An average med student

[dartmed]

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I had a rough start in medical school being at the bottom of my class for Anatomy and then picked-up my slack in my other courses. I was in the bottom 1/3rd my first semester. My second semester looks better: Physiology - class average: 81, mine: 77-78; ICE - top 20-30 people in the class; Neuro: average in class. Overall, landing myself average or maybe slightly below average in my 1st year.

I plan on going into a specific residency program in Social Medicine/Internal Med at Einstein or somewhere along those lines (my life calling). So how am I faring so far? Is there anything that I need to worry about as of now that I need/should do differently? I plan on reviewing everything from 1st year to jump-start my 2nd year so that I am not so lost. Summer plans: have a couple internships in SM lined-up. Thanks!

 

[Kahreek]

Revise your study methods, and keep on working. Your grades will get better. Internal Medicine is not that competitive. Don't get too attached to a particular institution it is always good to broaden your options.
And btw I don't really know much about Social Medicine, so you might as well disregard my commentary.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Pre-clinical grades aren't as important in your residency application compared to stuff like Step 1, clerkship grades, LORs, research, etc.

"Yeah, I don't really give a crap about your pre-clinical grades. Focus on Step 1." - Plastics PD to my plastics-hopeful friend.

 

[boogaloo]

Pre-clinical grades aren't as important in your residency application compared to stuff like Step 1, clerkship grades, LORs, research, etc.

"Yeah, I don't really give a crap about your pre-clinical grades. Focus on Step 1." - Plastics PD to my plastics-hopeful friend.

Our RD told us, "Nobody cares about your personal statement. I don't even read them. I just look at Step I scores and start sending out invites." Obviously an exaggeration, but there's some truth to it.

 

[DermViser]

Pre-clinical grades aren't as important in your residency application compared to stuff like Step 1, clerkship grades, LORs, research, etc.

"Yeah, I don't really give a crap about your pre-clinical grades. Focus on Step 1." - Plastics PD to my plastics-hopeful friend.

And the reason he doesn't give a crap is bc the school is P/F in the first 2 years. LOL.

 

[evilbooyaa]

If you're an average candidate, you will likely match into Internal Medicine somewhere. As to matching specifically at Einstein (which one? I believe there's one in Philly and one in NYC, AFAIK), you may want to make some connections to the department prior to MS4 if you're really 100% sure about your decision.

 

[Brain Bucket]

Our RD told us, "Nobody cares about your personal statement. I don't even read them. I just look at Step I scores and start sending out invites." Obviously an exaggeration, but there's some truth to it.

You best believe your PS will be read very carefully, often during or just before the interview.

OP, if you're graduating from Dartmouth, you'll be fine.