USMLE Forums banner
Cancel

CS first or CK????

Tags
step-2-ck-preparation
Jump to Latest Follow
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
R

· Registered
Joined
·
8 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hello forum,

I took step 1 few weeks ago...
awaiting results...

Was really confused which out of CS or CK to take first???
planning to apply for 2012 match....

please suggest:)

One option:
CS in April beginning...
then come back and prepare for CK and take it in July....
is this much time enough for both the steps???

2nd option:
prepare for CK now and give it by June beginning...
then take CS in July, before 14th that is....but the reporting period for this slot is Aug 17 to Sept 14.....so i guess I'll be missing the 1st Sept date....

please help........
 
Sabio

· Registered
Joined
·
3,273 Posts
#3 ·
Both options OK

They say the reporting period is from August 17 to September 14. But in reality the results come out usually on the first day of the reporting period which means August 17. So even for the second option you have time to be ready by September 1st.

I also would like you to have a look here
http://www.usmle-forums.com/general-topics-recommended-threads/1223-imgs-step-take-first.html

As for the time needed to prepare for both CK and CS, have a look here;
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...s/366-time-needed-imgs-prepare-step-2-cs.html
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...s/363-time-needed-imgs-prepare-step-2-ck.html
 
R

· Registered
Joined
·
8 Posts
Discussion Starter · #4 ·
thanks

thanks for suggestions..
really appreciate it...
thanks sabio:)
those links were really helpful..

jus wanted to know even if cs results come on 17th aug, n if all other credentials etc are verified, then how much time it'll take for the ECFMG certification??

and by any chances even if the CS results are delayed, what will it be like to apply on sept 1 without CS results??

and does CK knowledge help in CS prep??
 
7

· Registered
Joined
·
57 Posts
#9 ·
A helpful thread indeed :)

Thanks for whoever started this great thread as it truly describes my personal situation too & THANK YOU SO MUCH SABIO for your great responses :happy:
 
Save Share
Reply Quote
S

· Registered
Joined
·
51 Posts
#10 ·
i have heard that even the ecfmg reports later than the 1st week of the reporting period for CS ( because like 98% of them will receive it by the 1st reporting week), the delay was only about 2 days. you don't need the hard copy of the ecfmg certification that arrives 2 weeks after your score. if you pass step 1, ck and cs, you are automatically "certified" as you will see it reflected in your oasis, even WITHOUT the hardcopy of the certificate, besides it's the ECFMG's transmittal of your certification status which will matter to the program directors and not the hard copy.

as to your options, either one will be fine, and will now depend on how long you would really want to prepare for the exams. if i were in your shoes, i would pick option 2. well, that is me speaking. your decision will matter at the end and not any of us here.

i hope i have helped with your dilemma in some sort of way. good luck!:)
 
StepTaker

· Registered
Joined
·
3,200 Posts
#11 ·
sunMD said:
you don't need the hard copy of the ecfmg certification that arrives 2 weeks after your score. if you pass step 1, ck and cs, you are automatically "certified" as you will see it reflected in your oasis, even WITHOUT the hardcopy of the certificate, besides it's the ECFMG's transmittal of your certification status which will matter to the program directors and not the hard copy.
Click to expand...
The problem is that in ERAS, they ask you whether you are certified or not. If you say Yes, they ask you to mention the date of issue of your certificate. That date of issue won't be known until the ECFMG actually prints out your certificate (few days before you receive in the mail you'll be notified in OASIS).
So passing the steps does not automatically means that you are certified in ERAS and does not automatically means that programs are aware that you are certified, you have to wait until the certificate is actually produced.
This issue has been discussed before in the forums here;
http://www.usmle-forums.com/residen...w-long-takes-ecfmg-certificate.html#post26472
 
S

· Registered
Joined
·
51 Posts
#12 ·
@Steptaker: i see. But if and when it is september and upon eras opening, ones certificate isnt issued ( but have taken step 1,ck, cs all passed), another option wud be to answer "no" regarding being ecfmg certified with the premise that the applicant declares on her CV her performances in the 3 exams, because from there PD would know that the applicant is technically certified and just waiting for a formal certificate. So in the case of someone who wants to make it in the last reporting period of cs for this year (aug17-sept14), if medical credentials verified you can expect your score to arrive 1st reporting week and ur certificate 2 weeks later, so thats late late august, that will still be good enough. I know a couple who took the exam 2 days before the last day of the last reporting period before sept 1 , got their scores 1 st reporting week, certified by sept1.
Well that my take on that, iy all depends on rhima now on what sked she would take. Haha.
 
H

· Registered
Joined
·
390 Posts
#13 ·
I think what really matter is if that program puts ECFMG certification as a filter to select those applications for further review. In that case, we have to wait for the certificate, otherwise they will never look at our application.
 
StepTaker

· Registered
Joined
·
3,200 Posts
#14 ·
sunMD said:
because from there PD would know that the applicant is technically certified and just waiting for a formal certificate.
Click to expand...
PDs are not sure you are certified when have just passed the exams. Because your credentials verification might get delayed and your ECFMG certificate might get delayed and therefore they won't take the risk and they won't send you for an interview.
As harlesmd said, it all depends on the program, if they have ECFMG certified as a criterion then they won't sent you for an interview until you say "yes" in ERAS.
Even programs that do not have that criterion, they will prefer those who have the certificate over you and you will be less competitive.
Being an IMG you have to strive to make your application as complete as possible, I wrote about this specific issue here http://www.usmle-forums.com/residen...7954-img-residency-application-apply-not.html
 
R

· Registered
Joined
·
14 Posts
#15 ·
Reply to CS or CK first + ECFMG certificates...

As a former Associate PD, I've reviewed thousands of applications and have extensive experience in reviewing step scores, timing/ sequence of exams and ECFMG certificates. The short answer to the question CK before CS is...knowledge is achieved before skills. Therefore, given the choice, excel in CK then proceed to the CS. Candidates completing licensure exams in what we thought was a "logical" sequence raised no questions. As an IMG, you don't want to explain why you chose to take the exams in an odd sequence. You don not want your application to draw unnecessary attention; take your time, excel on the exams in sequence.
As for the ECFMG certificate. It is not essential though it is beneficial. ECFMG vets the documents PDs don't want to chase or question.
Best of luck!
ResidencyPro
 
K

· Registered
Joined
·
4,337 Posts
#16 ·
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
About this Discussion
18 Replies
8 Participants
Last post:
Residency Pro
USMLE Forums
A forum community dedicated to the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Come join the discussion about schools, exams, news, prep, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
USMLE Step 1 Forum USMLE Step 2 CK Forum IMG Residency Match Forum USMLE Step 1 Study Partners USMLE Step 2 CS Forum
Top