Programs look at the following when deciding on interviews Most Important: -Step I Still Important: -AOA? -Step II (is it higher than Step I?) -Clerkship grades (compared to your classmates) Of variable importance depending on the program: -Research -Your region / potential ties to the program (like did you do undergraduate there? do you have family there? did you do an away there? etc) -"Your Pedigree" in terms of medical school ranking and undergraduate ranking Less Important: -Everything else After getting an interview programs look at the following: -How normal you are / how well do you interview -Your demonstrated interest in their program -Some combination of the above In summary, yes it matters but obviously its not a deal breaker. Its just another part of the equation.