Average DO

[n0chi]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

i was just looking at some admin stuff for some DO schools, and most say that anything below 70% is a failing grade. so i was just wondering what happens to students that are about 75-80% or so... like in the B- range.

i realize for certain specilizations one needs to be the best of the best, but i guess my question is, is there room for people that arent perfect? i know one should try to do their best and blah blah, but what is someone's best is just a B? it is possible to manage with a B and average scores on the boards and place into.. lets say.. family practice? (or any primary care for that matter)

i was just wondering what some of the current DO students think about the whole grading system and how they cope with it.

cheers.

 

[DOnut]

I was a pretty average student during medical school. Mostly pass, with a few honors. Did a little above average on boards, but nothing close to 99%. Was able to match into an excellent residency spot. So the answer to your question is yes!!

There are definitely specialties out there where you will need to be stellar, but for the average, or slightly above average student, you will not have a problem finding a residency position.

Also, there are more FP positions in the country then people applying for them, so you will definitely not have a problem match into family practice. Some FP programs are more desirable than others, and thus more competitive but I have never seen someone who wanted FP not match.

Hope this helps!

DOnut

 

[Kubed]

... i guess my question is, is there room for people that arent perfect? ...

God I hope so. I'm banking on that. 😉


My school grades on a straight curve (90a, 80b, 70c) for all classes and clinicals. There are a group of students who worry about grades and stress over not getting the A, but for the most part people just care about passing. I was amazed at how quickly I got over getting good grades once I started school. You'll be fine.

Personally I think the best system is a straight up pass/fail. When you add honor and high-pass you end up having the A/B/C system all over again.

 

[Hardbody]

i was just looking at some admin stuff for some DO schools, and most say that anything below 70% is a failing grade. so i was just wondering what happens to students that are about 75-80% or so... like in the B- range.

i realize for certain specilizations one needs to be the best of the best, but i guess my question is, is there room for people that arent perfect? i know one should try to do their best and blah blah, but what is someone's best is just a B? it is possible to manage with a B and average scores on the boards and place into.. lets say.. family practice? (or any primary care for that matter)

i was just wondering what some of the current DO students think about the whole grading system and how they cope with it.

cheers.

If I am not mistaken, there are more D.O. schools (and many M.D. schools) that have pass/fail rather than A/B/C/F or High Pass (Honors)/Pass/Fail. Maybe someone that knows more than me could drop a list with a breakdown of the way in which schools grade.

 

[dr.z]

If I am not mistaken, there are more D.O. schools (and many M.D. schools) that have pass/fail rather than A/B/C/F or High Pass (Honors)/Pass/Fail. Maybe someone that knows more than me could drop a list with a breakdown of the way in which schools grade.

I think most DO schools have grades and/or numerical scores.

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Most DO schools use letter or percentil grades.

Most MD schools use H/P/F or some variation.

As has been said, it doesn't really matter anyways because preclinical grades do not really matter for many residencies (especially primary care). All that really matters are board scores and clinical rotations in the specialty you are applying to.

Get beyond grades and start learning so that you will be a better doctor, not to get a better grade.