how important is it to honor medicine if you want to do it during residency? medicine is at the top for me but unfortunately, i'm doing it right now as my first rotation and honesty i don't know crap...

how important is it to honor medicine if you want to do it during residency? medicine is at the top for me but unfortunately, i'm doing it right now as my first rotation and honesty i don't know crap...

Rumor has it that some tip-top programs use an Honors on third year medicine as a "screen". Honestly, I'm not sure I believe this at all. Most programs won't care -- it depends on the rest of your application.

That being said:

1. No medical student knows anything useful in July.
2. Getting Honors in medicine on Block 1 is all about growth -- if by the end of the month you're "getting it" and starting to work somewhat independently, then your grade will be fine.
3. The shelf exam, if used by your school, is scaled over time. The percentiles are broken out by quarter, so it's "easier" to score a certain percentile early in the year.

Work your hardest, and learn the crap!

aprogdirector - my school doesn't have honors, just pass/fail. we do get a percentage grade reported. will this be a detriment to me at the better programs?

aprogdirector - my school doesn't have honors, just pass/fail. we do get a percentage grade reported. will this be a detriment to me at the better programs?

It will not matter, as long as the MSPE is clear. A small number of medical schools (mostly DO) report a percentage without any background. I.e. "crys20 got a 90% on IM". What does that mean? Did you do well? or did everyone else get a 99?

as long as you shine during your M4 year as a sub-intern (or acting intern), you'll be fine. Your letters will reflect your caliber and qualifications.