Some of it depends on how you felt about your step 1 score - did you do better than expected or did you think you were going to do better? If 230 was higher than you expected, I'd hold on to that and not worry about Step 2. If you felt comfortable and even thought you were going to do better, there isn't much risk taking step 2 because everyone I know that spent any time at all preparing for step 2 improved their score by at least 10 points. So, unless you're really worried about your score dropping or don't have any time to prepare, taking it will most likely only improve your application. That being said, a lot of programs won't even look at it, but a higher score definitely isn't going to hurt you anywhere. Just my thoughts - I took it early by the way, and my score went up 14 points.

With a score in the 230s I personally think it is truly dealer's choice and that seems to be the general trend of the poll. Scores in 230s will get your foot in the door at many places although it obviously is not going to have the same impact as the 250s. The only absolutes are to take it late enough that you dont have to report the score if a disaster happens and only take it if you have time to study appropriately for it. I seriously doubt that many interviewers are going to ask about your step II score if it is not reported on your application.

If you have the time to study for it, get it out of the way as you dont have to report a poor score and a rise in your score can be a plus. I pesonally had my bump in score mentioned on a handful of interviews. A lot of people say screw it--I will take it later when I dont have to worry about it. The only way you dont have to worry about it is if you have already matched. I hate to be pessimistic, but no one wants to be one of the individuals who "slipped through the cracks" when match day comes around and then reapply next year with an embarassing step II score dragging down your application. In general,the third and fourth years of medical school are not the greatest time to be cavalier about anything if you are trying to match into ortho.