another grade frustration thread

[fang]

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After getting a few 3rd year rotations behind me, it looks like I'm going to be a NH kind of student for the next couple of years. This is pretty frustrating-- I really wanted to do better!! After thinking about what I can change, I've sort of come to the conclusion that there isn't very much; I'm working as hard as I can, tend to be a pleasant person to work with according to my feedback, and am pretty good about basic science knowledge. Unlike in objective tests where you can point to specific things and work toward those goals (such as study longer or use different materials) in this situation there doesn't seem to be anything specific... I think this is how things are going to be for me in the near future.

I know there are many threads on this topic, but I just feel generally diappointed and wanted to vent.

 

[(nicedream)]

After getting a few 3rd year rotations behind me, it looks like I'm going to be a NH kind of student for the next couple of years. This is pretty frustrating-- I really wanted to do better!! After thinking about what I can change, I've sort of come to the conclusion that there isn't very much; I'm working as hard as I can, tend to be a pleasant person to work with according to my feedback, and am pretty good about basic science knowledge. Unlike in objective tests where you can point to specific things and work toward those goals (such as study longer or use different materials) in this situation there doesn't seem to be anything specific... I think this is how things are going to be for me in the near future.

I know there are many threads on this topic, but I just feel generally diappointed and wanted to vent.

Do you know other students getting better grades? Maybe try imitating them.

 

[fang]

Do you know other students getting better grades? Maybe try imitating them.

no, I don't know who gets honors! I don't really like asking people what their grades were. I do know that only 2 or 3 people per group of 12 get honors... maybe I screwed up the test, who knows.

 

[Back34]

After getting a few 3rd year rotations behind me, it looks like I'm going to be a NH kind of student for the next couple of years. This is pretty frustrating-- I really wanted to do better!! After thinking about what I can change, I've sort of come to the conclusion that there isn't very much; I'm working as hard as I can, tend to be a pleasant person to work with according to my feedback, and am pretty good about basic science knowledge. Unlike in objective tests where you can point to specific things and work toward those goals (such as study longer or use different materials) in this situation there doesn't seem to be anything specific... I think this is how things are going to be for me in the near future.

I know there are many threads on this topic, but I just feel generally diappointed and wanted to vent.

Effort and amicability work wonders for those rotations where you're more likely to be with down-to-earth evaluators (peds, psych, family) who place a high value on those qualities, rather than sycophancy. Provided you're a decent worker and somewhat competent, your grade in medicine, OB-GYN, and surgery is directly proportional to the amount of a$$ you're willing to kiss. I worked as hard as anybody during surgery but wouldn't get on my knees and pucker up for the attendings/residents; result --> pass. Those of my colleagues who were willing to part ways with their dignity did the dirty deed as a matter of priority --> "high pass" and "H." What's it worth to you?

 

[Ice-1]

Everyone is going to be disappointed at least once with some grade in clinical years. It's so subjective in many cases that you just can't let it get you down. The only thing you can do is to do the best you can and just keep on going.

 

[dynx]

After getting a few 3rd year rotations behind me, it looks like I'm going to be a NH kind of student for the next couple of years. This is pretty frustrating-- I really wanted to do better!! After thinking about what I can change, I've sort of come to the conclusion that there isn't very much; I'm working as hard as I can, tend to be a pleasant person to work with according to my feedback, and am pretty good about basic science knowledge. Unlike in objective tests where you can point to specific things and work toward those goals (such as study longer or use different materials) in this situation there doesn't seem to be anything specific... I think this is how things are going to be for me in the near future.

I know there are many threads on this topic, but I just feel generally diappointed and wanted to vent.

Some people just aren't honors caliber. Think of how few people get honors per rotation then ask yourself if you really think you are in the top 5% or whatever it is of that group. No reason to be frustrated.

 

[electra]

One way to look at it is to concentrate and focus on being a better doctor, rather than earning honors. Because, really, by doing things to be a better doctor (i.e. reading about your patients, having suggestions for treatment other than "your medical management", and learning how to get patient closer to the door), you portray yourself as a student that is really stretching out and growing in knowledge and experience. And those things are rewarded.

Remember, that "H" in anything and two dollars buys you coffee at any Starbucks in America. It's not everything.

