Value of Step II's

I never got asked about Step II, but then again, I took them late. Programs only filter people out based on Step 1. You can choose to send them your step 2 if you want, but I don't think they care, unless you make a huge improvement. AOA is a big deal. Programs like to see that, although definately not a must. The best thing is to shine at away rotations, that can make up for an average step 1.

Your step 2 score will compensate for the Step I only after the filter. Make sure you do away rotations at places where you would want to live and go and SHINE there. Step scores become irrelevant if the residents and staff are behind you.

I walked in cold and took step 2 in May of my 4th year, blowing it off and scoring 60+ points less than step 1. I did not want to jeopardize my good step 1 score with a crappy step 2 and despite my medical school's November requirement, I waited until after rank lists were generated.

Hope this helps all

I'm a resident who has been involved in the screening process for interviews. At my program, there is no specific filter for board scores, gpa, aoa or anything else for that matter. I think great step 2 scores would help an application with decent step 1 scores.

I disagree with the previous posts--I believe most other programs look at both scores if step 2 has been done rather than just look at step 1.

The big question for applicants is: How sure am I that I will improve my score on step 2? A bad step 2 score after a great step 1 score will hurt; average scores on both won't make you stand out; poor scores on both and you're doomed; but an average step 1 followed by a great step 2 will probably put you back into favored status for interviews.

Choose wisely.

I have been on both sides of this one. As a student, I had a solid step I score (230"s), but chose to take step II early to get it out of the way. You have the option of reporting the score or not on ERAS, so I watied to report until I got my score back. When the score was higher than my step I, I reported it. Did it help me with interviews? I can't say for sure, but I had three PDs comment that they were impressed that I took it early, so I know they looked at it.

As a resident, I look to see if people have taken step II when screening the applications, as do some of the other residents in my program. If you improve your score, it will definitely make up for an average step I score. Some programs may screen only by step I, but I don't think that is standard.

I look at it this way. You cannot hurt yourself by taking step II early. Choose not to report the score until you receive your results. If you improve your step I score, submit them. It may help you with some programs and you are no worse off if it doesn't. If you do poorly, choose not to submit and you are no worse off.

I chose not to release my Step 2 scores when I initially completed ERAS. Having just received my scores, I would like all of the programs I applied to see them. My dean's office said that they would be included in my Dean's Letter, but Im not sure I believe them.

Could I just click the retransmit USMLE transcript on ERAS and have my step 2 scores sent?

That's what I did. I waited to see what the scores were. Then, when I liked them, I resubmitted them. Programs have downloaded the new ones and have received them. I also asked my dean to include it, but that's a little late now.

good luck.