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[Piglet2020]

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[Goro]

Stop thinking like a pre-med.

PDs don't care about your pre-clinical grades.

Your grades are also not a measure of your value as a human being, or your self-worth.

 

[slowthai]

Honestly, no one cares about preclinical grades unless you fail a class. And even then, at some school there was this kid gunning for ortho (last year?) that failed a class. He turned it around and killed everything else (step, research, clinical grades, aways) and matched.

 

[Lawpy]

they may matter for AOA if you're interested in that (or if programs/specialties you're interested heavily value AOA).

 

[Piglet2020]

Thank you. Would ophthalmology be a stretch since it’s competitive? I’m not the brightest in my class so I’m just wondering if I’m aiming too high. I’ve dabbled in eye health in college/research and grown to really like the field.

 

[slowthai]

Thank you. Would ophthalmology be a stretch since it’s competitive? I’m not the brightest in my class so I’m just wondering if I’m aiming too high. I’ve dabbled in eye health in college/research and grown to really like the field.

I don't think you should shortchange yourself. It'll only be a stretch if your step 1 score ends up being uncompetitive for ophtho. I don't know the median/average. Don't think it's in Charting the Outcomes, but you should probably aim for 245+. There's an ophtho AMA thread on here somewhere. You should check that out for more info.

 

[NotYou20]

Thank you. Would ophthalmology be a stretch since it’s competitive? I’m not the brightest in my class so I’m just wondering if I’m aiming too high. I’ve dabbled in eye health in college/research and grown to really like the field.

You're going to have to work hard for it. But at the same time I dont think a single c will kill you. Many other more important factors

 

[slowthai]

Here: Ophthalmology Attending - AMA

 

[Piglet2020]

Thank you! I will ask about ophtho there.

So I’ve been having difficulty balancing studying for class + studying for Step.

In first yr, I focused on memorizing everything for class and therefore achieved upper B grades. It seems like I’m doing a whole standard dev below, just by shifting a little more focus on step material. (Hence, getting my first solid C on an exam.)

What should I do? Conflicted bc seeing a C in a class makes me sad/anxious but of course, step also takes priority.

 

[NotYou20]

Thank you! I will ask about ophtho there.

So I’ve been having difficulty balancing studying for class + studying for Step.

In first yr, I focused on memorizing everything for class and therefore achieved upper B grades. It seems like I’m doing a whole standard dev below, just by shifting a little more focus on step material. (Hence, getting my first solid C on an exam.)

What should I do? Conflicted bc seeing a C in a class makes me sad/anxious but of course, step also takes priority.

If you're getting a C while studying hard you should probably adjust strategy. Class grades ate actually a bit impirtant for higher step1 scores. Plenty of time to improve so dont stress

 

[slowthai]

Thank you! I will ask about ophtho there.

So I’ve been having difficulty balancing studying for class + studying for Step.

In first yr, I focused on memorizing everything for class and therefore achieved upper B grades. It seems like I’m doing a whole standard dev below, just by shifting a little more focus on step material. (Hence, getting my first solid C on an exam.)

What should I do? Conflicted bc seeing a C in a class makes me sad/anxious but of course, step also takes priority.

You should check out the threads on how to balance step and class. Also check the med school subreddit. I only say this because there are a myriad of opinions/experiences and that may help you more than I can, practically.

Personally, I would continue to focus on step. Think about it, no one says they wish they did better in class. Most people say that wish they focused more on step. I know that it's hard to get out of the mindset of "grades are everything" and comparing yourself, but I'm sure you know that step is make or break.

 

[ohmanwaddup]

Dude you need to relax. Crying over a C? how are you going to manage getting questions wrong during rotations, or making mistakes in residency? You need to get a healthier mindset

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Thank you. Would ophthalmology be a stretch since it’s competitive? I’m not the brightest in my class so I’m just wondering if I’m aiming too high. I’ve dabbled in eye health in college/research and grown to really like the field.

No one can answer this based on one C in pre-clinical. No one can really answer this question until your whole app is close to being done