 

[irrka]

Both me and the other med student on my team worked out A$$es off on the peds rotation, only to have a complete a-hole for a teaching attending, therefore ending up with "sat's" on the clinical grades. Of course as it turns out, for that rotation no matter what you do on the other parts of the clerkship (oral and shelf and outpatient) you're stuck at "sat" if you get that for your clinical. Because we all know that that's the MOST objective grade. RIGHT. i'm not bitter.

 

[kaos]

This whole subjective grading system makes NO sense. I got highest marks on all of the little individual criteria on my eval for one of my inpatient medicine months, and the attending wrote outstanding comments ("student gave exemplary patient care"), but gave me a mere A- when everything pointed to something higher. wtf. 😡

 

[cytoskelement]

This whole subjective grading system makes NO sense. I got highest marks on all of the little individual criteria on my eval for one of my inpatient medicine months, and the attending wrote outstanding comments ("student gave exemplary patient care"), but gave me a mere A- when everything pointed to something higher. wtf. 😡

same darn thing happened to me kaos. lets write strongly worded letters.

 

[MD2b06]

also, for your surgery rotation, it helps to be a really attractive female. the old & horny surgery attendings enjoy eye candy and are more than willing to give Honors to these people, even when it's obvious they are not anywhere near the top of their rotation group in terms of work ethic, knowledge base, etc. it's sad, but i've seen it work so many times. i know pre-clinical grades don't matter, but I can't believe residency programs place so much emphasis on clinical grades knowing that this type of stuff goes on. and please ppl, don't kiss ass. I refused to ever stoop to that level. I didn't honor everything, then again, I managed to maintain my self-respect and the respect of my friends. Those who did kiss ass found themselves w/o a shred of dignity or a friend in the world at the end of third year,

 

[kaos]

also, for your surgery rotation, it helps to be a really attractive female. the old & horny surgery attendings enjoy eye candy and are more than willing to give Honors to these people, even when it's obvious they are not anywhere near the top of their rotation group in terms of work ethic, knowledge base, etc.

That's really...gross!

 

[McGillGrad]

and please ppl, don't kiss ass. I refused to ever stoop to that level. I didn't honor everything, then again, I managed to maintain my self-respect and the respect of my friends. Those who did kiss ass found themselves w/o a shred of dignity or a friend in the world at the end of third year,

Are we talking obvious "you are a GOD!" ass-kissing or something along the lines of a person who has a great personality and gets along with the Attendings/Residents and the others are jealous "ass-kissing?"

 

[fang]

This is for anyone who was feeling my pain after that 1st post: things have improved a lot... it turns out that my 1st grade, a NH, was a combination of great feedback from 8 people, and mediocre feedback from one person. Unfortunately, that one person's feedback made up 35% of my grade. (Since then I've done really well; I have honors in the other 2 rotations! I hope it lasts.)

 

[Chief Resident]

Get used to it. Most things after the second year of med school are subjective, including your evaluations and promotion from one year to the next when you get into residency.

 

[VincentAdultman]

This whole subjective grading system makes NO sense. I got highest marks on all of the little individual criteria on my eval for one of my inpatient medicine months, and the attending wrote outstanding comments ("student gave exemplary patient care"), but gave me a mere A- when everything pointed to something higher. wtf. 😡

Just a litle feedback: if your bitching about getting "just" an A- to get sympathy I'd reconsider your strategy.

But otherwise I agree. This year is so important to do well in and everything leans on subjectivity. I hat this ****.

 

[lvspro]

Just a litle feedback: if your bitching about getting "just" an A- to get sympathy I'd reconsider your strategy.

But otherwise I agree. This year is so important to do well in and everything leans on subjectivity. I hat this ****.

Nice avatar pomp. At first glance I thought it looked a little cheezy, but after watching it loop a couplpe of times I realized what the woman was doing.

 

[McGillGrad]

Nice avatar pomp. At first glance I thought it looked a little cheezy, but after watching it loop a couplpe of times I realized what the woman was doing.

It's from the Family Guy.

 

[VincentAdultman]

Nice avatar pomp. At first glance I thought it looked a little cheezy, but after watching it loop a couplpe of times I realized what the woman was doing.

Huh? What's she doing?