Step 2 early versus 2 aways, which is more beneficial?
Hello,
I am trying to set up my senior schedule and am kind of stuck. I am unsure if I should attempt to crush Step 2 (to overcome my Step1) in July or to take it later in the year and do an extra away rotation in the summer. I am receiving mixed opinions from my advisors and would just like to see what you all think.
My stats: middle-tier medical school
Step1- 235/98,
GPA 3.70 (not AOA),
3rd year clinicals- A's in all to date (Peds, OBGYN, Family, Radiology) with very good scores on the shelf exams
Research- a couple of publications, a couple of presentations, currently in the middle of a urology project that should be published before apps
If I take Step2 early, my schedule would be:
July '10 -- Step 2 study
August '10 -- Urology @ home institution
September '10 -- Urology away @ my top choice
Nov & Dec off for interviews
OR
July - Uro @ home
August - Uro @ top away choice
Sept - Off for Step2
(this set up so that my Away can get a letter out in time?)
If I choose to take Step 2 later (probably October during my Emergency med or ICU month)
July '10 -- Urology @ home
August '10 -- Uro away #1
September '10 -- Uro away #2
October -- Step 2 during a rotation
Look at the forum topic Consensus on Step 1 score cutoff for sending Step 2. There is a lot of information in regards to Step 2CK's utility.
Don't take Step 2CK before August. All scores that have been reported prior to submitting ERAS have to be released at the same time. If a score is released after ERAS submission you can choose to hold the score and release it at your discretion or have it automatically released.
Letters for away rotations serve two primary purposes, the first is for interview selection, and the second is for interview day conversation and program rank list preparation. September away rotations letters are generally just used in the latter manner. Just make sure you have 2 letters by September 1st, 3 submitted and attached by September 7th, and use late away rotation letters as the optional 4th unless you have a great research letter. At the end of the day letters from prominent academic urologists carry the most weight.
I guess my third option is to do like you and get some uro rotations under my belt and THEN take Step 2, but seeing as I've already schedule CK I don't think I can push it back to Oct/Nov....
Would it be feasible to do my 1st 2 uro rotations in July/August...take September OFF for Step 2, then do a 3rd uro rotation in October? I know I wouldn't get the letter from the October rotation, but I'd still get to "audition" and get a letter for them to read during interviews. This may be the direction I'm headed at the moment...seems to be the best compromise...Thoughts?
I'm incredibly curious about this as well. My situation is similar, although I'm still thinking of doing 3 Uro rotations (1 at home and 2 away). It's either take Step 2 at the end of June so I can start up with Uro rotations right away, or take a month off to really do well on Step 2 during July and start Uro rotations in August. I'm worried that if I wait until August to start, my letter from my Sept rotation won't be in in time for the application...so I'm really really torn here. Am also torn about doing 2 uro rotations or 3... *stress*