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Step 2 let-down
#11
(10-14-2020, 11:46 AM)Guest Wrote: Hi all, 

looking for advice regarding a bad showing on step 2...

I'm an applying MS4 from a mid-upper tier med school with 242 step 1 (yes, i know, borderline) with 4 honors in 6 possible rotations (COVID affected the ability for more), Gold Humanism Honors Society election, and good research (15 pubs (11 first/second author), couple oral presentation at national mtgs, posters to boot). My school has no AOA, though I am top quartile (how my school "ranks" us) among my peers. Feedback on sub-I was really positive and I think I have good letters coming down the pike. 

However, Step 2 has been a nightmare for me. Ultimately, I didn't do well (237) -- not trying to make excuses here, though I worry the circumstances affected my ability to be at my peak. I was supposed to take in may (covid pushed this date after 4 weeks of studying and then cancelled altogether), which I moved to Late september after my rotations. 1 week before exam, my roommate gets COVID so I had to push my date again to quarantine.  Knowing this is low, I'm concerned programs will negatively look upon me for the borderline Step 1 further being weakened by a lower step 2. I don't think this reflects my clinical abilities. 

My question --  is this worth hitting head-on in something like a personal statement? or should I just wait until it gets brought up at an interview (I expect it would) and discuss the surrounding factors/own a bad test day?

Yes, I know this is a post dripping with anxiety and self doubt and I have total confidence in my ability to become a great resident and surgeon, I just want to know everyone's thoughts on how much this may/may not hurt me in the upcoming cycle and how to best combat this. 

tl;dr: pretty good applicant

(10-14-2020, 11:46 AM)Guest Wrote: Hi all, 

looking for advice regarding a bad showing on step 2...

I'm an applying MS4 from a mid-upper tier med school with 242 step 1 (yes, i know, borderline) with 4 honors in 6 possible rotations (COVID affected the ability for more), Gold Humanism Honors Society election, and good research (15 pubs (11 first/second author), couple oral presentation at national mtgs, posters to boot). My school has no AOA, though I am top quartile (how my school "ranks" us) among my peers. Feedback on sub-I was really positive and I think I have good letters coming down the pike. 

However, Step 2 has been a nightmare for me. Ultimately, I didn't do well (237) -- not trying to make excuses here, though I worry the circumstances affected my ability to be at my peak. I was supposed to take in may (covid pushed this date after 4 weeks of studying and then cancelled altogether), which I moved to Late september after my rotations. 1 week before exam, my roommate gets COVID so I had to push my date again to quarantine.  Knowing this is low, I'm concerned programs will negatively look upon me for the borderline Step 1 further being weakened by a lower step 2. I don't think this reflects my clinical abilities. 

My question --  is this worth hitting head-on in something like a personal statement? or should I just wait until it gets brought up at an interview (I expect it would) and discuss the surrounding factors/own a bad test day?

Yes, I know this is a post dripping with anxiety and self doubt and I have total confidence in my ability to become a great resident and surgeon, I just want to know everyone's thoughts on how much this may/may not hurt me in the upcoming cycle and how to best combat this. 

tl;dr: pretty good applicant

OP here -- never finished the tl;dr -- pretty good applicant with bad step 2 looking for advice

don't listen to these clowns, I matched this morning and my step 2 results aren't even back yet. I scored in the mid 40's for step 1. Lean on your mentors and just interview like a normal person.
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