a rank list. Honestly, don't be afraid of the test. It's straightforward and I felt was easier to prepare for than Step 1.