Candidacy for Residency
If you are applying to a competitive specialty and you did not score well on Step I, then you may need to take Step 2 early enough to have the score back for program directors to consider when offering interviews and/or when formulating their rank order lists. Some program directors are looking at Step 2 scores more than they have in the past; some average Step I and Step 2 scores together. Because program directors are receiving large numbers of applications (even more so with the ease and efficiency of ERAS and especially in competitive specialties), they need to screen applications in order to obtain a more workable number to review. Some programs set cut-offs for Step I at 230-235. Consult our department program directors for their advice as to your candidacy in their field of practice.

Preparation
There are several questions you need to ask yourself to prepare to do well on Step 2. How did you perform on your M3 clerkships and exams? Do you need more study time? Extra study courses/programs? What in the M4 curriculum will you need to prepare you for Step 2 (e.g., Medicine Sub-I, etc.)? What rotations can be taken which will allow you more study time? What rotations should you stay away from during your study time?

Dean’s Letter and Applications
Do you want the fact you passed Step 2 included? Do you want your Step 2 score available for program directors to take into consideration when offering interviews? Or, is your Step I score competitive enough and all you want is for your Step 2 score to be available during interviews, so that if you do well, it may help you in the final analysis for rank order lists. Be aware that if you do not do well on Step 2 or worse than you did on Step I, program directors may ask during the interviews whether you have taken Step 2 and what your score is.

Graduation Requirement
If you have trouble with standardized exams and/or your Step I score was low, program directors may scrutinize more closely whether you have passed Step 2 yet or not. They are aware that passing Step 2 is a graduation requirement for UIC-COM. They may want to confirm this graduation requirement will be met before on-line rank order lists are due in February. Also, you need to allot yourself enough time to take Step 2 again in case you do not pass the first time. See revised UIC COM Policy on the time limits for completing USMLE requirements.

Coordination with other activities
There are a number of things going on during your M4 year in addition to taking USMLE Step 2 that you need to manage: Summer application process/deadlines, "audition" rotations (for contacts, letters of rec, getting to know them and their getting to know you, as well as arranging your interview while you are there to cut down on travel costs), residency interviews (Fall-Winter), optional international rotations, and fulfilling all graduation requirements. Also review: time limits for graduation