Step 2 and 3

[singer]

I know that step 1 of the USMLE must be completed within three months of completeing 5th semester. When does and what is the optimum time for completing step 2ck, 2cs and 3. Do they all have to be completed to go into the Match?

[bevo]

step 3 is typically taken in your first year of residency.

step 2, from what I understand, depends on what you're applying for and what your step 1 score was.

If you did really well on step 1, someone might push off their step 2 ck date when they apply for residency.
the cs, I dunno, its so new.

[veetz]

I agree with bevo...it really depends on the individual, how well the person did on Step I, and what residency the person is applying for. A 230 on Step I will probably get interviews at just about any FP program in the country. However, it's low for something like radiology, especially coming from a 'foreign' school. Thus, the person going for FP might wait to take Step II, where as the person going for radiology should definitely take Step II with intentions of scoring higher.

Having said that, I've talked to numerous 4th yr's who said that they received more interviews than their peers with ~ same Step I scores simply b/c they had their Step II results and their peers didn't. Reality is, we as FMG's, are a gamble for programs and they don't want to risk wasting their time & money interviewing just to have someone fail afterwards.

At the VERY latest, one should take the CK & CS in December prior to matching to ensure the results are back by mid Febuary. If the results are not available by the time the applicant does his/her ROL, then the applicant will be disqualified from the match.

[Gator98MD]

I agree with Veetz's assessment. One caveat relative to the CS, I suggest taking that test as soon as humanly possible in clinicals because due to it taking upwards of two months to get your scores if you were to fail anywhere near the Rank order list deadline you would not have time to retake it. take it early in clinicals just in case you fail , so you have plenty of time to retake it.
About CK, I personally had it in the bag when I appllied and I know I got interviews I might not have , if I only had my step I score. The best rule of thumb for these exams is take them as early as you can , but not at the expense of illpreparedness. its better to be prepared and do well even if you take them later than to rush and do poorly.

[casegraham1]

I was once a student a Ross, I started in 2000 and transferred in 2002 to Drexel. Do well on step 1 and try to transfer out. My year, 9 of us transferred. All had scores over 235 but a friend of mine finished his 3rd year and then transferred but had to repeat a year. However he match in Radiology and his scores were not that good. I am now in radiology. Think big and study hard.

[singer]

Casegrahm1:

Interestimg how many kids were able to transfer in 2002. I guess you probalbly had a 4.0 average. Just out of curiosity when are the application s due at Drexal to transfer. I assume in most cases the September Ross class would lose a valuable year by transferring due to the timing. Is it really worth it? I never really look at my doctors diploma.

[jim]

in my class, we had a huge numebr transfer, almost 20. the lowest score they had that I know of was a 245. only 2 transfered to places that made them repeat time or lose a year. as a US grad, you get better opportunitys, but if you had planned on doing IM< FP, peds, psych, or general surgery, I dont see a point in sweating it if you dont transfer. if you want something like ortho or derm, then you really need to do well and transfer.

[MitchDC]

For official information on the scheduling of things beyond Step 1 you can download the Graduate Planning Guide from the Ross website - academic information -- forms -- graduate planning guide. It is an excelling publication by the office of graduate affairs.

MitchDC

I know that step 1 of the USMLE must be completed within three months of completeing 5th semester. When does and what is the optimum time for completing step 2ck, 2cs and 3. Do they all have to be completed to go into the Match?

[singer]

Mitchdc:

Thanks for the info on the ROSS site. It has all kinds of good info.

[casegraham1]

Singer:

In response to your question. I did have a 4.0. I studied in the histology lab like it was my job. Getting into drexel was actually an accident. I sent my board scores and grades to like 60 med schools with the question, "Anyone interested". Most politely told me to shoot myself and others said I was too late. I sent this message in may and clinicals started in June. I got in cause of my board scores. If you can DO IT. you will see descrimination from residency, yes even IM, and surgery is now competitive again.

[geoff]

You needed to have a recorded passing score on the Step I, CK and CS by February 21 2005 for this years match otherwise you were electronically withdrawn from the match. Some say it's a stronger application if you can bang out a nice step II for the application cycle...so they know you've integrated basic sciences and the clinical portion by Sept 3 2004...the day your apps go out. Remember though...that the stateside students don't need... to do step II and CS by this deadline...so when you look at their averages for Step II... they've been in clinicals for nearly two years....double the amount of clinical time that you've had. Point. Step II is harder than one....and a good one really helps your application. Try and do it over two to three months in the summer of the year you're applying to ERAS for the following year's match.
Geoff