Hey, just wanted to see if you all had any advice about when during 4th year to take step 2 ck…

My 4th year begins in July and I was planning on spending July, August, and September doing 3 nsurg electives (one at my home program and two away). Then I would take October to study for step 2 CK and take the test at the end of the month.

My concern is that I will not have taken step 2 CK by the time I submit ERAS. Do you think this will hurt me? I’ve heard that it is important to take step 2 CK relatively early on, but the only way I could take it any earlier than this would be if I pushed back my away electives, which seems like a bad strategy.

If it makes any difference, I got a high score on step 1, so I don’t need to compensate.

I appreciate the advice.

No, there is no expectation to take Step 2 before ERAS or interviews. Most applicants don’t have it done yet, so it’s not typically given much weight. Some programs do ask that you have passed both parts of Step 2 before rank submissions are due, however.

Yea no rush to take CK before ERAS is submitted (which is sept 1 usually). But, I want to add that Step 2 CK is slowly becoming more important with the Programs. I delayed taking step 2CK till January so no one would have to see my score, but I was asked quite a few times “why is step 2 ck not reported and do you intend on taking it soon.” Also, like the above poster said, some schools definetly will want to see it before rank lists are due (UCSF had that policy). In retrospect I still have no regrets taking it in January but for future applicants it might be worth while to have the score by the time interviews are underway. This is probably just the 2 year lag of switching to regular match, since with early match 4th years were on a tighter schedule.

I took both parts of Step 2 in February right around the time rank lists were due, and I was never asked about why I delayed step 2 at any of my 20 interviews.  However, as another poster said, I have heard other people get asked about it.  I would advise that if your step 1 is >240, then I’d delay taking step 2.

Another good option is to take it in November or December.  That way, at interviews you can tell programs that it just didn’t fit to take it earlier, but the result will be back before their rank lists are due.  I would be willing to bet that no program will go back and re-download your score from eras after the interview.  Looking at every place I applied to on eras, November 1st was the latest that anything was downloaded.  However, if it gets auto downloaded, I would also be very surprised if programs went back and heavily scrutinized every piece of your application after your interview.  Most places seemed to do the ranking of applicants within a few days of each interview.

just take CS early. its pointless and will allow you to relax a little more

Only UCSF needs your Step 2 CK and CS scores before Feb. Other programs don’t care.

when i interviewed in 2009, the program director at UF stated that they were going to start looking more closely at step 2 scores(CK), and may not rank applicants without a step 2 score.  That being said, they were the only program of the 15 where I interviewed to comment on my not having taken step 2.

Has anyone noticed if other schools in addition to UCSF are starting to pay more attention to Step 2CK?  I’m planning my 4th year and trying to figure out when to take it.