Step 3 and Residency Matching Likelihood

[Steve13]

Unfortunately I did not match in this years match and I believe the primary reason is step 2, as I failed it the first time and hence took a second attempt and passed (204/84)...my question is the importance of step 3. Will a passing step 3 score and a high step 3 score help in overcoming the failed step 2 score, or will programs not bother looking at the application at all just because of the failed step 2 score.

Also will step 3 score increase the likely hood of prematching? b/c programs don't have to worry about paying for acourse or u failing during residency

[Sabio]

Passing USMLE Step 3 is definitely a big boost to your ERAS application next year. If you get a high score in it, you can significantly dilute the effects of your CK second attempt. For simple reason, program director will say "look this guy's CK failure must have been an incident because he aced Step 3".

Moreover, passing Step 3 will allow you to apply for H1B Visa which is otherwise impossible without Step 3 and this increases your chances tremendously if you are in need of Visa.

Additionally, many program directors are afraid from "low scorers" because of one reason, they anticipate a Step 3 failure in the future and this maybe a cause of problems for them as you will be clogging the flow of residents.

So yes my friend, go and ace Step 3 ...

[Steve13]

Thanks Sabio, just the reply and motivation I was looking for. Awesome!

now to kill step 3, hehe